What military skill do you have that's no longer needed?

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:37:42 -0400

For me it's writing backwards. Taught at A School so you could write on the backside of plexiglass vertical plots so you didn't stand in the way. Replaced by display panels on the bulkheads. So if you learned how to operate the Davy Crockett, that's long gone too. A-6 bombardier, got it. What's yours?

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 22 at 2016 12:41 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:41:28 -0400

The whole calling in airstrikes & naval gunfire isn't in high demand

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 22 at 2016 1:00 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:00:34 -0400

Writing and drawing upside down while instructing during table talk.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 22 at 2016 1:10 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:10:09 -0400

Marching, facing movements, etc......the most useless skill ever as a civilian. Only one I keep is saluting, because I salute during the national anthem.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 22 at 2016 1:54 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:54:18 -0400

As an 11 bravo most if not all of my Military "skills"would never be needed or used in civilian life,but the values and self discipline given to me long ago have lasted a lifetime.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 22 at 2016 2:03 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:03:45 -0400

Reading crypto ticker-tape. Hell, by time I went in, they were still teaching it, but not really using it in the wild.

Response by TSgt Steve Waide made Oct 22 at 2016 2:11 PM

TSgt Steve Waide — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:11:09 -0400

Thanks for the thought provoking question CAPT Kevin B.. I think with any skill that you are taught in the military can be equated to a skill in the civilian world. At first I was thinking most of my skills as a munitions loader wouldn't eaquate but it's not the physical task it is the mental skills of reading and following technical data and breaking down certain problem sets. Yes physically loading a bomb is not equatable but the mental portion of discipline to apply the steps in order and and understanding implications of not following the steps to the letter. Somehow some way you can word anything to fit. Hope that makes sense.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 2:38 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:38:24 -0400

Technical Skill would be Gas Welding and hand Rivets, is almost obsolete today.

Military tactics, would be setting up defensive Fighting positions, Crewsreved weapons, knowing how to set up Tactical Wire, Protective wire and Supplementary Wire. Doing Range cards, and fire plans and sketches, did in Iraq and AFG, don't see that much here in USA.
You might also say convoy Security unless you do a PMC/PSD job.Security Foot Patrolling don't see need for that either.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 2:48 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:48:43 -0400

Morse

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 2:51 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:51:33 -0400

My cadence skills for close order drill.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 22 at 2016 4:04 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 16:04:26 -0400

Drill and Ceremony.......lol.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 22 at 2016 4:44 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 16:44:18 -0400

CAPT Kevin B. Using a compass to triangulate positions---seems GPS has made that obsolete in today's military.Decryption and encrypting messages by hand,also.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 22 at 2016 5:01 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:01:23 -0400

Stand Up ... Hook Up... and shuffle to the door... Jump right out and count to four....

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Oct 22 at 2016 5:08 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:08:05 -0400

I was a Morse Code operator in Vietnam in 1967, not sure if that skill is still taught in the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 7:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:45:13 -0400

As a Crypto Tech I learned a lot about how how gates (AND, NAND, NOR) worked, so we could troubleshoot and find transistors that were no longer operating properly. It's about as outdated a skill as programing using the ENIAC coding system.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 8:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 20:33:44 -0400

But there are skills not needed by senior Ncos E-9 or Base commanders that put out SOPs like no backpacks in the dining facilities thinking this is Mosul 2004 and afraid some soldier Will bring in an explosive device LOL . The skill set we dont need is a big ego at Fort Dix. This happened and is still being enforced at an NCO/ O-4 schoolhouse and maybe other places worldwide.

Response by MSgt James Trent made Oct 22 at 2016 10:39 PM

MSgt James Trent — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 22:39:30 -0400

Shooting a 20MM Vulcan cannon. It may not be needed anymore but it sure would be fun. 4000 round a minute sure puts a lot of lead in the air :)

Remembering the ejection seat sequence.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 11:57 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 23:57:51 -0400

Alpha Bravo September CAPT Kevin B.

Response by SGT David Baker made Oct 23 at 2016 1:54 AM

SGT David Baker — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 01:54:34 -0400

The Halberd in the Assault.

Oh, this wasn't a past lives regression thread? My bad.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Oct 23 at 2016 8:54 AM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 08:54:04 -0400

IBM Keypunch operator; TACP field communications via acoustical modems and public payphones; administering Burroughs B-26 computer systems with the BTOS operating system; MRC108 and MRC107 operator; M35 (deuce and a half) operator.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Oct 23 at 2016 2:55 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 14:55:25 -0400

Using a buffer.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2016 7:56 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 19:56:11 -0400

Phantom Phixer.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Oct 24 at 2016 2:16 PM

MSgt John Taylor — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 14:16:33 -0400

Apparently, how to write down the date (unless you live in Europe)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2016 5:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 17:53:38 -0400

Packing grease into the bearings of a 2.5 ton truck

Response by SPC James Anderson made Oct 24 at 2016 8:50 PM

SPC James Anderson — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 20:50:32 -0400

When my cousin went into the Marines I told him "for gods sake take an MOS that transfers to the civilian world!" I learned that as a 14R10, Bradley Linebacker Crew member, being able to shoot down airplanes along with identifying air avenues of approach DOES NOT transfer well into the civilian world, in that world they rather like the fact that airplanes stay airborne!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2016 9:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 21:36:27 -0400

Where are those 35S at? Lol.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2016 1:12 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 01:12:53 -0400

M60A3 Armor Crewmen - not much call for driving a tank these day in civilian life.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2016 9:45 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 09:45:19 -0400

As a tanker not many of my skills learned are useful in the civilian world. Thanks to gps map reading is obsolete. The discipline and bearing is useful though.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2016 5:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:15:20 -0400

Headspace and Timing adjustments on a .50 MG

Response by PFC Timothy Clements made Nov 4 at 2016 2:43 AM

PFC Timothy Clements — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 02:43:04 -0400

For me it is in aschool too, I don't need to remember the stupid s can, pushes the stupid brakes out to stop the veaichael

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 4 at 2016 11:33 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:33:10 -0400

As a 12B combat engineer and as an 11A, C infantryman CAPT Kevin B. the skills I learned for killing people with my bare hands, sharp or blunt objects and weapons, kinetic weapons and explosives are not appreciated or useful in civilian life. I have not completely forgotten how to kill though.
The skills of working with others from every conceivable background, leading others and supporting others as well as the ability to quickly assess a situation ad develop an action plan are very useful.
Thanks for drawing my attention to this discussion LTC Private RallyPoint Member
Does this question bring anything to mind for you my friends?

Response by SFC William Farrell made Nov 4 at 2016 11:37 AM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:37:08 -0400

Killing CAPT Kevin B.. I haven't killed anyone since I left Vietnam! Writing backwards, now thats pretty good!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2016 11:46 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:46:49 -0400

Breaking down an M-16 and an M-60 for cleaning.
Door Gunner on a Huey.
Shooting at the enemy.
Taking care of my pilots.
Burning Poop- There is an art to that.

Response by MSgt Scott Azbell made Nov 4 at 2016 1:56 PM

MSgt Scott Azbell — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:56:00 -0400

Safety wire.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Nov 4 at 2016 2:57 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:57:12 -0400

analytical intelligence

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 4 at 2016 3:54 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:54:28 -0400

Listen to this fool complain about counseling me, look at the admin part, make sure that's right, look at what I'm being counseled for and why, STFU and not say anything, sign block 12, initial by everything else, go through the leaders actions, initial there too, look at the follow up (attempt to voice a concern for nothing), make sure the Magic Bullet is in there with the correct AR's and what not, and wait for this long winded ass to shut up so I can leave. Look over the form again, and make sure to change the date of this to a date six months previous, since no one believes in doing your initial, or the developmental forms. All this because 1SG and the CSM are coming through to check counseling packets and make sure everyone is being counseled on time and to standard. I forgot you have to sit through and repeat this to cover someone else's ass (which is the right thing to do), but I have to go through this six more times with or without the Magic Bullet? The funny part is when CSM tells you to personally bring your packet to him, he looks through it, does the required head nods, and he suddenly has an epiphany....these were just done. No wrinkles, all the ink was the same, no holes punched in them to put them in order and in some of them, all the handwriting matches if it was written....and the handwriting is mine. I don't miss these at all.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 5 at 2016 9:28 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 09:28:03 -0400

CAPT Kevin B. Wow, what a great question. There are so many things that I've not had to do or use since being retired after 37 years the list would be endless. One that I know for sure is driving and performing PMCS on the Gama Goat back in 1975!

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Nov 5 at 2016 4:03 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 16:03:19 -0400

Sales skills learned as a recruiter.

Response by SFC James Asbill made Nov 5 at 2016 6:29 PM

SFC James Asbill — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 18:29:04 -0400

Starching Uniforms and Spit shining boots ....

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Nov 5 at 2016 7:49 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:49:05 -0400

Shine boots. :(

Response by SPC Phil Norton made Nov 5 at 2016 8:25 PM

SPC Phil Norton — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 20:25:43 -0400

Deciphering and encryption of radio communication and standing at the position of attention for more than an hour

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2016 10:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 22:29:44 -0400

Wearing a raspberry beret...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2016 10:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 22:30:32 -0400

Wearing a hat that matches my trousers and blouse. Wait, wearing a blouse.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2016 10:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 22:31:07 -0400

Wearing black socks with green or blue pants.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Nov 6 at 2016 12:46 AM

SSG Toryn Green — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 00:46:14 -0400

I can think of a number of obsolete skills: marching, spit shining boots, starch and press uniforms, using a compass, firing a weapon, etc

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 14 at 2016 4:14 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:14:04 -0500

Shooting a Rifle " I no longer need to KILL" When I was in the military I was given order to protect my soldiers and anything that needed protection by the government. They won't let me have gun now even if try because of my PTSD, so why try. NO hunting and protecting of my family just home security system and BAT.....

Response by SR Christopher Stephens made Dec 27 at 2016 2:32 PM

SR Christopher Stephens — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 14:32:50 -0500

Preparing the S-3 for operations

Response by Capt Jim Ross made Dec 28 at 2016 11:38 AM

Capt Jim Ross — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 11:38:24 -0500

While I have put most of my military skills to work, the one I have not found a need for is as a Nuclear Launch Officer after having served in the Titan II missile field for 4 years.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Dec 28 at 2016 3:17 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 15:17:55 -0500

Driving a Lance Missile launcher.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 29 at 2016 9:52 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:52:50 -0500

Celestial navigation. Think GPS systems have pretty much eliminated the need for this skill. Don't know if Navy or Air Force still teach it, but if the do it's probably not a very high priority class.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 3:21 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:21:38 -0400

A skill I won't need after the military will be conducting PRT.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Mar 30 at 2017 2:50 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 14:50:58 -0400

This would be tough to answer, but I guess the military skill I had that's no longer needed as a civvie would be driving a 17-ton track with a nuclear missile on my back through the woods of Bavaria from fire point to reloading area and back to another firepoint. But most of the skills I learned in the military I have kept. Keeping awake for 24-hour duty really helped me pass classes and graduate with both my Bachelor's and Masters degrees. I still spitshine shoes, just not my boots anymore and I starch my shirts.

Response by SFC Edward Hall made Jul 29 at 2017 8:41 PM

SFC Edward Hall — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 20:41:28 -0400

Been a longtime. Do we still have Morse Code Operators?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 29 at 2017 9:44 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 21:44:36 -0400

Doing USR in Harvard graphics and making transparencies in the copier.

Response by SGT Peter Hayes made Aug 3 at 2017 8:13 PM

SGT Peter Hayes — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 20:13:32 -0400

How to use the toilet Paper that came in the C-rations

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 9 at 2018 11:26 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:26:07 -0500

800+ yard kills