Posted on Mar 11, 2014
In ranks inspections, PRO? CON? Calling all NCOs!
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Everyone, this counseling statement is real! We know it to be true. There are a lot of blogs here about uniforms after retirement, how to wear headgear, etc. I am proud of my uniform, I do have 6 pair of blues trousers for the constant fluctuation in waist over the year. So tell me about this counseling and your idea of bringing back pay day activities and at least a quarterly in ranks where everyone is inspected. Esprit de Coros was always higher in units where we did them. I think periodic inspections are a PRO.
Uniforms
ASU
NCOs
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 27
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In-Ranks inspections should be a formality. Junior NCOs should be making sure that they and their soldiers are straight long before the Platoon Sergeant or First Sergeant ever get to them. <br><br><br>(That counseling made my hand connect with my forehead in such a manner that if it had been done faster with more power would have the devastating force to face palm the guy that was walking behind me as i read it.) <br>
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Thanks for your awesome response SSG Oliver Mathews and I fully concur with your assessment and I am not going to whack thyself over!
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What is not inspected is neglected. This is true in the civilian sector where I now hang my hat. Most companies (like the Army) have a dress code. It is amazing (like our in ranks inspections) how many do not adhere to simple rules. I totally concur with Chief, the units where the soldiers were inspected the moral and unit appearance was much higher.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
SGM William (Bill) Baker, Bill, glad you punched into the conversation as well, sorry for the delayed response, but I have been indisposed doing things like JRTC and other ankle biters! I am using the current TTP of a "Profession of Arms" where I attack these issues. Having morale is imperative and folks who can't trust one another on a team will never achieve it. Thanks for chiming in and I am glad to have you in multiple social networks so when I do retire I will call you FIRST!
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Simply put, if you failt to prepare then you prepare to fail. In-ranks inspections are a great and UNDERUSED tool that needs to be revived. I came up when Monday morning in-ranks inspections at motor stables were the norm (and sometimes got you the day off if you were sharp). It forced you as a soldier to be on your toes and maintain yourself and as a leader it was a great way to find out whats going on with your soldiers and see if they are maintaing themselves.
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SSG Genaro Negrete
The irony of an inranks inspection on monday morning in the motor pool was that the 99% of us that fell just short of getting the day off now had to do maintenance and other general PMCS on our vehicles in our "sunday best" set of bdu's. It still allowed us to show our leadership if we gave a damn or not. It's hard to do with the acu's.
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Every Monday we conduct in ranks inspections. It requires soldiers to take pride in thier uniform, appearance and it also requires soldiers to stay sharp on their basic soldiers skills (Warrior Ethos, COC, Army Values, Ect.) I think this is very much needed. It allows our 1ST SGT to see who is setting the standard and who doesn't care. We also do pay day activities every month where we conduct an in ranks inspection in ASUs and Room Inspections for barracks personnel. Once again, it shows who is putting the work in and who is sand-bagging. I'm actually surprised to hear that there are units who don't do either of these. I think this should be the STANDARD everywhere. With the downsizing, it will give us a good place to start getting rid of the soldiers who don't want to be here or who think they can do whatever they want. It holds us accountable!
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SSG Genaro Negrete
On point. It seems that some units lose sight of these things. It's the same with Sergeant's Time Training. If the unit won't set aside the time, and protect that slot from other taskings, it shows they don't care. An attitude which is quick to find it's way among the junior enlisted.
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As a soldier (E4 and below) I never realized the importance of In-Ranks inspections. I spent over an hour every night because I knew at first formation in the morning we (the other soldiers and I) would be comparing our pressed uniforms and spit shinned boots. Even though we didn't know why we were made to do these formations every morning we were making our formation look good because it brought a sense of pride in each individual. As a leader, NCO and Warrant Officer, I am proud of my accomplishments and love to show up with my uniform on. I see soldiers looking at my uniform and they want to know what this ribbon is for and what that ribbon is. I think it makes them want to strive to do good things so they will get recognized. I have been in units that when not deployed continue to do in-ranks inspections and think it is a great tradition that has helped me strive to do the best I can.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I am with you CW2 (Join to see) as I took a new DA photo this past Monday and again, I opened the 670-1 and read all over again as I set up the uniform and its decorations/awards. I had to change the "stuff" to the other ASU jacket due to to much PT and losing 20 pounds, a proper fit is imperative when setting examples for others to emulate.
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Mr Baker,
I still find Monday morning and Friday afternoon a great days to check uniform and hair cuts. But we still conduct Pay Day activities first Friday of the month with BN run then in ranks inspections in ASUs.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I cannot speak for all warrants, but I have no issue standing formation when the boss says so. It is double headed, not so much for me anymore, but the mentorship I display being a part of it!
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Chief,
Glad to see that you squared this NCO away. Had that Soldier been one of mine, he would have a lot more than a counseling statement. I can't believe we have so many bad apples within our ranks that think these things are ok. I hope we continue to rid out these folks from our lines. Thanks for sharing.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Seth, while I have written my fair share, I merely took this from Facebook a while ago this evening. I would probably have not written it the same way and surely would have done a few other things too. Also if I conduct counseling it is private and not public, but because this was out there already, I brought it over to the trusted professionals here to witness and comment!
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Pro.
Sir as a full-time Guardsmen, I am in uniform everyday. However, I have Soldiers who only put it on once a month and the ASU requirement is only once a year. I require a uniform inspection the drill prior to the drill when we wear our ASUs to make sure that they fit, have everything on it correctly, etc.
Sir as a full-time Guardsmen, I am in uniform everyday. However, I have Soldiers who only put it on once a month and the ASU requirement is only once a year. I require a uniform inspection the drill prior to the drill when we wear our ASUs to make sure that they fit, have everything on it correctly, etc.
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I think our OPSTEMPO and work schedules are brutal enough, with the constant "do more with less", that the LAST thing we need to do is to impose yet another tasker that adds essentially nothing to the mission.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Good stimulating conversation gents and having a convert in the family in the air force, I truly know how it is over there. Having a flight suit in the locker at the flight line is appropriate Sir. As for the wrench turners, they need a break too, obviously you love your picklesuit and just don't wish to wear the service uniform. You would probably make a good Apache pilot in the Army then! Have a good weekend, you guys work too much and need some time off!
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Lt Col (Join to see)
Fair enough. I'm not saying that if you believe this is in the best interest of your own unit, you shouldn't do it. My own experience is colored by being in a flying squadron, which is composed of 90% officers and 10% enlisted. However, it sounds like you guys have better locker rooms than we do...my locker is just large enough to hold my helmet, harness, and vest, and it isn't an enclosed-type locker room but rather just racks of flight equipment in the middle of the Aircrew Flight Equipment area. I'm curious...how is putting on service dress and forming up for an inspection a break for the guys turning wrenches? We give them breaks...they don't come to work.
Again, there is probably something I'm missing between the Air Force and the Army here. I suspect a good portion of it is the varying definitions of "in garrison". While I am currently "in garrison", I may be called on with very short notice to get in an aircraft and fly 20+ hours to strike targets across the world.
But if it makes you feel better, I'll be wearing my own service dress for a week later this month as part of a court-martial jury.
Again, there is probably something I'm missing between the Air Force and the Army here. I suspect a good portion of it is the varying definitions of "in garrison". While I am currently "in garrison", I may be called on with very short notice to get in an aircraft and fly 20+ hours to strike targets across the world.
But if it makes you feel better, I'll be wearing my own service dress for a week later this month as part of a court-martial jury.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Well these days the uniform of choice is the field or deployment uniform. Problem is, when we have burial details, formals, casual officer duty and the like, some folks try to not pull duty for lack of a uniform or a proper uniform. This once a month of quarter tradition used to be "THAT DAY" where you came in and wore your uniform, checked out your peers, buddies and the like, got inspected, gave out awards and did promotions. Afterward usually you would take care of errands that normal duty days don't allow cause you are to strapped at work to go to JAG, finance or shop for flowers for the wife or significant other. Thing is that uniform is expensive, it looks good when worn correctly and might as well get some good wear and tear out of it. As you closed your comment, that is exactly the justification for us, due to the number of Soldiers and Officers who need slight supervision when it comes to preparing and wearing their uniform. Good stuff, enjoy the CM.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
I'm definitely learning from this thread. In the Air Force, our burial details are generally handled by the Honor Guard, who have their own distinctive uniforms. The idea of a day where I can do errands instead of doing my own work does sound appealing...I'd put on Service Dress if I got one of those days every couple of months. Generally, if I want to run those errands, I have to fit it into my work day, or do it while I'm off-duty.
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Chief,
I remember a time when we had regular inspections more often than not in Service Dress or Trops. Those days required us to report in the appropriate dress uniform before changing into our utilities for work. The NCOs and JOs rarely let anything slip by them (and Heaven forbid the old man catch you in need of some direction), and we were all better for it. Certainly something we could use more of given the causal attitude some of our junior members take towards the service these days.
Clearly another child whose World of Warcraft status is more important than his day job. The counseling was priceless.
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CPT (Join to see)
Chief,
The lack of discipline and the alarming rate it's eroding in our military today is mind boggling. Every single day I hear Soldiers complain about almost everything. Lack of discipline is evident every where I turn and pride is a thing of the past. I've been in for 16 yrs and within this period the Army has dramatically changed in ways that make me worry about its future. SMA Chandller is doing a heck of a job weeding out the bad apples.
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