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What
does “Take it back to the basics.” really mean? I often hear this phrase of
CSMs in NCOPDs, but what does that mean to today’s NCOs? Let’s think about
this. 2001 – 9-11 happened. 2003 the Invasion to Iraq happened. 2003-2008 was
the surge to support two war-fronts. In the meanwhile, retirements, deaths and
ETS still happened. PVT Joe/Jane Snuffy who came in during 2001-2003 were
essentially shoveled through Basic/AIT to fill “Boots-on-Ground” numbers;
standards and training were relaxed or simply thrown out the window. 2011-2013
they are now SGTs, SSGs and some SFCs – who progressed through the ranks and
filled the shoes of those that died, retired and/or ETSd. Now, the question
remains – in new form – how can the basics be enforced when they were never
taught it?
does “Take it back to the basics.” really mean? I often hear this phrase of
CSMs in NCOPDs, but what does that mean to today’s NCOs? Let’s think about
this. 2001 – 9-11 happened. 2003 the Invasion to Iraq happened. 2003-2008 was
the surge to support two war-fronts. In the meanwhile, retirements, deaths and
ETS still happened. PVT Joe/Jane Snuffy who came in during 2001-2003 were
essentially shoveled through Basic/AIT to fill “Boots-on-Ground” numbers;
standards and training were relaxed or simply thrown out the window. 2011-2013
they are now SGTs, SSGs and some SFCs – who progressed through the ranks and
filled the shoes of those that died, retired and/or ETSd. Now, the question
remains – in new form – how can the basics be enforced when they were never
taught it?
NCOPD
Standards
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 5
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I think the question is WHY does someone say that? Not just in the Army but in all things, sports, etc. you hear this when people have gotten too complex, doing their own things, or have lost the fundamentals. Something they're doing isn't working like it should. So what do we do? We reset get back to the foundation and start building on it again.
You can't start trying to shoot trick shots on the pool table if you can't hold the pool stick properly.
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When said by senior personnel, it means "we need to start emphasizing this particular standard(s) that I feel is particularly important at this time".
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SFC Randy Purham
I can understand that, but why not just teach what the standard is so everyone is on one accord versus making a blanket statement and leaving it to Google and YouTube to teach it?
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SFC Michael Hasbun
I think subjectivity is an issue there. Most regulations are left somewhat vague, to make room for Commanders discretion. Even regulations that are "matter of fact" are frequently debated in terms of intent, scope and meaning.
The intent is ften lost in the verbage and over analysis...
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<p>I asked this question not too long ago. Got a few responses...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>https://www.rallypoint.com/questions/2858-what-does-getting-back-to-the-basics-mean-to-you</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="https://www.rallypoint.com/assets/fb_share_logo.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="https://www.rallypoint.com/questions/2858-what-does-getting-back-to-the-basics-mean-to-you" target="_blank">What does "getting back to the basics" mean to you?</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">We hear our senior leaders,&nbsp;specifically in the Army, talk about getting back to the "basics."&nbsp; What exactly does that mean to you?&nbsp; I have been in the Army for 23 years and my definiti...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
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SFC Randy Purham
I must have missed that post, but thanks for sharing. I guess great minds do think alike.
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I absolutely agree with how you stated the way things used to be. I just wish that the top would recognize the shift he army in general has taken a find an appropriate middle ground. I certainly thing that the ACU "pajamas" should be phased out with something more functional and form fitting, but bringing back something that takes a long time to maintain shouldnt be their focus. Maybe taking away the competition between who looks the best and focusing it towards competitions that revolve around competency might help. Good discussion topic though.
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SFC (Join to see)
D&C, Counseling, NCOPDs, Pay Day Activities, NCO induction ceremonies...Back to the Basics start with instilling back the "Garrison Operations" we have lost in the past decade.
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I like that you asked the question in these terms.
Coming into service in 2004 BDU's were still a thing and were phased after a couople of years. I like to have conversations about this topic in particular because I believe at this juncture there are two mind sets in the military, the "old guard" and "new army". the Old Guard prom my perspective are the Service Members that were active during the Pre 9/11 and New Army exists afterwards. Coming into being during the New Army progression I saw the changes as refocusing attention on pertinent issues, not as lacksidiacial standards. before i get lynched for that please hear me out.
Does discipline derive from pretty boots and a pressed uniform? Or does it spawn for a love of country and unit? when i was a young private i would see the SSG's at the time spend so much effort "correcting" or as i recognized digging into people asses about the most inconsequential things. this used to irritate me becuase instead of reading my reconnasiance manual or developing strong bonds with my fellow scouts we would spend 2+ hours ironing and shining boots that would just get dirty while at the motorpool or ranges. After deployments, I noticed a philosophy change, from whether it be multiple years overseas or just the Old Guard leaving the service, to a train of thought to a work hard and play hard philosophy. since acu's were now a thing we were less inclined to focus our attention on petty details and really get to working and training. then after that, you know what happened? soldiers would hang out more, develop those bonds and more importanly trust that became essential in wayward environments. Not to mention the family that got to see their fathers and mothers for more than maybe an hour per day.
going back to the back to basics question, I feel that there needs to be some kind of consensus between the Old Guard that wants to have all the little discipline things back, ie. shiny boots no tattoos ect... and the New Army where the focus is train to fight(not to say that its wasnt a focus for the old guard, but how much training can you do when you spend all your time prettying up your outfit).
Sorry for any spelling and grammar errors this text box is quite small.
Coming into service in 2004 BDU's were still a thing and were phased after a couople of years. I like to have conversations about this topic in particular because I believe at this juncture there are two mind sets in the military, the "old guard" and "new army". the Old Guard prom my perspective are the Service Members that were active during the Pre 9/11 and New Army exists afterwards. Coming into being during the New Army progression I saw the changes as refocusing attention on pertinent issues, not as lacksidiacial standards. before i get lynched for that please hear me out.
Does discipline derive from pretty boots and a pressed uniform? Or does it spawn for a love of country and unit? when i was a young private i would see the SSG's at the time spend so much effort "correcting" or as i recognized digging into people asses about the most inconsequential things. this used to irritate me becuase instead of reading my reconnasiance manual or developing strong bonds with my fellow scouts we would spend 2+ hours ironing and shining boots that would just get dirty while at the motorpool or ranges. After deployments, I noticed a philosophy change, from whether it be multiple years overseas or just the Old Guard leaving the service, to a train of thought to a work hard and play hard philosophy. since acu's were now a thing we were less inclined to focus our attention on petty details and really get to working and training. then after that, you know what happened? soldiers would hang out more, develop those bonds and more importanly trust that became essential in wayward environments. Not to mention the family that got to see their fathers and mothers for more than maybe an hour per day.
going back to the back to basics question, I feel that there needs to be some kind of consensus between the Old Guard that wants to have all the little discipline things back, ie. shiny boots no tattoos ect... and the New Army where the focus is train to fight(not to say that its wasnt a focus for the old guard, but how much training can you do when you spend all your time prettying up your outfit).
Sorry for any spelling and grammar errors this text box is quite small.
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SFC Randy Purham
SGT Brooks, thank you for your comments and I understand where you are coming from. In short, the prettying of the uniform was our morale, discipline and camaraderie building tool. You have to remember, there were no wars going on, small deployments - maybe. But the focus was on Boards and Uniforms. It put pride in us as Soldiers and it was a friendly competition to see who had the sharpest uniform and the most mirrored boots on Mondays.
SGTs Time Training on Thursdays was our hard days, 0600 come in and prep the vehicles, 0800 roll out and stay out until 1300 then come back and close out the stuff by 1500 and go home. The rest of the week was whatever.
The change in the uniform was the paradigm shift of focus for the force. It was a way to phase away old mentalities. That's why they emphasis wash and wear. I think we can re-incorporate the Old Guard stuff and still have a New Army feeling without sacrificing or compromising the integrity of discipline. Great share once again.
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