What would you do if your Sergeant didn't know how to load a magazine?

CPT Russell Pitre — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 01:25:23 -0500

I just saw this video and felt like I was watching a multi-car accident on the interstate. It just got worse as it went on. What made it so bad as this was a SGT. The Safety was professional as he could be. Hats off to him. When I heard her say "I'm not Active Duty" I would have kicked her off the range. I am glad the Safety told her that she was a soldier and that he was a reservist too. If I was her CO I would have do everything I could to reduce her. But I think if you have a NCO like this in your unit the unit itself has a lot of issues in the first place. What kills me also is that she has a combat patch.

What would you have if you were the Safety?

Just so you know that you know it is believed that they Safety was a SSG just the same as was the soldier trying to load the mag.

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Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 2:25 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 02:25:22 -0500

This is about how I feel after watching the video. I think I would have had to walk away.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 2:41 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 02:41:28 -0500

Pull her off the range, have someone train her to load mags. She's wasting everyone's time.

I'm assuming every range she's been to in the past they've already had mags loaded for them.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 3:33 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 03:33:17 -0500

Everyone is yelling at me... I'm a reservist!!! I just wanted the free money, I didn't know I'd actually have to do Army stuff.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 3:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 03:35:34 -0500

Oh sweet Jesus...
Yup, she'd be off my firing line quick, fast, and in a hurry.

First, she'd get some instructions... pointy side of bullet towards enemy, check?
Then she'd spend some quality time in the ammo shed loading magazines until she got it.
Not that I've never seen it before, but they had some exotic range procedures having that Sergeant load her own mags sitting at a picnic table behind the firing line with her rifle right there. Now I get that we're all grown-ups, but if she's any indication of the training level of the unit on the range, that ammo needs to be more tightly controlled. The whole reason you control ammo on a range is to prevent NDs (or worse).

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jan 7 at 2016 4:03 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 04:03:05 -0500

CPT Russell Pitre Well if you are not trained you are not trained. I guess her unit doesn't feel the need for PMI? What about BRM? It has been over 25 years since I went through it, but I am pretty sure the Drills cover that shit. On a different note, not making excuses but we can fuck up the easiest stuff at any time. While I was a BDE OPs SGM, I had a major brain fart and put my flag on the wrong shoulder of my shitty ACUs. At around 1200 a SSG told me I was fucked up (not his words) and told me about the flag. I was happy as a pig in mud that he had the balls to tell me I looked like a dumb ass. IMO that video was not necessary. Make the correction do the training with the Soldier on how to do it correctly and drive on. No need for this kind of shit to be put on the internet to ridicule and embarrass Soldiers. And that is the main purpose of sites like the one this video was posted on. This all IMO so take it with a grain of salt if you want.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 8:08 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:08:43 -0500

"I'm just a reservist"... REALLY?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 8:16 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:16:57 -0500

Aside from the fact that it's in poor taste to film spot corrections and post them to social media...I'm hoping this is either a joke or a training film?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 8:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:44:54 -0500

I just saw this video yesterday too, and subsequently posted it on my FB page, tagging all of my NCO friends. This is just totally ridiculous. The "SGT" (I not only use that term VERY lightly but I won't call her an NCO) is unprofessional at worst and heavily untrained at best. I've done nearly every single job at a range to include being the Range OIC and the RSO (not at the same time, mind you). If I was the RSO, she would have been kicked off IMMEDIATELY and notified her chain of command. Depends on my mood, I might have counseled her after I pulled her off. She's an embarrassment to the NCO Corps.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 9:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:08:35 -0500

CPT Russell Pitre Maybe I'm not as acutely aware of being able to identify the sex of a soldier as you are, it seemed to be a gender neutral clip. That said, OMG what happened, what are they doing or not doing in basic training and who promoted a Soldier who can't get past a basic rifle marksmanship/basic combat training task? Guaranteed this is not the only area this Soldier is deficient in.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 7 at 2016 9:19 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:19:08 -0500

The video looks staged and based on the opening comments, I believe it to be a joke and in poor taste.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Jan 7 at 2016 9:27 AM

SFC Steven Harvey — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:27:07 -0500

Being a Reservist is irrelevant, I've ran ranges with active duty Officers, NCOs and Soldiers who do the same thing or worse.

I've seen a round somehow be loaded backwards in an M4. When the individual tried to load a round it actually got into the chamber (the best it could have) and he proceeded to try and fire the weapon.

The safety walked up as they were hopelessly trying to do sports. The armor had to work on that for 40 mins.

You sometimes see it on a line unit but usually it's someone who has been in a staff position forever. Granted I was on special assignment for 6 years and didn't have the same problems but these skills aren't exactly natural.

No PMI or BRM training is being done for these Soldiers goto th range. A unit will run a range for the whole battalion or even brigade and have to rely on the company's to do the training. They then rely on the folks running the range to do remedial training for 3 hours on range day.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 7 at 2016 9:28 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:28:44 -0500

This hurts my heart....

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 7 at 2016 9:30 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:30:27 -0500

I am sorry, I couldn't resist!!! WTH is her malfunction!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 9:42 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:42:07 -0500

Where were the other NCO's? I would never let a Junior enlisted soldier talk to an NCO in that manner... no matter how screwed up they were being. The NCO should have been pulled off the line and fixed... but not videotaped/disrespected. Even if the person is screwed up she is still wearing stripes. This whole situation is fubar... I can't believe the unit let that be videotaped.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 7 at 2016 9:51 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:51:21 -0500

OK. I'm with LCDR Private RallyPoint Member on this one.

IF this is real...

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO CORRECT IN PRIVATE? Facebook? Are you f'ing kidding me? If I was the CO of that soldier who posted it on Facebook, I'd have had him/her in my office RFN (That's even faster than ASAP... it's Right F'ing Now). This soldier would get a written Knife Hand like you wouldn't believe, and he/she would be giving a public apology to the SGT, her entire unit and my entire unit. CPT Private RallyPoint Member is right... sorta. It'd be "HULK SMASH" but not at the sergeant.

Then I'd make sure that the SGT's boss made DAMNED SURE this wouldn't happen again.

IF this is fake...

It's not funny, and I've found that my sense of humor scale is A LOT broader than most people.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:29:07 -0500

Several issues I have with this:

1) If this was done as a joke, this was a PISS POOR joke. All this does is show the Reservist being the JOKE of the military to both civilians and other military folk alike.
2) If this situation were real, then this SGT is in the wrong with her answer. Having been MOB'd before, basing that on the 18th Airborne patch she has on her right sleeve, then she should have gone through this before and should know better. Now, if previous ranges she has been on had already loaded magazines....okay fine. But, if this is the first range she has been on where shooters had to load their own mags, then the Range Staff should have done a better job at instructions BEFORE people went to the line. If the self loading was previously identified, then her unit should have added this step to the PMI BEFORE arriving to the range. If they didn't then this fail is on both her (for her attittude) AND her unit for not properly training. If it was added to the PMI and she didn't pay attention, then clearly the fail is on her.
3) The Range Safety right next to her should have removed her from the line and sent her back to the rear for additional training.
4) While I understand the Safetys frustration with this NCO (and I use this loosely), if he were the one that posted this video on social media then that is wrong as well, as he did not help the image of Reservists and the military.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:34 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:34:26 -0500

I admit that I cringed more then just a few times during this short min plus video...however in my opinion (not experience!) the Army does not spend nearly enough time an basic marksmanship / rifle related skills. From Basic training to the unit level there is not enough time put aside for those basic soldier skills. I know I'm not the only person whose experienced this...even this past year at AT after running the M16 QUAL Range at Devens for 3 days, I was asked to run another QUAL Range for 30+ soldiers that did not qualify.

Personally, if a soldier is in the GUARD and has trouble qualifying, I don't judge them one bit, I get them setup with a competent & high-speed NCO / Soldier that can get them brought up to speed. I would do the same for this NCO...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:43 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:43:37 -0500

I don't think the question should be "What would you do if this was your Sergeant?" I think it would be "What would you do if this was your unit?" If a NCO ( I hope this video was a joke) really has that much trouble, what does the rest of the unit look like. If there is one there are many, especially in this situation and in the military. it is a failure of both the NCO and the leadership to ensure their unit is getting the proper training not only annual training but training to prep the unit for the range.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jan 7 at 2016 12:37 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 12:37:30 -0500

I would get the PLT SGT.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 7 at 2016 12:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 12:48:46 -0500

I would probably ask 1SG to have a WTF meeting with her chain of command, or I will do it. I would want to know if the Army failed or she failed. She will get extensive PMI training until it looks like she is comfortable with her weapon. An NCO should not get a good NCOER if he/she is a danger to the unit. I just created a new bullet!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 7 at 2016 12:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 12:53:14 -0500

What kind of unit is this. Doctors without borders?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jan 7 at 2016 1:09 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:09:14 -0500

What would I do?
As with most things, if I knew something was amiss, I'd correct it. If the other soldier out-ranked me, I would pull them aside, and with all due respect, explain their mistake to them out of sight from other soldiers. I would do this out of respect for their rank, position and so as not to undermine their leadership.

What I damn sure wouldn't do is video the incident and, out of respect for the uniform which I myself am wearing, post it online for the world to see. It's not that we can't laugh at ourselves sometimes, but this is an image and competency problem prying eyes need not see.

But that's me.

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Jan 7 at 2016 1:25 PM

CW3 Jim Norris — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:25:05 -0500

Stripper clip loading of a magazine might be something she hadn't done...now if she had said, does the pointy end go toward the back or front? All kidding aside, 10 minutes hands on demo, Sarge is now squared away.....now, can she hit anything with the weapon....I know lots of folks that can load magazines, very few marksmen...even with optics....which I find really difficult to understand, the red dot on the spot and squeeze.....

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 1:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:54:34 -0500

Don't let ISIS see this video or it will be all over their recruiting videos!

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jan 7 at 2016 2:39 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:39:10 -0500

Maybe they were always given bandoleers of already loaded mags. Been there and done that.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 7 at 2016 2:42 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:42:18 -0500

One on one training and close supervision. The Army saw fit to make her a Sergeant, somewhere along the way her basic soldiering skills suffered. That don't mean she's a piece of shit. She may be fantastic at her MOS. Show her how to be a warfighter again, fix the problem. not the blame.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 2:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:44:23 -0500

That soldier is an E6, and the commentator is also an E6

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jan 7 at 2016 2:52 PM

1LT William Clardy — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:52:19 -0500

CPT Russell Pitre, I disagree totally with your assessment of the specialist. Mocking is not professionalism in my book, and that goes double for mocking from behind a camera. That phone would have been in *MY* pocket, not his hands the moment it came out, and would have been dropped off at the ranger tower whenever I came off the firing line. As long as he's operating a camera, his attention is clearly not focused on safety *or* training -- notice that he's too lazy to actually demonstrate to a soldier in obvious need of assistance how to load a single round in the magazine.

I also question the competence of any unit running a rifle range which sends ammo out to firing positions in stripper clips but is too stupid to also provide the stripper clip guide (which, the last time I looked, was included in every bandolier).

Last, as an NCO, I would have been sorely tempted to adjust that specialist's attitude after the second or third time he said "Too easy, sarge" -- or the first time he said "You're killing me, sarge". I would remind him, even though we are on a first-name basis, my first name is pronounced "sergeant", his first name is pronounced "specialist", and if the task was too easy it would be done already but it isn't done because somebody obviously wasn't doing a good job as an instructor.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 3:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:07:19 -0500

Another example of Soldiers being promoted before they are ready. With all the changes to the promotion system the past couple years we have Soldiers being promoted without even putting in a promotion packet. Just because they meet TIG and TIS does not mean they should lead. The whole system needs to be reworked. You have NCO's being RCP'd because they cant get promoted due to their promotion points being 798 regularly. Its sad that we push out our most trained and experienced NCO's and just replace them with younger inexperienced ones.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jan 7 at 2016 5:10 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:10:06 -0500

"What would you do if your Sergeant didn't know how to load a magazine?"

Get Secretary Mabus to show her how. TOTALLY facetious, but Geez.

Walt

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jan 7 at 2016 6:31 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:31:56 -0500

I would pull the sgt aside and quietly show the person how to load it and give them full instructions and make them practice it till they got it.

I'm not army/marine where weapons are used a lot....don't know much about job descriptions, but does everyone in the Army learn and practice shooting? Is it required for all jobs...even desk jockeys or cooks? I don't know, this is why I'm asking....

I was Air Force...not a soldier....was never taught in Basic training or after how to shoot, although I did have to shoot and qualify for the M16....good thing I learned before joining.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 7 at 2016 7:22 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:22:48 -0500

Wow! I really loved the "I am a Reservist" excuse. I would light her up just for that comment alone.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jan 7 at 2016 8:05 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:05:19 -0500

I would take them aside after the drill and show them how to do it successfully THEN, give them tips on how to convey the instructions in the best possible manner. This is MOST important but it is NOT Rocket Science. Well, little bitty, sorta' rockets.... :-)

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 7 at 2016 9:24 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 21:24:31 -0500

I would find out who her Drill Sgts were and kick their asses!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 8 at 2016 1:20 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 01:20:22 -0500

CPT Russell Pitre Christ, I drive ships for a living, and I can load a magazine. Wow.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 1:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 01:33:21 -0500

And people wonder why reservists have such a bad reputation amongst the active duty crowd. When a reserve unit doesn't bother to train BRM regularly enough to the point where you have an SGT that doesn't know how to load a magazine, then that leads to question what other basic fundamental soldiering tasks are being left to the wayside. Her failure is pretty significant, but her leaderships failure is even more so.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jan 8 at 2016 6:34 AM

MAJ Ron Peery — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:34:12 -0500

As a new battery XO in an artillery unit at Fort Sill, I had half the enlisted people in the unit like that. Folks who could not perform basic maintenance on an M16, and who hit the target only by accident. I couldn't get extra ammo from the ASP.....you know the drill. We didn't have fancy simulators at the time. I decided to start taking the troops to the range on Thursday afternoons and, with some of my NCO's and a couple fellow LTs from other batteries, giving them personal, hands on training using my personally owned weapons and ammo they bought. Turns out the biggest problem was that they were all city kids, and scared to death of guns. Took a couple months, but by the time the next weapons qual came around, everyone qualified. Some of them became enthusiastic shooters. We even put together a team to enter into the Fort Sill Marksmanship competition. It takes patience, personal involvement, and a little imagination to fix what's broke. But that's what they pay us for.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Jan 8 at 2016 7:33 AM

COL Jeff Williams — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 07:33:34 -0500

I just watched this. Something odd about the video. 1. Why are they on the firing line training and shooting a video? Who would allow that? Why is the Soldier loading the magazine there? Why wouldn't she have the magazine loaded before she got to the firing line? Which makes me wonder if this is even real?

Response by SSG Wally Lawver made Jan 8 at 2016 8:48 AM

SSG Wally Lawver — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 08:48:18 -0500

Has to be fake, has to be,I hope its fake...Unfortunately it could be authentic.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 8:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 08:58:18 -0500

Believe it or not I've seen worse.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 9:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 09:00:57 -0500

Also for the record, the guys voice and the way he talked was beyond annoying!!!!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 11:09 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:09:35 -0500

Oh man probably would have pulled her off the range for some remedial basic rifle marksmanship training

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 11:32 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:32:11 -0500

Respectfully tell him/her to quit....... unlike the other NCO in the video.
If you can't navigate the simplest of tasks, you have no business leading other soldiers

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 12:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 12:14:06 -0500

Easy, corrective training. Train them to standard. I would NOT videotape it and post it for the world to see. That is not leadership. That is being a (insert your favorite word). Here the SGT has clearly failed herself, but her prior leadership failed her by not training her and the current one is just as bad. We all have "that one" Solider who we inherit and it is our job to train them. If after we try and give our 100% and they still fail then process them out. Otherwise you are a "leader" who needs to be processed out.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Jan 8 at 2016 1:12 PM

SFC Ernest Thurston — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:12:58 -0500

First of all I would pull her off of the line and take her back to the rear for some retraining. I then would be asking why she doesn't know a basic soldier task. I don't understand how she would have a combat patch without knowing this. In every unit I have ever served there was always a train-up period prior to deployment. I didn't see the video so I'm not sure what it was that she was having problems with. I know in certain MOSs the soldiers go through initial training and then go to a unit that just checks the boxes for training. She may have never had to load a mag for herself. She could be in a unit where the armorer pre-loads magazines for range training. I also know that there are soldiers that have never loaded a magazine using the speed load strips.
As far as the combat patch she may just be wearing it because her unit is wearing it, not because she earned it.
Way back in "88 (the year of the Olympics) when I was in Korea my unit set up a mini combat training course for the rear area troops (clerks, medics and cooks) I'm an MP. I was really surprised at some of the basic skills that were lacking in these troops. Many of them went through basic and once they got to their units were nothing more than civilians wearing a uniform.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 8 at 2016 1:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:27:31 -0500

I was wondering if she was stressed and had anxiety, however, it is not an excuse.

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Jan 8 at 2016 1:55 PM

PV2 Glen Lewis — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 13:55:56 -0500

I'd start with going to my CO. I'm not sure if the next level of the Chain of Command would be available to me but I would most definitely look into it. I can't imagine being in a combat situation with anyone who couldn't load a magazine. It's a simple task and you'd have to have some mental deficiency not to be able to figure it out let alone accomplish it. It makes me wonder if they have done away with the tests that showed whether or not you had the basic IQ to be in the military.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Jan 8 at 2016 2:45 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 14:45:37 -0500

I'd have put her in charge of reloading magazines for the rest of the day(s).

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 3:20 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 15:20:06 -0500

1. I hold the Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant partially responsible as they have failed to make sure their Soldier's were properly trained and ready to go to the range. The NCO leadership failed this Soldier, individually, and the Commander of the unit. I would require the NCO leadership to answer for this. I would make it painful enough on them they would probably never make this mistake again.

2. I hold the individual partially responsible as: a) they are a NCO and failed to take the initiative to make sure they were ready to go to the range and b) their attitude sucked, making excuses and complaining. Totally unacceptable conduct for a NCO in my book. This individual needs to learn what being a NCO and a member of the NCO Corps means. The unit 1SG would need to convince me they had a satisfactory unit program as the evidence I'm seeing does not indicate there is one, and I would asked to be invited to sit in on their next class of NCODP on what it means to be a NCO.

3. I'd have the safety's ass handed to him. To me it appears he probably filmed this on his phone as it happened and then posted it on the internet for all to see. He would not make either mistake again in his life.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jan 8 at 2016 4:30 PM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 16:30:03 -0500

OMG ! That is an accident waiting to happen ! SMDH !

Response by MSgt Raymond Grogan made Jan 8 at 2016 5:19 PM

MSgt Raymond Grogan — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 17:19:13 -0500

Just don't let her stand behind you in an engagement. You will likely become fratricide due to her inability to operate the weapon!!!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 8 at 2016 5:40 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 17:40:56 -0500

Counseling statement and immediate remedial training!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 5:53 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 17:53:16 -0500

Unbelievable. On all accounts. You have an unbelievably untrained NCO who clearly believes that being in the reserves is an excuse to be a piss poor soldier, and on the other hand, there is that mouthy Specialist who is more concerned with being able to belittle and disrespect a higher rank than actually helping the situation. This is one of far too many flags that are raised showing the decline of our military.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 8 at 2016 8:10 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 20:10:43 -0500

"What would you do if your Sergeant didn't know how to load a magazine?"
Same thing I did when the Maj was unsure how to make her weapon "fire" the safety .. Maj the Safety has to be moved to the off position.
Or the BN CSM that informed me his weapon was broke.. "the top thing keeps getting stuck" Yes Sergeant Major, that's the slide lock, when you expend the last round of ammo from the magazine, the M9 has a slide lock to keep the "top thing" back and open.
Or the SP4 Cook that shot a round at my foot in Kuwait on the range... "Specialist, how about we leave the finger indexed along the top of the trigger well and weapon on safe until after the up signal is given and the weapon sights are on the target,, Um Kay?"

If they are willing to learn I'm willing to teach... One word of push back and it gets ugly

Response by SSG James Newman made Jan 8 at 2016 8:30 PM

SSG James Newman — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 20:30:27 -0500

Well, I think a lot of what you said is probably true as far as the unit having issues. I wish I could see the video to see how the Spc. handled it. Myself I am a retired SSG and I think if one of my Sergeants had this issue I would first be embarrassed that I failed him as a leader in such a simple task. I would certainly give him a counseling statement and the corrective action would be for him/her to load all magazines for the unit. It would be for a given time over maybe the next few ranges or something to that effect.
The piece about her having a combat patch I would have to see if she had actually deployed if she hadn't deployed with me.
If the SGT did not report to me I would report the incident to her NCO or officer, depending upon who was available.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 8 at 2016 10:47 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 22:47:50 -0500

The Specialist professional as he could be....by videoing the encounter and posting it.

So the unit only has one magazine?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 9 at 2016 8:37 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 08:37:06 -0500

I'm sure that my first reaction (like most NCOs) would be utter disbelief that a fellow NCO doesn't know how to load a magazine. Beyond that, it's a teachable moment. Remove the shooter from the firing line, teach her what she's doing wrong while having a private chat about an NCOs responsible to remain proficient at basic tasks, and move on. There's no reason for this to be filmed, let alone posted on the web, but there's every reason to fix the problem. As noted by others, it also appears that there are some range safety rules that need to be reviewed, and there's a real good chance that this SGT shouldn't be allowed to shoot that day unless a whole lot of proficiencies can be demonstrated first.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2016 2:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 14:35:55 -0500

Not defending this by any means, but I can say it has been years as a reserve Soldier, since I have ever loaded a magazine. During the peak of the war efforts, we were stuck with virtual bullets and virtual qualification. Other times, we are handed pre-loaded magazines. I bet that Soldier in the video has not loaded a magazine since BCT, if they even then.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2016 9:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 21:50:55 -0500

And a Combat Patch to boot... AHHHHHHHHH

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 10 at 2016 11:18 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 11:18:40 -0500

I would train them properly, or retrain them. Apparently, her chain of command did PMI (pre marksmanship instruction) with her to ensure she was trained properly before she got to the range? That is where I would start.

The thing "between the lines" CPT Russell Pitre that continues to kill me is excuse making - "I am not on active duty..." But, an active duty service members a a similar comment about are the guard or reserve, they are quick to tell us, they are in the Army... They can't have it both ways.... Can they?

When I was a Company Commander at Fort Drum, I had a PSG, I actually gave a summarized Article 15 to (trying to make a point) because he was failing at every NCO responsibility in AR 600-20; I actually read NCO responsibilities to him from the AR. His comment to me, more than once, was "I have never been a PSG before..." At the ART 15 hearing I told him "I have never been a Company Commander before either."

Sad, but, if a Soldier is not properly trained, we/you need to fix it. I would start with her NCOs who sent them to the range...

Response by SGT Jason Weisbrich made Jan 10 at 2016 12:01 PM

SGT Jason Weisbrich — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 12:01:49 -0500

If a SSG cannot load a magazine for their respective rifle....
A. They should have never made E-5
B. It doesn't matter if you are reserve, NG, or active.
C. Whomever promoted this soldier should be relieved.
D. If you cannot load a magazine, you have no business wearing the uniform.
E. Should have been removed from the range for remedial training.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 11:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 23:13:14 -0500

While I do understand your frustration, I think you're being too harsh. Rank should have nothing to do, you're either trained or you're not, it's not a rank thing. Also, understand that some soldiers rarely fire their weapons, MOSs such as human resources, fuelers, commo, cooks, how often do they get to shoot in s reserve unit? In my three deployments, I saw negligent discharges, and guess what, they were all LTCs. Everyone can have a bad day. Make in the spot corrections and get the task done. Thank you.

Response by SCPO Martin Synakowski made Jan 11 at 2016 11:04 AM

SCPO Martin Synakowski — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 11:04:09 -0500

I would train them, even if it took hours to get it right. There is no substitute for safety on the range.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 6:43 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 18:43:08 -0500

I can barely understand what you just wrote.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jan 13 at 2016 3:45 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:45:31 -0500

Given that the instructor is talking as he is filming or some one is filming only demonstrates that the instructor is playing to the camera, which is poor safety in a firing range because his job is to instruct and ensure a safe range. Yes the soldier needs help.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Jan 23 at 2016 7:33 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 07:33:12 -0500

Conduct training. Soldiers do what they've been trained to do. This is the cornerstone of our profession. I get paid to lead and train Soldiers, and this particular NCO has given me the opportunity to do so.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Jan 24 at 2016 3:11 PM

SSG John Bacon — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 15:11:51 -0500

What is even more sad is she has an 18th Airborne Corps Combat Patch. She requires some remedial training and an attitude adjustment. The I'm just a Reservist crap does not fly.

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made Jan 25 at 2016 2:12 PM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 14:12:31 -0500

This is more than just a failure on the NCO's part. Her leadership has failed her also by failing to maintain training standards. You are in the Army. Reserve, Active, or Guard, if you can not load a weapon what good are you?

Response by Craig Hatch made Jan 25 at 2016 4:04 PM

Craig Hatch — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:04:54 -0500

As a civilian I am not sure how to answer this question, but only by three letters WTF?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 6:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 18:21:57 -0500

This has got to be a joke, no one is this stupid.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Jan 28 at 2016 3:29 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:29:25 -0500

I've been doing this long enough to NOT be surprised by anything. Fix the problem, continue training. Afterwards when I'm not burning daylight on a range, I check to see if I need to conduct more remedial training.

Given just the video, I don't know the backstory or anything about this Soldier's performance, but I do know that being a dick about it can alienate Soldiers who aren't even involved. Being a dick is rarely the preferred technique for teaching someone to do something and do it well, nor does it create optimal conditions for unit cohesion.

Everybody remembers that leader in their career who'd take every opportunity to make everything suck (worse) for those around him. Remember that person?

If Soldier's didn't have deficiencies to be corrected, a great many of us would have to warm up our [rather dusty] resumes.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Aug 16 at 2017 3:19 PM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:19:32 -0400

Is this right up there with Sailors who don't know how to swim?

Response by MAJ Albert McCaig made Aug 16 at 2017 5:12 PM

MAJ Albert McCaig — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:12:30 -0400

There is a very real training gap in her unit and her chain of command. Yes, the SGT has some responsibility but so does her entire chain of command up to at least battalion level.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Aug 16 at 2017 5:26 PM

SGT Jim Arnold — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:26:04 -0400

bummer !! I missed out on the show

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 5:33 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:33:42 -0400

I'd just show him how and try to be as professional as possible but it would be very hard not to double face palm.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 16 at 2017 6:11 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:11:09 -0400

I would jump on his stuff and ask him what kind of magazines does he read anyway? Oh we're talking about the other kind of magazine huh?

Well I was a Range Safety NCO and was the Marksmanship coordinator for many years in my unit so I feel that it isn't the soldiers lack of knowledge necessarily but the lack of proper training. We would go through each weapon that was being fired whether it was an individual or crew served weapon in the classroom weeks before we live fired. Its to important not to do it as lives can be lost through a stupid mistake made by someone unfamiliar to the weapon being fired. Soldiers ETS out of a unit and new soldier unfamiliar to that weapon system are now tasked to fill that weapon slot. So before you bust some Staff Sergeant down to PFC maybe you should take a good hard look at the training in your Battalion and thank God this incident came to light before anything serious happened. I would use this as a training tool to make sure everyone is familiar with a weapon before walking out on the range. Big failure for the Training NCO's in my mind and it needs to be fixed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 9:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:06:39 -0400

Not everyone is accustomed to firearms. However being in the military they ought to know their weapon. Perhaps it is because the only time she's ever fired a weapon was on the range and her mags were pre loaded. I don't know about you but I never see females on range duty.

Response by SPC Joshua Fahlin made Aug 16 at 2017 10:08 PM

SPC Joshua Fahlin — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:08:46 -0400

Link no work

Response by PFC Bradley Campbell made Aug 16 at 2017 10:18 PM

PFC Bradley Campbell — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:18:45 -0400

take the stripes and give choice. out or take basic training again

Response by SSG Diane R. made Aug 16 at 2017 10:58 PM

SSG Diane R. — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:58:50 -0400

~Facepalm!

Response by Cpl Thomas Kifer made Aug 17 at 2017 1:31 AM

Cpl Thomas Kifer — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 01:31:51 -0400

I'm a little confused. Weather you are active duty or reservist, don't reservist go thru bootcamp first as active duty Marines and all other branches of the service do. I swear I new my M-16 A2 assault rifle better then anything. It is an extension of my vary soul. In my platoon in bootcamp, we didn't only disassembled our rifle blind foldered but behind our backs. There is nothing and I'm serious, there is nothing a marine know better then his rifle. Am I making myself clear here. And that soldier was a Sgt. That soldier, and I'm being serious, that soldier needs to repeat basic training. If the soldier doesn't have basic knowledge of their weapon. Then how is that person even a soldier. I see only two choices here, repeat basic or immediate discharge. And maybe discipline actions against those who promoted this soldier in the first place. Unforgivable.

Response by Cpl Thomas Kifer made Aug 17 at 2017 1:36 AM

Cpl Thomas Kifer — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 01:36:30 -0400

We even took our magazine apart and oil brush the inner workings of our magazine. Unbelievable.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 2:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 02:22:57 -0400

All you should do is teach the standard, enforce the standard and move on. Its like finding a crack in your house... you don't point it out and let it get worse, you fix it and hope it holds because after all we are one team... one fight.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 10:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:54:20 -0400

I've seen a lot of sketchy stuff on the range being with Nat Guard, but never someone not knowing how to load a mag. That's BCT stuff..... Can they recycle her back to BCT to re-learn how to load a mag and go back through EVERYTHING about being a soldier?

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Aug 17 at 2017 1:31 PM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 13:31:28 -0400

I did 13 years active as a POG. 13 years in the Guard in Artillery. I have seen E-5s with attitudes but never that degree of incompetence. On active duty there is too much bureaucracy to knock her back down to E-4 or E-3. In the Guard, I've seen people's rank taken off immediately & told they could put it back on when they deserve it again. Is it legal? Who cares. It is a fantastic motivation though. I've seen great marksmanship from female troops so don't use her gender as an issue. She really does give a reason why the stereotype of female troops still exist today. She is an embarrassment & not professional in the least.

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Aug 17 at 2017 3:28 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 15:28:02 -0400

Still doing firing lines, eh? When I was at Fort Riley, I was running a pistol range. General House visited, he saw the first group go through and stopped everything. He asked, what is up with this ready on the left, ready on the right crap(I cleaned it up, considerably), I told him it was Forscom regulation. He said that it was all BS, he asked if that is the way we would do it in combat, I said no, so he said do it the way you would then. I turned the lanes over to the squad leaders and they told their troops where the targets were and when to shoot. I thought it was great, wish more would see it that way

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Aug 18 at 2017 4:17 AM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 04:17:03 -0400

First off a lot of leaders failed here.. second she failed herself third no such thing as a reservist anymore that can be deployed at anytime.. better start looking deeper to see what else she doesn't know.. like reading a map..

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 18 at 2017 10:11 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 10:11:01 -0400

That means that SGT got didn't earn her combat patch from sitting behind a desk or working for someone as a "YES-SIR/NO-SIR SGT" When you become NCO you earn the right to become NCO anyone can where the rank of SGT and that is what today ARMY is about promotion who they can. Back then when I was young SPC MY points were 798 to make SGT and I damn sure earned it because no one was making the rank in Artillery and then, the ARMY change and BAM, the SGT was born and young kids were becoming leaders and didn't not know the basic of being an NCO or guidance for their soldiers, leading in combat got them or someone killed. That what this whole thing leads too FAILURE on the battlefield or in combat. Where is she now?

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 18 at 2017 1:00 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 13:00:52 -0400

Not in the Marines...

Response by SFC David M. Phillips made Aug 18 at 2017 5:40 PM

SFC David M. Phillips — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 17:40:10 -0400

I spent 22 years most of that as an NCO, 2 years ad a drill EVERY NCO should know how to load a magazine reservist, National Guard, or active!

Response by Jerry Rivas made Aug 18 at 2017 7:22 PM

Jerry Rivas — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 19:22:26 -0400

Teach her to load a magazine.........200 of them.....simple really.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Aug 18 at 2017 7:23 PM

Jerry Rivas — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 19:23:05 -0400

teach her to load a magazine.......about 200 of them.....simple fix really.

Response by CPL Ralph Moschler made Aug 18 at 2017 7:23 PM

CPL Ralph Moschler — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 19:23:13 -0400

Off my firing line , training training training

Response by SGT David Petree made Aug 19 at 2017 12:20 AM

SGT David Petree — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 00:20:21 -0400

It maybe possible that the Sgt. had NEVER been on Ammo detail ever. That is the place to learn how to load a magazine . Or is it that the Sgt. did not know how to place the mag. in the M16 !! The question really should be about how the range was operated ! Were there any safety cheeks , function cheeks ??
In 1972 I had a SP5 ask me how to work a M16 . He had only used a M14 , & had no clue how to work the M16. So as a SP4 I gave him the best class I could before we went to the range. So I just wonder what , or when was the last time this Sgt. had anything to do with a weapon !!

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 23 at 2017 7:40 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:40:11 -0400

One thing I saw in the National Guard was soldiers who transferred in from Navy or Air Force. Many had never fired the M16 platform or if they had the only time was during basic. They would show up at the range and not have a clue. As RSO I stared asking who had never fired on had limited experience with the M16/M4 platform. I blame their NCOs for not identifying them before going to the range. They were pulled off the range and as time allowed given training.

Response by PFC Jonathan Pryor made Jan 8 at 2018 12:12 PM

PFC Jonathan Pryor — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:12:24 -0500

I was an 88M and you can bet your sweet ass, I knew how to properly load my weapon ,then again I'm an old country boy and have three AR,s as well .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 1:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:24:09 -0500

Anybody can be INFANTRY. I CAN DO YOUR JOB AS INFANTRY BUT YOU CANT DO MINE. LMFAO. See this why we clown y'all all the damn time cause of this....
Side note it's a damn fuckin shame on her unit and leadership let her be like that and use the damn excuse I'm a reservist like that is ok. Hence why you conduct PMI before every range.

Response by SGT Philip Keys made Jan 8 at 2018 1:44 PM

SGT Philip Keys — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:44:58 -0500

Well this doesn't look very good. I would have her loading mags until she became an expert. Cameras recording military training? Hell no, yet another issue with this generation that would record everything before actually stepping up and doing. Easy fix not everyone reserves or active duty is a war machine.

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 8 at 2018 2:43 PM

SPC David Willis — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:43:35 -0500

We had a Major roll with us on a mission to grab pictures or something, I cant remember exactly. But she told my TC that she was afraid to load her weapon. He was about to tell her she had to, but I stopped him and was like "hey man I sit right in front of her maybe just have her slide a mag in and make it a day so I'm not getting popped in the back or anything". Thankfully he had her do just that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 2:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:57:46 -0500

Well... is she 1) A prior service vet frkm another branch, where she did NOT receive firearms training ? Or 2) Is she from a unit that does NOT stress the importance of training to thdir troops. I have seen both scenerios... Let us not belittle this service member until we have all of the facts

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 10:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:10:33 -0500

First of all reservists get very little training and are lucky if they get 2 days a year at the range.
When I was a PMI in the Marine Corps, i had a female Gunny who hadn't loaded an M16A2 since basic training. This was during the 90's instead of belittling her, I took a minute and taught her. I spent more time with her than my other shooters. She ended up qualifying expert forr first time.
As a safety NCO your job is to look for SAFETY. Since when does not knowing how to load a magazine constitute a safety violation? Why not take the time to teach someone and bring to your level?

Response by SSG Lon Watson made Jan 9 at 2018 12:55 AM

SSG Lon Watson — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:55:52 -0500

I saw this plenty in my 21 years of service. "NCOs" with half inch long red nails and perfectly coifed hair that couldn't shoot, wear a Kevlar properly, or operate worth a damn in the field. But they demanded respect as NCOs. NCOs lead from the front. NCOs teach, coach and mentor. NCOs set the axample! And this ain't it!!!

Response by PO3 Grant Skiles made Jan 9 at 2018 5:42 AM

PO3 Grant Skiles — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 05:42:37 -0500

My children would not do it. I tried to get them to join ROTC for the Air Force. I wanted then to join as an Officer only. I also wanted the best benefits with the safest jobs. My son has a History and Political Science degree that could have been used in a number of high security low risk jobs. My daughter has her degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 9:43 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 09:43:30 -0500

I would train that individual and then move on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 12:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:01:39 -0500

Our ammo section loaded the mags.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Jan 9 at 2018 1:15 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:15:52 -0500

Called pmi before a range... rank has no play in it... can’t do pmi then you don’t shoot.. it’s that simple.. it’s a basic skill... and mos doesn’t matter... the reservists l national guardist doesn’t fly ... period

Response by Cpl Dan A. made Jan 9 at 2018 1:17 PM

Cpl Dan A. — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:17:50 -0500

Can't be real.... this kind of scary shit has never been seen on a USMC rifle range...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 1:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:31:00 -0500

CPT Russell Pitre I saw that video too and I disagree. The Safety wasn't professional and teach her, he instead ridiculed her and filmed it. How is that professional? She should have been kicked off the range for being unsafe and retrained. Not everyone is born to be in the military but yet we have people in the military that have no business being there and yet they still get promoted. All we can do is train and correct them and then if necessary push them out. To try to reduce them for not knowing how to load a rifle doesn't help anyone out as you still have her in the unit and not knowing how to load a rifle.

Response by SGM Ronald Cheatom made Jan 9 at 2018 3:48 PM

SGM Ronald Cheatom — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 15:48:45 -0500

In my day, every soldier, and I mean every soldier, was required to qualify, with their weapon. It appears to me, that her unit, did "paper" qualifications, which does a huge I justice to anyone, who serves, because today's conflicts are no longer linear in nature. I would start with her top NCOs, and find out who boarded her for promotion, without verifying her qualifications.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 9:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:38:33 -0500

Holy Hannah. She's done at . 001.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 9:41 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 21:41:23 -0500

Ok, after my initial response, I read some others. Point Blank- there is NO EXCUSE, and I don't care what Branch or status you are, to be that damn ignorant on weapons systems. At some point, everyone gets PMI during Basic. The skill just isn't THAT perishable. No excuses.

Response by SSG David Andrews made Jan 9 at 2018 11:29 PM

SSG David Andrews — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 23:29:23 -0500

The photo above this narrative is screwy. What kind of magazine is used with a belt fed machine gun? I know I went through training back in 1967 but I cannot believe that firearms ha changed that much.

Response by SGT Mathew Husen made Jan 9 at 2018 11:32 PM

SGT Mathew Husen — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 23:32:03 -0500

I seen many E-7s who couldn't send a bullet past the firing line, litterally hitting the ground infront of them on every shot. Yet, they still get deployed, prove even more they can't be in charge of anything and yet sit on promotion boards.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 12:47 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:47:03 -0500

.........I know what I want to say, but although I’m out now I will stick to my Leadership mentality and say this a Sergeant needs to go through PMI and possibly rethink what it means to be an NCO. NCO’s don’t always have the answers but we should know where or how to find them. As for skill set Basic Soldiering should not be a challenge or met with excuses. I hope this malfunction gets corrected because while thousands of abled NCOs where forced out because of bad paperwork early on in there career, there seems to be a gap between the new age and the Senior Enlisted. Just my 2 cents.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 12:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:50:44 -0500

Well while typing and answering the wife made some spelling errors, I’ll do some pushups.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 10:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 10:42:36 -0500

I have a friend who evaluates units in training exercises every year. According to the horror stories he tells me, this is a common condition in a lot of combat support and combat service support units.

Response by SFC Fred Youngs made Jan 10 at 2018 12:40 PM

SFC Fred Youngs — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:40:42 -0500

I blame not her but her chain of Command for Promoting her for not knowing her common SOLDIER tasks. I could care two hoots whether you are RA, USER, OR ARNG you have learn and know your basic SOLDIER skills or get out quit holding Rank that someone who Serves can get Promoted.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 3:55 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 15:55:57 -0500

But she probably got her flu shot and that’s what really counts.

Response by SFC Don Olds made Jan 10 at 2018 4:42 PM

SFC Don Olds — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:42:33 -0500

Read her rights to her, confiscate the weapon, put under control of armed guard, arrange safe transport to a safe location pending separation from service

Response by CPL David Thompson made Jan 10 at 2018 4:52 PM

CPL David Thompson — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:52:06 -0500

Get out of my Army.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Jan 10 at 2018 6:13 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:13:40 -0500

She’d be on the bus home ASAP. Now you know why Marines tend to be a bit distant.

Response by SFC Marty Jones made Jan 10 at 2018 6:37 PM

SFC Marty Jones — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:37:15 -0500

No need to embarrass anyone. Had a Sgt scheduled to conduct PM I with MK19 noticed he had no clue or ever fired one. Luckily he showed up early enough at our facility to train him up before his soldiers arrived. We uplift not kick around.

Response by SGT Chad Cherry made Jan 10 at 2018 9:07 PM

SGT Chad Cherry — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:07:03 -0500

F$ck... What is happening with standards? Why are they so hard to maintain in life and death roles?

Response by LTC Ray Karnes made Jan 10 at 2018 9:51 PM

LTC Ray Karnes — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:51:03 -0500

She would be loading every magazine used on the range that day! Then the next day, she would be teaching others. She would continue to do that until she could do it in her sleep!

Response by SFC Antonio Nieto made Jan 10 at 2018 9:54 PM

SFC Antonio Nieto — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:54:00 -0500

Teaching how too

Response by SGT Peter Gallagher made Jan 10 at 2018 11:00 PM

SGT Peter Gallagher — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:00:43 -0500

Getting promoted in the Army does not require competency, enlisted or officer. That whole nco creed, backbone of the Army is really just union propaganda. Rank does not elevate ability only expectations.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 10 at 2018 11:18 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:18:32 -0500

As I cannot see the video in question, therefore I can't say much but reflect on my experiences. The Reserve/NG often times get people form other services ie Air Force. I have seen some people from Big Blue who had no clue what a rifle was for. Does that mean this person was prior AF, I don't know.

Response by SFC Alan Payne made Jan 10 at 2018 11:19 PM

SFC Alan Payne — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:19:03 -0500

Link didn’t work. I have experienced this kind of thin during my Guard service. Having gone through Parris Island I have been through what is most likely the best basic marksmanship training there is. During many range days while operating as range staff, particularly safety, I encountered soldiers of all ranks, including nco’s and officers, whose skills were woefully inadequate to the current task. Some just needed a verbal reminder of site picture and alignment, or breathing technique or other basic skills and they were of and running. Others I had to personally coach through their ten rounds of zero fire often telling the soldier to grab another ten and come back to the same firing position. Others had to be removed and more or less trained on the spot. I kept a notebook with asic diagrams to use rather than the manual. I trained many soldiers while cramming down an MRE during a lunch break! The problem was usually found in support personnel that had not been to the ranges in years. The idea that every Marine (yes, Marines as well despite the excellent initial training) or soldier is first a rifleman is a bad joke at best and a lie in reality. Fulfilling the requirements of their own MOS rarely leaves time for the single most basic skill of any servicemen. This is a failing of senior command. As a British soldier I, and EVERY other British soldier, was required to do an annual Battle Camp that lasted two weeks and consisted of nothing but infantry training. We also went to the rifle ranges at least three times a year and were required to pass TOETS (Test Of Elementary Training Skills) annually. TOETS were basic weapons handling skills and were conducted without live ammo, they were designed to allow a soldier to demonstrate the minimum skills to operate weapons safely and efficiently, with a separate test for each weapon. Standards were very high and no soldier would fail as this basically meant you weren’t worth squat. Indeed you could not attend range training without passing TOETS. Although most Americans grow up learning basic safety skills with small arms the addition of TOETS style training to the Marines basic marksmanship training and enforced annual (at a minimum) range days and qualifications would provide truth to what is currently a lie.

Response by MSG Manuel G Chapa Jr. made Jan 11 at 2018 12:30 AM

MSG Manuel G Chapa Jr. — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:30:01 -0500

It’s your duty to train and keep everyone Battle Ready! There are many reasons to forget basic skills. As a 1SG I always required my lower ranking soldiers to conduct all Squad And Platoon Level Training. This Let me know if my NCO’s were doing their job. Everyone is required to be able to teach all Basic Skills! ALL OF THE TIME. The Army is as strong as it’s instructors, for this is one of the requirements of Leadership.

Response by SSG David Thompson made Jan 11 at 2018 12:32 AM

SSG David Thompson — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:32:24 -0500

I went through basic training in 1960, and trained with the M1 Garand rifle. The next time I saw an M1 was about 35 years later. After training I was assigned to a unit, and two days later we went to the range. I was handed an M2 carbine. I had never seen one before, and sure enough, no one bothered to tell me and the other new pvt. anything, even how to set the selector switch so the weapon would not fire full auto. Big surprise when the other new guy’s fired a burst of three! On to the next unit 10 months later, carbines again. But the next year I was assigned an M14. Years later I joined the ARNG, and my weapon was an M16. Somehow I managed to qualify with every weapon despite receiving no instruction after basic. It must have been all those days out back with my trusty Daisy air rifle. It really griped me when we were expected to fall in with weapons didn’t even know how to go to inspection arms.
All of that aside, I never was expected to load a clip or magazine on the range.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 1:01 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:01:57 -0500

I’m not an NCO but I’d pull her off the range and take her to the side for some one on one training. Get a battle to take my spot as safety, and tactfully and professionally educate this NCO. “No one is more professional than I” “All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership I will provide that leadership”

Soldiers don’t just mean lower enlisted, it means anyone who wears the uniform. Educate one how to load and unload, proper technique, and crawl walk run.

Response by SFC Jose Collazo made Jan 11 at 2018 2:27 AM

SFC Jose Collazo — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 02:27:07 -0500

First of all everyone going to the range suppose to get refresher classes right there on the range before going on line!!! Leadership and training NCO problem!

Response by SPC Joshua Brumley made Jan 11 at 2018 8:02 AM

SPC Joshua Brumley — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 08:02:16 -0500

If she needed a refresher on a common task, that's one thing; in the case of magazine loading it be 2 minutes, tops, to be shown how to do it. She might have gotten a bit of grief for forgetting, but that's why we train. She should've just asked for a quick refresher and drove on.
But getting on the firing line and then confessing you forgot? Well, you deserve the embarrassment, (at the very minimum), that's coming.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 9:02 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 09:02:51 -0500

She would be off the range

Response by SFC Alan Payne made Jan 11 at 2018 12:08 PM

SFC Alan Payne — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 12:08:28 -0500

When you only have two days of training a month and two and a half weeks of camp to train... Then take away time for all the mandatory bs, which strangely involves little or nothing to do with soldiering in a real sense, more time for other admin stuff, more time for various maintenance tasks... Very soon your training time has been significantly reduced. My experience as a National Guard infantryman will serve nicely to demonstrate the problem. When I started with my unit we were equipped with M113 APC’s. Not much to them, drive em, wash em, check oil and tracks, put em away til next time. Training time was minimally impacted by requirements of the vehicle. Then we were slated to receive the Bradley. Very exciting! I read the gunnery manual cover to cover. I learned one major thing, we didn’t have enough training time in our annual training time to be able to ever actually qualify to standard. And that was before all the time was lost to the aforementioned non Mos specific stuff. The Bradley requirements greatly increased PMCS time before and after use. To be able to go to gunnery (which goes all the way to table twelve but under conditions where deployments were not imminent we only went to table eight) all SM’s have to have qualified on their personal weapons within three months prior to the actual gunnery training. If we were qualifying on weekends then we were generally capable of completing one table per weekend but one table for a battalion took two weekends because we were self supporting so gunnery takes six months of training for a battalion, not including makeup for crews that fail a table first time around on a specific weekend and have to perform that table again another weekend. Snowballs. This is only one issue that we faced with our limited training time. I will say that when deployed on real world stuff, Bosnia and Iraq that my company , A 1/120 INF, were a very well trained and fully capable bunch of guys and I believe it is safe to say the same for the rest of the brigade, 30th Infantry Brigade (HVY)(SEP) “OLD HICKORY”. What made the difference between “not enough time” and being actually qualified and competent? The soldiers. Guard soldiers are mainly in combat units and have a care and pride in what they are doing that is immense, their willingness to go above and beyond is phenomenal. As always there were exceptions, our leadership challenges! Leadership was another entirely different challenge than AD. Much work is conducted while in an unpaid status, troops callled in to conduct extra training and admin on their own time after a full days work on a civilian job. Leaders have to prepare training, evaluations etc between drills. Visit soldiers with problems, including those of their civilian life that affect their military life, that’s one that is not nearly as big a problem for AD leaders. These are not complaints, this was part of the challenge of this type of service and I relished it. I found it far more satisfying than my active duty time with the British Army and the USMC.
I hope this illustrates the problem faced by reserve soldiers in staying competent, currrent and ready. It’s a great challenge and not for everybody! I miss it more than I ever thought I would.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 11 at 2018 2:03 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 14:03:19 -0500

I would teach her.

Response by PO3 Tony Helland made Jan 11 at 2018 2:12 PM

PO3 Tony Helland — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 14:12:02 -0500

show him/ her how... why make a big deal out of it, nobodies perfect

Response by MAJ Shannon Read made Jan 11 at 2018 3:41 PM

MAJ Shannon Read — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 15:41:52 -0500

I was a reservist in Med Corps. We were constantly begging for ammo. Big Army didn't think we needed it so we got little to no range training. I had it in Basic but that's it. When I got Activated I let them know up front that I was willing but inexperienced.

Response by CW3 Doyle Frost made Jan 11 at 2018 4:05 PM

CW3 Doyle Frost — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 16:05:40 -0500

No soldier on any firing line I was responsible for would be that ignorant. When I first got my warrant, I was put in charge of our unit's weapons training. Got a few young privates that had just enlisted and got their uniforms, had not even been to basic yet Got out the "Soldier's Handbook" and made them read it. After they had told me they had finished it, I started to question them. Then, we went to the arms room and and I had them demonstrate their familiarity with the M-16's. Every one of them checked out fine. One in particular, was outstanding. Even had him conducting refresher classes on maintenance of their individual weapons for the rest of the company. (Last I saw, he had transferred to an ANG infantry unit, and was, by then, an SSG.) As far as the "female issue," forget it. Every female in our unit was expected to pull their own weight. You loaded your own magazines, regardless of who you were, from the C.O. on down.

Response by SSG Paul Newman made Jan 11 at 2018 5:17 PM

SSG Paul Newman — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 17:17:23 -0500

I've been out and procedures and even weapons have changed a lot since then. I know not all mos's get as much range time and field training as others. After my first enlistment as a medic in a rifle platoon, when I re-upped I was sent to nursing school. When I got posted to a hospital afterwards I would be sent to the range with Doctors, nurses and chaplains and the like who basically saw their weapons once a year when they qualified. As a grunt medic I got to shoot almost everything in the inventory ( couldn't open a range then without a medic on sight and after all the qualifying was done, the range detail would often get to shoot up some of the leftover ammo). I had a blast teaching Doc's and preachers to shoot and so did they. Give this Sgt. A break she may not be Rambo but when you're in the OR with your life hanging by a thread she might be the one who saves you.

Response by LTC Robert Gray made Jan 11 at 2018 6:05 PM

LTC Robert Gray — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:05:35 -0500

When the WACs where transitioned into the branches we encountered a number of female soldiers who did not know how to perform basic weapons functions. They did not qualify on weapons. Lt Knutson was one of those. We checked out a 16 and taught her. On the weekend we went an informal range and took her through an intensive shooting session over two days. She qualified expert and became a hard core shooter.

It is obvious that the SGT had missed a part of her training. Should not be punitive but should receive remedial training.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jan 11 at 2018 6:24 PM

CPT William Jones — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:24:18 -0500

Looks like she needs a bit of extra training. I was a combat Engr officer in RVN and we has a 20 minute class in the proper way to fill sandbags it include one to three people to fill them a 1.5 hour practical exercise in filling the bags. One could do that for loading ammo mags also. Lesson plan and everything required for extra training. The IG even liked the training when he came to check out our abusing the troops. Plan was adopted Corps wide.

Response by PO1 Randy Palermo made Jan 11 at 2018 7:24 PM

PO1 Randy Palermo — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 19:24:45 -0500

Hmmmm had a female troop who’s weapon was jammed and was told to put the weapon in the V notched stake turn with the weapon and point the weapon at my chest , I grabbed the end of weapon and the weapon came back and the butt of the weapon came back and hit her in the lip bloodying her lip , her LT wanted to give me Article 15 but my CO squashed that shit ASAP lolo

Response by SPC Kris Berry made Jan 11 at 2018 7:45 PM

SPC Kris Berry — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 19:45:08 -0500

Back to private!! No way!!!! I was a legal beagle and I knew how to load and tear down my weapon.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 7:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 19:48:22 -0500

Literally playing call of duty for 10 minutes could alleviate the problem.

Response by SGT Jake Miller made Jan 11 at 2018 9:13 PM

SGT Jake Miller — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 21:13:44 -0500

We had a female Sgt that was prior service from the Navy and she did crap like this. When she was told to keep the weapon up and down the range, she would spin 360 degrees and say what! As an NCO you are supposed to lead by example.

Response by Cpl Josue Romero made Jan 11 at 2018 9:20 PM

Cpl Josue Romero — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 21:20:01 -0500

tried to watch the video but it just said content not found ?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 11 at 2018 11:01 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 23:01:52 -0500

Show them how...

Response by LCpl Kevin McGarry made Jan 11 at 2018 11:15 PM

LCpl Kevin McGarry — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 23:15:55 -0500

Where is the video? How do I see it? I keep clicking on links but none go to the video, just more comments

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Jan 12 at 2018 6:24 AM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 06:24:50 -0500

I would kick her off the line & sent her back to her first line supervisor for re-training. It is just not that SGT's personal responsibility but also her unit's responsibility that she is properly trained. Being a reservist is no excuse. Do they allow her to drive vehicles she is not licensed for? Then why send her to the range when she has no idea what she is doing. She may have needed some additional instruction but that was still up to her immediate supervisor to train her up before she obviously embarrassed herself & her unit.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2018 11:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 11:52:14 -0500

Okay, Active Duty or not, we all go through BCT, and therefore (if you didn't know already) learned how to handle a weapon and load a magazine. Now, how can an NCO expect to lead soldiers if she can't load a magazine...? Basic soldierization 101 here, how did this slip through the cracks?

Response by PO1 Barbara Matthews made Jan 12 at 2018 1:02 PM

PO1 Barbara Matthews — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 13:02:19 -0500

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't range safety everyone's responsibility? Instead of taking pictures shouldn't the person behind the camera call a "time out it cease fire"our whatever to call attention to it.

Regardless of rank, safety is the most important element in the range. If something is happening that could cause harm say something.

Response by SGT Johnny Knisely made Jan 12 at 2018 1:59 PM

SGT Johnny Knisely — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 13:59:27 -0500

Respect the rank LMAO this is a serious problem promotion on time not on merit

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2018 3:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 15:47:46 -0500

What’s really messed up about this is her stating she wasn’t active duty; which makes all Reservists or National Guard look as though we don’t know how to load a magazine. Pitiful! Not only would she be off my range, I’d have to question the SOB who promoted her to Sergeant.

Response by Glendon Gordon made Jan 12 at 2018 7:06 PM

Glendon Gordon — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:06:54 -0500

Assign her to a soldier,the next higher rank to train her how to use a weapon.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jan 12 at 2018 8:32 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 20:32:58 -0500

I just saw this and why is she a Sgt in the first place? She should be a career boot trying to figure it out, how in the hell can you get out of basic without qualifying? Certinly if you don't know how to load it you can't fire it so you can't qualify, so no one loads it for you.

Response by SMSgt Barney Brown made Jan 12 at 2018 9:06 PM

SMSgt Barney Brown — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 21:06:35 -0500

someone definitely has NOT done their jobs. She needs a lot of remedial training, should have never made staff sgt when she could NOT even load a magazine.

Response by Cpl Donald Hipp Sr made Jan 12 at 2018 11:18 PM

Cpl Donald Hipp Sr — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 23:18:50 -0500

That weapon doesn't have a magazine it has a belt.

Response by SGT Christopher Robinson made Jan 13 at 2018 12:00 AM

SGT Christopher Robinson — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 00:00:19 -0500

This NCO is beyond fuckery and should be sent to values training to teach a class on fundamentals of marksmanship.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2018 2:16 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 02:16:51 -0500

In the old Army she'd be pelling potatoes for the rest of her life.

Response by SFC Gerardo Malimban made Jan 13 at 2018 6:57 AM

SFC Gerardo Malimban — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 06:57:27 -0500

The entire chain of command is at fault.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2018 10:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 10:16:23 -0500

Just got voluntold to go do ammo detail.

Response by SSG John Mitchell made Jan 13 at 2018 10:34 AM

SSG John Mitchell — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 10:34:42 -0500

Couldn't bring up the Vid. but if it's the same one I think it is, Training Breakdown. I got to be the Training NCO as a SPC for a few years. I can tell you from experience, everything we learned in Basic is a perishable skill in a Support Unit. I THOUGHT that was why we instituted SGT Time Training every Wed., rant for another time, but that wasn't the case. The BLUF here is simple. Refresher Course on your Individual Weapons System SHOULD have been done before the first boot hit the range. It's tedious, time consuming & a general pain in the ass but when you have Soilder's Live's in your hands you do what's necessary. As for this POS that posted it. I can promise you my last good CO\1SG combo would have had him for lunch. Then he'd have been MINE cause I'm the a$$hole who would have had to do the paperwork.

Response by SPC Christopher Travis made Jan 13 at 2018 11:24 AM

SPC Christopher Travis — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 11:24:54 -0500

The picture shows a belt fed weapon, not one loaded by a magazine. An nco’s job is to correct the wrong and make right via the proper instruction. This shouldn’t include making posts for others to laugh at, including by other senior nco’s who should know better. Lead from the front and not the rear; correct the situation and Charlie Mike.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2018 11:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 11:27:46 -0500

She is incompetent and should be demoted. What is equally disturbing is your horrible grammar and spelling. Clean it up.

Response by SGT Rosi Teresi made Jan 13 at 2018 2:46 PM

SGT Rosi Teresi — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 14:46:18 -0500

TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN. When we got sent to Ft Hood in 03-04, there were several units, sent for pre-deployment training, that were sent right back home because they couldn't even spell SOLDIER, LET ALONE BE ONE. The unit that replaced us was so jacked up. We stayed an extra 2 months to give them a chance to get their shit together and then we just told them sink or swim, we're goin home. We reset the standard for med-evac and two months later, they were sent away and the post went with civilian contractors. The SGT in question here, and probably the whole unit, would spent the rest of the drill loading and unloading magazines. Then they would have to do it blindfolded. What else do they NOT know how to do??

Response by SPC Tino Valentine made Jan 13 at 2018 3:34 PM

SPC Tino Valentine — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 15:34:49 -0500

IF you were a safety...... isn’t safety everyone’s job?

Response by CPT Michael Murphy made Jan 13 at 2018 4:39 PM

CPT Michael Murphy — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 16:39:50 -0500

This is why we'll not have nice things. Maybe, not ever.

Response by SGT Steve Mack made Jan 13 at 2018 5:13 PM

SGT Steve Mack — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 17:13:34 -0500

I've been out for 30 years, and I can still load a mag.

Response by SPC Casey Skroch made Jan 13 at 2018 5:30 PM

SPC Casey Skroch — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 17:30:57 -0500

What's the first thing you learn at the firing range it to load a magazine.

Response by SSG Jeff Hulet made Jan 13 at 2018 9:44 PM

SSG Jeff Hulet — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 21:44:52 -0500

I can't view the Video, but the female soldier in the photo was a Specialist...Not a SGT. Did I miss something. But, yes anyways she should know how to load a magazine. But the weapon in the photo is a SAW and should only be Mag fed in an Emergency, because it will jam more than feed properly.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Jan 13 at 2018 10:15 PM

1SG Patrick Sims — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 22:15:17 -0500

There is no excuse for that kind of thing--- Certainly not excusing incompetence by saying--I'm not active duty. You're a soldier, and this isn't the God-dam Salvation Army. The lives of the American People depend on us. Either get with the program, or take off that uniform and move along.

Response by SFC Michael Barry made Jan 13 at 2018 11:35 PM

SFC Michael Barry — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 23:35:07 -0500

Remove her from firing line and send to remedial training area until competent. Then have off line one on one conversation about pulling her head out of her ass

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2018 12:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 00:32:20 -0500

Holy fucking shit, Batman. By the power of motherfucking grayskull I would have kicked her off the range. Professionally of course. I did 12 active and now am in the reserves. First BA was a range. I was running right side as a safety and couldn't believe my eyes. The patience I had to exhibit was akin to the patience I use with my toddler. One guy was phenomenal and even went back out later to show off by firing on two lanes at the same time and still qualifying on at least one but maybe both, I don't remember.

Response by SPC Steven Caliendo made Jan 14 at 2018 3:52 AM

SPC Steven Caliendo — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 03:52:03 -0500

Doesn't matter if you're regular Army, Guard, or Reserve, we all went through basic training somewhere and supposedly were taught how to use a weapon and whatever else we needed to know, so, how did this "soldier" ever make it through basic is what should be the real question here, or is my Army now not the one I joined many years ago which I am coming to believe more and more seeing films like this on the internet!

Response by LCpl Troy Gwyn made Jan 14 at 2018 4:42 AM

LCpl Troy Gwyn — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 04:42:08 -0500

Lol. And soldiers have the audacity to question why Marines feel "superior".
No way, active duty or reserve, would a Marine NCO not know how to load they're weapon.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2018 3:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 15:15:20 -0500

Have Sgt load 12 more magazines. She'd know then. That's what you do. Give her what's missing...training. the prev mob group failed her years ago.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2018 3:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 15:15:37 -0500

I mean her load them

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 14 at 2018 4:27 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 16:27:47 -0500

There is a difference between being a leader and having a rank

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2018 5:12 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 17:12:36 -0500

As a newer soldier in the Army National Guard, i can say ive seen and made many mistakes. I dont see the need to put someones mistake up on the internet. Obviously there is a training issue. Wouldnt you fix it internaly, not embarass the soldier in front of their battle buddies and the whole world on the internet? A soldier is only as good as their training. I know in my unit, if my leadership spots a major deficiency or possibly a deadly deficiency like this, they address it immediately and fix it. My opinion, leadership in that unit has some burden to bear in this situation?

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Jan 14 at 2018 5:42 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 17:42:57 -0500

about 10 years ago I deployed with a Reserve Hospital Unit oversea and we were at Ft Dix for about 5 weeks to validate. When we went to the range some medical officers had never handled or fire a weapons before as they do not receive this training during their Officer course. We trained them and they all eventually qualified. These were all Nurses or Doctors who have were all very skilled in their field but as others have said if you don't receive the training how can you be proficient in these skills!!

Response by GySgt Bill McManus made Jan 14 at 2018 7:00 PM

GySgt Bill McManus — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 19:00:42 -0500

1st who allowed this to be,film. If you are on MY firing line you,better do your job and remove this shi t bird from line .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2018 9:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:26:17 -0500

As a safety I would approach that particular individual and instruct him or her how to load without putting them on the spot. Despite PMI, some are more proficient than others. Just because someone have a combat patch doesn't mean they carried or had to fire their weapon during their tour of duty.

Response by 1SG John Feller made Jan 14 at 2018 11:28 PM

1SG John Feller — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 23:28:02 -0500

The title to this meme is misleading, the person in question appears to wearing specialist 4 rank. The weapon shown also appears to be belt fed. I do not see any magazines present in the photo and the URL listed is not available for view.

Response by SPC David Glines made Jan 14 at 2018 11:49 PM

SPC David Glines — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 23:49:24 -0500

Is the video gone

Response by Sgt Richard Sprague made Jan 15 at 2018 12:54 AM

Sgt Richard Sprague — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 00:54:21 -0500

The question should be how and why a soldier was promoted to NCO not knowing how to load a weapon. How many other soldier task is the NCO not proficient in. One of the roles of a NCO is to train soldiers, if soldiers are not proficient in soldiers tasks they should not be promoted to leadership roles. Looks as though in the Reserves and National Guard the only qualifications to get promoted to leadership positions is NCO Schools, and not soldiers knowledge. I wonder how long the soldier had been in the Army, I hope it was not a 3 year SSG like I have seen in the National Guard.

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Jan 15 at 2018 3:35 AM

SGM Robin Johnson — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 03:35:29 -0500

Ease up a little, CPT Pitre. Wait until you have a major momentary brain malfunction when you are out in front of your Soldiers, or in front of your rater and reviewer...you might have a little better perspective and more compassion. Yes, it is a basic soldiering skill, but she MUST have known it at some point because she made it through basic training and her deployment. As other CSM/SGMs have pointed out, the appropriate action here would have been to make the on-the-spot correction, evaluate whether this was a one-time problem or a symptom of deeper issues of either the Soldier or the unit, give them feedback, and conduct the proper training. We are supposed to teach, coach, and mentor...not film and ridicule.

Response by Ray Cromwell made Jan 15 at 2018 9:39 AM

Ray Cromwell — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 09:39:05 -0500

Safety on the firing. Range should be number one concern if someone does not know how to properly use a firearm you should not even be near it even if they were in combat she's been taken out of the line. To retrain on the weapon.

Response by PFC Glenn Henry made Jan 15 at 2018 1:39 PM

PFC Glenn Henry — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 13:39:54 -0500

Scary and combat ribbon? Wtf

Response by Cpl Leon Daniels made Jan 15 at 2018 2:33 PM

Cpl Leon Daniels — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 14:33:29 -0500

I think this is bs and it didNOT happen. I refuse to believe that anybody could get out of boot camp and not know this. Much less a Sgt even in the Army. I abesolutely refuse.

Response by SSgt Douglas King made Jan 15 at 2018 4:01 PM

SSgt Douglas King — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:01:51 -0500

To the best of my knowledge, (Retired Security Forces) this looks like a belt fed weapon not magazine fed. And the belt is on wrong side and backwards. I know that the weapons have changed since i retired in 1995 but not in that manner. Please correct me if i am wrong. Active duty or not you are wearing that uniform. Thank you very much for your service.

Response by Sgt David Bender made Jan 15 at 2018 8:37 PM

Sgt David Bender — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 20:37:07 -0500

So. . . Where's the video? And, um, the picture shows belt fed weapons. Was she loading clips for her side arm In the video? I would train her up and make her a better soldier instead of public ridicule on the internet. Of course a little verbal embarrassment on the firing line helps with memory retention.

Response by SSG David Andrews made Jan 15 at 2018 9:07 PM

SSG David Andrews — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:07:45 -0500

Either the photo does not go wit the story or someone is making a lot of noise about nothing. The photo shows a belt fed machinegun. Belt fed weapons do not use a magazine. The photo shows a lot of empty belt links lying on the ground. So who or what is wrong here?

Response by SSgt Jeff Gulley made Jan 15 at 2018 9:39 PM

SSgt Jeff Gulley — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:39:16 -0500

I don't get the problem.
You go to the range to train.
So stop complaining and get her trained proper!

Response by SFC Gary Bilke made Jan 15 at 2018 10:30 PM

SFC Gary Bilke — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:30:02 -0500

Were I in charge , she would not havd been out there.
I have worked ranges before. This is danger waiting to happen.

Response by SGT Thomas Bentley made Jan 16 at 2018 7:23 AM

SGT Thomas Bentley — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 07:23:08 -0500

Mother of God!!! NCOs are suppose to be trainers, if they can't load a magazine.........HOW IN ALL THAT IS HOLY DID SHE GET TO BE AN NCO??? This is why I only did 11 years and couldn't do any more.

Response by HA Michael Darling made Jan 16 at 2018 1:32 PM

HA Michael Darling — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:32:15 -0500

She got the rank not on ability or Marita the Obama rules state there we need a quota of vaginas filling those billets it's inlay fare what thus do not understand during war shit on fare

Response by SGT Josh Johnson made Jan 16 at 2018 2:25 PM

SGT Josh Johnson — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:25:49 -0500

First, don't video something like this. Second, the range safety should ensure that everyone is trained on the weapon, a sign off sheet should do. The NCO above her in her NCO support channel should take her from the range, and teach her. She probably just had a quick class, and got nervous. The Army trains. It's what happens on a continual basis. Even as NCOs training is important. Next time, she should teach a class on the weapon. Teaching, and the prep for the class, helps the teacher to know it better. There should be no shaming. These things happen. That's what training is for. Even NCOs can't know everything. Especially, if its not part of your regular duties. As combat soldiers, we get wrapped around the axle about the things that we take for granted. As combat soldier NCOs it is our job to know all the ins and outs of weapons fire. It is not so, for other MOSs.

Response by Capt Dennis Tague made Jan 16 at 2018 3:46 PM

Capt Dennis Tague — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 15:46:12 -0500

Video removed?

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Jan 16 at 2018 4:55 PM

SFC Gary Fox — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 16:55:17 -0500

I would have kicked her off the range.

Response by SGT Linda Moss made Jan 16 at 2018 5:56 PM

SGT Linda Moss — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:56:44 -0500

One it does not help anything showing this . Two people are saying stuff about her saying she was not active duty. I take that as she was not in a position to be around weapons very often. If you do some thing once a year and are new at it some time people do not remember how to do something. I was lucky I grew up around weapons so when I went to the range I was familiar with how they worked. As to reducing her .. just because she does not have this skill does not mean she is not a good NCO. This is a learned skill. It can be taught and does not tale a minute to do so.

Response by SPC Tim Holt made Jan 16 at 2018 6:39 PM

SPC Tim Holt — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:39:14 -0500

This is what you get when you let women and homosexuals in the Army. Sorry boys-it was pushed on us-get used to it and get ready for higher casualty rates.

Response by SGT Randall Smith made Jan 16 at 2018 10:48 PM

SGT Randall Smith — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 22:48:33 -0500

How could she have ever made E5 much less E6 if she couldn’t reload? If she had combat time I feel sorry for her team mates. In the old days in Nam if a Sgt couldn’t even reload their weapon they wouldn’t last after there first fire fight.

Response by SGT Kyle Bickley made Jan 17 at 2018 6:55 PM

SGT Kyle Bickley — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 18:55:47 -0500

What Army is this girl in? How the fuck can you not know how to load a mag? This is a NCO? What the hell is her MOS, postage stamp licker? Did she go to basic?

Response by SGM Steve Richards made Jan 17 at 2018 7:07 PM

SGM Steve Richards — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:07:32 -0500

Immediatley and discreetly report him to the rangemaster!! He is a danger to himself and others.

Response by SGT Leon Riege made Jan 17 at 2018 8:14 PM

SGT Leon Riege — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 20:14:41 -0500

shes a sgt that doesnt have to qualify annually? i dont understand how one becomes an nco without basic skills ... it used to be soldier first , what to do ? give her a bolo maybe remedial brm is what is in her best interest

Response by Sgt Jason Pumroy made Jan 17 at 2018 11:11 PM

Sgt Jason Pumroy — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:11:55 -0500

The fact that she is a reservist shouldn't matter. All the comments about getting her off the firing line are true the PMI is in charge of the firing line. Safety is for most in every live firing exercise. Hopefully she will get the proper training to make her an intrigal part of the military.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 18 at 2018 12:29 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 12:29:24 -0500

I can't judge her yet. What you trying to load her in for or M9 or was it a crew-served weapon? You can load a magazine or a drum of ammunition into a M249 squad automatic weapon (SAW). I consider this to be from the internet so with that being said I hope it's not a clueless journalist referring a cantaloupe as a magazine or a clip. One thing is for sure I would not humiliate her in front of her soldiers ready soldiers or her peers. That's not how I operate. Whether or not she is active duty it is her responsibility as first as a soldier and as a non-commissioned officer to know her assigned weapon. If it's anything more than an M9 or a M4 I'm going to say cut her brake and show her the right way. It's not her assigned weapon show her the right way. Don't make an article to get likes because this is all this is. This is a way to generate publicity and to get likes. There are some things that I do not post on social media and I will not change that in my personal policy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2018 1:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:56:42 -0500

Definitely pulled from the line and sent to the rear for retraining. If she has many deficiencies, possibly some counseling. Defiantly noted by chain of command to reflect on NCOER so people that are squared away get promoted over her. We didn't have these issues with males in the infantry. Thank god.....

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2018 7:43 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 19:43:39 -0500

I am with the SGM on this one. The whole point of training is to increase the standards of the unit. Identify the weaknesses and remedy them. Ridicule very seldom works and when it does it is because the unit is a tight nit group that feels comfortable busting each other together so everyone learns. Use very sparingly. This does not belong on the internet.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2018 9:09 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:09:46 -0500

One year, the HQs, KSARNG went to Pinon Canon CO to be the higher Hqs for the 35th ID. We had a really bad storm and everything got wet and dirty. One of the best NCO's I served with helped the men set up the tent and called most of the enlisted solders over to the tent to help them learn how to field strip and clean all the weapons. He did this in a teaching mode and the soldiers learned and enjoyed the new skills. It is the role of NCO's to help soldiers learn soldier skills and help them be better without punishment.

Response by PFC Elijah Rose made Jan 18 at 2018 10:27 PM

PFC Elijah Rose — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 22:27:05 -0500

Why all this squabbling? Why are you telling literally everyone you'd sack her given the chance? This is an easily fixable problem and I am confident you are being loose with meaning of the phrase "didn't know how." Be a team player and get along!

Response by CPL Mike Parker. made Jan 19 at 2018 10:59 AM

CPL Mike Parker. — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:59:45 -0500

I would suggest to the CO that the Sgt be reduced in rank to E1 and sent back to basic training

Response by PO3 Kevin DeLong made Jan 19 at 2018 1:19 PM

PO3 Kevin DeLong — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:19:58 -0500

being a woman does not get you a free pass. neather does not being active duty. Someone might need you to defend them some day.

Response by Cpl Aussie Kimble made Jan 19 at 2018 8:17 PM

Cpl Aussie Kimble — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:17:56 -0500

why is she a sgt in hte first place not being able to do the basics of a soldier. she doesnt deserve to wear the strips. this pvt dont know is long gone by e-5 shes supposed to lead by example. there is no excuse for this. she is a problem that has been let go unchecked. the command shoudl be ashamed of themselves to have any soldier unable to load a weapon then alone a sgt.

Response by PO1 Sean Nies made Jan 19 at 2018 9:12 PM

PO1 Sean Nies — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 21:12:58 -0500

A failure on her part is a failure on our part. Teach the expectation. Take the time to make her proficient. If she loves this country enough to sign on the dotted line, to put her life on the line? We as fellow soldiers and sailors need to make sure she is an asset on the battle field. Anything less is our failure, not hers.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 1:18 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 01:18:50 -0500

As a Sergeant, if I didn’t know how to load a mag I would feel like a disgrace, and that’s exactly what I would be. If you can’t support and defend the constitution against all enemies then you are useless to the armed forces, complete garbage and should be treated as such by means of taking out the trash. Get rid of them it’s disgusting.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Jan 20 at 2018 10:04 AM

1SG James Kelly — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 10:04:22 -0500

What magazine it's a belt fed machine gun?

Response by SCPO Gene Littig made Jan 20 at 2018 3:14 PM

SCPO Gene Littig — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 15:14:09 -0500

Who was the idiot that recommender her for SGT. to begin with. Rank is earned and not a given.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 4:29 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:29:06 -0500

I would laugh my ass off!!

Response by 1SG Carl Gray made Jan 20 at 2018 4:59 PM

1SG Carl Gray — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:59:23 -0500

Where is this magazine everyone is talking about?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 8:30 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 20:30:07 -0500

The point of this post is what?

Response by CPT Bruce Fleming made Jan 20 at 2018 9:20 PM

CPT Bruce Fleming — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 21:20:42 -0500

Um, are you talking about the female Spec 4? If you can't even tell rank, then STFU

Response by SFC James Beason made Jan 20 at 2018 10:54 PM

SFC James Beason — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 22:54:16 -0500

Would have taken off the line, and reintructed her as how to load the magazine, then have load about fifty of them , out of sight of lower ranks.

Response by SP5 Michael Jones made Jan 21 at 2018 12:25 AM

SP5 Michael Jones — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 00:25:54 -0500

be a team member and instruct hem or her on the proper way to load the magazine away from everyone. Remember they r still a NCO no matter what

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 1:03 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 01:03:21 -0500

I sat next to a Lt. Col. once who tried to load an M4 mag into an M9.

Response by MSG Bob Metz made Jan 21 at 2018 2:24 AM

MSG Bob Metz — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 02:24:45 -0500

This is the kind of crap that ticks me off. The Army and other services (the Marine Corps withstanding) all have service members that are not Gung Ho snuffies. But there are are plenty of John Wayne clones ready to say how they are going to clean up the Soldiers act...and in the process embarrass the individual and impair the individual’s confidence. Bad move and highly unprofessional.

Step back and take a breath and fall back on your leadership training and development as a mentor. Train the soldier - correct their deficiencies. Take note if there are others in the unit with the same or similar problems. Report these deficiencies and short comings to the Unit Commander and/or 1SGT or as part of an After Action bull session. This individual could very well be in every other respect; except this one mar...the Soldier’s Soldier. An expert and professional in every respect but weapons expertise.” Sufficient with an M-16A2, but never handled a SAW till now.

Do not tear the Soldier down...Build Him/Her up.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Jan 21 at 2018 7:04 AM

1SG Harold Piet — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 07:04:39 -0500

This is a lack of training by her supervisors, not her. If she is untrainable discharge her. For anyone to film it and post it on social media, is a low life thing to do. Personally I would rather have the soldier that needs training than the backstabber low life that filmed and posted it to social media. I can train her maybe, but his cowardly ways are a good indication of moral decay.

Response by SFC James Fintor made Jan 21 at 2018 9:12 AM

SFC James Fintor — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 09:12:23 -0500

Teach her

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 9:31 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 09:31:04 -0500

The Army has obviously failed this soldier.

Response by SP6 Joseph Siegel made Jan 21 at 2018 10:14 AM

SP6 Joseph Siegel — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 10:14:34 -0500

It does make me wonder what job this soldier had while earning the combat patch. We had a soldier come back from over a year deployed (I forget exactly how long) and was phenomenally overweight. For some MOS it appeared that basic military training was ignored over there.

Response by Sgt Scott McCleland made Jan 21 at 2018 11:51 AM

Sgt Scott McCleland — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 11:51:59 -0500

I was once going thru M16 training in the USAF to help augment the Security Police, while breaking the weapon I completely broke it down..the instructor came and asked how I knew that, I told him that I was prior Army Guard, and did Basic at Fort McClellan...he laughed and said please put it back....no excuse for being a Reservist or Guard member...Give her or anyone else the KIWI INJECTION.

Response by SSG Charlie Carlson made Jan 21 at 2018 11:54 AM

SSG Charlie Carlson — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 11:54:21 -0500

First off, this soldier--NCO would know how to operate her equipment. This is being technically and tactically proficient. Her leadership did not do their job. It is a shame. If I was safety I would pull her off the range and assign her to remedial training. I do not know the unit's METL but I am in the school of thought that all soldiers are soldiers and the M-16 or M-4 is your primary weapon. You learn this weapon in basic training and you get so familiar with it that you can take it apart and put together blind folded. This video depicted an NCO with a piss poor reason why she could not negotiate the damn magazine.

Response by SSG Gh Sebastian made Jan 21 at 2018 12:01 PM

SSG Gh Sebastian — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 12:01:02 -0500

Her whole chain of command failed. If you promote soldiers who cannot do basic soldier skills it is the leadership that failed. Not the soldier

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 8:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:51:10 -0500

You would be surprised how many soldiers are out there that do not know what many would consider basic. Under these circumstances patience is called for as fear of being made a fool of, could be part of the reason they never asked the correct question. Also unless you do something regularly it is easy to forget. So when the system fails, it is our responsibility to fix it. Did I tell you about my closing the top cover on an uncocked M-60? Thank goodness for my Tac Officer who was better than most.

Response by MSgt Michael Webster made Jan 21 at 2018 10:27 PM

MSgt Michael Webster — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:27:24 -0500

While it is shocking to know this I guess I would use a teaching moment. What MOS did she have? When I got to my active duty unit I had an assignment as new guy to be an aggressor to our field artillery units. The gave me the M-60 to fire blanks at but in loading it I could tell there was something wrong with the recoil spring. There was no tension that you should have when pulling the handle. I thought to myself this could not be true but then I was detailed to clean the M-60's off of the firing range in basic so I knew. As a new PFC they experienced SP4 and SGT did not believe me. They checked it for themselves only to find out my assessment was correct. I wondered how it was overlooked by the Battery Armorer. The good thing was I got to use my M-16 instead. So it is possible she never had the experience other than firing one in basic training. Be the better professional and provide remedial training.

Response by SGT Greg Gold made Jan 21 at 2018 10:28 PM

SGT Greg Gold — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:28:35 -0500

I have run into this numerous times in my career, but with all due deference to some of the SM's who needed help not everyone in every branch gets small arms training.

Now when it's your first sergeant who doesn't know how to adjust her sights, then the #$%& just got real. And yes, that really happened to me.

Response by SFC Theresa Moore made Jan 21 at 2018 11:46 PM

SFC Theresa Moore — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 23:46:21 -0500

Her unit let her down - I was a female reservist and medical unit besides. We took people who did not have familiarity and reviewed and made sure hey had a chance to refamiliarize themselves. It's not fair to judge if you don't have the opportunity to review.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 11:14 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:14:44 -0500

Square that SGT away just like a Private. Shit happens, chew that SGT and keep it moving.

Response by Cpl Terry Oliver made Jan 22 at 2018 12:22 PM

Cpl Terry Oliver — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:22:26 -0500

Incompetence should never be tolerated except for "boots" . SGTs duties include teaching new recruits. It is inexcusable that someone promoted to the rank of SGt. Is this dumb. Not only would I kick her off the range she would be demoted. Dumbing down the military for gender incompetence is ludicrous. You want equality then treat them equally

Response by PFC Richard Brown made Jan 22 at 2018 1:16 PM

PFC Richard Brown — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:16:50 -0500

Maybe it's different now, but when I was in basic Reserves and National Guard went through the same training I did. IMO there is no excuse for a SGT to not be able to load a magazine.

Response by Cpl Tommie Newton made Jan 22 at 2018 1:43 PM

Cpl Tommie Newton — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:43:09 -0500

I am a Range safety officer. And yeah I would have thrown her off he line. The Cheif is an ex sailor corpsman attached to Marines. He would have told her to go home get your head out of your ass and come back.

Response by SPC James Gromley made Jan 22 at 2018 6:30 PM

SPC James Gromley — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 18:30:45 -0500

She needs to be sent back and start over, it is a requirement of being a member of any military to know how to use your weapon. As for what I would do personally, hand her a unload weapon, point her in right direction and enjoy having a shield while I return fire.

Response by SPC John Leite made Jan 22 at 2018 8:45 PM

SPC John Leite — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 20:45:59 -0500

I enlisted in the Montana Army National guard right after my ETS from active duty in 1977, (decided that I wanted to drive a tank, with the 163rd Armored Cav. same goes for the Nevada Army National Guard,221st Armored Cav. which I joined in 1980, I was appalled at what I saw, guys that wore their insignias improperly, no rank insignia, long hair, wrinkled uniforms,scuffed up boots, I was shocked BUT when we were out on the range and in live fire exercises we put on one HELL of a show to the brass, so, not having been in active service is no excuse for not knowing what you're supposed to know and execute instantly without hesitation.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 22 at 2018 8:48 PM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 20:48:28 -0500

Holy cow. How do you mess something that simple up? I started out as a reservist but still. You go through Basic training and AIT and I'm sorry but some things you just DON'T forget. You just don't. We drilled once a month, usually the 3rd weekend and aside from annual training you could expect that during the year there were at least two occasions where you went into the field, one of which was qualifications with an M-16. How she got to be an E-5 is beyond me.

Response by CPO John Moore made Jan 22 at 2018 11:00 PM

CPO John Moore — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 23:00:48 -0500

First of all i don't see any mags with a fetl fed weapon. second some where down the line some failed in the training of this SGT. if she had weapon training then she should have been trained to load the mag. so it all goes back to the NCO's that was over here and her training. It would have took me about five minutes to train her how to load the mag or her ass would be sent off the line.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 11:30 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 11:30:50 -0500

I would recommend refresher training for BRM and ARM with IET soldiers and maybe ASAP because you got to be on drugs to not know how to load a magazine with that amount of rank on your chest.

Response by SSG Shawn McInturff made Jan 23 at 2018 11:43 AM

SSG Shawn McInturff — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 11:43:51 -0500

What ever happen to the Schooling system in the Army? To move up in rank you had to know your basic skills....

Response by Cpl Kurt Huber made Jan 23 at 2018 12:13 PM

Cpl Kurt Huber — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:13:12 -0500

That Sergrant would be doing Immediate Action Drills every second she was on duty.
That weapon would follow her everywhere, she'd be giving classes on that weapon to the Command Staff, she'd know EVERYTHING that there is to possible know about that weapon including a couple of weekends in the Armory breaking weapons down.
It would be Infantry Training 101 for this Sergeant.
If she didn't want to play along and learn about her T/O weapon?
All is good, she'd make a fine PFC or Specialist humping a radio.

Response by SGT David Berry made Jan 23 at 2018 4:03 PM

SGT David Berry — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:03:43 -0500

I would immediately give instruction and get them through the exercise safely. Then I would make them train and retrain to proficiency.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 8:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 20:19:13 -0500

Truth is this doesn't shock me with many Reservists. The go to the range once a year. Time is short so many times magazines are loaded and prepped in advance of a Soldier even arriving. Truth be told when was the last time your unit even questioned if Soldiers new this task. In 19 years, I have never sat in training on it. I learned watching others. Its not an excuse. But, should be a warning to all. Sometimes were thinking out of the box so often. we forget to insure everyone understands the basics.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 8:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 20:28:05 -0500

I'd most definitely report their ass if they were in a combat MOS and I'd try to transfer away from that life threatening bullshit. If they were admin or something similar to a candy ass job I would probably call them names and laugh at their ass. Sorry. That's just the way I am.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Jan 23 at 2018 9:43 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:43:44 -0500

Sp4 Byron From what I read this is not a case of poor training of an individual soldier, that can be corrected. Its a case of a female soldier who is taking advantage of the Army over looking standards that would apply to a male soldier and let her get away with playing the gender card. The only workable solution is another female soldier who take pride in her job and says in what ever language this "Sgt." may understand to bet her shit to gather or she may have some problems. Back in the day this issues would have been covered with a blanket part for the ingrate E-5' But those day are gone, in my opinion unfortunately. Only soldiers can square another soldier away, it is their six that this soldier will be covering and has nothing to do with gender opportunity or sexual discrimination or Sexual hurrasment.

Response by MSgt Brian Dady made Jan 23 at 2018 10:51 PM

MSgt Brian Dady — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 22:51:02 -0500

Yeah it sucks. But that's life. Saw a TSgt, yes I am chairforce ha ha, shove a mag in upside down once in contact. Put that weapon on the sidelines in short order Thank God for the Beretta. Poor choice posting the vid!

Response by LCpl Emanuel W. made Jan 24 at 2018 1:46 PM

LCpl Emanuel W. — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 13:46:23 -0500

I probably wouldn't let the Sgt fire a weapon until she can get the proper training. From learning the basics to loading a magazine to snapping in. While I was active, we had to qualify every year. We were detached for up to 2 weeks. The first week is PMI and snap in. The second week is firing on the range after zeroing the weapon.

Response by Cpl Robert Robertson made Jan 24 at 2018 2:46 PM

Cpl Robert Robertson — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 14:46:02 -0500

You simply not be a NCO in my Marine Corps if you lacked such a basic skill.I dont care what your MOS is

Response by SFC Charles Temm made Jan 24 at 2018 4:14 PM

SFC Charles Temm — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:14:37 -0500

Many centuries ago I was running a 9mm range for XVIII ABC in Bragg...typical mixed bag of rear echelon office pogs and line swine marking time to retirement or resting b4 they return to the fray...anyway I was the NCOIC and out on the firing line running my spiel. When I said prepare to lock and load, I hear a shot go off and look over to see a young officer looking quite pale for a black guy and a big hole by his boot.

I gave him the look for a moment, turned and finished up. Figured he'd get more out of the public embarrassment than any polite ass chewing I could give him.

No further incidents and after the firing was done, he came and apologized. The other NCOs just grinned as they left and the support kids I had (cooks/drivers/mechanics) w/me just thought that was the coolest thing. Interestingly, none of the other officers (inc some full birds) ever said anything or if they did, CofC thought I did the right thing.

Sometimes you need to know when to blow up and when not to. Your stated case here was one where I would have rolled my eyes and gave a bloc of instruction off to the side. NOW if I got a ration of shit from said "NCO" , I would have booted her. Otherwise it's just another chance to excel in an environment often full of such.

Response by Cpl Stephen Walker made Jan 24 at 2018 11:23 PM

Cpl Stephen Walker — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 23:23:28 -0500

Kick her in the ass and make her low crawl the entire range while shooting resumes.

Response by SSgt David Marks made Jan 25 at 2018 1:49 AM

SSgt David Marks — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 01:49:28 -0500

Well I know when I was in the service, I had to go through Air Base Ground Defense Training at Camp Bullish, in San Antonio, TX. We trained on various weapons, for some reason my instructors always gave me the M-60 Machine Gun. They taught me everything about the weapon, to include the proper way to clean it after I shot it. After training I never handled an M-60 again until 7 years later, where while doing Air Base Ground Defense training once again I came across an M-60 again. In the training class it turned out that I a little Sgt (E4) was the only one that knew the weapon. In the class were 2 SMSgt (E8) and 3 MSgt (E7).and none of them had ever handled an M-60. Anyway I ended up having to teach the class on the handling, dissembling, and reassembly and proper cleaning procedures. The point I'm making is if a fellow soldier doesn't know how to do something on a weapon, doing it tactfully AMD respectfully show them how to do it, because a little thing like loading a magazine can in a battle mean life or death for him or others. Good luck.

Response by PO2 Rich Pratt made Jan 25 at 2018 6:36 AM

PO2 Rich Pratt — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 06:36:02 -0500

I came out of the Navy an Electricians Mate 2nd class, On the sub I qualified on a 45 and a shotgun.

I joined the National Guard, suddenly I’m a SGT. They were surprised I didn’t know how to form up the company for lunch, but never considered the fact that the first time I saw an M-16 was when they gave it to me to clean. Luckily I was smart enough to figure things out and ask for help.

Response by COL Ed Mullin made Jan 25 at 2018 7:06 AM

COL Ed Mullin — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 07:06:59 -0500

I would train her. A sergeant is usually not in this situation because of personal misconduct. The more likely explanation is a systemic failure in the leadership, training and promotion process.

Response by SPC Darren Coffenberry made Jan 25 at 2018 8:50 AM

SPC Darren Coffenberry — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 08:50:54 -0500

No brass , no ammo, Drill Sgt.....hooah!!

Response by SP5 David Cox made Jan 25 at 2018 9:54 AM

SP5 David Cox — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 09:54:52 -0500

I'm unable to get the video, but the comments make the issue fairly clear. I think it is time for me to trot out my story about the only time I touched a weapon after Basic - yes, just once! Bear in mind, this was some time ago (78-82) and there weren't any of the major things going on like today. I was assigned to a MACOM - Army Communications Command - and we were attached to a small HQ Co. on post - Ft. Huachuca. There were about 12 people assigned to that company, and about 250 people attached to it. At some point, someone decided we needed to do a weapons familiarization. We had no arms of our own, so arrangements were made to borrow M-16s from somebody. On the day off, we were out at the range - arrived in our POVs as no transportation was provided - and even to a young troop like me, it was obvious that this was a CF. I don't recall any sort of briefing at all, and there was certainly no refresher training offered. I got handed a rifle and a 10 round clip. The only targets were the farthest out - 300 yds? - and they were locked up. We didn't zero our weapons and nobody spotted for us. At this point it had been a couple of years since Basic, and this was the first time I had touched a weapon since then. I managed to get the clip in, and after some fumbling, remembered about the charging handle. I tried a couple of aimed shots, but with no spotter and the targets locked up, realized I had no idea where my rounds were going. At that point, I did what everyone else was doing - put the lever in full-auto mode and sent the rest of the clip downrange somewhere. All done! The topper to this sad story is that I then got detailed to go to that other unit's armory and help clean weapons as part of the deal for our borrowing of them. When I got there somebody tried to hand me an M-60. I looked at it and said "what do I do with this?" "Clean it!" "How?" I had to explain that I had never seen one before, never touched one before. (I went through Basic at Ft. Leonard Wood during the blizzard of 78 - had pneumonia several times, and consequently missed the machine gun and LAW demonstrations) One they determined that I wasn't shamming, I ended up getting dismissed from the detail. That was the last time I touched a weapon during my 4 years of active duty. So, I feel some sympathy for the subject of the video.

Response by SPC Larry Armstrong made Jan 25 at 2018 10:39 AM

SPC Larry Armstrong — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:39:40 -0500

I would have a team member work with the Sgt, knowing if you don't keep your training up, you will forget what to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 12:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:00:15 -0500

Not being active should not make any difference, Reserve Units are supposed to qualify I believe 2 times per year, now one of those may be on the EST system if they haven't changed any thing. So unless her unit is not following training doctrine what is her excuses.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 12:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:03:25 -0500

Remedial training. A lot of national guard people only even see their weapon once a year, and when they do the magazines are pre-loaded. It's lame, but a big part of the problem is that there just isn't enough time in the day for guard and reserve to accomplish all the required training. Marksmenship is pushed out by things like Environmental Briefs, and other stuff.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 25 at 2018 4:36 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:36:32 -0500

Two thoughts, treat them like the village idiot, or get someone to show them or even do it your self. I confess, if you asked me about certain software programs, I would go to a Private for advice. As they are brought up in this. Now if he got cockey, I would have drive an old M35A2 manual shifting, no power anything, with a water buffalo and ask him to park the buffalo on line. FYI that is not punishment, well maybe not.

Response by SPC Kim Case made Jan 25 at 2018 6:42 PM

SPC Kim Case — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 18:42:50 -0500

An NCO who spends more time behind a desk than knowing how to load a magazine, should be required to spend some time on a range until she got it corrected.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Jan 25 at 2018 7:32 PM

SFC Jerry Humphries — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 19:32:27 -0500

Ohhhhh, say it isn’t so!
Her and her entire NCO support channel are in need of a CSM Plumley.

Response by MAJ Lawrence Lauck made Jan 25 at 2018 7:32 PM

MAJ Lawrence Lauck — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 19:32:44 -0500

I do not understand the picture or comments. What magazine, on a mg, all I see is a loader or spotter on a mg range??? Are they talking about a different picture?

Response by SGT Carmine Costello made Jan 25 at 2018 9:01 PM

SGT Carmine Costello — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 21:01:45 -0500

Personally I don't think we should post this stuff on the internet, although I did get a chuckle... Absolutely not making excuses for her, an NCO should be held accountable for knowing something as basic as loading a weapon. But I put more blame on her leadership for not knowing the capabilities of their Soldiers. I'd like to see her NCOIC or 1SG on video explaining how she was not properly trained or tested.

Response by LTC John Bush made Jan 26 at 2018 11:55 AM

LTC John Bush — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:55:10 -0500

Training failure which indicates other training failures so off the range until confirmed soldier has necessary training to be safe.

Response by CSM John Mead made Jan 26 at 2018 12:15 PM

CSM John Mead — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 12:15:32 -0500

Active duty, reserve, or National Guard all share one thing in common, all go through the same basic training and AIT. She would have learned how to load a magazine in basic. For a lame response as the one she had, would have landed her in hot water with me. As for a previous comment, wasn't PMI conducted prior to the range?

Response by SGT Thomas Gorgas made Jan 26 at 2018 4:18 PM

SGT Thomas Gorgas — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 16:18:56 -0500

If she was on a range that I was running, she would un-ass my range, ringht now, and not come back until she had proper PMI, no ifs, ands or buts.

Response by CPO Jerry Lawrence made Jan 26 at 2018 9:24 PM

CPO Jerry Lawrence — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 21:24:49 -0500

About a week or two before the start of the Iraq War (Feb/Mar 2003), I was teaching classes on how to clear a 9mil and how to put on MOPP gear. It does not surprise me that this is the case when talking about Reservists, depending on their Rate/MOS.

Response by SGT Scott Gregory "Greg" Spell made Jan 26 at 2018 11:09 PM

SGT Scott Gregory "Greg" Spell — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 23:09:37 -0500

This would be my response to her. "Get the Hell off my line until you learn what you're supposed to be doing out here!"

Response by SGT Keith Leon made Jan 27 at 2018 12:24 PM

SGT Keith Leon — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 12:24:07 -0500

I am shocked by the response of all these officerS and senior enlisted. Granted, I served at a different time (Vietnam) but to have a Sgt that doesn't know how to load a magazine???? That person is a danger to herself and all those around her! I am literally stunned at the excuses made for her. Times sure have changed! I believe that poor training, lax attitude and the concern for sensitivity is a major component of increase of suicide in solders. I served with the infantry (LRRP) in Vietnam. Solders that were not well trained, disciplined and mentally prepared did not fair well. The concern that I am reading about embarrassing the Sgt and minimizing the seriousness of what happened is inexcusable. To hear this coming from senior officers and senior NCOs? The enemy could care less about your sensitivity.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Jan 28 at 2018 10:04 AM

1SG Patrick Sims — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 10:04:46 -0500

I don't consider it professional conduct to rag on the Guard or Reserve. that having been said, I find it hard to believe she went through basic without knowing how to load a magazine. There has to be something more going on here

Response by CWO4 Tim Hecht made Jan 29 at 2018 12:28 PM

CWO4 Tim Hecht — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 12:28:31 -0500

What's the old adage? Praise in public, punish in private! Although as a old retired "Puddle Pirate" who knows how to load, even loading and firing a Ma Deuce. By the time someone reaches the rank of Sergeant they should know the basics; however not knowing her MOS, job, or training - I'd cut her some (not a lot though) slack; then see the next paragraph. I know that in Basic (I was in Navy Boot Camp) we were exposed to the M1 Garand then sent to the range to shoot. Somehow Sarge either forgot what she learned in Basic or she really didn't know how to load a magazine.

I'd pull her off to the side, ask her if she is sure she knows how to load a magazine, then show her. I would also ensure that she fully understands that range safety is paramount...

Response by SFC Malcolm Haugen made Jan 29 at 2018 11:42 PM

SFC Malcolm Haugen — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 23:42:31 -0500

Remedial training. My question is “How the hell did she get promoted”? How did she make it out of basic? This in my days was failure to progress which can stall promotions. Did this individual go through PLC/PLDC? This is a poor excuse from the 1SG down to the squad leader. If this individual is in any type of leadership position, I think as a first shirt, it’s time to put someone else in that leadership role. Maybe assign a mentor trainer. There is a solution an$ it’s up to fellow NCOs to not allow this NCO to fail. This is especially important within the NCO leadership.

Response by MSgt Lawrence Freeman made Jan 30 at 2018 1:03 AM

MSgt Lawrence Freeman — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 01:03:44 -0500

Show him how to do it correctly and move on.

Response by SSgt Craig Danielson made Jan 30 at 2018 1:23 AM

SSgt Craig Danielson — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 01:23:33 -0500

Send his ass back to boot camp, or send him to the Navy where he won't be around firearms.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2018 2:23 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 02:23:43 -0500

While this is humiliating to the Corps of NonCommisioned Officers,it is the unit that needs to be examined.

I am currently apart of a detachment, this being said, for the most part we play by big boy and girl rules such as; mission above all else. We are short manned and overworked, this training in basic soldier skills is pushed to the side to ensure we can accomplish our mission. But, we do not EVER miss the opportunity to train each and every soldier under us in what is at least a basic requirement for service

Response by SGT Larry Stacey made Jan 30 at 2018 10:40 AM

SGT Larry Stacey — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:40:17 -0500

FORGIVE ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT ISN'T THAT THE NEW "SAW" MACHINE GUN? IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S AN AMMO BELT HANGING DOWN AND ISN'T THAT A MALE FIRING THE WEAPON, WITH A FEMALE ON HIS LEFT? UNLESS I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG PIC. AND I CAN'T SEE A COMBAT PATCH ON EITHER SOLDIER.

Response by SGT Marc Gatliff made Jan 30 at 2018 1:35 PM

SGT Marc Gatliff — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 13:35:54 -0500

how in the hell did she become an no, matter of fact how did bergdahl become on when he deserted as a spec, you go to a board

Response by SSG Jim McCarthy made Jan 30 at 2018 3:41 PM

SSG Jim McCarthy — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 15:41:32 -0500

NCOs lead from the front guard or active. Most reserve units has annual weapons qual. Not only would she be off the line. Other NCOs need to give her remedial training. SSG (Ret.) A.J. McCarthy

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Jan 30 at 2018 7:04 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 19:04:59 -0500

to me that may or may not be a reflection of the good SGT. If the SGT cant load because she is having a hard time with it, train her ass off. Train her every available opportunity.

If the unit, i.e. platoon/company just dont have time to train because they are too busy typing stuff or cleaning offices, that is no go and a much deeper problem. When the company or platoon leadership should have random people in the unit give training that is outside their expertise. There are a million reasons that could have happened. The important part is the leadership should help make the soldier as complete as possible. I could write volumes about this but I will not bore yall, however, if yall want to discuss it over a beer or a whiskey come on over.

Response by SrA Rex Brown made Jan 31 at 2018 7:10 AM

SrA Rex Brown — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 07:10:06 -0500

When did they military become a "me" society? When I was in you helped your fellow soldier learn so the whole unit flourished. It seems like whoever took this video and posted it to social media is just being an asshole and trying to cause problems. Maybe that person should be knocked down a peg or two. The strength of a unit doesn't rest on the one weak or strong spot, it rests on the whole. To become a strong whole unit you have to help one another and not tear each other down. So she didn't know how to load a magazine? then teach her. That is the only way to learn. There isn't a single person out there that came shooting out the birth canal with all the knowledge to know how to do everything. As far as having a combat patch well I know someone that made it as far as Germany, broke their leg, sat in Germany for 2 months, was sent back to the U.S. Never saw any combat with their unit and still got combat patch because the whole unit got one.

Response by SP5 Terry Harper made Jan 31 at 2018 9:43 AM

SP5 Terry Harper — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 09:43:10 -0500

This is one of those moments you pull the Sgt aside and give some training discreetly. Such as " dumbass the fuckin clip goes in like this or you can just throw it at the Target!" Had to have a few loving chats with a couple of my pilots when I was crewing on Huey's. But I would never put it on public display, that's bullshit and does no one any good.

Response by SFC Ken Thompson made Jan 31 at 2018 10:28 AM

SFC Ken Thompson — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:28:33 -0500

Sadly I had to train more then one officer and multiple troops how. It should be extremely embarrassing when your medic knows more about your rifle or machine gun then you

Response by SFC Paul R Ecker made Jan 31 at 2018 10:38 AM

SFC Paul R Ecker — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:38:34 -0500

Get that NCO up to speed ASAP if not sooner. Privates expect their NCO’s to know these MOS skills
SFC Ecker USANG (Ret)

Response by SFC Louise Wong made Feb 1 at 2018 8:09 AM

SFC Louise Wong — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:09:13 -0500

They don't teach you to field strip, breakdown and reassemble your weapons?

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Feb 1 at 2018 2:42 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 14:42:19 -0500

If I was their supervisor, I would immediately provide OJT. I then would have made sure those under her were also capable of loading a magazine. I would then hold an individual counseling session to find out what else she us not aware of that an NCO should be aware of and be prepared to provide additional training.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made Feb 1 at 2018 4:48 PM

CPT Don Kemp — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:48:06 -0500

We were on an evaluated exercise at Baumholder while I was Anti-Tank Platoon Leander. I had 3 SSG’s, each leading a group of 6 ITV’s. I got word that one of the E-6’s was blocking traffic in one of the local towns. He was kneeling in the middle of the intersection of 2 highways, map spread out on the ground, trying to orient the map. I really liked the guy but had to relieve him. Demonstrated incompetence in front of the troops never ends well.

Response by MSG Walter Rogers made Feb 1 at 2018 8:57 PM

MSG Walter Rogers — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 20:57:54 -0500

I think I know how she got promoted, durning Speical favors to her Command

Response by MSG Keith Folger made Feb 1 at 2018 10:17 PM

MSG Keith Folger — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 22:17:00 -0500

The problem is rampant. Years ago the Army took away specialist ranks and gave everyone “hard stripes”. This led to “you better know what your job is” but didn’t help teach anyone how. Ineffective leaders say “you should already know this based on your rank”. How? Through osmosis? The Army opened up this can of worms to save money and unfortunately not everyone’s career path teaches them to be a leader. Reservists have a total of 76 days of duty (after their initial entry training) and they’re eligible for sergeant. (2 years consisting of one weekend per month and 2 weeks summer). The system is screwed up and everyone likes to be self righteous rather than honest. Now let’s talk about the joke that’s the counseling system. Let me come inspect your counseling checklists and see if they’re initialed like they’re supposed to be. Those who do are the one percenters. The horse shit about writing your own ncoer is alive and well throughout the reserves. Once a year we all sit down and have an ncoer party. Guess what happens when you ask for your counseling? You’re told “so you want to play hardball”. God help if an nco tries to ask the IG for help if their chain violates the counseling regs. The IG doesn’t deal with that particular violation because there is a “built in” redress process. It’s a bunch of selectively enforced toilet paper. So if a sergeant can’t load a magazine it damn sure isn’t their fault. They’re actually a spec 5 and can’t help it the Army said “you better do it or else because we overtasked you in the name of other duties as assigned”.

Response by Robert Baker made Feb 1 at 2018 10:57 PM

Robert Baker — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 22:57:58 -0500

Send her ads to the rear, and write for being unsafe on the line.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 2:06 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 14:06:19 -0500

Inexcusable. C'mon, Army.

Response by SGT Kenneth Stelly made Feb 2 at 2018 7:40 PM

SGT Kenneth Stelly — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:40:48 -0500

Please don't ask me what I would do....

Response by SGT Kenneth Stelly made Feb 2 at 2018 7:45 PM

SGT Kenneth Stelly — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:45:01 -0500

Video doesn't exist, where is the video?

Response by SGT Jon Creager made Feb 2 at 2018 9:31 PM

SGT Jon Creager — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 21:31:02 -0500

So you would reduce her in rank because of your failure to ensure proper training? What a screwed up leader you are. YOu do your best to ensure Esp de Corp. not especially demote. Junior leaders such as you capt. are why good soldiers leave the military.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 10:26 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:26:38 -0500

CPT Pedre,

I would understand your frustration but if you were the commander of the soldier and trying to demote him or her for her lack of knowledge at a E5 or E6 level I can tell you that would be above your grade and the shit storm you would cause for yourself for lack of supervising and ensuring that your safety office and Safety NCO did their job to ensure that the lane safeties knew their jobs. I would guess you would be getting a good ole ass chewing for the job you Didn't do. Granted if this was a NCO he or she should have brought up the fact that he or she is not familiar with that weapon. All in all it would have been your fault for this situation.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Feb 3 at 2018 12:34 AM

SSG Gregg Mourizen — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 00:34:58 -0500

As usual, I would pull him aside and show him how to do it correctly. If he gave me attitude, I would then leave it to him to unf—- himself. I even had to help fix a brigade or battalion commander a couple of times during an open ranks inspection. I don’t know if those following them ever caught on, or even if the guys left, right front or back noticed. I will say that all three commanders subtly cleaned the shaving cream off their faces. I will always wonder, how the senior NCOs would let him in front of the troops that way...at least three different times in different units. Knowing he was going to give an inspection, you would think would inspect the commander.

Response by SSgt David Baker made Feb 3 at 2018 9:52 AM

SSgt David Baker — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 09:52:56 -0500

If she did not have the knowledge necessary is not a reflection on her but on whoever trained her. Repetition is where knowledge is passed on. The more we sweat in Peace the less we bleed in war.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 1:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 13:26:54 -0500

Kick them off my range. Find out who was in charge of PMI and get about knee deep in their ass

Response by LCpl Joelene Hornback Kurtz made Feb 3 at 2018 2:29 PM

LCpl Joelene Hornback Kurtz — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 14:29:06 -0500

In the Marines we don't have that problem! Every Marine's a rifleman . We all know how to handle a weapon

Response by LCDR Arthur Whittum made Feb 3 at 2018 9:35 PM

LCDR Arthur Whittum — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 21:35:47 -0500

Take him/her aside and do a quick training session. I'm retired from the Coast Guard (1979), but I can remember getting a seat on the CGHQ pistol team in the late '60s - That got me training on .22 and .45 caliber pistols before I ever got to live fire. And lots of magazine loading time during preps for "2700" matches.

Response by SrA Dan Frady made Feb 4 at 2018 10:36 AM

SrA Dan Frady — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 10:36:25 -0500

Teach her how to load one amd give her lots of practice.

Response by SPC Dejan Smaic made Feb 4 at 2018 11:35 AM

SPC Dejan Smaic — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 11:35:07 -0500

I would have looked closely at her unit.

Response by SFC Casimir Vital made Feb 4 at 2018 8:10 PM

SFC Casimir Vital — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 20:10:01 -0500

First, I would break a size 12 off in the fourth point of contact of the person that filmed and posted it.
I would want to know if you saw something going wrong why were you not correcting it instead of just trying to humiliate another soldier and get some likes. I have not seen the video and do not want to see it if we have come to the point of entertaining ourselves with peer, superior, and or subordinate failures.

Response by SPC Danny Hahn made Feb 5 at 2018 9:10 AM

SPC Danny Hahn — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:10:58 -0500

How does someone reach the rank of Sargent without knowing how to load a magazine? The Army sure has changed since i was in.

Response by SCPO Larry Knight Sr. made Feb 5 at 2018 12:49 PM

SCPO Larry Knight Sr. — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 12:49:53 -0500

I concur this should not be something to share with social media outlets. This is what is conducted off the firing line/range in a professional manner . We're not leaders in ridicule, we're bound by a different code which emphasizes the necessity for constant battle readiness training with unparralled safety standards both on and range etc. It's just like whenever you have to reprimand a subordinate, it's handled in the appropriate place not for a group to witness. I stand firm on the platform of practice/ repetativeness is paramount in all area's of training. Especially when we're resertifing on the range, this erases doubt of wether or not you qualify ! Prior deployment readiness training is essential for ensuring that the command is ready to meet any and all challenges... I distinctly recall when we had reservists or as they were sometimes referred to as (weekend warriors) , the necessity for indoctrination of forces afloat training scenarios and every day life of active duty life on deployment. This ensures not only basics but also advanced technology/training before they return to the reserve center's/home. It will also enhance their advancement chances..

Response by GySgt Mark Devlin made Feb 5 at 2018 3:36 PM

GySgt Mark Devlin — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:36:54 -0500

First off if you’re talking about the photo of the Female Soldier sitting Indian Style on the firing line she’s a SPC, not a SGT. Second the weapon is a Belt Fed Weapon, no magazine involved!

Response by CPO Charlie Kessler made Feb 5 at 2018 11:20 PM

CPO Charlie Kessler — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:20:31 -0500

Training. A lot of us get past basic stuff without learning it, don't we? Especially in this age of "get it done yesterday". I didn't see the video but it doesn't matter. I would make sure she got trained up. Then I would take a little time finding out what else she may or may not know. It may be her fault, but it might not be. I might also contact her GYSGT or equivalent and find out why. He/she might be interested to know. Short story, her training is lacking and it needs to get up to speed so we can win and somebody doesn't die unnecessarily.

Response by SGT Tj Casiano made Feb 6 at 2018 2:59 AM

SGT Tj Casiano — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 02:59:35 -0500

If she didn't know how to load a magazine, she should have asked one of her buddies first to avoid being humiliated like that. That's what I would have done at least. If I still had trouble, I would have talked to another NCO. I certainly wouldn't talk to a junior enlisted about the trouble I'm having loading a weapon.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 3:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 03:29:59 -0500

Refer them for a medical evaluation. I cannot imagine that someone could have been promoted to SGT without knowing this.

Response by TSgt Don Armstrong made Feb 6 at 2018 8:12 AM

TSgt Don Armstrong — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 08:12:40 -0500

I used to evaluate national guard and reservist units while on active duty. In most of them we found training to be poor. If it was me in this situation, I would have trained her on the spot and continued with the mission I was tasked.

Response by PFC Joshua Carlson made Feb 6 at 2018 12:42 PM

PFC Joshua Carlson — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:42:06 -0500

I remember working at OCS, Fort Benning, GA and a female candidate was wearing her helmet on backwards and the day to clean weapons she came up to me and gave me her weapon and it was filthy, I was like this isn't clean and she was like you're suppose to clean it, I was like excuse me where's your battle buddy and I asked her battle buddy who's suppose to clean weapons her battle we are and this candidate said during basic training that the drill sergeants cleaned their weapons. I was like looks like you're learning today. She became an officer. Crazy huh.

Response by SGT Frank Allen made Feb 6 at 2018 11:13 PM

SGT Frank Allen — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 23:13:32 -0500

Some personnel bring more worth to the Army being technically proficient instead of being "strack" . . .

I was a Cavalry Scout (19D) for two years before I was offered to change my MOS to an Executive Admin Assistant (71C). After AIT, I was tapped to go straight to Washington DC where I replaced a civilian Executive Assistant for a general officer. Because I had a little solider bearing, I was pushed before solider boards to represent our organization in the MDW and compete with the historic winners, the Old Guard. So I built a reputation as being a solider.

When I became a SGT, in 1985, there were three SP5s that were Computer Programmers (74F) locked away in the Computer Room and worked for a civilian and had no military in their immediate chain of command. They were ragged and no had military bearing; but they were the very best in their fields and had been there for five years and were allowed to stay because they were the best. They did not care about being promoted or reassigned. They were thrilled to work on those huge computers without restraint. Because they were simply the best (back in the days of FORTRAN) at what they did, everyone was happy to have them and they were happy to be there. They would come in late, but stay and work 10-15 hours and somedays all day and night simply because they loved their work. I saw this in other DC Organizations and evening the Middle EasT, especially among the guys that worked at the embassy communications centers.

They could not solider and the Army had just began to require all Soldiers to stand the SQT ( basic soldier Skills Qualification Test) and I had to make sure they passed. I begin to push them too hard and the SGM told me, "Son, these boys are worth more to the Army locked down in the Computer Room than on a rifle range, or a bivouac. I do not care if they max the SQT or qualify as Experts with their weapon, I just want them to pass, so that I can keep them in the computer room. That I needed to make sure they met the Army's mandates so that they could continue to work their magic in the computer room.

I said all of that to sa that sometime, soldiering soldiers expect too much from technicians that happen to be solders. And bring more worth to the Army as technician than they do a solider. In the next year or two all three of those boys had ETSed out of the Army and their position became GS-11-13 (beginning at 11 and in a year they skipped 12 to become a GS-13.

Response by TSgt Johnnie Keller made Feb 7 at 2018 6:37 AM

TSgt Johnnie Keller — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 06:37:30 -0500

I would have pulled her of the firing line and reported her to the Range NCOIC as unsafe and in need of immediate retraining. I spent 11 years in the Regular Army before leaving and then going into the Air Force. Back in the late 80's just before Desert Shield/Storm, we were (Infantry Unit by the way) were asked to help an Admin Bn train their unit in site defense, fighting positions and range cards. I was just a young SGT E-5 at the time and had a confrontation with an MSG E-8 who told me that he and his people didn't need to learn this "crap" because they were reservist who will never have to worry about this. I recall hearing later in my life that many units in that command had been deployed in support of Desert Shield/Storm and have also been sent over in support of the war on terror. I hope that mentality that the MSG had back in the 80's was gone. All of the services need to ground (from day one) into the minds of their people that everyone is a member of the armed forces and a rifleman first, just like the Marines do. My son was a helicopter mechanic in the Marines, but had to go through a short version of Infantry training before he went off to his "A" school.

Response by SPC Doug Binder made Feb 7 at 2018 10:26 AM

SPC Doug Binder — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:26:12 -0500

Whether they are within your chain of command or not, you dont disrespect your superiors, PERIOD. I was a 11B, and when I was a specialist, I was at a firing range in Kuwait, waiting to kick off my tour in Iraq in 06. There was a SGM there who was a cook or something, and he asked me how to adjust elevation on his M4. Should a Sergeant Major, regardless of MOS, know how to zero his rifle? You’re damn right he should. On the inside, i was pretty upset that someone with 20+ years in the military couldnt perform the most basic military task. But he was a Sergeant Major, and I was a specialist so he deserved my respect. I explained the functions of his windage and elevation respectfully. To do otherwise would only have shown my own lack of training and discipline which wokld have only served only to reflect poorly on my unit and my own leadership. Instead of trying to feel like a billy-badass telling a SGM whats up, I set the standard by being a good soldier that showed knowledge and discipline and one who respects chain of command and rank. I would act the same if it was a man or woman.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2018 4:20 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 16:20:59 -0500

Well my first reaction was "WTH", but then took a deep breath and remember why we are NCO's, it's our job to "Train" soldiers. This soldier had not been properly trained, you take her off the range, and train her, and if you don't have the skill you find someone who does...none of us know everything, and can always either use initial, sustainment or refresher training...teach the soldier, so someday that NCO can teach another.

Response by SGT Lisa Fields made Feb 7 at 2018 6:36 PM

SGT Lisa Fields — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:36:09 -0500

You can't fix stupid if you don't do the bare min. BRM and pm I no excuses for a unit reserve or not hitting a range this ate up. Leadership failure.

Response by SP5 Howard Moore made Feb 7 at 2018 11:50 PM

SP5 Howard Moore — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:50:48 -0500

show them how

Response by PO3 David Davis made Feb 8 at 2018 7:34 AM

PO3 David Davis — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 07:34:17 -0500

I ask myself other person became a sergeant

Response by Gina Rodriguez made Feb 8 at 2018 9:44 AM

Gina Rodriguez — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 09:44:45 -0500

I think it falls onto the leadership. They need to get things more squared away and see to it quickly.

Response by SPC George Osbun made Feb 8 at 2018 9:58 AM

SPC George Osbun — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 09:58:42 -0500

Let's be fair, I was an 11C and only fired an M60 once. I don't remember ever training with it, the 11B's did that. We were in the same Co. I wouldn't expect an 11B to know how to fire a mortar. Now if this were an M16, that would be different.

Response by Capt Hansel Bumgarner made Feb 8 at 2018 12:20 PM

Capt Hansel Bumgarner — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 12:20:24 -0500

First I would have to ask “Really ?”

Then as the INSTRUCTOR, I or another capable individual would try to correct what has obviously been a huge hole in the soldier’s training. Follow that with a lot a very close supervision and further instruction as needed.

Almost everything we do outside actual combat is training for actual combat. It is our job to train. When in the instructor’s job, we often are saddled with people who are not nearly as competent or well trained as they should be. All too often, this is no fault of the individual, but the fault of those behind them that just kicked the can down the road for various reasons. That’s where we step in and see what we can do to correct the situation. We don’t always get the Soldiers/Marines/Airman/Sailors that we want. It’s up to the leaders to make them into what we need, to fit the mission and become part of your team.

During WW2, they were throwing Marines into combat so fast at the end of the war, they didn’t even know how to unpack a grenade from its canister. They would open the can, demove the grenade, pull the pin and throw it , leaving the safety clip and cardboard safety collar still on it. The Japanese would then finish taking off the safety devices and throw it back. Very thoughtful of them.

At the beginning of the Korean War, they shipped regular Marines and Reservists over together. Back then, the Reservists had little to no boot camp training. They didn’t know how to break down weapons and could barely load and fire their rifles much less machine guns. The Regulars at first treated then with disdain. The older veterans told them “you are going to be fighting shoulder to shoulder with these guys in about 20 days. You have until then to get them ready.

Coming across people with gaps in their training is still all too common. We hate to see it when they show up in our group as they take up a great deal of our time to bring them up to speed. This takes away from the time you would otherwise spend on others. We have all had to do it, we all hate it. But it is what it is.

Pulling the soldier off the line and out of the group doesn’t correct her problem. It only kicks the can down the road for someone else to correct and hope that they don’t find themselves in a forward operating base in some sandbox before then.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 8:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:56:20 -0500

I can't see the video. Is she unable to load the actual rounds into the magazine, or the magazine into her rifle? Because, in her defense, I was NEVER taught how to load ammo into a magazine in basic training, I was in the Army for 6 years (Active duty AND Reserve) before I ever loaded ammo into a magazine. And at my discharge after 10 years in the Army, I STILL couldn't load the ammo individually by hand, I had to use the rapid loader (when I tried to load individual rounds, as I tried to push them in, they'd twist).

Response by SSG Dennis Saryerwinnie made Feb 9 at 2018 6:12 AM

SSG Dennis Saryerwinnie — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 06:12:41 -0500

The pic on your post won't allow me watch the video.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 1:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:56:51 -0500

I would teach them how to read...

Response by CSM Larry Allen made Feb 9 at 2018 9:57 PM

CSM Larry Allen — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 21:57:36 -0500

I would pull them off to the side and we would practice the basics and fundementals of weapons handling. Load, unload and clearing a weapon until they could do it proficiently.

Response by PFC Jeffrey Hagan made Feb 11 at 2018 10:54 AM

PFC Jeffrey Hagan — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:54:37 -0500

How could the person get to the rank of Sgt. with our firing a rifle. Had to have had basic training

Response by SGT Mickey Sochor made Feb 12 at 2018 8:45 AM

SGT Mickey Sochor — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 08:45:00 -0500

Re-train her. Simple. Obviously no body showed her how to:do it.

Response by SSgt Lester Bell made Feb 12 at 2018 9:23 PM

SSgt Lester Bell — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:23:14 -0500

looks to me that is a beltfed weapon. I watched the news back when Srmy Units first landed at an airport in Iraq with no loaded mags most of those troops had big problems loading up, even with stripper clips.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 11:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 23:23:26 -0500

Take apart the weapon ten times and do magazine transitions twenty times.....that is UNSAT....Soldiers today do not have the Warrior mindset....Basic Soldiering skills must be reinforced from the 11B to the 42A....I had 68Ws that could Shoot-Move-Communicate just as well as my ground pounders....leaders lead by example.....

Response by SPC Rick Magnone made Feb 12 at 2018 11:37 PM

SPC Rick Magnone — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 23:37:24 -0500

Black Flag, recycle, this is just unacceptable no matter what the rank. Not only seeing the vid witch should have not been made public, seeing stuff like this just pisses me off to High Heaven. We are Professional soldiers and should be viewed by the public as such.

Response by SSgt Kenneth Jones made Feb 13 at 2018 3:44 AM

SSgt Kenneth Jones — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 03:44:36 -0500

She was supposedly qualified with that weapon, even as a reservist.....and that means she was supposed to be knowlegeable about the nomenclature and function of every part. I wouldn't have let her anywhere near it unless I was sure she was thoroughly familiar with it.

Response by SSG Robel Morgan made Feb 13 at 2018 2:40 PM

SSG Robel Morgan — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:40:06 -0500

You can't always blame to Soldier for their short comings. Case being I was a 88M SSG got PCS'ed to Germany. Low and behold I never been in a unit with a truck and trailer. Needless to say I had privates actually helping me out because the first 8 to 10 years of my military career I we in support units. And to be honest there is no perfect Soldier. Reducing her in rank is not the answer. Maybe had the unit did some training prior to this she would have done better.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 5:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 17:16:19 -0500

After watching this video, it shows how poor management and leadership of her unit has; I'm willing to bet the unit decided to go do their qual and didn't even bother to make sure everyone received PMI prior to execution..sad sad day!

Response by PFC Stephan Ellis made Feb 13 at 2018 9:16 PM

PFC Stephan Ellis — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 21:16:19 -0500

Whose baby making apparatus did she fraternize with at the board?
How did she get through BNOC if she couldn't make use of her weapon?...
So many questions... I'm running out of scalp to scratch!

Response by CW4 Donald O'Connor made Feb 14 at 2018 1:30 PM

CW4 Donald O'Connor — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 13:30:23 -0500

First off I would let her know up front that regardless of her daily status today she is active and than I would do what any good leader would do, Train her. In the 20 some odd years active duty I have trained and been trained.

Response by SGT Sean Brennan made Feb 15 at 2018 9:35 AM

SGT Sean Brennan — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 09:35:29 -0500

Units fault. If she didn’t know how to use her weapon, senior leadership failed this Sergeant. I would have done my best to retrain her as well.

Response by SSG Tim Thornton made Feb 15 at 2018 10:43 AM

SSG Tim Thornton — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:43:57 -0500

My first question is, "What team do we play for"? I played for the U.S. and all Military personnel within it. If someone above me didn't know how to do something, I would show them and move on. Not talk about how a soldier didn't know it. If you gave out instructions first on how and what to do and they still didn't know, then the question becomes, "did you read and practice the material you were given"? I remember coming back to the military after being out for almost ten years. I was a Specialist and had 13 years of service. When I left, we never had backpacks with frames, just a backpack with two straps that went over your shoulders. When I went to a formal school for my MOS, we were issued gear for the field which included a backpack and a frame that were separate. I didn't know how to put them together correctly. An E1, Pvt, came over to me and showed me how to do it. Was I a little embarrassed, yes, but very great full to them for showing me and teaching me something. I never forgot and later on, showed the Pvt some tricks to keep ribbons from having dimples behind them for their inspection. We all have strengths and weaknesses and we don't always get instruction on things that we may not have done in a long time. WE ARE THE SAME TEAM though and to teach and learn from each other only makes us stronger and puts us back down to earth when it's needed.

Response by SSG James Pearson made Feb 15 at 2018 2:26 PM

SSG James Pearson — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:26:29 -0500

She may be in an MOS and position that sees so little range time that her skills have gotten rusty. As another NCO, I'd take her aside for a quick training, have her load a few to make sure she's got it, and continue to train.
Later, a handful of dummy rounds, a few old stripper clips, and you do a little hip pocket training with the rest of the squad in case anyone else doesn't know how and won't admit it.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Feb 15 at 2018 2:55 PM

MAJ Bill Maynard — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:55:17 -0500

Take out my knife and cut off their stripes! Oh wait, it's velcro so just yank it off!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 2:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:59:28 -0500

First I would pull the NCO off of the line. Next I would have a session or corrective training and then have the NCO lead sessions of corrective training in front of the NCO that instructed the corrective training. I would then have the NCO assist in the ammo shed with loading magazines and then finally allow the NCO to get back on the range. BUT and I mean BUT all corrective training would be with other NCO's or by that NCO's self to ensure that the respect stays in tact for that NCO. Even if that NCO had a tough time on the range that does not mean that he/she should need to be put on display in front of subordinates. Remember, that everyone needs help at some point and how would you want to be treated if you were to need assistance. I also believe that safety comes first and after safety is accomplished deal with the ISSUE only.

Response by 1SG Daniel Ames made Feb 15 at 2018 5:01 PM

1SG Daniel Ames — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:01:25 -0500

You gotta say FIDO,FUCK IT DRIVE ON,Teach the teachers is ok,back in the 80's I was a 60 gunner and knew my pig front to back and inside out,I was a E-4 and spent a lot of time helping E-5 buck Sergeants with that weapon when they needed help,either in Garrison or on a range!

Response by SPC Jennifer Clark made Feb 15 at 2018 7:53 PM

SPC Jennifer Clark — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:53:49 -0500

I’d kick her rear end off the range so fast it wouldn’t even be funny.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 15 at 2018 9:24 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 21:24:17 -0500

The points up the fact that there is relatively little weapons training in the Reserve components other than annual qualification with primary weapons. If feel that every soldier should at least have familiarization training with all individual weapons - M9, M4, M249, M240, Mk 19 and .50 cal. Yes, it would cost more but it would be good for morale and get away from the "that's not my job" mentality of non-combat arms soldiers.

Response by 1SG Milton Jackson made Feb 15 at 2018 10:51 PM

1SG Milton Jackson — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:51:15 -0500

The two of them is so lucky that they aren’t in my unit that’s for sure

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2018 2:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 02:08:12 -0500

Sir, I'm gonna be honest, did not read all of the other comments. If I encountered a soldier who was unable to perform basic soldiering tasks, I would pull them off the lane and conduct remedial training.

Response by SFC Nicole White made Feb 17 at 2018 8:21 AM

SFC Nicole White — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 08:21:32 -0500

Give the soldier weapons training then keep putting her online until she qualifies. Then i’ld keep scheduling her and others like her for ranges. One range rotation won’t be enough.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Feb 17 at 2018 9:27 AM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 09:27:37 -0500

Well the post see.s to be taken down. That is probably a good thing.

Response by SMSgt Ruth Steele Vogel made Feb 18 at 2018 12:55 AM

SMSgt Ruth Steele Vogel — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 00:55:36 -0500

Leaders should be taking care of this training issue. This is why we have exercises and training classes so no one should slip through the crack. I also think that CPT Pitre should not have addressed this issue on a social web site. If you think that this story helped this Solider I think you may be wrong.

Response by SSgt Cindy Reid made Feb 18 at 2018 6:41 AM

SSgt Cindy Reid — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 06:41:36 -0500

Video on the link can't be viewed

Response by MSG Dorrace Hiltbrunner made Feb 20 at 2018 7:26 PM

MSG Dorrace Hiltbrunner — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:26:57 -0500

Teach him/her!

Response by SFC Scott Wallace made Feb 20 at 2018 7:39 PM

SFC Scott Wallace — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:39:05 -0500

SM should be pulled off the line for remedial training, too easy. Maybe BRM was not the SGT's specialty. As a retired DS with 30+ year on ranges, this is no surprise. Many Reserve and Guard units pencil whip their yearly qual. Also, how many of us have been to a range where lower enlisted loaded all your mags for you and all you had to do was lock and load?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 12:05 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:05:48 -0500

As a guardsman, I go to the range once a year. I have actually been denied going to range because of my MOS in the past. So, there I have missed opportunities to train. I do not know this persons whole story, neither do any of you. Judging is not for any of us. Training on the other hand, needs to be a priority. Once a year on the range, for a couple of hours is not enough time to be proficient in these skills that every soldier needs. I have recently purchased my own to get the practice I need. I wish every soldier was in a position to purchase one so they could get more practice. Back to the question at hand, this NCO needs to spend more time loading magazines. Put her at ammo point loading them and get her the experience she needs.

Response by Sgt Troy Morlan made Feb 21 at 2018 7:38 PM

Sgt Troy Morlan — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:38:40 -0500

I'm a little confused; the pic doesn't go with the title. But nonetheless, my first question would be, how does a soldier become an NCO without knowledge and experience handling a weapon? My next question would be to her superiors, how could you promote someone without knowing their capabilities? Shame on both parties! The answer isn't to penalize her by demoting her. The next steps should be to train her! Any unit is only as strong as their weakest man (or in this case woman) and instead of incubating discontent and animosity the NCO and her unit leaders need to come together, and get her up to speed in an agreed upon time or she will be released from duty if she doesn't make the standard. If she refuses the training then we know her motives and she doesn't belong in the military.

Response by SGT Joseph Schmalzel made Feb 21 at 2018 8:34 PM

SGT Joseph Schmalzel — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:34:47 -0500

OPRC

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Feb 22 at 2018 7:57 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 07:57:59 -0500

Your link to the video doesn't work anymore, but I too saw the video. I think what was even more alarming to me other than the unskilled NCO, was other NCOs filming the matter. How dare you! I just can't believe that other NCOs would be so menacing and disrespectful and seek to film the matter, instead of focusing solely on educating the NCO just like any other Soldier. You can tell the tone they say the word "sergeant" is disrespectful.

I've seen similar videos as well. Is this what we do now? We film Soldiers messing up rather than just helping them? So many Soldiers wearing those chevrons that never should have. Screw every NCO that thinks this is even remotely appropriate.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 6:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 18:27:13 -0500

All you gotta do to get promoted nowadays is check all the right boxes on paper

Response by PO3 Tom Adams made Mar 2 at 2018 3:50 AM

PO3 Tom Adams — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 03:50:04 -0500

Even though I spent time with the RESERVATION you still had to know how to load the Magazine

Response by Henning Heinemann made Mar 4 at 2018 11:19 AM

Henning Heinemann — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 11:19:34 -0500

The problem isn’t her, the problem is training command. How did she get to this point without that bit of requisite knowledge? What do you do? The only real option is stop the evolution and give the remedial trainin, then continue.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Mar 4 at 2018 11:33 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 11:33:18 -0500

Run.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 6 at 2018 6:31 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 06:31:59 -0500

If he can't load a magazine properly, why is he an NCO? If a private or a SPC has show him, it's a shame.

Response by CPT Duane Caswell made Mar 10 at 2018 1:33 AM

CPT Duane Caswell — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 01:33:41 -0500

After 6 years in the army and 34 years in police work I have come to believe that the best way to be a leader is to correct, demonstrate and practice with trainees who are found to be deficient in their skills not humiliate them by subjecting them to ridicule on social media.

Response by SrA Dennis Taylor made Mar 10 at 2018 10:33 PM

SrA Dennis Taylor — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 22:33:43 -0500

I'd buy him or her an Uplula and privately see if they're willing to allow me to train them, so we're all professional and look like we know what we're doing.

Response by PO1 Joseph Smith made Mar 12 at 2018 3:09 AM

PO1 Joseph Smith — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 03:09:10 -0400

Truth is, the government doesn't and never has spent enough on training the reserve component. About half my time in was active, the other half reserve and I understood immediately how hard it is for some to maintain readiness. I, for example, needed access to certain equipment and classified materials for advancement. Never could get the nearest active component to help me out and it took longer to make IT1 (E-6) because of it.
Shooting always came natural to me, I was damn near born with a rifle in my hand and earned sharpshooter in both rifle and pistol easily, but I have seen firsthand how not having access to a range or not being able to afford to go to one causes some to be unsure around weapons. When we were training to go to the desert, there was a PO2 that...I'm not even sure he handled a weapon in boot...that the rangemaster flat out told him if he pointed it anywhere but downrange again, she'd put him down herself.
If you're active duty and in a capacity to make the decision, I would suggest reaching out to some reserve units and offer to help with training. I mean, we're all one big happy family, right?

Response by LTC Robin P. made Mar 22 at 2018 1:16 PM

LTC Robin P. — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 13:16:25 -0400

Train, train, train, train the whole unit on handling small arms. I was once in a convoy that came under fire. The driver (not from my unit) was very flustered and at that moment, did not know how to lock and load and set her weapon to semi. This is exactly what we DON'T want to happen. Alexander Suvorov: "Train hard, fight easy."

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2018 1:41 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 13:41:59 -0400

Ok first of all there is no place in any military for this type of reaction to a soldier who lacks some very necessary training. I’ve been a shirt AD and in the Guard. As a combat flight medic and now nurse I’ve worked along side marines army Airforce navy etc deployed with SOF etc the point is none of those people would have treated me as poorly as the SSG teammates are doing. This was a chance to train and pull her into the fold, so you think she will trust you fellow soldiers in battle after this? This makes me sickening angry. We don’t need cowardly acting “bullies” in our military yes she needs training but who ever posted and then others who spoke junk you need more than training. When the shit hits the fan you need everyone teamed ready to go you are the only family you got out there and this is BS. Who’d be stupid enough to be proud of the person who Shames their sister in arms you must be a low crawling creature with no self worth and very little intelligence. Keep all things at the lowest level not everyone has the same opportunities and further more emwhat about the range... I’m used to always having some time prior to getting out on the range to ensure we all have the basics done etc so others ser her up for failure!. Out

Response by MSG Chuck Pewsey made Mar 30 at 2018 6:43 PM

MSG Chuck Pewsey — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 18:43:25 -0400

The last time I qualified with the M-9 there were two junior soldiers in the corner loading magazines while the shooters waited their turns. The M-9 mag isn't engineering but I'm willing to bet some of them would have tried to put a round in backward, upside down or sideways.

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Apr 1 at 2018 3:23 PM

MAJ Hugh Blanchard — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 15:23:16 -0400

Seriously? See that the unit conducts some primary marksmanship instruction ASAP. How would an NCO not know how to load and operate their primary weapon?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2018 11:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 11:46:09 -0400

I was running a unit through premob when I saw a soldier stuck the in the mud under the wire. I go back to give assistance and its a major who quickly tells me shes JAG and shes going to be sitting in an office when deployed. My point is there are some MOS that do not need to fire a weapon system or don't fire it nearly enough to be proficient at it. This soldier gets pulled off and does PMI, depending on MOS no further action needed.

Response by SGT Joseph Wasson made Apr 17 at 2018 12:45 AM

SGT Joseph Wasson — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 00:45:17 -0400

I haven't watched the video and won't be watching it. Since when has it been ok to ever video a fucked up soldier of any rank and post it for the world to see? Soldiers, regardless of rank shouldn't be embarrassed like that. Show some fucking professionalism and pull them to the side and retrain. PERIOD!

Response by SGT Alen Wilkinson made Apr 19 at 2018 10:26 PM

SGT Alen Wilkinson — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:26:33 -0400

Total break down of the unit and the miltitary,..if she even got through basic training,..I mean that's a requirement to complete training,..I've heard of NG and Reserve units back in the day having future soldiers train with them before they actually go into basic training..and if that's the case then it falls on the unit to train her before you head to the field

Response by LTC Reginald Brown made Apr 20 at 2018 10:02 PM

LTC Reginald Brown — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 22:02:42 -0400

I learned early as a 1LT that is was my responsibility to train those in my unit. To avoid personal frustration, I maintained the philosophy that if I didn't train them then I have no expectations. Once I trained them, then I have high expectations that they would perform whenever needed. I came in at a time when there was a heavy push on mission essential task list, unit tasks and soldier skills (must admit now that there was and is probably always that focus and my time was not unique). It was clear to me that as a Platoon Leader, I alone was responsible for my unit training, I could not rely on what someone else might have taught the soldiers assigned to my platoon. I might have taken on more than I should have, but once I trained (or planned with my platoon sergeant) the platoon then I could confidently expect good performance. If someone before me failed to train a soldier properly for retention of skills, then it was my responsibility to ensure that soldier could not only perform in my unit, but in their future units. For us training was not an one off event. We were not considered trained/proficient until we had demonstrated the standards several times and under various conditions. Not knowing how to load a magazine is such a basic task that every one of her leaders failed to realize that they were responsible for training her on that task. If leaders fail to train or assess skills periodically (like the PT test) then we fail our soldiers who look to us for leadership. Leadership, being the ability to assess the future missions and know what training and skills are needed by every individual, team, section, platoon and unit to accomplish the mission.

Response by SSG Fred Dugena made Apr 21 at 2018 2:13 PM

SSG Fred Dugena — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 14:13:55 -0400

Train them .

Response by Cpl Mathew Trickel made May 1 at 2018 5:26 PM

Cpl Mathew Trickel — Tue, 01 May 2018 17:26:51 -0400

All I can say is that the Army does some odd shit. In the Marines a truck would pull up with the bed filled with ammo, they would issue out however many rounds and then you go load your mags and wait for your turn to fire. And yep you got your weapon with you also. I'm sure this gal was just flustered and having a major brain fart. She has to have shot before....but I guess it's possible she might not have known how to load a mag if it's already done for you in the Army. Odd, but probably shouldn't have been posted online. Makes everyone look bad in my opinion.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made May 6 at 2018 1:09 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 06 May 2018 13:09:41 -0400

Holy Shit! Now I don’t know about what goes on in any other Branch of Service, but in the Marine Corps, every Marine is first and foremost a Rifleman, regardless of their MOS. Therefore, if a Sergeant, regardless of their sex, does not know how to load a magazine, she or he would not be allowed to be on a Firing Rang. For God’s sake and for the safety of everyone else on that Range, I would get her or him off of my Fire Range most rickety tick. There should be no exception to this rule and I don’t give a shit what Rank or what Branch of Service they might be in. Adios Amigo! I could only imagine what our old Gunny would say? SEMPER FI!

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made May 6 at 2018 1:22 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Sun, 06 May 2018 13:22:32 -0400

I would have taken the weapon away from him / her period.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 6 at 2018 3:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 06 May 2018 15:27:34 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVvAImQCNY

Us Army reserves Dont know how to load a magazine

Like and Subscribe

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2018 4:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 May 2018 16:56:11 -0400

I can't see the video but I've seen something similar to your description. I noticed big differences between the units to which I was assigned in the regular Army and the units to which I was assigned in the ARNG. I would be in favor of pairing up all reserve component units with active, regular units and providing at least one NCO and officer from the partnered active, regular unit at each drill (and more during AT) to provide guidance, advice, and assistance. You don't know what you don't know.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 7 at 2018 8:15 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 07 May 2018 08:15:43 -0400

I wouldn't be mad. I would not embarrass her. I would be a professional and show her how to do it. It's not difficult unless I make it difficult.

Response by PO1 Richard Nyberg made May 10 at 2018 1:53 PM

PO1 Richard Nyberg — Thu, 10 May 2018 13:53:05 -0400

That would be strange because if he went through basic training he should know how.

Response by SA Charles Scarbrough made May 15 at 2018 10:09 PM

SA Charles Scarbrough — Tue, 15 May 2018 22:09:26 -0400

Make sure she's the one that gets to teach LT.

Response by CPT Jeff Robinette made May 19 at 2018 1:51 PM

CPT Jeff Robinette — Sat, 19 May 2018 13:51:14 -0400

Train Her! I have been out of the Army since 1984 and a competitive shooter.I see silly stuff on the line all of the time. Whenever I see something. I can easily correct I do so.
You would not believe the number of M1 thumbs I have seen in competition.
Nearly every time it is caused by inexperience with the weapon or panic in a timed exercise.
Its all training.

Response by PFC John McKenzie made May 21 at 2018 8:34 AM

PFC John McKenzie — Mon, 21 May 2018 08:34:42 -0400

Call a "Cease Fire" if they were firing. Get the Range Safety Officer to the firing point and carefully explain to the Sergeant who was supposed to be loading the magazine how to do it. Make the Sergeant did it a few times to make certain they knew how it was done, then give the command "Ready on the firing line."
"Commence firing."
A very old, old E-3

Response by SFC Dan Collins made May 24 at 2018 10:51 AM

SFC Dan Collins — Thu, 24 May 2018 10:51:51 -0400

NCO's have the responsibility to self-train. I don't know if this "Pretty-In-Pink" Army still has them, but I used to go to the MOS library , check-out study materials for other MOS's I was associated with. As a Platoon Sergeant I insisted my men [it was a Man's Army then] be well versed in the duties of the man below and above them so they could immediately respond in a crisis. Someone in the Chain-Of-Command did not do their job, did not train this Sergeant, and this Sergeant did not exercise initiative, nor show leadership potential. Reduction in rank, and extra hours of cross-training.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Dec 9 at 2018 7:19 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 19:19:49 -0500

Teach the SGT

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2019 6:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:19:53 -0500

As a safety, I experienced that a few times with some NCO'S and lower enlisted on the range. I understand some Soldiers are not as proficient in certain areas like others........... But as NCO/safety, my job isn't to belittle, scream or kick the soldier off the range. My job is to instruct the Soldier no matter rank on how to properly load the weapon, zero and qualify..........

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 12:30 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 12:30:47 -0500

Wouldn't happen in USMC because everyone has to qualify to graduate Boot Camp. They may not be familiar with crew served weapons, but somebody would train them before sending to the range. The firing line is not the place to train on the basics, only marksmanship.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 5:57 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 17:57:18 -0400

Cannot see the video so cannot comment on what I would do.

I kicked my FB account to the curb, deleted all my data, about 2 years ago now.

Response by CSM Michael Allen made Mar 15 at 2020 12:04 PM

CSM Michael Allen — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 12:04:49 -0400

Some soldiers hardly get a chance to use there weapons, because of these specialities...I was infantry and notice that when I took a Logistic Support Battalion, they where really good at supporting the war, but they wasn’t good at shooting at all...