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<font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Consolas">I have read this term (in one form or another) since
signing up for Rally Point, what is your definition of "Old Army"? (I really am interested in reading any responses)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
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</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Consolas">I have read this term (in one form or another) since
signing up for Rally Point, what is your definition of "Old Army"? (I really am interested in reading any responses)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
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Posted >1 y ago
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"Old Army" to me is that part of my service from 1987 to around 2004 or so, when we ditched BDUs and black leather boots for the ACUs and roughed leather boots of today. It was taking pride in how you looked prior to first formation EVERYDAY, not just Monday mornings. It was when your BN CSM and 1SGs and their NCOs owned their barracks and kept them to a standard. It was when your Drill SGTs tore you down and built you anew as Soldiers, and you didn't have a cell phone PERIOD, at any phase of your training. Individual pride and self-discipline were the norm and not the exception. Promotions went to those individuals that merited them due to their performance and potential and not simply because we are an Army in transition and looking for younger people we can invest time in. You end up with fat too many immature, ill-equipped and ill-prepared leaders both on the Officer and NCO side of the house. "Old Army" is prior to we can't yell at Soldiers because "....this is a smarter, more educated generation and we have to take into account their feelings." It's PLDC for 30-days where young NCOs and future NCOs learned the basics of being an NCO, not a shake and bake 15-day course or on-line training course that leaves them ill-prepared to lead Soldiers. But I digress, having retired after a 26-year career, I just wanted to share my "Old Army" sentiments. "Treat "Em Rough!!"
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SFC James Baber
We do have a more intelligent soldier coming into service, but it is the wrong type of intelligence they are looking for ways to get out of doing the hard right thing and looking for the easy wrong thing or the new breed of NCO that is more concerned about how they can move 1st before teaching and training their soldiers to standard, the "me" generation instead of a team effort as we were taught and raised on in the 80s into the 90s. it all changed under Clinton's 2nd term to the more PC and soldier controlled Army instead of NCO led.
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SPC Gary Basom
Yes, that was very true, I went in in 1980 and there were many a night I brush shined my boots which was the easy part, next was getting down with the cotton balls and water and paste and spit shining the jump boots which any soldier could own, then get out the old board and light starch and iron those OD uniforms then later the BDUs as they were issued later, remember the BDU field jacket was late in coming, but that was even cleaned and ironed.it was not only as much for unit pride but self pride. Back then you were allowed to wear your hair a little longer as long as it didn't touch collar, off your ears, out of your eyes, etc. It was a better time then too.
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<p>Sir,</p><p>I guess the best way to explain "old army" is to take or go back into history of the US Army, since the Vietnam war or even further back, policy and regulations were not as they are now, it occurred in changes, like for example, the changes in uniform, OD green, BDU then ACU, the changes and way regs have changed you could say the Cold War US Army was the old army in a way. </p>
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<p>great story as it relates to "Old Army" </p><p>http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/archive/OldArmy.html</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.west-point.org/MMHouse.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/archive/OldArmy.html" target="_blank">Thomas D. MORGAN: The Old Army</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description"> The
term Good Old Days of the Army brings back varying nostalgic memories
for old soldiers. For sure, the Old Army was not as it is today. The
Old Army has b...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
term Good Old Days of the Army brings back varying nostalgic memories
for old soldiers. For sure, the Old Army was not as it is today. The
Old Army has b...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
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The Old Army, or "my dad's Army" usually refers to the Pre-9/11 Peace-time draw down of the Mid- to late Clinton era.<br>
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SFC James Baber
LT, actually it would be pre-Clinton as well, he started the changes that are in effect today.
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<p>Great question sir. I asked something like this a little while ago. I wanted to know what "getting back to the basics meant." </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Old Army is defined by me is a period of time that is relevant to the individual asked. What I mean by that is this. I came into the Army in 1990. My experiences back then are considered "Old Army" to many in this forum. I considered my leadership at that time as "Old Army." I am sure that there are many a person in this forum who will consider me as "Old Army."</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To me, I define it as a period of time. </p>
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SSG Richard Munson
Old army in my book is pre ACU (I came in in '87)when discipline was directed by shining boots and starching BDUs not wash and wear or non-shine. There is no pride in uniform when you all look like you just tossed on a mess from the dryer. You could tell the soldiers that cared by their appearance. Back when the barracks floors were waxed weekly before the FSBI non-wax policy. When there were 4-8 Soldiers living in open Bays and they had to maintain the 1SGs standard. When Barracks inspections didn't have to be written in triplicate and posted prior to it. When health and welfare was exactly that.
Back when Drill Sergeants broke you down and then rebuilt you.... Before cell phones, the internet, and facebook ruled training... when the only way to contact a spouse in the field was by calling Staff Duty and they would relay by radio. When you waited in line at a bank of phones to call home to say you were ok.
That is Old Army... that is what your dad will remember.
Back when Drill Sergeants broke you down and then rebuilt you.... Before cell phones, the internet, and facebook ruled training... when the only way to contact a spouse in the field was by calling Staff Duty and they would relay by radio. When you waited in line at a bank of phones to call home to say you were ok.
That is Old Army... that is what your dad will remember.
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I'll state, FUBU (For Us, By Us.)
"We The People, To Form A More Perfect Union."
The Army and The Rest of the U.S. Military are the Main minority of American people who swore to defend the people, not the government, We all Should get back to the "Old Army" S.O.P.( Standard Operating Procedure)... "For The People, By The People.. For Which It Stands, One Nation.... Under God... Indivisible... With Liberty And Justice For All..."
"We The People, To Form A More Perfect Union."
The Army and The Rest of the U.S. Military are the Main minority of American people who swore to defend the people, not the government, We all Should get back to the "Old Army" S.O.P.( Standard Operating Procedure)... "For The People, By The People.. For Which It Stands, One Nation.... Under God... Indivisible... With Liberty And Justice For All..."
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I've only been in for 6 years, myself, so the "old-Army" is the stuff stories are made of... basically before I got in... gradually, though, I'm even starting to look at my first years as the "old Army" as I see changes happening (e.g. the repeal of DADT and the acceptance of same-sex marriages, or the allowance of females into combat arms MOSs)
I catch myself saying "that would have been OK in the old Army, but NOT TODAY..."
I catch myself saying "that would have been OK in the old Army, but NOT TODAY..."
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Less PC and the return to real discipline and standards. Back when NCOs and commands had the power to do what is right and not be controlled and influenced by politics.
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SPC Gary Basom
I remember when the Admin. NCO and First sergeant used to use typewriters and a ton of carbon paper.
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