24
24
0
Soldiers just completed a 32-hour mission on the road. They get to a tiny FOB in Iraq and have 12 minutes left to grab food before the chow hall closes. The Soldiers are not freshly shaved and cannot easily access their personal hygiene items therefore technically out of regulation. Would you enforce the standard and make the Soldiers immediately go shave or would you not enforce the standard and let the Soldiers go eat?
With so many responses on RP about how we don’t have the right to pick and choose which standards we enforce, what would you do?
With so many responses on RP about how we don’t have the right to pick and choose which standards we enforce, what would you do?
Standards
Common sense
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 116
2
2
0
Have to-go plates prepared for their imminent arrival? The difference between a regulation and a policy is how high you have to go up to obtain an exception. Wait, why are we in Iraq again?
(2)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
SSG V. Michelle Woods in response to your previous question, been there, done that, got the t-shirt... literally
(0)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
What we ended up doing was sending the TOC runner to get a large box of To-Go plates, drinks, condiments, etc. when we were given their F.L.T. by the convoy commander. By the time they got back, downloaded the vehicles, debriefed and all that good ol' stuff the runner was back and getting assistance with downloading the food by others who didn't go on the mission.
(1)
(0)
LTC Paul Labrador
At CP Beuhring, in Kuwait, I saw a very efficient system for the guys who ran the convoys into Iraq. Their 1SG had to go plates in the convoy marshaling area for the vehicle crews. While the passengers got their safety brief, loaded their luggage, etc, the crews did a quick PCMS then chowed down on the to-go plates.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
SGT(P) (Join to see)
I've been in this scenario as have many others and sometimes we ate...sometimes we didn't.
I took away from it that you always take care of your people and worry about the asschewing later as there is a time and place to enforce the standards and a time to let some things slide.
I took away from it that you always take care of your people and worry about the asschewing later as there is a time and place to enforce the standards and a time to let some things slide.
(1)
(0)
Times like this the fifth principal of patrolling comes into play. I have had this happen to use on our last tour. Our JSS was horrible and would try to run guys to the chow hall at the VBC or Fob Falcon. I have to say that it was hit or miss. I have been turned away and other times I would be let in with my dirty sweaty soldiers. I recall Patton felt that you had to enforce all the regulations the same.
Below is an excerpt from a book about the fighting in north Africa.
(Patton quickly identified a lack of discipline as one of his command's major problems. He therefore enforced a strict regime of military courtesies and uniform regulations, including the requirement to wear ties, leggings, and helmets on duty-Patton's "beanie campaign"-to remind his troops "that the pre-Kasserine days had ended, and that a tough new era had begun." "If men do not obey orders in small things, they are incapable of being led in battle," Patton recorded in his diary. "I will have discipline-to do otherwise is to commit murder.")
Below is an excerpt from a book about the fighting in north Africa.
(Patton quickly identified a lack of discipline as one of his command's major problems. He therefore enforced a strict regime of military courtesies and uniform regulations, including the requirement to wear ties, leggings, and helmets on duty-Patton's "beanie campaign"-to remind his troops "that the pre-Kasserine days had ended, and that a tough new era had begun." "If men do not obey orders in small things, they are incapable of being led in battle," Patton recorded in his diary. "I will have discipline-to do otherwise is to commit murder.")
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
That is why they are there for and officers will keep on trying to mitigate what we can.
(0)
(0)
CPL(P) (Join to see)
Don't forget the 6th principle of patrol Sir, always look cool. So what if a few soldiers just so happen to look like operators for 10 minutes while they grab some food so they can get back to it. Haha :)
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
you are right but it still happens. some hold regulations over the the welfare of soldiers.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Its very simple, when you are out conducting mission for an extended period of time and putting you life on the line there are certain things you deserve. One of them is eating real food and the other thing is a hot shower. Anybody who just walks around telling people what they are doing wrong has zero right to even talk to those individuals. Deployments are not easy for anybody but there is a difference, some people have easy one's and others have really really hard one's. Someone with a easy deployment has no right to turn any Soldier away. I have been in that situation before and have had a great SFC who told the individual who was turning all of us away to go and pound sand. I've been there and it sucks so no there is no way anyone should ever turn away a Soldier for a hot meal.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
IN COUNTRY 32 HOUR MISSION 12 MINUTES BEFORE CHOW HALL CLOSES THEY EAT AND EAT AS MUCH AS THEY WANT.............
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
Well here's the way we did it in the old days.
32 Hours of mission, 12 minutes for the Mess hall to close, my troops will eat first.
When they get back will start with the equipment, personal hygiene will be taken care of at COB 1700 Hrs.
Next morning is another day.
Note: As an NCO your subs are looking at you to lead, they look at you to make sound decisions and common sense. While their may be many rules and regulations, your subs are not rules nor regulations they are human beings and they need to know they exist. Taking care of there health and welfare also means to make sure they at least eat or have that chance given to them. Unless you have a deep desire to have your subs recent something about you deep inside, I recommend to use common sense unless your want take up mind reading as an MOS.
32 Hours of mission, 12 minutes for the Mess hall to close, my troops will eat first.
When they get back will start with the equipment, personal hygiene will be taken care of at COB 1700 Hrs.
Next morning is another day.
Note: As an NCO your subs are looking at you to lead, they look at you to make sound decisions and common sense. While their may be many rules and regulations, your subs are not rules nor regulations they are human beings and they need to know they exist. Taking care of there health and welfare also means to make sure they at least eat or have that chance given to them. Unless you have a deep desire to have your subs recent something about you deep inside, I recommend to use common sense unless your want take up mind reading as an MOS.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
The one thing that always rubbed me raw in the Corps was the "Mission Accomplishment then Troop Welfare" mentality. Missions don't get accomplished properly by tired, hungry or broken troops.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
To answer solely the title question, yes, a Reg is black and white, but only if it is comprehensive and well written. Having said that, very few regulations meet that criteria.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
This happened to troops in my unit as well in Iraq. We had 24 hours Ops and some nights were busier than others. They were told to clean up. He was also forced to carry a razor. Let them eat. The group will display the situation. . Be professional and ask the rank why...
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google