Posted on Sep 27, 2015
CPT Advisor
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Army Times is reporting that there are upcoming changes beginning in FY02016.

“Those who repeatedly make the same mistakes, we’re going to discharge them," Woods said. "Those who meet the standards will graduate. Those who don’t meet the standards won’t. What this gives the force is assurance that the quality of what’s coming through [training] is there.”

Peer evaluations and a 16k timed ruck march are to be added. Are these changes going to be positive for the quality of the force? Will the standards be objectively upheld? Do you think you had it harder during basic training; why?

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/09/27/new-basic-training-more-tests-peer-evals-coming-oct-1/72753466/
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CPT Physician Assistant
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I'd like to see a combination of more rigorous screening at MEPS. All too often, I get young, new Soldiers in my aid station/clinic who've been in for less than two years and have "chronic pain". I can't disprove it, so I end up MEB'ing Soldiers that probably never should have been allowed in. Whether their chronic pain is a result of poor fitness, poor body habitus, lack of mental strength or just looking for a free paycheck - its frustrating as hell to the overall unit medical readiness. How to I tell my CSM and BC that a 22 year old kid is being MEB'd for his chronic back pain when I've got a CW4 with 2,000 or more hours in a bird that has the mental toughness to drive on. No intestinal fortitude in this younger generation of recruits - and I say this at 32 years old.
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MSG James Devereaux
MSG James Devereaux
>1 y
It’s so good to see that the Army is not a lost cause. As long as it has soldiers, especially officers that will take the same position about soldiers being coddled we are going to be ok. Thanks for making my day brighter Captain!!!
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SGT Johnny Cooper
SGT Johnny Cooper
>1 y
Sick call riders..... while on active I fell from a truck, Leg hip and back killing me
off to the TMC. Sent back to Ft Polk early from the NTC. 5 weeks later after going
to the post TMC who felt just keep walking it off. Well I say enough is enough
go the Post Hospital, Yes broken leg & 30 plus years later 3 Surgeries on the
Spinal Cord injury, the pins and the rod keeping me from the early wheel chair.
Yes, I was the 22 year old who was accused of the Sick Call rider, Shame on thoes
who should keep a open mind. Of course military tried to use the medical board
to let me go. I took a second MOS, moved to Germany for a 3 year military
vacation, finished out leaving for ROTC, UTA but, no commission for me
medically not qualified. Keep a open mind while your kicking them in the ass.

Sgt Cooper
Medically retired
100 % P & T
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SGT Jet West
SGT Jet West
>1 y
SGT Johnny Cooper - Similar experience. No doubt my health would be better today if I hadn't put off going on sick call. Got called on to the carpet once for postponing a surgery bcz we had a major DOD inspection coming up. Six surgeries later.
Then once you get out, you get to battle the VA which initially said there was no record of treatment in my records. That was really odd. I had a complete copy of my medical records and they were all there.
MORAL: Keep a file with a copy of all the papers you get from medical/dental.

This is the lesson learned:
No matter what your reason for joining the military, you get out one of three ways:
1. Healthy,
2. Disabled, or
3. Dead.
If you're not lucky enough to get out healthy, you will likely start thinking about number three after you fight long enough with the VA over your disabilities.
Yes, that's the reality of the situation. Look out for yourself.

Sadly, it doesn't matter whether Republicans or Democrats occupy the White House, it's still the same.
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SFC Dshaun DuBois
SFC Dshaun DuBois
>1 y
You hit it on the head"No Intestinal" fortitude".
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SFC Small Group Leader
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I don't see it becoming harder, I think at this point instead of just pushing through the numbers regardless of a "pass" or "fail", the trainees will now be required to get that "go" in order to progress. I think there will be more recycles and we might see smaller graduation classes.
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SFC Combat Engineer
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>1 y
It will be harder. Especially if units have hard core BN commanders. Peer evaluations can get you kicked out!! At the end of the day though, it's a numbers game.
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SFC Combat Engineer
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
A 16K timed ruck march will get rid of a lot of PVT's.
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SFC Small Group Leader
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>1 y
Good talk drill sergeant
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SSG Environmental Specialist
SSG (Join to see)
8 y
I don't think it will be harder, these are some of the same values and test they did year ago, but let slide due to supply and demand. Now they do not have the demand they can tighten up the requirements on the supply side.
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CSM Executive Chef
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Given the new SMA and his background in TRADOC coupled with the 490,000 end strength number, it should stick. Like it or not we need a smarter Army. Boom in comes STEP. Seeing a trend?
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