Should standards of basic courses change?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:51:24 -0400

With the military shrinking and less money to go around for training should basic courses such as IBOLC and BCT become more difficult to supplement for the lack enrollment in difficult courses?

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 3 at 2015 12:55 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:55:39 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member it should change with the current operations of world events. The enemy is always changing up, we must keep the edge in order to adapt to a forever changing world. Our TTPs must be re-defined and implement to maintain the edge in world security.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 1:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:17:55 -0400

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/09/27/new-basic-training-more-tests-peer-evals-coming-oct-1/72753466/

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 1:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:18:16 -0400

Here ya go

The Army's new basic training: More tests, peer evals coming Oct. 1

Beginning Oct. 1, new soldiers entering basic combat training will be required to pass three tests and tackle new mandatory tasks to graduate.

Response by CPT Brian Delrosario made Oct 3 at 2015 1:57 PM

CPT Brian Delrosario — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:57:16 -0400

Great question. Our mission remains constant: to win our nation's wars. Training should adjust to the mission, not to balancing attendance numbers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 2:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 14:00:42 -0400

I've been through infantry basic training as and enlisted solder and IBOLC as an infantry officer and I believe that BCT was probably a little more challenging of the two but still nothing too difficult. It's a common practice for infantry officers to go to Ranger School after IBOLC in order to challenge young LTs and further their training to be strong PLs. I believe IBOLC should be more challenging so the Army doesn't have to really on Ranger school as much to insure infantry officers a prepared to leader their troops. Thoughts?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 4:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:42:02 -0400

If the end goal here is to produce a better quality of Soldiers then the standards need to be set and enforced at the Company/Troop/Battery level. I'm not saying that changes to BCT/ IBOLC aren't necessary but Soldiering doesn't stop after IET. I'm sure I am not the only one that has seen Soldiers/leaders in a unit be accepted as "sub par" but nothing is done to change it. Whether it be mentorship or separation, appropriate action needs to be taken at all levels.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Oct 4 at 2015 1:04 AM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 01:04:40 -0400

No. The standard is the standard. We just need to make sure the standard is as difficult as the minimum expectations we should have. Basic Training is going to get harder from recent press releases I have read.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 2:45 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 02:45:05 -0400

I don't think it should be done as a supplement, but just in general. We should constantly strive for tougher courses and higher standards, not because we are shrinking or have less money but to improve. There shouldn't be a drop in standard or toughness simply because the need of forces goes up. That is majorly counterproductive and weakens us overall for the future.