Aside from the obvious, technical and tactical proficiency in one's chosen MOS, what other valuable skills should be taught?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:54:27 -0400

We all understand that in order to be a successful enlisted service member that you should know the insides and outs of your field, but are their skills that should be equally valued, and taught, in order to professionally develop young enlisted men and women?

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 13 at 2017 11:58 AM

SGT Jim Arnold — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:58:52 -0400

tact, common sense and the ability to shut your mouth and listen??

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 11:59 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:59:12 -0400

Cultivating leadership at the lowest level, the day a servicemember enters their unit for the first time. You can tell a lot about the kind of leader that someone will become, far before they become an E-4 or E-5; and influence that process.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 13 at 2017 12:15 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 12:15:27 -0400

Learn to write well. NCOs and Officers are required to create many types of reports and presentations. No matter how this requirement is facilitated by computerized tools, the basic requirement to write well remains. We must understand how to organize ideas into logical sequences in an outline. Take that outline and add clear sentences becoming paragraphs to support our main idea or position. Poorly written NCO and Officer efficiency reports or civilian appraisals can adversely impact subordinates and tarnish one's own reputation. Poorly conceived and presented briefings can lead to senior leaders making bad decisions.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 13 at 2017 12:23 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 12:23:03 -0400

When it comes to other skills I'd like to see taught, I want to respond with "Ninja", but I don't think that would go anywhere. (Sigh...)

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 13 at 2017 12:28 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 12:28:51 -0400

Management and people skills would be a good start.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Sep 13 at 2017 1:16 PM

SFC Andrew Miller — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:16:32 -0400

I agree with Lt Col Jim Coe , writing skills are subpar across the board.

Additionally, personal budgeting, fiscal responsibility, retirement planning, and even some amount of home economics should be taught from the get go. We wait until service members are having financial issues to get them into budget or credit counseling. We wait until they are careerists to start thinking about retirement. I think switching to the blended retirement system will help SOME with that aspect of it, though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 1:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:45:17 -0400

how to wear the uniform properly (ribbons in order of precedence).

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 13 at 2017 2:12 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:12:50 -0400

Like the Marines... EVERYONE is a grunt... Battle of the Bulge & the early Korean War had cooks, bakers, & candlestick makers thrown into the front.

Would've been a bit better if they'd had more than "pointy end towards badguy"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 2:44 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:44:37 -0400

NCOs need to have a good foundation of communication, writing, and critical thinking skills. After that, they can learn about planning and organization.

I thought that was /is the core of instruction throughout the NCO Professional education system with at least one phase of each course devoted to those topics. I recall doing MOS - related research papers, and oral presentations /briefings on both MOS topics as well as general NCO topics.

So what are the skills that you think are missing that prompted your question?

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 13 at 2017 2:54 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:54:05 -0400

Reading over some of the responses... very disappointing. Readin', writin', cypherin' & talkin' good are things they are supposed to come out of civilian-type schools with.

As a college professor i've been VERY disappointed with the students i inherit from public schools. Isn't this a sign of a greater systemic failure?

Why should we HAVE to teach those skills? Isn't society letting us down?

This question is being posed by the stereotypical mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragger... a grunt, even worse, a Marine grunt.

Think about it.

Response by PO2 Michael Berry made Sep 13 at 2017 11:26 PM

PO2 Michael Berry — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 23:26:39 -0400

One of the most important skills is being a team player. All of the other posts have great ideas especially the home economics and writing issues mentioned. these skills are no longer taught in school and today's parents have not been taught themselves.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Sep 14 at 2017 12:45 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 00:45:59 -0400

Team player
Your unit's legacy
How to finish well

Response by COL John McClellan made Sep 14 at 2017 8:44 AM

COL John McClellan — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 08:44:12 -0400

Leadership... leadership... leadership!