From AIT to First Duty Station, Why do we fail our soldiers?

The problem is we have untrained mid level NCOs. Or we promote the wrong ones. Either way when the mid level teams start learning their job and that rank is not a pay increase and a responsibility increase that will help. We also need to remember at the higher levels that we used to be that young Soldiers and teach the lessons learned and be patient. These new kids learn way different.

SGT Butler

You're right, there shouldn't be such a huge discipline gap between BCT and AIT.

All we can do is try to ensure we as leaders don't let Soldiers get too comfortable around us. I'll be the first to admit I am guilty of this but I am working on it.

Trust me, I'm learning the hard way that being a nice leader and a good leader are not always the same thing.

SGT - Not in any particular order:

Complacency

In addition, line units have a different focus than those in BCT/AIT. BCT/AIT is a more tightly controlled environment and stresses discipline more. Line units have more demands on their time, most assume their personnel are adults (whether justified or not), and things slide downhill.

Unless you're a line unit close to the flagpole, it's tough to sustain the same level of discipline as in BCT/AIT.

There is a common impression that discipline is lacking in AIT due to leadership enforcement of standards and discipline. I don't think that is the case generally. Standard and basic military discipline were enforced strictly in AIT when I was a platoon sergeant. I can't speak for other company's but ours was good at setting and enforcing the standard. The problem is the Generation of Soldiers, the millennial generation and the I want it right now mentality prevalent in the google world. They are going to test their leaders, ask questions, and say things like why. If you do your job as a leader and provide purpose, motivation and direction your soldiers will be mostly be squared away. We have to change our leadership styles for the individual soldier, yelling all the time just does not work anymore. Soldier leave AIT standing at parade rest for NCOs. Don't blame it on AIT that they don't do it for you, they are testing to see how long their route is before it snaps back.

Senior NCO's are not the problem.  Discipline is trained at the squad level.  Squad leaders, team leaders, and first line supervisors are the ones that are letting standards slip.  If you see a problem with standards than it is at your level and mine to fix the issue.  If the Platoon Sergeant, Section Sergeant, or worse 1SG have to get involved then we have failed.

I don't think we are as relentless as we used to be. I'm finishing up CCC here in Fort Sam (Medic land) and I can tell I still see surprised looks on the faces of the Soldiers when I correct them. I'm not saying we should live in fear, but I think we have lost some of the "pucker" factor we used to have. When I was a private I was always afraid that some NCO would catch me doing something wrong, so I remained vigilant when in uniform then it just became habit. If we can get back into that place when discipline becomes a daily habit we will be good.

Yes there is a gap between AIT and their first duty station, there is also a learning gap there as well. As far as the leadership gap, there are NCO's out there that like to work by the old way but when we do we get in trouble because people's feelings get hurt. if we are soft we get stepped on. yes there is a fine line in the middle but some do not know where that is. its hard for most to find that line. Now the learning gap needs to get tighter, I know AIT is suppose to teach the basics and such but as far as my MOS there should be more hands on then book. the unit I am with its a big boy program we train you for a while on the equipment and let you go but you will always have the book with you so you know what your doing.

Because the soldiers that cant pass APFT and school work are being rushed through AITbecause the Army has to produce numbers versus quality soldiers. Once they reach there 1st duty station soldiers are disgruntled because units are holding them accountable and expecting sm's to do their jobs.

Soldiers fail themselves. Soldiers who go against the grain know the difference, and chose to do wrong. It's the lack of correction as well on the NCOs but in the end you cannot force a soldier to make the right choices.

Some of them do, or more like an attitude that they are experts at what they do.  I have seen medics that tell me, fresh out of AIT that they "never missed" an IV.  Well, I just smile, and let them know they will.  Then when I am training them and give them stress, they understand the difference, as I usually give them more stress than they've got while doing their stress AIt FTX....