The Changes and Impacts of the “New Military”

SFC Randy Purham — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:09:37 -0400

Many people end up saying, “Take it back to the basics!” when they actually should be asking, “What the hell is going on?” This usually happens when there is a series of events transpiring that is so jacked up that it has came to the point of extreme contention. Is this “progress” in the military something that is making us a stronger force, or is it making us weaker?

Let’s look at the past 20 years in America, a memorable enough time for most of us.

In 1996, the military was still in the midst of the drawdown from the Gulf War, and Mogadishu was still on everyone’s mind. Cell phones and the internet were not yet prevalent tools anywhere in the world, let alone among the military service-members. The most social media we were exposed to consisted of a bit of Yahoo Instant Messenger when we got home through whatever dial-up internet we could connect to through a free trial through America Online (AOL).

There were the military chat rooms with crazy screen names where we talked about our days and that worthless Commander of ours. You went to your room, pressed your uniform and shined your boots, had a few drinks, and went to bed. Maybe you spent quality time with your family or with your neighbors, but otherwise life was like “Groundhog Day” - day in and day out, the same experience in the motor pool. The “E4 Mafia” ran the squad and the NCOs were at the NCO club playing spades, dominoes, or going over the “1SG Notes” with beer and a shot of Jack. The team leaders would go to the barracks to check rooms while the Platoon Leaders would be with the Commander planning an upcoming Field Training Exercise (FTX).

Life was pretty simple right? No Political Correctness (PC), no Inspector General (IG), Equal Opportunity (EO), Sexual Harassment and Response Program (SHARP), or that God-awful “Mandatory Training”. NCOs and Officers actually could be found in the barracks, around quarters, and in your face, trying everyday to make you a better person - whether you liked it or not!

Fast forward ten years later to 2006. The country is five years into our two-front war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers are divorcing and “shacking-up” during deployments and deployment scandals are skyrocketing. Civilians and soldiers are dying through unconventional means of warfare.

Drill and ceremony, Sergeant’s time training, Class-A inspections, pay-day activities, command maintenance, and common task testing were placed on the back-burner. Civilians and contractors were now replacing Soldiers in the dining facility, gates, personnel centers, and the housing offices. The M4 Carbine Rifle was quickly taking the place of the M16, eliminating manual of arms training and reshaping the fundamentals of marksmanship and bringing on new “toys” such as the hand-rails, guards, and sights.

Radio systems training began falling to the wayside once everyone had a smartphone, or SPAWARE to use the internet. Laptops and desktops became completely accessible to everyone, so face-to-face communication began to diminish. Strip-maps of the path to our soldiers’ homes were no longer needed thanks to GPS devices. Platoon Sergeants and Platoon Leaders started greeting us with, “Did you get the email I sent you?”

The “Butcher Board” was replaced with PowerPoint and the long, useless meetings became even longer and even more useless. Most of the leadership began walking away from meetings thinking that the information could have been easily dispersed in an email. Officers and NCOs didn’t know what to do with their soldiers, so they left them in the motor pool unsupervised, conducting inventories and reorganizing CONNEX.

Fast forward another ten years, now in 2016, even more has changed. SHARP, EO, and IG/JAG are the most used amenities in the military. Soldiers spend inordinate amounts of time being keyboard warriors and video game gurus. When they finally face reality at 0630 they are “out of ranks” or calling out sick. Some have even devised a way to develop PTSD without ever deploying!

NCOs are now in Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to ETS or retire - every month! Those who are more dedicated look for opportunities to make the next rank - by any means necessary - even at the expense of their own Soldiers. Soldiers now receive Facebook messages or texts regarding their tasks, and demanding immediate replies. Officers and Senior NCOs stalk their unit personnel on Facebook. Platoon Sergeants have a “meeting with the 1SG” every single day. Squad leaders have their days taken up with “caring for some soldier with problems.”

PS4 and Call of Duty have taken the place of Sergeant’s Time Training and Deployment Readiness - because we are in budget constraints. Senior Leadership is constantly on Temporary Duty (TDY) or in a Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP). No one’s Army service uniform is ever ready, the perpetual excuse being that it’s “at the cleaner’s.” NCOs can’t counsel soldiers on their careers because they were just promoted themselves and don’t have the experience to explain it. Leaders resort to Google and Facebook for advice on issues versus reading the regulations and policies. “Copy and Paste” has taken on a whole new meaning - you now just change the name as it applies to everything. Leaders don’t interact with soldiers or their families outside of duty hours because that may be construed as “being too close” with the soldier or fraternization, an inappropriate relationship. Common drill movements are ALWAYS confused to the opposite direction. Email and VTC has replaced face-to-face interaction with soldiers and leaders.

I barely scratched the surface on the issues in the military of today that has transformed our fighting force. But what I have covered begs the question: What does “take it back to basics” really mean? What time period? How do we do this? Should we do this?

Response by PO1 Tracy Dreyer made Sep 7 at 2016 12:14 PM

PO1 Tracy Dreyer — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:14:41 -0400

You nailed it!

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Sep 7 at 2016 12:18 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:18:17 -0400

As an "old soldier" I find this subject very interesting though I retired (1986) long before these issues arose.
Of course, we all "had it worse" regardless when we served,, lol.
I am confident the US military will survive.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 12:22 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:22:48 -0400

Outstanding!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 7 at 2016 12:22 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:22:51 -0400

The first thing I would suggest... Take the same piece of advice an outgoing CSM gave me upon taking a new job... start fresh, delete every email on the other guys computer, throw away everything in the desk, and wait for the phone calls, knock on the door and email to come in....while waiting go find the Soldiers, LISTEN ..Go find your officers and LISTEN.
What is truly important, needs to be done now, next week and next month will raise its ugly head quickly, focus on those things... not what someone's else's perception of priority is (other than the commander, as their priority is YOUR priority)

Taking that concept to your post, throw away AR 350-1 it is not possible to complete all assigned and directed tasks it orders and accomplish the commander’s intent, the unit’s mission.
Then see what raises its head as needed, today, tomorrow and next month. Rebuild AR 350-1-New from the cover page to the back page from a blank page.

Reconsider what the needs of the Service is, the unit's mission today, and tomorrow.
Start with the collective tasks needed to accomplish today's mission.. The leader training and resources required, then TRAIN the leaders.. Next the individual trianing needed to support the collective tasks that need to be started TODAY to accomplish today's mission.
Once the tactical immediate is accomplished, look at the force and what it needs to know, be capable of tomorrow..
You will never get to tomorrow if today is a mess

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Sep 7 at 2016 12:28 PM

SSG Steven Mangus — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:28:06 -0400

Well most of what you said is why I chose to retire. Now we all know the military needs to embrace technology as a force multiplier..however there is a downside to that same technology, heavily reliance to the point of not being able to accomplish the mission without it. As far as soldiers go, well this new generation has had a lot of hands off parents coupled with no consequences for their actions. NCO authority has been stripped and officers have created a separation in the ranks. What to do? Bring the "suck" back and eliminate the dead weight. The services will have to put greater effort into finding better candidates and for go enlistment quotas. We are a team with one common goal and we should return to the basics to instill the military way into everyone service member. Enhance soldier and leadership development to keep only the best and brightest.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 1:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 13:20:05 -0400

IMO the basics are the ability to shoot, the ability to move and the ability to communicate. That may sound really simple, however it's not when you really think about it.

Squad leaders should be working together with other squad leaders, if you need to work with a soldier who is having issues... then the rest of your squad should be training or sustaining equipment under the supervision of a different squad leader. You don't need a budget to ruck out into the woods, do some common task training and then ruck back to garrison. You don't need much of a budget to do convoy training and practice reacting to a variety of scenarios. If playing on your PS4 and Call of Duty is Sergeants time... your sergeants are the ones in need of training.

If an NCO doesn't know how to do something, he needs to go find an NCO who does know how to do it and learn it. No NCO knows everything, NCODP may start with the Senior NCO in a company or BN... however it should not end there. If you are an NCO and you are not at least proficient in your job, you should have a hard time looking at yourself in the mirror.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 7 at 2016 3:04 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 15:04:43 -0400

SFC Randy Purham Very interesting post.Since i am a "dinosaur" the issues and life styles in our military of today are almost incomprehensible to me.

Response by SGT Robert K. made Sep 7 at 2016 6:20 PM

SGT Robert K. — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:20:25 -0400

I must agree - what does it mean take it back to the basics? - During my career I was taught through hands on and death by powerpoint. Often time commanders come in and say " We are going to train to standard - not to time". Then they realize how much time is involved in teaching to standard. Or they say you have 1 hour to teach this class and make sure it is to standard. Often times I have seen NCO's give a class by just reading it out of the book, no interaction, and this is with a month notice to prepare. Something has to change -

"Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way." -George S. Patton Jr., Patton

We need to change but we need to change at all levels -
Lower Enlisted - Don't show up with an attitude that the army, the unit owes you something, nothing is free - work for it - put in the work and you will benefit - take responsibility for your actions
NCO's - stop being friendly, pals, "don't want to offend" - be an NCO - teach, lead, train. Take responsibility for your actions and those under you.
Officers - stop being afraid to make a decision, step up and take responsibility for your choices and those under you.
SOLDIER's - All Ranks - Step up take responsibility for your actions, (right or wrong) Take pride in what you do, take ownership of your actions, Lead by example.

"Do what is right, not what you think the high headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good."-Norman Schwarzkopf

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 8:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:20:53 -0400

This may be over simplifying or just plain wrong, but doesn't each war/conflict create a new set of basics? Isn't that why we fight the next war with the last war's technology and planning?

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 7 at 2016 8:26 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:26:53 -0400

Old school still works... the Bad guys are using it...

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Sep 8 at 2016 12:42 AM

1stSgt Nelson Kerr — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 00:42:20 -0400

It is funny I heard the same speech with the nouns changed back in 1972 somethings never change the new military is always falling down compared the good old days. I bet my grandfather heard much the same in 1917 and his grandpa in 1861, I know my father did in 1942, I can picture one of Gilgamesh's old fart Sargents making the same point also. It is good to know that some traditions are as sure as entropy,

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Sep 10 at 2016 7:32 PM

1SG Al Brown — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 19:32:30 -0400

I wouldn't worry too much. Eventually, some fed up CSM's head will explode at the FORSCOM level and daily activities will "realign" to a new vision of discipline and efficiency. You remember when Sergeants Time came out of no where in 1989.... There was no place to hide. Officer's won't mind the realignment at all. NCO's will grumble and get used to it, and the floor polish will shine like melted paste wax buffed with a brown t-shirt. P.S. This was meant as humor, but it's been know to happen.

Response by Sgt William Straub Jr. made Sep 12 at 2016 10:03 AM

Sgt William Straub Jr. — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:03:50 -0400

I am saddened to hear that our military has fallen this low. I was shocked when I heard about "stress cards" in basic training. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen, need to start growing up. It is the real world now. No more hanging on Mommy's hand. There are real people with real guns trying to kill you. PS4/Xbox/video games are NOT going to save your life. Pay attention to senior NCO's, not some kid with the same rank as you. Look for that grizzled E-6 or 7, if they still exist. I go back to my time in 40+ years ago. The man I respected more than any was an E-6 Tech Sgt, Delmar Slaughter. I knew without a doubt that when the crap started falling, he would be the man to lead you to safety and to show you the best way to fight back. I would hope we still had these kinds of NCO's. Social Media, cell phones, laptops and the like have had a disastrous effect on the military in many instances.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2016 4:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 16:59:18 -0400

When you lose that brotherhood, that camaraderie, that esprit-de-corps you have lost the basics. What builds that up? Those are the basics. Facebook is not on the list, nor is twitter, email (though important), rally point or any other social media outlet.

LEADING your wo/men through a training exercise. BEING WITH your wo/men as the PT and do their PFT, rifle quals, grenade quals, etc. When the action hits you need to be a cohesive and TRUSTING unit. You won't have time to FB with incoming. Your tweets will die aborning as you are over-run. When your squad leaders *signals* echelon left and you think he is trying "to communicate" with the enemy...

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Sep 25 at 2016 10:29 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 22:29:21 -0400

outstanding post.
Since I first enlisted in 1985 and retired in 2010, i can easily see the gap of the "new military"
I started with cellphones and internet and ended with cell phones and internet.
I really believe the worst thing that has happened with technology is that people have lost the art of conversation. with that lost art people are more easily offended, because they are unable to;
1 to tell when people are just messing with them
2 can't take criticism; whether good or bad
For my next point SM's are more scared of a career destroying eval report, than doing the right thing for there people
i could go on for days but i won't
i think if we can fix these two things then the rest will fall into place

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 29 at 2016 12:26 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 12:26:27 -0500

I got just few things to touch on, how about these.

1. What ever happened to the Field Artillery Cannon system project?

2. NCOES/ RESUMES writing in all levels of courses

3. Women in COMABT MOS's where is it going IE> INF< ARM< ARTY?

4. How are we going to fight our next war with what kind of weapons systems and what type of soldiers, Smart, Dumb, mechanical or computerize soldiers or healthy ones or whatever we have at the bottom of the barrel?

5. What is Sergeant Time Training today in the modern Army? Is helping the soldiers or helping the Sergeant prepare.?

STEPHENS'