Posted on Jan 7, 2016
What would you do if your Sergeant didn't know how to load a magazine?
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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.
https://www.facebook.com/Theseniorspecialist/videos/ [login to see] 43848/?fref=nf
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.
https://www.facebook.com/Theseniorspecialist/videos/ [login to see] 43848/?fref=nf
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 394
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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."
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Suspended Profile
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?
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?
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.
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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.
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