I hate seeing a dirty American Flags on the Army Combat Uniform. I do realize some people work for a living in the Army under vehicles, but when I see one on an FNG (*ucking New Guy/Girl), I remind them they are a professional Soldier and it is time to retire their hook-and-loop patch from Basic Training. When I see one on a Soldier who should know better and doesn’t know what GAA is for, I make a tactful on-the-spot correction and follow-up with a courtesy conversation with their NCO. A dirty flag on a specialist can indicate underlying problems (such as excessive drinking/substance abuse, motivational and plain dirty private problems).
I can be quite blunt: “You are a professional Soldier. You need to look and act like one. Your American Flag is dirty and worn and needs to be replaced. You will have a new one on tomorrow. If you have difficulty following this simple order, I will offer you corrective training to help you improve your substandard performance. Do you have any questions?”
06 July 2009
13 June 2009
Military Cadence
During morning PT, we call running cadence for a few reasons. It keeps your mind off aching muscles, builds esprit de corps, sustains motivation and builds endurance.
Cadence calling is also a good yardstick to measure the progress and potential of young soldiers and a way for specialists to stand out from their peers.
Wikipdeia.org defines a military cadence or cadence call, “as a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching.”
Running will build lung capacity, while singing while running will improve diaphragm control. With additional diaphragm control Soldiers can improve their command voice. Developing a command voice is important for young soldiers as is getting out front and leading a formation. Many new troops are shy or scared they might be embarrassed when they inevitably mess up a cadence call. We rarely march in my unit but we run most every day.
My favorite running cadences are, Bo Diddley, Drip Drop, Drippity Drop Drop and I Feel All Right Now.
There are dozens if not hundreds of military cadences out there. Units, regiments and individuals will tailor a call to their audience to personalize the experience. I added another verse to Drip Drop to stretch it out and draw upon my deployment experience.
Note: The hackneyed cadence, “C-130 Rollin’ Down the Strip” should be banned except at BCT. I mentally mock anyone over E-4 who pulls out that overused call during company run.
Cadence calling is also a good yardstick to measure the progress and potential of young soldiers and a way for specialists to stand out from their peers.
Wikipdeia.org defines a military cadence or cadence call, “as a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching.”
Running will build lung capacity, while singing while running will improve diaphragm control. With additional diaphragm control Soldiers can improve their command voice. Developing a command voice is important for young soldiers as is getting out front and leading a formation. Many new troops are shy or scared they might be embarrassed when they inevitably mess up a cadence call. We rarely march in my unit but we run most every day.
My favorite running cadences are, Bo Diddley, Drip Drop, Drippity Drop Drop and I Feel All Right Now.
There are dozens if not hundreds of military cadences out there. Units, regiments and individuals will tailor a call to their audience to personalize the experience. I added another verse to Drip Drop to stretch it out and draw upon my deployment experience.
The 50 Cal gunner is asleep up in the turret
Drip Drop, Drippity Drop Drop
The 50 Cal gunner is asleep up in the turret
Drip Drop, Drippity Drop Drop
I punched him in the goonies and told him get back to work
Drip Drop, Drippity Drop Drop
Note: The hackneyed cadence, “C-130 Rollin’ Down the Strip” should be banned except at BCT. I mentally mock anyone over E-4 who pulls out that overused call during company run.
06 June 2009
Army Promotion Board Prep
This week, I went to my E-5 board. I am glad it is over.
Out of the dozens, if not hundreds of pieces of advice here are the ones that worked for me.
1. Learn the Creed of the NCO early and say it every day at the position of attention. Say it out loud and say it thinking of the next line in the middle of the sentence you are in. That way, when board members get up and make remarks intended to throw you off, you won’t notice or be flustered (like I was in the mock board). In the real board, I was told you could hear me down the hall. I nailed it.
2. Get your NCOs to run a mock board. By far the biggest performance enhancement tool for me, a mock board will help you polish your presentation, get feedback and practice. They should make the mock board many times worse than any real board including people walking around.
3. Print out the ArmyStudyGuide.com PDF. They were asking me questions from it verbatim and in order. You will kill half a tree, but you can also bequeath it to one of your Soldiers. If there was a Kinkos near Fort Polk, I would have paid to get it bound. Bring it everywhere and have people quiz you as you answer in board format (rank, repeat question, give answer).
4. Come up with mnemonics to help remember the 30+ AR, FM and DA-PAM numbers mentioned in the ArmyStudyGuide. For example, BRM or Basic Rifle Marksmanship (FM 3-22.9): BRM has 3 letters; you can practice with a 22; or your 9. Another example, Drill and Ceremonies (FM 3-21.5): C in Ceremonies is the 3rd letter of the alphabet; you have 21 gun salutes; and the Taps playing device in the bugle works half the time or .5 of the time at funerals.
5. When you don’t know an answer, if you know the manual, you can say, “Sergeant Major, while I don’t know what the ACS symbol represents, I can find the answer in AR 608-1.” I used it in conjunction with the old standard, “Sergeant Major, as soon as I find out what the third paragraph of the Code of Conduct is, I’ll report back to you immediately.”
Out of the dozens, if not hundreds of pieces of advice here are the ones that worked for me.
1. Learn the Creed of the NCO early and say it every day at the position of attention. Say it out loud and say it thinking of the next line in the middle of the sentence you are in. That way, when board members get up and make remarks intended to throw you off, you won’t notice or be flustered (like I was in the mock board). In the real board, I was told you could hear me down the hall. I nailed it.
2. Get your NCOs to run a mock board. By far the biggest performance enhancement tool for me, a mock board will help you polish your presentation, get feedback and practice. They should make the mock board many times worse than any real board including people walking around.
3. Print out the ArmyStudyGuide.com PDF. They were asking me questions from it verbatim and in order. You will kill half a tree, but you can also bequeath it to one of your Soldiers. If there was a Kinkos near Fort Polk, I would have paid to get it bound. Bring it everywhere and have people quiz you as you answer in board format (rank, repeat question, give answer).
4. Come up with mnemonics to help remember the 30+ AR, FM and DA-PAM numbers mentioned in the ArmyStudyGuide. For example, BRM or Basic Rifle Marksmanship (FM 3-22.9): BRM has 3 letters; you can practice with a 22; or your 9. Another example, Drill and Ceremonies (FM 3-21.5): C in Ceremonies is the 3rd letter of the alphabet; you have 21 gun salutes; and the Taps playing device in the bugle works half the time or .5 of the time at funerals.
5. When you don’t know an answer, if you know the manual, you can say, “Sergeant Major, while I don’t know what the ACS symbol represents, I can find the answer in AR 608-1.” I used it in conjunction with the old standard, “Sergeant Major, as soon as I find out what the third paragraph of the Code of Conduct is, I’ll report back to you immediately.”
22 March 2009
Time in country for a Combat Patch
Few items on the uniform garner as much attention as the awarding of a combat patch. While it seems everyone has a different answer, the standard has changed in the past couple of years.
Soldiers should first reference AR 670-1, Appendix F (3 Feb. 05) for information about the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS).
In 2007, the ALARACT 055/2007 message gave additional information including, "implementing instructions for changes to the wear policy outlined in AR 670-1."
I just can't quite figure out who authorizes which patches one can wear.
Soldiers should first reference AR 670-1, Appendix F (3 Feb. 05) for information about the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS).
In 2007, the ALARACT 055/2007 message gave additional information including, "implementing instructions for changes to the wear policy outlined in AR 670-1."
5. THERE IS NO TIME-IN-THEATER REQUIREMENT TO BE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE SSI-FWTS.and
10. SOLDIERS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR MORE THAN ONE SSI-FWTS MAY CHOOSE WHICH SSI-FWTS THEY WEAR. SOLDIERS MAY ALSO ELECT NOT TO WEAR THE SSI-FWTS.
I just can't quite figure out who authorizes which patches one can wear.
Hands in pockets: AR 670-1
Keeping your hands in your pockets is a big no-no in the Army.
AR 670-1 (3 Feb. 05), 1-9, a(3), says, “While in uniform, personnel will not place their hands in their pockets, except momentarily to place or retrieve objects.”
However, PNN (Private News Network –the great distributor of consistently incorrect information) reports that you are allowed to put your hands in your Winter PT jacket pockets. “Why would they put them there?” is the common refrain.
Obviously it is to hold your cell phone to call Soldiers who are late to morning accountability formation. “Soldiers must project a military image that leaves no doubt that they live by a common military standard and are responsible to military order and discipline,” AR 670-1 says.
Having looked for an exception to policy (none found), and remembering the IPFU is the Improved Physical Fitness UNIFORM, the guidance in 670-1 about not leaving hands in pockets is clear and not the standard. In other words, remember to make on-the-spot corrections with tact when you see Soldiers with their hands in their Winter PT Jacket pockets.
AR 670-1 (3 Feb. 05), 1-9, a(3), says, “While in uniform, personnel will not place their hands in their pockets, except momentarily to place or retrieve objects.”
However, PNN (Private News Network –the great distributor of consistently incorrect information) reports that you are allowed to put your hands in your Winter PT jacket pockets. “Why would they put them there?” is the common refrain.
Obviously it is to hold your cell phone to call Soldiers who are late to morning accountability formation. “Soldiers must project a military image that leaves no doubt that they live by a common military standard and are responsible to military order and discipline,” AR 670-1 says.
Having looked for an exception to policy (none found), and remembering the IPFU is the Improved Physical Fitness UNIFORM, the guidance in 670-1 about not leaving hands in pockets is clear and not the standard. In other words, remember to make on-the-spot corrections with tact when you see Soldiers with their hands in their Winter PT Jacket pockets.
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