Reading regulations or just referencing them?

2014-05-04T08:24:29-04:00

Perhaps I am just OCD about knowledge or really bored, your call, but it seems sometimes that leaders don't actually READ the regulations but merely reference specific parts to make a point and often fail to get the whole picture. Much like people reference certain Bible scripture but not the whole chapter and completely lose it's point.
Take for example all of the people who use the (P) identifier after their rank on here. AR 25-50 may have changed recently but it still references the use of that identifier as "... If it benefits the Army..."
I have always made it a habit if a soldier had a question to make them research the regs and report back, that way they empower themselves. Some leaders don't like knowledgable soldiers but I think it is our duty.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2014 1:50 PM

2014-05-04T13:50:35-04:00

I think it's good to make people question. Most junior Soldiers come to me with outdated information in which "someone told them that..." I always ask if they actually read the reg. It teaches critical thinking and awareness.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 11:48 AM

2014-06-01T11:48:09-04:00

The Air force has two little books: the little blue book, and the little brown book. Every NCO should carry it with themselves and be familiar with it. It has helped me on many occasions in order to do corrective and preventative counseling. I also use it to give Airmen references for things that they would otherwise only hear about as opposed to knowing it was regulation. They are a great help. (notice mine has been tabbed)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 11:53 AM

2014-06-01T11:53:16-04:00

I absolutely agree. I know some people who will look into regulations and find the one thing that works for their side. However, as most of us know there are many contradictions within the regulations or at least some confusion as you read it and interpret it. I know that they are working on it but we cannot just pick and choose which orders to follow or which regulations to follow. As a MSG once told me "This is not Burger King, you cannot get it your way."

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 5 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-08-05T15:34:09-04:00

I will be the devils advocate, with what is written, in TM, AR, FM, TC, TB, is it realistic to expect that weread everything, or know where the information is for reference purposes?

You may get the chance to sit up all night on SDNCO to read, I do this one weekend a month now a days. I can recall a -10 TM on a Jeep being give or take a 100 pages. The -10 on the M16/M4 series rifle is longer than now. AR 670-1 change last year, and it just changed again, and now there is a DA Pam 670-1 to go with it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-11-09T16:21:43-05:00

The system here on RallyPoint asks you to check a box if you are promotable, and it puts the (P) identifier after your name automatically. Further, AR 25-50 covers correspondence. Military email is correspondence. Memos are correspondence. Social media is not official correspondence.