Posted on Apr 25, 2018
SGT Intelligence Analyst
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I recently read an article detailing some thoughts from Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper (https://www.army.mil/article/203242/basic_training_might_be_lengthened_says_army_secretary).

The entire article seemed very contradictory but what stuck out most to me was the last line: "Esper also wants NCOs to be with the troops after hours and on weekends in the barracks, to coach and mentor them and keep them out of trouble." The mission of the U.S. Army is to fight and win the Nation’s wars through prompt and sustained land combat, as part of the joint force. Are the soldiers we're currently producing unable to accomplish this mission? If so, extending initial training (as mentioned in the article) in order for soldiers to be ready to deploy "on day one" once they reach their units makes since. If the soldiers currently in the service ARE able to accomplish this mission, then why do we need NCOs in the barracks on weekends to "keep them out of trouble"?

Maybe I'm reading into this but it seems like NCOs are to become full time baby-sitters? To me, either they have what it takes to meet the standard or they don't. People joining the service are legal adults (I suppose I use that term loosely) and are making an adult decision. Why are we putting additional duties on NCOs to "baby-sit" these "adults" if they're "adult" enough to join the service, and "adult" enough to fight and win our Nation's wars? Why must NCOs be placed in the barracks on the weekends to keep these "adults" out of trouble? If these "adults" require this much attention maybe they don't need to be in such a demanding profession?

Again, maybe I'm reading too much into this but I can't quite wrap my mind around it. I welcome any thoughts on this issue.
Edited 6 y ago
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MAJ Engineer Officer
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Like the question, though the article has been moved so your link does not work. I've been reading on this topic and I think this is a change to AIT IOT improve Soldier Discipline, providing time for Mentorship and Training outside of regularly scheduled events. From what I understand AIT had gotten really loose and I was seeing signs when Soldiers would show up at the Unit. Can't pass APFT, hair out of regs, uniform jacked up, no snap to Attention when addressing Officers or At Ease for a NCO. We correct these things but the thought is that these troops should come out of IET ready with the right mindset and discipline. That wasn't happening as AIT was like a 9-5, NCOs were like chaperones, Soldiers had a lot of free time and made bad choices. If I have mischaracterized something about AIT I apologize in advance, I'm just going off what I see and hear.

I believe the NCO will be restored to their rightful place as the backbone of the Army, but that only happens if we as Leaders establish a standard, and hold people accountable to that standard. Good NCOs can develop Good Officers and Trained and Disciplined Soldiers.
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1SG Dennis Hicks
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Well my opinion on this is when they changed the barracks and di away with CQ they left PVT Snuffy on his/her own to get into whatever mischief they could and with this dorm room mentality they do. In my day we had a number of NCO's that lived in the barracks and it was a requirement for leaders to drop by and check their areas over the weekend. As a SSG and SFC I dropped by once a day on weekend so my married younger NCO's could get a break, 20-30 minutes to BS with the CQ check my area and other Platoon areas so I could call them if something was screwed up and move on. It was needed back then and is needed now. I occasionally ran into the CO and 1SG and shot the shit with them in a relaxed atmosphere which I felt was good. Leaders that take an interest in their troops and living conditions care.

In the 11 years I was on AD the first time, I ran into a number of troops with issues the exact count fails me since it has been so long but below is what I found and had to correct or deal with:
1) Latrine and platoon hallways screwed up in a major way
2) Tire tracks to a Troops room with a motorcycle in the room
3) Troop threatening another troop with a Rambo knife (Took knife snapped blade)
4) Same troop with a large bag of weed on his desk that I made him flush down the toilet, this was before piss tests, gave him an option.
5) Troops rappelling down barracks buck naked and drunk
6) Troops having a fireworks fight with other barracks across the way, large rockets
7) Troops shooting Star clusters at the MP’s and using a Grenade simulator on their CQ desk
8) Drunk troops passed out on the bowl, mid use
9) Musical barracks room wife/girlfriend swapping/tagging, it was like a brothel
10) Troops shooting .22s through their room doors and using ear plugs to fill the holes
11) Troop dressing deer and squirrels in his room to eat and make clothes
12) Drunk troops doing PLF’s from the 2nd fl onto mattresses
13) Beer machine raided and emptied in the day room
14) Troop stuck at barracks with no ride to the bus/train station to go on leave
15) Missing CQ Runner hiding in 1SG’s office crapping on the 1SG’s desk
16) Troop crushing his skull and dying in the parking lot using a bumper jack to change his muffler while under the car with a cast on his leg
17) Troops digging a TOW position in the formation area as punishment from the CQ
18) Commander in a towel along with his staff joining in a snowball fight with the barracks across the way and breaking many windows to include hitting that units 1SG in the face with a snow ball
19) Off post troop "ALLEGEDLY" pulled ping on frag while drunk fell asleep and grenade went off under recliner, wife asleep next room heard nothing
20) Troops with stolen Grenades blew up cars on Yadkin road car dealership and his some in the barracks.

And many things I can’t put on her because nobody would believe me. So even ADULTS need other adult supervision, hell I may have took part in worse things when I was an adult :)
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SFC Intelligence Analyst
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When did they get rid of CQ? I've been in a joint unit the last 3 years. It was still at Ft Riley when I left.
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1SG Dennis Hicks
1SG Dennis Hicks
6 y
SFC (Join to see) - Back on Bragg the new generation told me they did away with it in the new dorm like barracks as I was heading to the sandbox. I can't speak for anywhere else where common sense still prevails.
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SGM Bill Frazer
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I don't understand the problem- 1. Only 1/2 of the force is married, so they was and will be E5-/jr NCO living in the barracks. 2. Duty hours are not 8 or 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday- duty day is done when the duties are complete. 3. Your primary job is the training/mentoring and care of your troops- at all times- it has been that way since the NCO Corps was founded. No one said anything about babysitting. Are you not available to counsel/ mentor your troops when they need it? If only going to work weekdays- then you are wrong. Are you not training your troops to take your place, or rise above you in the future- then you are wrong. Are you not spot checking your troops on the weekend-when you have some time- to ensure their well-being, status of their billets? -then you are wrong. This is NOT saying you are wrong but anyone who is not doing this should consider themselves wrong. Being a NCO can be rewarding, but it is and always has been hard work- where you never get paid for how far you go. How much you invest in your troops decides how you are remembered as an NCO.
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MSG Human Resources Specialist
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6 y
I totally agree.
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SFC Intelligence Analyst
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Oh we (NCOs) have very much been babysitters the last several years unfortunately. Soldiers have had their hands held from basic all the way through their duty stations for awhile sadly.

I have no issue being there if a soldier needs my help or counsel or mentorship - but there's a big difference between that and babysitting. Hand holding. Coddling. The Army as a whole has been coddling soldiers for too long now. I saw it in my first unit on the second deployment with my first soldier. I didn't coddle him - but our OIC and NCOIC sure did and he manipulated it so much. I got yelled at for being "too hard" on him.
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MAJ Engineer Officer
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Yep saw that with a Senior Officer not wanting NCOs to yell at Soldiers. To me NCOs have to be able to make corrections in Garrison as they would on the battle field, if that means yelling or a little "wall to wall" counseling so be it to correct the matter then so be it. Like my Drill SGT said "Know your job, Do your job, Don't do stupid shit and if you aren't sure whether you fucked up just push until I'm (he got) tired." Life was easy as long as I adhered to those rules. Eat, Train, Eat again, Train more, Sleep, Repeat.
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