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Recently a there was a story that has a soldier that struggled to meet an Army standard. The task did prove to be extremely difficult for that soldier and they overcome the challenge. With that being said this soldier has attained national media attention for meeting the standard. That is great for the soldier but at what cost?
Does anyone know who had the best ruck time? Did they get any attention? Was there a soldier that completed their tasks without any "No-Go's" or failures? In EIB we have a thing called "True Blue." This title is held for those that complete every event their first time successfully. They are mentioned at the pinning ceremony. Are the last few feet of the ruck march all that really counts?
In other events, as a race or game, have you ever seen anyone that completed the race get more attention than the one that won or the top athlete. MAJ Chrissy Cook was the commander for the best Bradly crew in her battalion. She was the “Top Gun” so she was recognized for that and rightfully so. I can’t recall anyone else getting recognized for just passing.
Were there other factors that led to his soldier getting so much attention? Was it just a feel good story? Were there not other soldiers that did the same and did they get as much attention from the media? Was anyone really concerned about what being an Expert Field Medic really is? If you view it as a regard for getting to your objective how useful would they have been as a medic or even safely handle their weapon without flagging others?
(On a side note 3 Air Force Combat Controllers saved the lives of 38 Army Special Forces and Afghan Soldiers. One will get the Air Force Cross, being second only to the MoH. Just in case you didn’t see this in the news. It seems to not be as important.)
Does anyone know who had the best ruck time? Did they get any attention? Was there a soldier that completed their tasks without any "No-Go's" or failures? In EIB we have a thing called "True Blue." This title is held for those that complete every event their first time successfully. They are mentioned at the pinning ceremony. Are the last few feet of the ruck march all that really counts?
In other events, as a race or game, have you ever seen anyone that completed the race get more attention than the one that won or the top athlete. MAJ Chrissy Cook was the commander for the best Bradly crew in her battalion. She was the “Top Gun” so she was recognized for that and rightfully so. I can’t recall anyone else getting recognized for just passing.
Were there other factors that led to his soldier getting so much attention? Was it just a feel good story? Were there not other soldiers that did the same and did they get as much attention from the media? Was anyone really concerned about what being an Expert Field Medic really is? If you view it as a regard for getting to your objective how useful would they have been as a medic or even safely handle their weapon without flagging others?
(On a side note 3 Air Force Combat Controllers saved the lives of 38 Army Special Forces and Afghan Soldiers. One will get the Air Force Cross, being second only to the MoH. Just in case you didn’t see this in the news. It seems to not be as important.)
Success
Excellence
Recognition
Social Media
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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SrA (Join to see) during OIF/OEF there was more Silver and Bronze Stars give out to CCT's then any other AFC in the AF. There has been very little printed on paper or on TV. We do our job without looking for recognition.
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CPT (Join to see)
True. I tried getting into CC. But the AF didn't want to do a waiver for my eye surgery, PRK. So I just commissioned into the NG. They are a pround and great few. But as you know few really even know about them.
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SrA (Join to see)
Im Not disputing that CCMSgt... I have a profound respect for CCT's and plan on getting into that career field of the like once i get some stuff squared away.... They are a proud bunch you dont hear alot about them just like you dont hear alot about Green Berets, Seals or Marine Raiders (MARSOC)
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It appears some are trying to nit-pic here.
Yes, there IS a standard for excellence. But measuring anything solely by this standard does not tell a complete story. Consider a vet who lost limbs during his/her service. If this vet competes and succeeds in a race but falls short of the "excellent" rating but far about what is a reasonable expectation for his/her level of disability, are you going to say he/she was not excellent?
To me demanding a single definition of excellent is a self serving tactic for someone who THINKS he/she is above others.
Yes, there IS a standard for excellence. But measuring anything solely by this standard does not tell a complete story. Consider a vet who lost limbs during his/her service. If this vet competes and succeeds in a race but falls short of the "excellent" rating but far about what is a reasonable expectation for his/her level of disability, are you going to say he/she was not excellent?
To me demanding a single definition of excellent is a self serving tactic for someone who THINKS he/she is above others.
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CPT (Join to see)
But as a soldier we are measured by combat effectiveness. That is were this comes into question. I don't think that there is really much room in that for anything less.
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Capt (Join to see)
I tend to disagree in at least some instances. I think I would prefer to have a solider who just made the standard through an effort above and beyond than a solider who was excellent but about whom I had doubts about his/her will.
It is not always the most skills that win. Sometimes, if not often, it is the person with the most resolve.
It is not always the most skills that win. Sometimes, if not often, it is the person with the most resolve.
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CPT (Join to see) ANYTIME the media gets involved things are turned into entertainment. With that being said, the media isn't interested in a male who killed the course, they are interested in using the female who barely made it as something to make story pop. I don't agree with it, but unfortunately we live in a strange time. I know my grandparents are turning over in their graves at what has happened to the world.
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CPT (Join to see), I always had trouble with the sit up event during the APFT. It seemed that I would never meet the standard let alone exceed it. I worked hard to get better in my sit up reps, but this eventually led to my blowing out my low back, during a pt test, and no longer being able to take let alone complete a pt test. So to see this young captain struggle and succeed is something for her to be proud of, despite the excessive news coverage of her near collapse at the end.
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CPT (Join to see)
I don't disagree that she would be Proud. It is an honor to get your EFMB but do you think it warrants as much attention it is getting.
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We all overcome or own barriers, mental and physical. I have and I am sure all who served or are serving have as well. I feel the attention is getting out of hand in some aspects. Task, Condition and Standards are set for all to achieve or surpass.
However, If you fail you learn from the failure and set a goal to achieve it next time or realize that another path is available for you to grow.
However, If you fail you learn from the failure and set a goal to achieve it next time or realize that another path is available for you to grow.
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The Army Nurse Corps and Medical Branch in general are not known for upholding the standards of the Army Profession. They tend to pick and choose what rules to follow. I think it is an injustice to the Junior Enlisted, NCOs, and Junior Officers in the medical field however for some of the field grade and senior officers I think you have to accept some degradation of standards. You have brain surgeons who are getting huge bonuses to compete with civilian sector pay. Go ahead and try getting this guy or gal to the range and to take a PT Test. He most likely won't do it and in all realty the army would be losing money for all the time he is spending trying to complete Army requirements instead of his duties as a doc and surgeon.
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This soldier refused to give up on an Army road march. Your thoughts? | RallyPoint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6x2guhVu_w http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/05/04/viral-video-this-u-s-soldier-refused-to-give-up-on-an-army-road-march/?tid=hybrid_linearcol_2_na
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Good points Sir, but it is in the same vein as the crowd cheering the last contestant in a sporting event because they did not simply quit when it would have been so easy to do so.
Additionally, MAJ Cook's and her crew was best Bradley crew...but who was the gunner? Is she still out there putting steel on target...I would bet the rest of the crew is, if they are still in boots? Why were these people's stories presented and others were not? I have my guess...but I'm keeping it do myself...kind of.
Additionally, MAJ Cook's and her crew was best Bradley crew...but who was the gunner? Is she still out there putting steel on target...I would bet the rest of the crew is, if they are still in boots? Why were these people's stories presented and others were not? I have my guess...but I'm keeping it do myself...kind of.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
It takes a team to make good of their leaders. It also takes the leaders to inspire the team. Teamwork will always trump individual accomplishments.
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While I agree that the 3 Airman receiving the Commendations should have gotten more coverage, I can see why the media ran with this particular story. The Social Media "Views" on this video were astounding. As I have posted in another thread The pass rate for the EMB is only around 20% or so of the students that have taken the Course... Now I personaly dont know the statistics of the Ranger Tab or even the EIB but being that Most Rangers that I have seen Hold both the CIB and EIB I am sure that the pass Rate is alot higher. Being that this Officer passed this test while at her limitations physically shows two things... That she deserves to wear the badge as well as that she has earned the respect that the badge entails.
Now as well as what I posted in an earlier thread on the topic, The EMB is for any Medical occupational Specialty just like the Sapper tab has been turned into Any Engineering Specialty... Being a Veterinarian Like one article states will she treat troops in combat.... Probably not.
Just my thoughts on the subject
Now as well as what I posted in an earlier thread on the topic, The EMB is for any Medical occupational Specialty just like the Sapper tab has been turned into Any Engineering Specialty... Being a Veterinarian Like one article states will she treat troops in combat.... Probably not.
Just my thoughts on the subject
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CPT (Join to see)
It is actually the EFMB, Expert Field Medic Badge. It is supposed to say profiency in a field/combat environment. It is open to anyone in the med field as you said. I think if it was only left to combat medics it would have a higher success rate.
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SrA (Join to see)
Yes im sure it would..... But then the officers in the medical field wouldn't have anything shiney to put on their ASU's besides maybe jump wings or the like... Im just sad about the beloved Sapper Tab being brought down.....
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