I've had this theory for a while...
When I got to 2ID in Korea. My first week or work was driver's training. Check.
Next week. CLS. Check.
Next week. Blue Force Tracker(worked in BDE S-3). Check.
Shortly after. Combatives Level 1 and 2.
Here's my point. Here on Fort Hood, The Great Place, we have MAJOR issues with drivers training, CLS, etc. I know it's different for each unit, but here's my idea.
Perhaps we hold new Soldier's back a minute, and send them to all of this institutional training for a few months before they report to that first duty station. Think about it.
If I had a PV2 or PFC show up with
1.) A Military Driver's License
2.) CLS
3.) Combatives
4.) WLC/SSD-1 Complete
How much more effective would we be if we could just in process these guys and they hit the ground running with a more effective knowledge base?
I'm not saying this to skirt any training responsibility at the unit level, just free up time and provide incoming Soldiers the basics that make a world of difference at that level. The Army is a huge machine, and none of us will never know it all, but these fundamental courses provide the foundation for competent Soldiers. God knows in each of our MOS we have enough MOS specific training to worry about.
My platoon had anywhere from 18 to 30 Soldiers at times, and we have three guys with licenses on varying vehicles. Oh, and one or two NCOs with licenses to TC them. DRIVES ME NUTS lol.
If we could streamline and make this training uniform, even at the installation level, we'd have Soldier's capable of coming into a unit, integrating into a team and becoming a highly functional member of that team. None of these common core classes are above anyone's level, even in IET status.
Training
New Soldiers
One advantage we have while stationed at Camp Casey (the Turtle Farm is what in-processing was called) is that you are in an isolated area, no POV's and no dependents (for the majority of serve members). You in-processed, finished about 90% of everything you needed to do and the unit picked you up and finished in-processing you into the unit. Gave the unit a heads up to ensure barracks rooms within your platoon and etc. were ready for you.
The challenge is the command and control issue (stateside) while in a reception and integration phase at the installation level (Soldiers with spouses and small children - sometimes require special services and even AER type loans & services). However, with the do more with less concept, I expect to see more initiatives like this as this helps us pool resources together across the installation for the better good of all.
Roger that CSM,
Glad I'm not out of my mind in this thinking. I remember being a new Soldier the first time I realized just how much I didn't know about this great big machine we call the Army. I believe something like this would give guys a foundation and a better fighting chance for a successful initial contract if not career.
I do agree that somethings may be combined with others to to provide a streamline process, I cant agree with adding these things to AIT. I have heard that CLS is being taught in AIT, not sure if this is true, but i agree that CLS should be taught.
As a 25S (Satellite terminal Operator/maintainer) I
do not have much of a need for hand to hand combat, well not so much as an
Infantryman. I have also made it 10 years without needing to use any Hand to Hand outside of competitions.
Not all Units have all the same vehicles. If a soldier gets
a HMMWV license in AIT but arrives to the a unit that doesn't have them
Or is in a unit that has special Vehicles (Strikers) Drivers training
will still need to be conducted at the site.
Forcing Soldiers to complete the SSD-1 in AIT will ultimately defeat the purpose of SSD-1. SSD-1 is meant (as i understand it) is to provide continuous development thought a soldiers career. Having them complete AIT and SSD-1 at the same time turns SSD-1 into AIT, and SSD3 will become SSD-2. Thus taking away a portion of the development within the soldiers career.
The primary issue that will result is Money vs time vs need. Not everyone NEEDs Combative training and there are Soldiers in my current unit will not touch a HMMWV until the leave (some of which will never see a second unit).
Placing these things into AIT will result in the Army spending money to train soldiers on things that they may not ever use or need.
I am currently in Korea now and the training you talk of is still what we do as soon as we get incoming personnel. I agree with you, the Soldiers over here go through this training because of the high turn around and leaders know it can't be put off. I believe in the states it's realized the Soldier is here to stay and it's always put off for later.
If there was a way to implement this immidiately after AIT or OSUT before they PCSd it would set their gaining unit up for success
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