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Hard Charger
 
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| You have to take it with a grain of salt, CTT is as important as FMC vehicles until your operational rate hits below a certain level. That is the nature of the beast, especially in Service Battery where you have soldiers who work for Staff officers assigned to HHB, it is one of the hardest jobs in the FA. The only real answer is more time and that is never available. You train them the best you can and still it is never enough. We can say whatever we want, but they are required to be proficient in their Primary MOS and Common tasks, anything else is literally a bonus. I wish it were differnt, but it isn't.
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Hard Charger
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quote:
Originally posted by IrishEKU
quote:
Originally posted by redleg155
You have to take it with a grain of salt, CTT is as important as FMC vehicles until your operational rate hits below a certain level. That is the nature of the beast, especially in Service Battery where you have soldiers who work for Staff officers assigned to HHB, it is one of the hardest jobs in the FA. The only real answer is more time and that is never available. You train them the best you can and still it is never enough. We can say whatever we want, but they are required to be proficient in their Primary MOS and Common tasks, anything else is literally a bonus. I wish it were differnt, but it isn't.
As much as I hate to admit it you are correct on all points RedLeg. Imagine my suprise when they got a WARN ORD to head to Ft. Campell to take over security.
This topic has been bothering me like a pebble in my boot for the last couple of days, so it's time for me to get the pebble out, so to speak...
First and foremost, I'm a combat support soldier and leader and proud of that fact. The signal units I have been in had battle focus. My company followed the ten step training model, used FM 25-100 and 25-101 (now 7-0, and 7-1) and Sergeant's time training focused on individual tasks that supported battle and METL tasks. Our mission was comms, but we knew that we couldn't communicate if we were dead, so we trained to defend our sites and convoys too.
All that said, we weren't perfect. My priorities were on the battle and individual tasks that supported the METL and on OR rates. NBC always needs more emphasis, and I failed to stress that as CO. We only did one company level decon exercise and one gas chamber during my time in command.
OR rates are not a joke, and they are not just a block to check to make officers look good. They are a reflection of the preparation of a unit's pacing items to go to war. We took maintenance seriously in 2ID, because of the emphasis on being ready to fight tonight. You're not part of the solution if you can't get out of the motorpool when the balloon goes up.
Reading freddie115's initial post, I am dismayed. I was trained and mentored by great signal NCOs like CSM Tim London, SFC Brittain Turner, SSGs Demitri Steel and Vic Larson, and a total airborne/air assualt/DS pro 1SG Roderick Mitchell. Reading about a "screw them before they screw you attitude" in ANY unit in XVIII ABC breaks my heart.
As for the quality of soldiers, they will perform to the standard their leaders demand. It may not be fun getting them there, but it can be done.
Dismounting soapbox...
"EBO isn't a strategy. It's a sales pitch." - Ralph Peters
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Stare Master
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I have long believed that overall the quality of individuals entering the service is, for the most part, as good or better than any that this Country has ever had. It is my belief that too many times those soldiers that excel do so not because of the training and leadership, but despite it.
If you treat these young people like responsible adults and set the standards high most of them will respond and act accordingly. Those that don't shouldn't make it out of BCT.
The sad part, in my estimation, is that by having low standards for everyone too many of these soldiers will go into a real world situation unprepared and wind up KIA. This is not only avoidable but also criminal.
End of my rant for today.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Hard Charger
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Rant? that's not a rant... here's a rant.
"Army of One"
A Senior NCO's Perspective
by CSM Don Purdy (Ret)
I would like to give an NCO perspective on this issue of the Army of one. I am a retired CSM with 27 years of service. Most of it in Ranger companies, and the Ranger Regiment. I am a Vietnam veteran, and a veteran of special operations. I retired in 1995 but have done mostly contract work at FT Benning involving experimentation on MOUT ops. I got to work around a lot of soldiers, and had to keep up with current trends and tactics. I am currently working in Saudi Arabia training Saudi paratroopers and Rangers.
1. Some senior NCOs are nothing more than boot lickers who sing the "Army of One" song to their superior officers everyday.
Commanders need to hear the good, bad and the ugly, and then be given good solid recommendations. They need there senior
NCOs to be TRAINERS. LEAD by EXAMPLE. DO as the troops do. LEAD FROM THE FRONT. GET IN THE DIRT. This bull **** of "I have done that" is garbage. What you are doing now is what counts. Quit worrying about your next assignment. Focus on your mission now. Your mission is to train soldiers for war, and it's damned hard work. If you do it right you will leave the Army in worse shape physically than when you came in. BE HARD BUT FAIR. You must have MORAL COURAGE.
2. Training is just a word they can't spell. Chief trainer means chief boot licker. TICKET PUNCHERS.
3. "Moral courage" means telling your commander what he wants to hear these days. I was condemned by my peers, and superiors for speaking up, and telling it like it was. I was called a relic from the past that should be put in a glass case. I was focused on training for war not peace. Discipline was my watch word, and the soldiers did not decide what punishment was right or wrong where I served as CSM. I was the Chief Trainer. The buck stopped with me. I participated in all training and lead by example. I was told by a Division CSM that I would never serve above BN level because I was to intrusive. That means I scared
commanders with the truth. The next thing he asked was why do you train with your soldiers? The question was shocking, but the answer was simple. When I speak everyone listens. That went over his head like a tent. I carried a rifle not a pistol, and I damn well knew how to use that weapon and my soldiers knew how to use their weapons as well.
4. Combatives is important. Boxing, wrestling, and bayonet fighting are not antiquated. CQB is just what it means, Close !uarter Battle. MOUT, Trench systems, and bunkers must be cleared, and you had better be aggressive and prepared to do bayonet or hand to hand fighting. When others were laughing at my unit for doing this my soldiers were prepared and understood
what fix bayonets meant. They were aggressive and well disciplined. Sub standard performers were put out immediately. My First Sergeants were not mail men or chow deliverers they were the Chief Trainers of their companies.
5. We trained for war not peace. Live fires were a priority, and were not canned. Leaders, and soldiers had to react. Maneuver elements maneuvered, and had to rely on the SBF not to shoot them but only the enemy. Bayonets were fixed and there were dummy targets for the soldiers engage with those bayonets.
Resupply millions were planned and executed. The battlefield had to be policed of casualties, and equipment by any means available, even if it meant driving vehicles cross country, or physically carrying the wounded. Reload drills, dead gunner drills, and crew drills were executed over, and over, and over again.
These were executed day and night. NODS went on your face
when the sun went down. They weren't hanging around your
neck. We executed live fires at night with NODS in the woods, and the live fires were not canned. Raids,ambushes, search and attack were all executed at night up to company size. This took us over one year to get to that level. Mortars could hit their targets. Units could move silently day or night, and didn't get lost. We did no rely on the GPS. WE USED MAPS AND COMPASSES. We lived out of our ruck sacks, weather from the BN CMDR on down. Frost bite, and heat casualties were not common because we trained to live and fight in the same environment. We did not look like bums. We shaved every day, wore our equipment properly, camouflaged our face, and hands when necessary, soldiers new how to maintain themselves and their equipment in the field, and uniformity was important. Soldiers new what a cat hole was, and trash was carried in there rucks not thrown on the ground or buried for the hogs to dig up. Uniforms were worn properly. The companies received one hot meal a day and understood how to conduct tactical feeding. Our cooks knew how to function in the
environment. The combat trainers did not live in tents. Their perimeter was secure, weapons were clean, noise and light discipline was maintained. Cooks, clerks, and all other support personnel knew how to use their weapons, and were trained on basic Infantry skills. Misfires were damn well rare, and punishment was swift when it did happen. We suffered no live fire deaths because we trained properly, and used good old fashioned common sense. We never had the soldiers execute missions they were not properly trained for. The NCOS trained the soldiers, the officers commanded. Our motto was what ever you do, it right. Rate of sick call in the field was almost zero. Morale was high because of good hard leadership from the front, and realistic tough training. We even executed a day of live fire training during support cycles. You need a strong CSM who understands discipline and training. He can talk it and walk it.
6. There is no such thing as a good field soldier. You are either a soldier or not a soldier. Everything from appearance to police call is important. This bull **** about my space and my rights is just that BULL SHIT. Barracks are not his or her home its a place for them to live. For saying this I was told I had a mess kit mentality. This individuality BS of "I need my own room" is garbage. We waste more money building these Condos so soldiers can feel good, and not be part of a team its sickening. They should live in fire team bays. It builds cohesion. Key control alone is a nightmare. Of course don't bother the poor soldier just let him live like a pig, and when he gets sick or you find out he or she is a drug dealer then blame it on the NCO Corp even though you the illustrious BN CMDR, BDE CMDR said leave the soldiers alone
in there precious rooms. Soldiers are owed a place to sleep, their pay, and the best leadership and training that can be provided.
7. DISCIPLINE is the key. DRILL AND CEREMONY is the foundation
of discipline. When I say fall in I want to hear your heals coming together. When I speak you jump. All ceremonies should be executed with weapons so each unit can execute the 15 count
manual of arms. Carrying a card around in your pocket does not
develop good morals. Morals are developed through solid leadership not gimmicks and head gear.
8. You want to be politically correct stay on the block. You want to be different or an individual looking to be a victim; stay on the block. If you're a pervert and proud of it; stay on the block. You want to be a soldier then become part of a disciplined team. This is not a job it's a profession. You're here to fight our country's wars not to be a gut eating self-serving individual. Senior Officers, and NCO, I am telling you right now if things don't change, you will have the blood of soldiers on your hands. There is an enemy out there who is determined, and he is not concerned about individual feelings, or time out. If you don't train them hard now, and demand from them now what in the hell do you think the enemy is going to do to them. If they can't take the heat in training how are they going to take it on the battle-field. Technology my ass, soldiers win wars. Be hard on them now or watch them die, or worse break and run. Be HARD BUT FAIR! Being fair does not mean they dictate punishment or babying them. A Russian General said "Hard on the training field, easy on the battle field". General Patton said "Leading from the rear is like trying to push spaghetti up hill." You want your soldiers to
respect you not love you. When they look at you they should see a competent leader. The best compliment I ever received, was from a soldier who was PCSing. I was a PLT Sergeant in the First Ranger BN. He said " Sergeant Purdy I hated to hear you come in, in the morning, and some times I just flat hated you, but I would follow you to hell with gasoline drawers on"
CSM Don Purdy
Retired U.S.A.
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I'd have written my own statement but why mess with success, the CSM said it pretty much all. sf
______________________________________________________________________________________________
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Seasoned Vet
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| Hooah!!! CSM Purdy is right on the money as usual!! It was a sad day when he left the Army.
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Seasoned Vet
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quote:
Originally posted by rb325th
HOOOAH!! That is the Army I grew up in!!! I think what the Army needs to do is to bring back a lot men such as CSM Purdy and place them in charge of the restructuring dammit!!!
Roger That!!! How does SMA Purdy sound to you??
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Seasoned Vet
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With nutrition, improvements in physical training, and genetics in general, todays military personnel are bigger, stronger and faster. And in spite of our strong cadre of M-14 lovers, . . . their equipment would have to be judged as superior to anything that used from 1942 through the 50's. And I don't even like to hear myself say that.
I would like to think that based on my 60's experience, we may have been more disciplined and trained to react in an unquestioning fashion. We may have been more educated in the 82nd's history and their leaders past and present, a little more gung-ho, but those are just assumptions.
Given that and only having TV's talking-heads and their videos, it is hard for me to make any educated judgment on todays troops. But if cornered and forced to stand-up and be counted I would have to say that we have the physically toughest and best, and the best trained and most motivated fighting men and woman in the world.
My heart swells with pride at our military. On how they fight, how they behave in battle and especially how they behave in victory. I am proud to even be able to say that I was associated with such a glorious and honored group.
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