Does the Force need Fixing?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:37:33 -0400

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/05/10/army-sergeant-dailey-sma/70979098/

7 ways enlisted leaders want to fix the force

Fix the fitness test. Improve education and training opportunities for enlisted soldiers. Enforce standards. Come up with an "Army brand" that the

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 10:40 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:40:00 -0400

Yes, the force has been on the verge of collapse and slashing it while trying to close out the war is just making it worse.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 11 at 2015 10:40 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:40:58 -0400

Constant improvement.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 10:49 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:49:29 -0400

fine-tuning is always a necessary. There may be more than fine-tuning needed at this point (see the Air Force, for example), but once the major correction is done, only fine-tuning will be needed to keep it humming!

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 11 at 2015 12:07 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:07:47 -0400

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 1:16 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:16:22 -0400

My vote: define fix. Here's why:

You Can't fix a problem until you identify it and study it to find root cause. It all starts with people.

If you take a manufacturing approach to this, not in the sense that we are pumping out people, but are trying to manufacture quality warriors that are at least minimally competent in their skills and have development potential then you can adopt a Six Sigma Approach to it.

For those of you unfamiliar the key principles of Six Sigma are:

1: Focus on the customer. - In this case, I would say the customer is the lowest unit at which a trained person will work. In the Army, I suggest using the company as an example.

2: Identify and understand how the work gets done (the value stream)- This means that each soldier has at least a rudimentary understanding of the big picture insofar as they are concerned. The big picture and the processes associated with facilitating large scale successes are introduced and implemented real-world in the NCOES and OES schools.

3: Manage, improve and smooth the process flow - This doesn't mean adding steps to already ambiguous and poorly managed processes to gain a reportable power-point metric. This means streamlining existing processes that meet the standard while removing unnecessary and wasteful steps. In the military, I think the goal should be to create and excess of what is being measured (time, money, flight hours, etc) so that some slack can be allowed to account for processes variations or emergent events.

4: Remove Non-Value-Added steps and waste - See Above

5: Manage by fact and reduce variation - Upper level leadership should realize the value of status quo if the processes are working and meeting the standard. Changing for the sake of change or because "that's your command focus" often does more harm than good.

6: Involve and equip the people in the process - If your people get the smallest hint of "why" in the process, they are more apt to be creative in forming and carrying out solutions. Micromanaging causes irreparable harm and will only get things done just enough to not to get kicked back.

7: Undertake improvement activity in a systematic way - Again, changing for the sake of change has to bearing and no importance.

A good example would be the Kevlar when driving a HMMWV. Somebody said "it's safer", while studies have shown that, in an accident, it has done more harm than good. It's rated for small bullets....not highway crashes.

Another example listed in the article is the PT Test. I think making a move to the Cooper (Law Enforcement Test) PFT would be more fitting. It is a better gauge of overall fitness and has large-scale applicability. Also, Ht/WT should go away. If you are a string bean or a monster who comes in at 6'6 and 265 because you can bench press a truck (but can't pass ht/wt because of antiquated standards) I could really care less as long as you can pass the PT Test.

Rant complete.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 11 at 2015 1:21 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:21:46 -0400

All are great ideas, but as we well know common sense does not often walk hand in hand
with military service, let alone leadership. This is not intended as a jab or cheap shot at military leadership/service, it is meant as a simple statement of fact. We have all had those WTF moments when we see or hear things that cause confusion over the simplest of things. So much for my .02.

Charles

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made May 11 at 2015 1:42 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:42:30 -0400

I would start with Sr. Ldrs and NCOS with more backbone. Stop kowtowing to the Administration.

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 11 at 2015 2:20 PM

SFC Charles S. — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:20:06 -0400

I would say that yes the Force always needs some fix in some part or another. If you don't continually update and revisit standards and renew visions they will eventually become stale or outdated. It never hurts to evaluate what works and what doesn't and attempt to overcome any deficiencies at they are discovered. This is why we conduct AAR's to discover what worked and what didn't and come up with a way to repeat the working and correct those that didn't.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 11 at 2015 3:28 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:28:21 -0400

As a whole I like the breakdown. To achieve these goals I see it taking some trial and errors.

Specifically looking at physical training understanding basic exercise is assessment not a guaranteed 300. You have control over your performance.

Response by SSG James Doherty made May 11 at 2015 5:04 PM

SSG James Doherty — Mon, 11 May 2015 17:04:03 -0400

This is a good start. My favorite pieces involved putting the right people in the right locations.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made May 11 at 2015 5:13 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Mon, 11 May 2015 17:13:34 -0400

Unfortunately, This is done every year with very little progress. In this day an age with all the technology out there and optempo along with downsizing both uniformed and civilian, the Army doesnt want to invest as much in individuals.
At one time education was pounded in your head i.e. college. The old term KISS no longer exists and common sense is lacking due to technology.
It could be me.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 7:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:13:11 -0400

Big fan of the MOS based test particularly for junior NCO's. Senior NCO's get too supervisory and assigned away from their MOS to be an effective measuring tool, but a very difficult MOS based test would enable senior leadership to quantify deficiencies in MOS training.

To highlight the benefit, I have been in several training meetings where the BDE commander said no you can't conduct the field training because you don't have your flu shots up to par. (horrible toxic leadership) but if there were a report that said your unit is only at 70% MOS proficiency, emphasis and funding could be allocated on a quantifiable basis.

The test would need to be very challenging and comprehensive so that no unit could be at 95% or above. It would also help if given a small portion of E5-E7 promotion points.

Why did they do away with the test in the first place?

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made May 12 at 2015 3:14 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Tue, 12 May 2015 03:14:45 -0400

Great artical. I think they are on track. I also think that if we are going to push for equality then we might want to consider a P.T. Test that's the same for both men and women.
If gender doesn't matter then it shouldn't be treated differently in any area or skill set.
If we are payed the same we should all meet the same standards, and the standard should remain high.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made May 12 at 2015 5:48 AM

SFC A.M. Drake — Tue, 12 May 2015 05:48:18 -0400

I think it has bite. What remains to be seen is the final cut after much "editing"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 8:34 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 08:34:46 -0400

The "fix" starts right here with this guy.
It is MY job to conceive relavant training that challenges my unit to excel.
It is MY job to inspire underacheivers to dig deeper and find something extra in themselves.
It is MY job to understand the commander's intent and faithfully and expertly execute the mission.

I don't need the SMA to tell me that. I am pretty sure he knows. The question is, do my fellow NCOs know, or are they waiting for someone else to be the nail that sticks out and says "NO!" I will not be contained by random clutter that constricts my time and resources. I will find a way.

Think about it.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made May 12 at 2015 10:36 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:36:42 -0400

1) Increase the numbers of military personnel just like during the "Cold War Era"
2) Pay raise increase for the military, funds to purchase and repair equipment, training and readiness for deployments, overseas pay across the board no matter where's the duty location
3) High Official Military Leaders make strategic plans not the politicians
4) Improve the quality of life for military dependents
5) Reopen the military installations stateside and overseas
6) Give higher preference for employment working for the military to Veterans and Retirees

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 11:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 11:15:27 -0400

I think most of these are a great response to the issue at hand. Even as a junior enlisted soldier many things need to be improved like fitness, being a SME etc. it's frustrating to see my peers not but forth any effort in bettering themselves to in turn better their unit and the army ultimately. If we can just develop a POA and get the ball rolling we would improve as individuals and soldiers.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Jun 8 at 2016 11:58 AM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:58:30 -0400

I feel that you have redefine the word "fix". I am a product of the Army during the mid 70's and 80'sstayed out awhile then came back in during the 2000's. I have seen changes and each time the Army took a step down, Soldiers became more lost in what is expected of them. the Army saved money by taking away from the training. My first MOS (41C) was 72 weeks in the 70's cut down to six weeks in the 80's. The Army has done the same through all its training. There use to be 45 day field problems not it's down to weeks unless you go to Ft. Erwin then your bored in the box. We need to get back to "Train as we fight" according to MOS. There use to be an SQT Book issued to every Soldier with common skills testing, most Soldier's don't even know what it is. We need to get the ESPRE DE CORP back. How many Senior NCO's can't even wear the uniform right. There is so much that has to be done to the point of where do you begin?, so what part of the Army do you want to Fix?.