What does "getting back to the basics" mean to you?

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 12:51:43 -0500

We hear our senior leaders, specifically in the Army, talk about getting back to the "basics."  What exactly does that mean to you?  I have been in the Army for 23 years and my definition of the "basics" may be extremely different than that of someone with, let's say, 5 or 10 years in service.  I am curious to see the different views of what the "basics" are.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2013 1:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 13:34:49 -0500

I think "getting back to the basics" means just that. The basic of the Army. there are lot of "extras" to be done/had in the Army, but if you don't know the basic fundamentals of the Army or anything for that matter you simply have NO foundation. Example, no point in learning level 20 if you don't have level 10, no point in trying to drive that 5ton if you have not driven the HMMV.... There are building blocks to EVERYTHING and that's what you build from for a sustainable foundation. Your basics are your building blocks needed for an excellent foundation. In the army, if you have no military bearing, no idea of customs and courtesies, and no physical drive/will, then your foundation is faulty and shakey at best. Getting these building blocks (at the BASIC, initial entry) makes a world of difference. We can also see when that isn't received at initial entry where it can have a heck of an adverse affect within our ranks.

There's a reason why we all start at the "BASICs".

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2013 3:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 15:32:17 -0500

Back to the basics is something that desperately needs to happen. I think I joined right before this shift in mentality. I look around and I see way too many undisciplined soldiers to my left and my right. I think there needs to be more drill. It instills discipline and promotes a professional attitude. I think PT has gotten out of hand. Most the old-timers hate PRT and end up inventing their own PT, which would be fine if it had anything resembling safety. Never mind the fact that it blows regulation out of the water.

What I would love to see:

1. Bring back respecting the NCO - I see so much back talking, question asking, or generally ignoring what a soldier is told to do. The power has been taken out of the NCO's hand to conduct on the spot corrective training. The soldier's go cry about being harassed and the NCO gets no back up from their superiors because it's "A New Army".

2. Bring back D&C - Why is there people in line units, after completing basic and AIT, that can't execute a proper about face? That don't know how to do an open ranks, or a dang counter-column? I think this is unacceptable.

3. Enforce PT standards - I'm not talking about getting a 180 on the PT test or adhering to 600-9. I'm talking about running PT IAW FM 7-22. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean you don't have to do it. I'm not a huge fan of PRT, but it was put in place for a reason. And run properly, it will work. I've seen it and participated in a properly executed PRT program and I was drained after every PT session.

4. Stop the Crying! - We're in the Army. Life isn't easy and it isn't fair. You aren't entitled to anything you haven't worked for. The Officer's get paid more for a reason. No your NCO doesn't hate you, you just showed up to work with a jacked up uniform. If you want it, work for it, strive for it, and if need be ask someone for help.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 17 at 2013 12:07 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 12:07:40 -0500

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, but may not be later, depending on what my boss later tells me is important, and then doing THAT will be the basics".

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Dec 17 at 2013 12:11 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 12:11:03 -0500

Great minds think alike I see.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Dec 19 at 2013 7:41 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:41:19 -0500

<p>MSG Stankovich -</p><p> </p><p>Where to begin?  I see Privates during BCT blaming everyone/everything but themselves for a whole range of personal failures.  I see units covering up for misconduct, lying on readiness statistics and manning.  I see NCOs complicit in this behavior, if not hip-deep in it to begin with.</p><p> </p><p>Getting back to basics means creating an Army that can shoot, care for its Soldiers and conduct itself in a manner in which the American taxpayer can take pride.  </p><p> </p><p>Yes, I'm Old School and proud of it.  I say bring Old School (minus some of the abuses) back</p>

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 11:32 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:32:02 -0500

I have only been in the Army 8 years now, and the Army has changed too fast and in my opinion in the wrong direction. Back to the basics, in my thought is back to the core of the army and the core values. Discipline! These new soldiers have no respect for NCO's and run and cry anytime they are not told what they want to hear. It doesnt help that Senior Leaders and Command are so scared of SIR's or Bullets on ER's that they tie our hands in ways of leadership. This is the Army, not a Human Resource ran fortune 500 company. Back to the basics to me is forcing standards at their highest and not budging left or right of those standards for anyone. The army was this way for many of years and way change what isnt broken?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 10:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:01:03 -0500

Taking car of your Soldiers despite the whatever time it may be. Expecting your soldiers to be disciplined, respectful and holding them accountable. Not babying them, counsel them and corrective training off duty hours! Give the Soldiers your time and effort.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 12:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:23:42 -0500

When mentioning "getting back to the basics", I believe the term should be edited to "bridging the basics" as the Army continues to adapt and grow. When you "Bridge the Basics" you still continue with what matters most and made this great Army with all standards and regulations, however you adapt to the changing environment and welcome in all new things that have made our jobs easier in today's world i.e. electronic forms, resource centers, etc.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 24 at 2014 12:25 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:25:11 -0500

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 1:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 13:31:17 -0500

I've heard my BN CSM say "getting back to the basics" is what the Army needs to do multiple times, and I agree 100%. I've been in the Army a short 5 years, but I know through my senior NCOs what it means. To me, it means that we need to get back to a place where the NCOs are TRUE LEADERS. This means, that we set the standard for our Soldiers. Now I know that Officers set the standard, as we, as NCOs, enforce them..BUT, what I mean when I say that is..always maintaining a HIGH state of professionalism, proficiency and excellence. Getting back to basics means no longer will we allow the Soldier to determine the downhill future of the Army. Don't get me wrong, the Soldier IS the future of the Army, but we as NCOs must shape the Soldier into what the Army must BE so when that Soldier becomes an NCO, he teaches his Soldiers so when those Soldiers become NCOs they teach their Soldiers, so on and so forth. We as NCOs must become ONE again. No more situations where SSG Smith doesn't like SSG Joe because "xyz", so SSG Smith tells his Soldiers SSG Joe is a dirtbag..it has to stop. This is what allows those Soldiers to show SSG Joe disrespect, and they get away with it because SSG Smith allows it. Getting back to basics means training to STANDARD and not time. I've heard many a stories from 20-30 + senior NCOs who used to tell us how "back in the day" they would be off at 1200 because they had done what they needed to do, NOT because it wasn't done in time so they picked it up again the next day. I STRONGLY believe in keeping Soldiers at work until they have achieved the standard. Granted, I believe in time off as well, but NOT when you haven't achieved the standard. Too many NCOs, and Officers included, have put standards aside because they want to go home because its Friday. How many of you have seen Command Maintenance last only an hour or so on Mondays? Its because everyone wants to "hurry up and wait" in the comforts of their offices, bays, cars, etc. I've seen too many Soldiers PMCS their vehicles in 1-2 min, 3-5 min, etc..its not a thorough PMCS, its a "any leaks? nope" "tires look good" "nothin on the ground, im good"..and we as NCOs, sign off on the 5988 because we are just as tired. We are failing just as much as we blame the Soldiers for failing. So when we say "getting back to the basics" it means NCOs not being lazy. It means NCOs sacrificing their personal time. It means NCOs standing together and NOT divided. It means NCOs and Officers developing a WORKING relationship, its not always about you being an Officer and in charge. Perhaps if the Officers (and Im not saying ALL OFFICERS, by any means) took a moment to understand that 9/10 the NCO has either A. been doing YOUR job, longer than you have or B. has the experience or know how better than YOU do..tasks and missions, as well as morale between the two, will go a lot further than you can imagine. I firmly believe, that if we are going to get back to the basics, it STARTS with us as NCOs. We have to unf**k ourselves first, I believe that the NCO lead the way for the Army. Soldiers are trained by NCOs, NCOs guide and mentor the young LTs and CPTs, and higher up, the NCO advises the BN/BDE/DIV commander, and so on. It starts with us with the NCOs. As many of us have heard from our BN CSM/ 1SGs/ SFCs, "The buck stops here"! Lets get to it!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 5:22 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 17:22:49 -0500

<div><br></div><div>(old school) basic nursing skills:</div><div>triage, emergency medicine, surgery, pharmacology, wound care, rehabilitation, etc</div><div><br></div><div>(old school) basic military skills:</div>navigation, stealth, tracking, infiltration and concealment, reconnaissance, evasion and survival, hand to hand combat, long range and subsonic marksmanship, foreign languages, intelligence materials gathering, interrogation, intelligence analysis, rotary and fixed wing aircraft piloting, sensor systems and countermeasures, encrypted burst and frequency hopping communication, physical training, demolition, tradecraft, humint, imint, elint<div><br></div><div>(old schools) fort sam, quantico, pendleton, wpafb, harvey point</div><div><br><div><br></div></div>

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 7:32 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 19:32:14 -0500

Great question and one I just posed to my company.  Since 9/11 we as an army had to change the way we fought.  We had to adapt to the environment and understand that we weren't fighting a conventional war.  We were knee deep in an asymmetrical fight. The way we targeted had to change.  Our enemy wasn't a nation but instead individuals or cells (insurgents and those that facilitated them).  In the intel community we used the F3EAD process to fight this enemy.  Now that we have exited IZ and are now in the process of exiting AF, we need to get back to a conventional mindset in the event that we do have to fight another military power.  I really don't think that the "basics" in regard to Soldiering has changed, I think the way we fought did because it had to.  Now we need to get back to training like our next conflict could be against a well equipped army.  <div><br></div><div>My concern is that while we are getting back to the basics, we lose all these great lessons we have learned during the last 12 plus years that we have been at war.  We need to ensure we're training for both, that every Soldier understands that after an invasion there will be a period of quiet and then we will have fight an enemy similar to the one that we fight today.</div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 12:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:39:09 -0500

MSG Stankovich,<div><br></div><div>When I think back to the basics, I think 10 level Army skills, BRM, PRT and basic job skills. Based on the description of the tasks for a 10 level 35F, I know for my own MOS that the school house sends Soldiers to their unit with the expectation they will receive On the Job Training on all of the above. While I don't believe this will be fixed by TRADOC, I know it needs to be addressed by Junior NCOs in their first line.</div><div><br></div><div>What I'm seeing today is that many senior E4s and junior E5s in Team Leader positions and those leading new Soldiers straight out of IET expect the new Soldiers to be completely squared away, but while I've only been in the Army three and a half years, I can say without a doubt that just isn't the case most of the time. So it needs to be up to the senior E4s and junior E5s to get into the Warrior Skills Level 1 book with guidance from senior E5s and even junior E6s on how to master and train those tasks.</div><div><br></div><div>As an example, I'm about to pin Sergeant on February 1st. I can tell you right now, I don't know everything, nor should I be expected to, but I at least know where to look. Knowing that is half the battle. I have my Warrior Skill Level 1 book on my desk and what's called the "Intelligence Analyst's Bible" (FM 34-130) on my computer. It will be my job to learn those skills, get guidance and training from my own leadership, then to take the initiative to train the newer Soldiers.</div><div><br></div><div>Often enough, a lot of Soldiers aren't getting the guidance they need early on and they later become E4 Team Leaders and E5s in leadership positions who have never done their job and don't even know how to look up FMs to figure out the right answer. This isn't an issue of deployments, it's an issue of flooding the Army with personnel and high turnover. I got to my unit right after it deployed, I went through the entire training cycle and then deployed. A lot of what I learned in my field was from going TDY four times and going through and reading the related publications on how to do my job with some guidance from my leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>However, we're seeing a cultural shift in America today that's affecting the entire United States Military. The idea of personal responsibility and initiative are being replaced by group think and herd mentality. If you take responsibility, you don't get rewarded, but you get punished. If you take initiative, you get shot down. We're taught in schools and from two generations of bad parenting that it's societies fault and not yours. It's everyone else's fault. It's your economic situation. Society owes you for making you a victim of our unfair system.</div><div><br></div><div>So, getting back to the basics really means more than just mastering the 10 level skills. We really need to take more time to break down and rebuild every Soldier entering the Army. Ten weeks simply isn't long enough to break people of their poor parenting and the devastation this awful cultural shift has caused.</div><div><br></div><div>Honestly, I'd ask the Marines, but it seems like they're also starting to have the same problems. We've become so political correct, people forget that the first job of our Army is to fight and win our land wars.</div><div><br></div><div>Which means closing with and destroying the enemy.</div><div><br></div><div>Which means shooting bad guys.</div><div><br></div><div>Which means you may have to kill someone and take their lives to accomplish the mission. This isn't a byproduct of war, it's the intent of war. To exercise your will on your adversary through lethal force. By babying this newer generation, we're feeding damage already caused by the "Me" generational shift.</div>

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 12:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:47:47 -0500

The simplest definition for me is getting back to doing routine things routinely. NCOs supervising Soldiers during details and missions. Officers planning instead of reacting to last minute orders. Working in the S3 I have seen this. Why is Division writing OPORD/DTO to direct BDE/BN to execute things that we should be doing routinely on our own? We need get back to knowing how to operate in Garrison instead of what we have been doing for the last 11 years, RESET, Train/Ready, Deploy then start all over again.....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2014 11:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 23:30:31 -0400

1SG Steven Stankovich to be honest I believe now it is just a catch phrase that CSMs through around and they are full of ----. I have yet to see anyone get back to anything previously the way it was or adjust anything but to make it harder for our Soldiers to attend battle assembly or give us more work on the weekends on non-training items that will not help people learn skills in their MOS, in life, or save lives in combat. It is all about metrics and did you schedule your medial appointments? How about tattoos? Did you take the pictures of them? Did you review your ARB? There is ZERO training value in any of these items that seem so important to someone that they mandate it and will not allow us to train our Soldiers on anything unless they have their PHA scheduled. Go back to 5 year physicals or do them every three years. You have to go through a SRP before you deploy anyway so why bother spending all this money on annual PHAs when all I do is go they ask the same questions that they did online and then they sign it and off I go. Any issues they tell me to go through my primary physician. Waste of time and money for the Army.

Getting back to the basics means to me that CSMs really forgot what it is like to do missions and are making up stuff with the good idea fairy so that they have something to do and inspect.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2014 11:44 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 23:44:44 -0400

Getting back to basics was a good catch phrase that the Air Force used back in the 90s. Back then it was intended to state that we would get back to our basic functions however, it became a catch phrase for doing things cheaper. 1SG Michael Blount I challenge that in regards to units lying on readiness statistics and manning. This will continue due in large part to the fact that nobody wants to have to answer a difficult question the “General” or commander will ask during a briefing.
I for one am looking forward to the “back to basics” as it will expose a lot of training issues it will also force commanders to be realistic about what they want.