How do I stay proficient in Army knowledge?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 21:49:22 -0500

How can I continuously educate myself on what's going on in the Army? I would like to be knowledgeable on big-picture things the Army is doing, updates in chain of command and policies, other changes the Army is making, all kinds of Soldier knowledge. Is there any journals or websites you subscribe to that keep you informed on these types of things? Also, what else should every Soldier/NCO be informed on that I did not already name above? Thanks in advance.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2019 10:25 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:25:12 -0500

The easiest way to keep up with most of the changes is S1NET on Milsuite. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter, a weekly email summary of all new ALARACTs, MILPER messages, and new FMs, ADPs, ADRPs, forms, etc, with links to each.

1. First, you have to create a milSuite account at https://www.milsuite.mil.

2. After establishing a milSuite account, proceed to the S1NET Home Page at https://www.milsuite.mil/s1net. Look for the “Join S1NET” widget in the upper left corner and use it to join. Approval is automatic.

milSuite Login

milSuite provides a collection of social business tools for Department of Defense (DoD) personnel that facilitates professional networking, learning, and innovation through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2019 10:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:37:07 -0500

Well, that is a tall, tall order.
I would first start off with getting into Battle Staff NCO class. Once you've been there, those Doctrine regulations you read start to make more sense. Once you have an understanding of what the current doctrine is, then you understand where the Army is right now. You need to understand that in order to understand where it's going.
Next you'll want to subscribe to your branch's periodical. Every branch has one and yours is called Armor. https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/
This is how you keep abreast of the overarching structural changes the Army is proposing over the next few years. That will give you an organizational view.
Then subscribe to the S1NET email distro. They give a brief summary of all the ALARACTs, MILPERs, and Army Directives etc that were released the week prior. This can save you a good hour a week at least.
Finally, you'll want to subscribe to any other periodicals that interest you. NCO journal is a good place to start. Here is a list of several journals:
https://www.army.mil/media/publications/

There are associations that you may end up joining in the future who also publish magazines of their own that are provided free of charge with your membership.

eARMOR

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 4 at 2019 11:44 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:44:36 -0500

Army Times... learn to read US code Title 38.. Congressional Record.. Army Regs online... To be honest I would be super studying your MOS.. as this other BS won't do you any good if your Bradley is broke down 50K from Tehran and they hit every one with Sarin. Most of my 19D Scout buddies are Brain injured..IED... we had years of National Guard fun and Sun.. then one day... I was lucky.. I got mine in training ...deafness..crosseyed... Bi Polar one TBI.. say a buddie the other day...big head scar... carries around a 5 pound dumb bell.. thinks it's a M-4... Learn your craft.. learn Farsi...

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 5 at 2019 12:12 AM

LT Brad McInnis — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:12:19 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member As a former Navy Officer, I can't really help you with the Army stuff, even though I spent a year with the Army... But, I will say Congrats on being motivated to improve yourself and make yourself better for your troops. Wish more soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines were like you. All the best to you!

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Nov 5 at 2019 1:58 PM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 13:58:47 -0500

S1 Net was the big I had in my arsenal of knowledge. Careful though, not everyone reads it so don't assume people know the changes, even higher ups. Careful when you educate others.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 6:30 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 18:30:10 -0500

MilSuite is a great source, as are most others that have been mentioned. Don't forget to stay on top of your own MOS level knowledge. That is the key. When you have a mission/deployment coming, then you can dig into a Theater Campaign Plan or OPLANs to learn the "why". Until then, dig up the 19D lvl 1 and 2 manuals and ensure you are proficient in everything. (good luck, 19D manuals are massive, level 1 is thicker than 11B level 1-4 combined) That's the issue the Army has these days, Soldiers don't stay on their Common Soldier tasks and MOS tasks.