Posted on Feb 6, 2015
SSG(P) Instructor
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Have you ever been placed into a military job, and perhaps the previous person had already left so you didn't really have any good turn-out training? No turn-out file to read, or the SOP manual was so out of date it didn't even apply to today?

Did you excel in this unknown position with little to no expectation or training? or Did you fall on your face, and almost wreck your career over it? Give examples: Mine! One day in formation, the Plt Sgt asked if anyone knew how to type. I raised my hand. I liked right and left and I was still the only one raising my hand. I was asked to fall-out. I involuntarily became the new S-1. I was asked to stay in this position until the a new admin clerk could fill the position. I stayed for 6 months. I was poorly trained, if you call it training at all. I floundered for a couple of weeks because I didn't know what was expected of me. I, however, pride myself with learning quickly...and I did. The 1st Sgt didn't want to let me go...I told him I wanted to get back to being an operator...but once you've tasted that life. It's hard to go back. When I left, I made sure to update the SOP manual and turn-over file which seconds as great NCOER bullets points. It ultimately helped my career....
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SFC Ait Platoon Sergeant
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Ha. I think this is the case in 90% of the jobs here. My current job is no different. AIT PLT SGT and there are no standard way of doing things. SOP are so out of date/ non applicable to today that is is not even funny! One day we will get it right and ensure replacements are there 90 days before the change over to ensure a proper change over takes place. When people get ready to PCS it seems they start slacking off and don't care about the job as much anymore!
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SSG(P) Instructor
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Always assign someone to be working on and updating your turn-over file. Sort of like creating a FAQ book. Helped me and my replacements tremendously.
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SFC Ait Platoon Sergeant
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And no...we as professionals don't just all on our faces. We adapt and overcome. It may be a slow start but once we get in there roll up our sleeves and get started most of us come away with a great product to hand off to our replacements. I know my replacement is going to be squared away when he takes over and I roll on out to my next assignment. Thats just the way I was raised I guess. My dad always told me..." If your going to do something, ensure you would right your name on it". Speaking as if you are going to do something be proud enough of what you did to let people know that you put that work in!
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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Got handed a Conex full of maps. No order, no organization, no SOP. No one really knew where or how we got new ones, let alone which ones we actually used.

Ended up contacting the other BN that was still stateside, and praying they had some information. Pieced together a working SOP, and where to order maps from. Spent months in a metal box putting up racking, begging a SNCO to check out a drill for me... because a Cpl can't do that (I kid you not).
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