Posted on Mar 29, 2014
Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
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We've all been through countless hour of training, and of course with good training almost always comes... yes, you guessed it--outstanding 'attention getters!' It could've been an interesting video, an entertaining story, strategically placed joke or skit, or just about anything designed to 'wake up' a weary audience. So, what were your most memorable 'attention getters?' Did it make you laugh, or make you cringe... did it hit center mass, or miss the target altogether? Some become somewhat of an inside at the schoolhouse and others seem to almost take on a life of their own with a further reach; a good attention gainer can do more than just keep folks awake, it can become legendary. I know we have some absolutely awesome 'wake-me-ups' out there, so please feel free to add any photos, videos, or anything needed to tell your story; now strap on your seatbelts and let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
Edited 11 y ago
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
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When you need a quick "wake-me-up" here's a slide that will get a good laugh, throw in a quick story, and you've got their attention once again... well, at least for a few minutes anyways! lol 
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SSG Richard Stevens
SSG Richard Stevens
11 y
When our Drill Sergeants woke us up at 0330am for pt
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SPC Charles Brown
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The biggest attention getter I can remember was the 0430 wake up call. Our drill sergeant would come in throw the lid to the trash can down the center aisle, pick up the can and with a rifle cleaning rod awaken us from our slumber screaming "drop your cocks and grab your socks, its time to go to work ladies." This was 1979 and things were very different back then. Good times.
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MSG Allan Davis
MSG Allan Davis
6 y
Some things shouldn’t have been changed
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Tripping on a chair and doing a nose plant as I was about to give a safety brief - yes it really did happen that way.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
CPT Zachary Brooks
>1 y
Sir, I might have to remember this when I get give my next safety brief.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
>1 y
Timing is everything, trust me it was unintentional.
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Most memorable training attention gainers?
1SG Frank Rocha
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it was a safety video that I saw in Korea. Part of it showed 2 helicopters from Fort Campbell, KY flying in formation and one made a critical error causing the 2 aircraft to mesh blades. A brand new Soldier just showing up from AIT was playing the part of the "casualty" on the ground as part of the training exercise and was killed when one of the aircraft fell on him. The video had other disturbing things in it also like a guy using a band saw and getting distracted by someone behind him causes him to cut his hand off. That one got everyone's attention.
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
Col (Join to see)
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SFC Rocha, good stuff, thanks for sharing, and bonus points if anyone can find the video in question!
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1SG Frank Rocha
1SG Frank Rocha
>1 y
I haven't found that training video but I think I found the news story that covered it. I might be off on the specific incident but I want to think this was it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZy8Qtyj6To
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MSG Gene Potocki
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We had a instructor when I attended School of Cadet Command (1995) who would start out each class with a magic trick. (he was an amateur magician)  
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
Col (Join to see)
>1 y
MSG Potocki, good way to keep people engaged, do you remember any tricks in particular? Did it seem to fit in with the subject matter, or just purely used as 'attention gainer' or 'ice breaker?'
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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Second Stage Cryptologic Technician Communications A School, I know what Chief Moats did to me now would be illegal and I suspect it was then. "Grab that High Level DC RF Patch Cord by the Tip" "I don't want to Chief (I was pretty well versed in electronics before I joined) "Grab it" Bam! shock bounced me off the Panel behind me "Nagel just demonstrated the hazards of the High Level Patch Panel". Still get a giggle every time I think about it.
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
Col (Join to see)
>1 y
CT1 Nagel, now that's an attention gainer! lol I'm pretty sure it wouldn't fly these days, but one thing's for sure, it got folks attention! haha Very true indeed, there's no school like the "old school," good stuff, thanks for sharing! 
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CW2 Special Agent
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I'm not going to lie, parts of the SHARP video makes me chuckle every time.
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1LT Mike Donio
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Can't say I recall any!! Every OCS course began with a joke, usually about the truck driver and the 6 Hell's Angels and went downhill from there.

Whereas, I had a journalism professor who would open his one course greeting the students and then from out of no where a person in a ski mask would enter the room holding a banana run up to the professor and yell.."..bang bang you're dead." After which he would tell the students to write about what they just saw. From what I recall, not many could. Isn't much but that's all I got.
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MSG Allan Davis
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There is nothing that will make you feel more like a warrior, than a lone voice in front of an entire battalion sounding off slow and long “AIRBORNE” and hearing that battalion in unison respond sharp and quick “KILL,KILL, KILL!”

As far as the coolest “wake up” “attention getting” thing that made an lifelong impact, “ blah blah blah tempo unlike anything blah blah blah..... because here we add the element of (BOOM!!!) SCORCHED EARTH!”
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TSgt Eddie Mixon
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I had a new airman on my load crew at RAF Lakenheath who was very nervous around things that could go boom. As he was loading the carts in the bomb rack with a 2000 lb bomb hanging from it, I walked by the other side of the pylon and smacked it with a ratchet. He was about three steps gone when he heard me laughing. Same airman checking firing voltage on the 20mm gun lead managed to hold the multi tester lead so that it was touching the palm of his hand while he held it into the firing lead. Trigger was pulled, Airman became part of the electrical circuit. Almost needed a new meter.
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