DA Form 4856 UCMJ Magic Bullet Phrase -- developing

The DA Form 4856, Developmental Counseling Form is one of the most powerful forms in an NCO's toolbox. They are used for myriad counselings including the event oriented counseling or in junior enlisted speak -- a bad counseling.

If a Soldier's sub-standard performance may eventually warrant UCMJ, you have to tell them of the consequences of their behavior. This is outlined for Active Army in AR 635-200 and National Guard and Reserve AR 135-178.

Focusing on the National Guard and AR 135-178, Section 2–4. Counseling and Rehabilitation, "Commanders must make reasonable efforts to identify Soldiers who are likely candidates for early separation and to improve their chances for retention through counseling, retraining, and rehabilitation before starting separation action."

Soldiers must be given a reasonable opportunity to overcome their deficiencies such as unsatisfactory performance, minor disciplinary infractions, pattern of misconduct or failure to meet Army body composition standards.

In other words, when counseling approaches UCMJ or separation level, the 4856 needs to state that continued behavior of a similar nature or additional misconduct may result in separation and it needs to spell out the consequences.

(c) The characterization of service that may be issued and the effect of each type if such action is taken and separation accomplished.

This is the 4856 "Magic Bullet Statement."

I am on the hunt for a good, short, CTARNG specific Magic Bullet Statement.

--to be continued--

Half-staff display of the United States Flag

As I drive around town, I see a number of flags at half staff. These flags are on town property. When I check the Web for flag status for my state it says full staff. What's going on here?

The United States “Flag Code” as found in Title 4 of the United States Code provides uniform guidelines for the display of and respect shown to the flag. The Code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups. There are no federal restrictions or court decisions or penalties limiting an individual or civilian group lowering his own flag. This also applies to flying the flag at night, in inclement weather and in poor condition. If you want to pay proper respect to Old Glory, the flag code is your guide.

But what about town property like a park? Who can make a half-staff decision?

Title 4, Section 7 (m) covers position and manner of display. Basically it says the president or governor can make a half-staff decision. But there are caveats.

Setting aside the District of Columbia, the heads of federal departments, Peace Officers Memorial Day, the death of a president or Memorial Day, the president can order and the governor of a state, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.

When the governor issues a proclamation requesting flags be flown at half-staff because of the death of a member of the Armed Forces, the National flag at any Federal installation or facility in that area covered shall also be flown at half-staff. Otherwise, Federal installations take their orders from the president.

Connecticut has no expressed laws or rulings giving statutory or constitutional authority to the governor on half-staffing. It is a custom granted from his position as supreme executive power in the state. There is nothing in writing that a mayor can request half-staffing or ignore a half-staff request from the governor. It is a custom codified by guidelines.

With the prolonged Global War on Terror, there has been some confusion because of the frequency of half-staffing from service member deaths. Look to the US Flag code for guidance.

A Google search pulls up the current flag advisory in the State of Connecticut on the CT.gov site.

US Flag at Full Staff and Connecticut Flag at Full Staff

Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks; AWT

Hot off the press and trimmed:
Soldier Training Publication
STP 21-1-SMCT, 2 MAY 2011

"I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills."

It is right there in the U.S. Army Soldier's Creed. But where can a Soldier find these warrior tasks and which ones are the ones they should know?

Army Warrior Tasks are selected common individual Soldier skills deemed critical to a Soldier's basic competency and survival on the battlefield. Examples include weapons training, tactical communications and lifesaving. Everyone in the Army is expected to know level one tasks. Battle Drills are group skills such as react to an ambush. 

The ALARACT 078/2012, 2012 'Best Warrior' Competition and Army G-3 specifies using the online manuals (http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/smct_1.html) as they "are the most current." These are the digital copies of the fat brown book you where handed in basic training that fell apart almost immediately.

If you look at the current manual, there are a lot of tasks missing from years past. Gone are tasks for the MK19, and M18A1 Claymore Mine. Why?

Referencing the 2009 Army Posture Statement, "The Army conducts an annual review of WTBD to maintain relevance to current operations. Army Warrior Training, the program that replaced common task testing, focuses on WTBD training for all military personnel throughout the Army." 

In effect, they review tasks annually, add some and remove some in reaction to current operations.

Because of this review, even the manual may not be the most up-to-date resource available. In the Introduction to the SMCT, it says, "If a task identified in the SMCT is not current refer to AKO “my training” or “DTMS”, identify the individual task or task number. All tasks are reviewed annually and may change before the SMCT is updated."

So, if you have been ordered to teach how to perform safety checks on a hand grenade, don't reference your October 2006 Warrior Skills 1 book, but see if Task Number 071-325-4401 is in the current brown book. Then check the Army Training Network, ATN Task Search (https://atn.army.mil/) to get the most current task information.

NOTE: Don't throw those old books away. They are a solid, printed resource for weapons instruction on the crew-serve weapons. Great for hip pocket training when you have to teach a detail how to disassemble an MK19 and use LSA and not CLP. 

Saluting at parades

Figure 15.7. Position of the Colors at the Carry

With parade season approaching, I wanted to refresh my D&C knowledge. Here are some of the important things to consider when ground guiding a vehicle and driving in a parade.

• When driving, don't salute
• When alone, passing or being passed by the uncased National Colors, 6-step salute (look for yellow fringe)
• Salute when you recognize persons entitled to the salute (most importantly here--Coast Guard)

FM 2-21.5, 15-2. THE COLOR AND COLORS
b. Individuals or units passing or being passed by uncased Colors out of doors render honors. Individuals, not part of a formation, salute six steps distance from the Colors and hold the Salute until they have passed six steps beyond the Colors. The individual in charge of a formation calls the formation to ATTENTION and Present, ARMS.


f. During a review, parade, or honor guard ceremony, ordinarily only one National Color is present. [Ed Note: local commander can authorize subordinate groups to carry their National Colors in addition to the honor guard.]


A-1. WHEN TO SALUTE
Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled (by grade) to a salute except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle).

a. A salute is also rendered—

• When the United States National Anthem, “To the Color,” “Hail to the Chief,” or foreign national anthems are played.
• To uncased National Color outdoors.
• On ceremonial occasions as prescribed in Part Two, Ceremonies.
• At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag.
• During the sounding of honors.
• When the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag is being recited outdoors.
• When turning over control of formations.
• When rendering reports.
• To officers of friendly foreign countries.

b. Salutes are not required when—

• Indoors, except when reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.
• Addressing a prisoner.
• Saluting is obviously inappropriate. In these cases, only greetings are exchanged. (Example 1: A person carrying articles with both hands, or being otherwise so occupied as to make saluting impracticable, is not required to salute a senior person or return the salute to a subordinate.)
• Either the senior or the subordinate is wearing civilian clothes.

c. In any case not covered by specific instructions, the salute is rendered

A-6. SALUTING COLORS
National and organizational flags, which are mounted on flagstaffs equipped with finials, are called Colors. Military personnel passing an uncased National Color salute at six steps distance and hold the Salute until they have passed six steps beyond it. Similarly, when the uncased Color passes by, they salute when it is six steps away and hold the Salute until it has passed six steps beyond them.

NOTE: Small flags carried by individuals, such as those carried by civilian spectators at a parade, are not saluted. It is improper to salute with any object in the right hand or with a cigarette, cigar, or pipe in the mouth.

AR 600–25, Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy, 1–5. Hand salutes and salutes with arms

b. All Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to the salute. Salutes will be exchanged between officers (commissioned and warrant) and enlisted personnel, and with personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard), the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service entitled to the salute.


d. When military personnel are acting as drivers of a moving vehicle, they should not initiate a salute.


IN ADDITION:

Colors
A U.S. flag trimmed on 3 sides with golden yellow fringe.



AR 600–25, 1–12. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag
Soldiers may recite the Pledge of Allegiance as noted below in accordance with Section 4, Title 4, United States Code (4 USC 4)—
a. During military ceremonies, soldiers will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
b. At official functions, social events, and sporting events, soldiers should—
(1) When in uniform, outdoors, stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and render the hand salute.
(2) When in uniform, indoors, stand at attention, remain silent, and face the flag.
(3) When in civilian attire, stand at attention, face the flag with the right hand over the heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Headgear should be removed with the right hand and held over the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

Common Bridge Transporter CONUS Vehicle Restrictions

M1977 Common Bridge Transporter with MKII Bridge Erection Boat loaded. 

I have been tasked to bring two vehicles and four Soldiers to a St. Patrick's Parade this weekend. No biggie, conduct a PMCS (preventive maintenance check and services), double check safety equipment, check fuel level, stage in the company parking lot and ...wait a minute, is my boat truck too tall?

In my MOS (military occupational specialty) we use large trucks and boats to build floating bridges. The M1977 Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) is a modified M977  Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) chassis with a load handling system (LHS) installed. Manufactured by Oshkosh Defense, the M977 chassis is used for many things like wreckers and tankers and guided missile transporters.

We use our M1977A2 CBTs to haul supplies, bridges and boats. It is pretty strange to see a truck with a boat in the middle of the Iraq desert but we were there. The M14 Improved Boat Cradle (IBC) holds the MKII Bridge Erection Boat (BEB). Yes, we erect bridges with it.

One would think they could find the simple answer of how tall this combination is from a technical manual. Nope. Through the power of the Internet, I was able to find the final transportability approval for the CBT program. And in Table 1 was my answer.

However, what is legal in the state of operation? Look no further than vehicle restriction statutes found on the department of transportation web site.

Now we just have to make sure we don't hit any low hanging cables. Éirinn go Brách.

Additional notes:
"Truck, Cargo, Common Bridge Transporter, With Winch, M1977A2", "Transporter, Common Bridge" (NSN 2320-01-492-8219) $217,434.

"Truck, Cargo, Common Bridge Transporter, Without Winch, M1977A2", "Transporter, Common Bridge" (NSN 2320-01-492-8218) $207,241.

The boat video is pure MOS porn. Army recruiters don't show teenagers the very heavy bridge parts they get to lift or  mention rolling around in human and camel feces under damaged bridges in a combat zone while wearing 50+ lbs of body armor. However, I signed back up--twice. 

Horrible Hand Salute and TC 3-21.5.

DRILL AND CEREMONIES
TC 3-21.5 (20JAN2012)

I wanted to review how to properly execute the hand salute today. I have recently seen some absolutely horrific salutes (not current service members) and wanted to refresh my memory on the particulars. What kills me is it is not a difficult thing to do if you follow a simple trick.

Because I archived all my army publications, I have been downloading new ones from the Army Publishing Directorate. Ok, where the hell is FM 3-21.5? It was nowhere to be found.

Drill and Ceremonies is the current day incarnation of the first field manual of the United States Army. "The Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States," is commonly referred to as the Blue Book and was written by the former Prussian officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben. It codified the training he gave General George Washington's troops at Valley Forge in February 1778 who were, "half-starved, wretched men in rags."

Apparently the field manual has become a training circular. Drill and Ceremonies, TC 3-21.5 (20 JANUARY 2012) was released a couple of months ago. At first glance I don't see any changes, but I might spot some as I get ready for Memorial Day ceremonies.

As for delivering a correct hand salute, just remember to "follow the buckle." On Present, ARMS put your right fingers and thumb together and move your palm over your pant buckle. Swing the arm up and out to the right corner of your eye, your eyeglasses or your headgear with a visor. Your hand will be canted the correct angle and your wrist will be straight. Just make sure your upper arm is horizontal. If your wrist is bent or elbow pointing down, remember to follow the buckle on the way up.

Also, if you are getting ready for the board, you can remember Dn'C because it has 3 letters, you offer 21 gun salutes and the Taps recording works about .5 percent of the time. 

Army Physical Readiness Training Videos

There are a few resources available to help Soldiers and NCOs learn the new Army Physical Readiness Training. However, if you like to learn by doing, the people who wrote Training Circular 3-22.20 are releasing videos on YouTube. I have compiled an Army PRT Video Playlist in the order dictated by the TC.

How do I know this? Because I called the number on their Facebook page TC 3-22.20, U.S. Army Physical Fitness School (USAPFS). These are the guys who wrote the TC and were nice enough to answer my questions.

I flip on the playlist and do PT by myself and just ignore the "At Ease" after every exercise. The helpful GS 14 said that was in there for Initial Entry Training users. On run days I skip over CD 1 and 2 and pick up with the recovery drill when I get home.

There are other resources out there such as ArmyPRT, however, "We did not write the TC, we did not design the PRT program and we did not design the iPhone app."

How to get a copy of a DD 214

Go here: Veterans Service Records. It's free from the National Archives.

Do what they say. Use the eVetRecs service. I faxed my signature.

A few weeks later, 2 copies of my DD 214 with a frigging seal embossed arrived first class.

Can it be any easier. 

So, if your parent can't find their Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Report of Separation or Certification of Military Service (or whatever the heck they called it back when), I would highly suggest you help your relation avoid any issues before it becomes a problem (like verifying eligibility with the Veteran Administration medical (VHA) or benefits (VBA) such as burial honors).

Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT), TC 3-22.20

"The Windmill, Starting Position, Move..."

After one drill in the Connecticut Army National Guard the single biggest difference between active and reserve units is physical fitness readiness. As an engineer who works with heavy bridge parts, physical fitness was stressed in my last unit. My first sergeant used to say PT was the most important thing we did all day.

Army Physical Readiness Training, Training Circular TC 3-22.20 (20AUG2010) came out last summer. It supersedes FM 21-20 (30SEP1992) which was the PT bible.

When we got back from a year-long deployment from Afghanistan in August 2011, we were told we must change our traditional PT from neck rotations to the preparation drill of PRT. Besides being able to wear our patrol caps in garrison all the time, this was the biggest change we had to overcome.

Sleepy Soldiers, who have for years heard "all rotations will be five to the front and five to the rear...", were initially not receptive to the change--except for Soldiers who went to NCOAs, were from other units or were new to the Army (they learned this in basic).

In two weeks, my last unit was up to speed with basic PRT. Leadership made the commitment of time and manpower, we had two staff sergeants join the company fresh from the trail, and it was an ideal time to introduce this--right after a difficult deployment. We stressed proper form and train-the-trainer instruction, and PRT can be done in IPFU or ACU (yea, it says that).

The number one barrier to doing the right thing will be entrenched NCOs. However, if we always did things the way we have always done them, we would still be doing hurdle stretches (horrible for knee joints) and heading off to the stables, the horse stables, after PT.

Learn how to properly conduct the Preparation Drill in rectangular formation. If leadership or peers are a barrier, realize that, "Commanders and supervisors must establish PRT programs," section 1-3 says, "consistent with the requirements in AR 350-1, with their unit missions, and with this training circular (TC)."

Department of Veterans Affairs

I have had very good dealings with the Veterans Administration since I left active service. Everyone I have dealt with has been professional and responsive.

That said, while still in the service:

• Go to the VA Benefit brief (part of ACAP) before you ETS. The single most important thing you can do. Remember, the VBA (benefits, like GI Bill and compensation) is not the same as VHA (health). Same monster government agency, two different hydra brains.
• If you are putting in for compensation, go see a Veteran Service Officer. I hear DAV is the best and the VFW officers right behind them. You want to do compensation claims right the first time. That is what the VA Rep who gave the VA Benefit brief said, twice.
• Sign up for eBenefits while your CAC card is still valid. Makes getting an account very easy.

After you get out:

• Go to the VA hospital and get enrolled. You will need your DD-214 Member 4 that you get when you out process and they may issue you a VA Id card. Even though you just had an ETS exam, go and have another one with the VA.
• Make sure they spell your name right. Miss a 't' in your middle name and it costs you time and gasoline.
• Marvel at all the Vietnam War veterans who are now just getting enrolled at the VA when you are at the VA medical center.

Black Rigger Belt: Still A No Go

When I realized it was a 1SG with a black rigger belt on exiting the NCO Induction ceremony, I bit my tongue. It was my second day in the Connecticut Army National Guard and while offering a tactful correction is the duty of an NCO, I wasn't sure my words would be professionally received. Perhaps a gutless failing on my part, or prudent new-guy-on-the-job move.

However:

ALARACT 004/2008

Subject: MILITARY UNIFORMS AND ACCESSORIES WEAR OUT DATES

1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO ANNOUNCE THE WEAR OUT DATES FOR UNIFORMS AND ACCESSORIES ITEMS WORN BY MILITARY PERSONNEL.

2. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE A WEAR OUT DATE OF 30 APR 08 FOR AC, USAR, ARNG. THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR ROTC WILL BE APR 09.


A. BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM
B. DESERT BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM
C. T-SHIRT, BROWN
D. BOOTS, COMBAT, LEATHER BLACK
E. WOODLAND AND DESERT CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN CAPS
F. OLIVE DRAB GREEN NAMETAPE AND U.S. ARMY
G. SUBDUED OLIVE GREEN, SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIAS AND SUBDUED SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIAS-FORMER WARTIME SERVICE
H. BLACK RIGGER BELT
I. BELT, WEB WITH OPEN-FACED BLACK BUCKLE
J. JUNGLE BOOTS (GREEN AND BLACK)

3. THE BLACK KNIT CAP AND BLACK MICRO FLEECE KNIT CAP FOR AC, USAR, AND ARNG WILL HAVE A WEAR OUT DATE OF 30 SEP 2009.

4. THE COAT, COLD WEATHER, WOODLAND CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN (FIELD JACKET) FOR AC, USAR, AND ARNG WILL HAVE A WEAR OUT DATE OF 30 SEP 2010.

5. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ARMY G-1.

Army Publications

The Army Publishing Directorate (APD) is the Army’s centralized publications and forms management organization. I tell my Soldiers to do a Google search first and get a general idea of what number AR or FM they are looking for, then go to the APD for the freshest and official copy. Some of the publications require them to log into Army Knowledge Online (AKO).

AR 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia)  is by far the most referenced publication by an NCO when correcting young troops. Ambitious specialists should know grooming standards for both males and females (hair, nails, uniform, keys on belt,  etc.).

TC 3-22.20 (Army Physical Readiness Training), published AUG2010, is the new Army physical fitness manual incorporating wholesale changes in organized PT.

I Love Me Book (folder)

In this digital era, the Army runs on photocopies. Never give anyone an original document unless ordered. Then make sure you have a copy.

An “I Love Me Book,” is a collection of documents you don’t want to ever lose.

Enlistment/Reenlistment contract, college transcripts, certificates of training, orders, awards, certificates of wartime service, etc. While many of these documents will be in your OMPF (Official Military Personnel File) or iPERMS, many will not be uploaded. If you don’t want to repeat the installations’ 40-hour Drivers’ Improvement Program, your “I Love Me Book” is a perfect place to keep your completed DA Form 348.

A three-ring binder with page keepers is a good start. Get a portfolio with a zipper and pockets and you can store your challenge coins, passport, Social Security card, spare ID tags and keep spare documents in the pouch and say “I Love Me” in style.