How can I train on my warrior tasks (shoot, move, communicate) when I graduate AIT?

SPC Ted Ronayne — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 20:28:56 -0400

I'm ignorant on this matter because I'm in AIT and haven't held a rifle or executed a movement since basic training. I received basic radio training here but nowhere near what I need to be proficient. How can I train on my warrior tasks (shoot, move, communicate) when I graduate AIT?

I want to try and earn the expert soldier badge when it is rolled out in October, and from what I've read, it will be best to show up already proficient in such tasks.

It is also my understanding that such proficiency is important in the future for advancement and schools. I want to be able to fulfill such expectations.

Lastly but most importantly, I see it as my responsibility to develop such proficiency. I take the soldiers creed to heart, and the line that I am "trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills." Yet, I am nowhere near proficient and I find that I am lacking as a soldier because of it.

How should I go about developing such skills? Can I ask to train with a combat arms unit when they do such related training? Are there schools that develop and build such proficiency? Do units do such training often? How can I go about training on my own? I want to be an asset in whatever role I fill, not a liability...

Any advice is appreciated!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 8:42 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 20:42:27 -0400

Well I commend you on wanting to improve. However this time during AIT you should focus on learning and being proficient in your MOS.

Once you get to your first unit and get settled in you will then be going to some ranges for the shooting aspect. However it is tough to "easily" get the movement training depending on what unit you go to with being a 35F.

Like you even offered yourself though, mingle with people in your barracks and at work and find others who are good at those things, or want to learn too, and then practice on your own time.

Once you've been at your unit for a bit and get wet behind the ears then you can (with the blessing of your CoC) coordinate and host training on these matters. That not only gets other trained, but also looks good in showing the initiative and drive to better yourself and others.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 8:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 20:43:03 -0400

From one Reservist to another, I can tell you that maintaining those WTDs to earn the Expert Soldier Badge is going to be extremely difficult. Speak with your NCOs and your Training NCO to see what you can do to improve those skills. It could be something as simple as you conducting classes on WTDs to the other Soldiers in your unit. But, bear in mind that this WILL depend on what is already on the Training Schedule for your unit. As for training with another unit, you can certainly ask to RST with another unit that is focusing on WTDs for that weekend. But, you need to get permission from each unit before you arrive. As for training on your own, you can certainly do that. At least, as much as you can in regards to specific equipment that you won't have access to when not at BTA. Again, get with your NCOs and your Training NCO to see what they think and what y'all can come up with

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 9:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 21:11:41 -0400

You'll get proficient PFC Ronayne, as time goes on, in basic Roy Pace never shot a firearm in his life, but shot 1st place making me 2nd place, all Roy said was, "He followed everything that he was instructed to do".
You have your mind set in the right place, and I can tell you'll be up there with what ever you'll do in the Army.
In the Guam police department for years, I always shot first place in the law-enforcement competitions. When asked, "How do I shoot so good", the answer, "Have fun and enjoy the shooting", the clock or time always make the shooter to edgy and miss.
When I was CQB training with SEAL team-1, they have a saying, "Smooth is Fast", so take a few more seconds to place your round on target, after that, you'll notice your time was fast. Some might shoot faster then you, but they miss their target, what's the use.
Also, getting proficient with your weapon, also means getting proficient with working with your unit as a team.
You're young and will get there, enjoy the time you spend with what you're doing at the time, "Time Fly's".
"All the Way, Airborne!"

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 25 at 2019 9:32 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 21:32:16 -0400

Go do Paint ball with your battle buddies.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 8:21 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:21:06 -0400

Doing decent training will require training aids, which may be difficult to acquire for your own use. What you can do is read STP 21-1-SMCT. It has all the Skill Level 1 tasks that all Soldiers are supposed to know regardless of MOS, and could be included in the Expert Soldier Badge.
There is also a STP 34-35F14-SM-TG, it has all the tasks that you are supposed to know as a 35F. These can all be found at armypubs.army.mil.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Aug 26 at 2019 10:13 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:13:38 -0400

SPC Ted Ronayne - There's a few options that come to mind. First, I presume that there are available publications with the applicable standards. I also presume you're not the only Solider in your unit with the same problem. As a Reservist, this problem is complicated by what I presume is an already "full" training schedule, limited resources...perhaps even limited interest from the chain of command (I know those were some of the issues that confronted us in the Naval Reserve, though I'll admit we're a different animal altogether).

One option would be to try and form a group of like-minded individuals and (through the proper channels) seek support from your unit's training organization...make it "easy" for them; offer to do things when/where there's time available, do the "heavy lifting" for them...find someone with some rank to sponsor it. I'd wager there's some SNCO or JO at the company level whose looking for some way to stand out from the crowd, or get the attention of Battalion. When I was OIC of a Reserve unit, we had scheduled blocks of time that were at "OIC's discretion", that typically became B.S. sessions, and our unit repurposed it for pre-deployment training.

Another option may be doing things outside of regular drills...provided the equipment/facilities can be made available. I don't know if that's even possible, but again, I imagine someone can make it happen with the correct justification, etc.

Good luck!

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Aug 26 at 2019 3:07 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:07:13 -0400

Take it easy dude. Concentrate on doing your best at what you are doing right now in AIT. Ultimately that is going to be the most important thing you do for your future unit. You will have plenty of time to refine/hone/improve all those soldiering skills, but AIT is there for a reason --so you can learn your specialty.