When will the Military stop conforming to the volunteer and start upholding the standard rules and regulations?

2016-04-06T01:15:53-04:00

No Saluting, Less formations, Grow a beard for religious beliefs, ETC... Everyone signed a contract to abide and to adhere to ”All Military Rules/Regulations and Traditions “. Today, it seems that the Army is conforming to the Volunteer. The New Army Standard is: Conform to the Soldier and discard rules/regulations and tradition. Leaders, where does is stop?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 2:01 AM

2016-04-06T02:01:07-04:00

Did the Army really do away with saluting? I don't keep up with current stuff anymore. As to formations, seems to me the fewer the better, but I guess that's just a personal preference. Once I retired and worked in a civilian software company, it really struck me how much time we wasted in the military between formations and meetings. When you actually pay employees for their time at work, and they can't produce revenue from a meeting room, you realize how horrible the Army is at valuing peoples time and how much time and money is wasted.

Response by SGT Brent Cann made Apr 6 at 2016 2:10 AM

2016-04-06T02:10:03-04:00

As soon as the New Generation of NCO's take back the role of Leading. My Generation would have never put up with this shit. No one is held accountable any longer simply due to putting asses in seats and filling the ranks with sub-standard civilians. That's when. Have a good day.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 6 at 2016 5:36 AM

2016-04-06T05:36:28-04:00

The day the Army ended was the day they told us that infractions have to be dealt with recorrective training in kind.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 6 at 2016 5:58 AM

2016-04-06T05:58:15-04:00

Unfortunately politics drives regulations and once regulations and policies have been added to the Military it is hard pressed to revert them. This is one of the few times when I advise Service members to be very aware when they vote. Politics is challenging but without your vote you cannot complain. VOTE and good luck.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Apr 6 at 2016 6:03 AM

2016-04-06T06:03:03-04:00

SFC, I'd need to see examples of what you're talking about. "No Saluting"? What do you mean? Even in the military, we cannot trump federal laws that prohibit discrimination. When was the last time you've worn your pro-mask in a combat area? So for the Army to try to use that as justification to keep them out, was wrong. The Army is an living evolving entity. Those regulation you mention are revised, can be revised, and it's up to the leaders to conform or get out. The same way we tell our Soldiers. Traditions? What traditions are you talking about?
If the Army is a living breathing entity it has to change. Note women in combat arms, women who are Rangers, women in three and four star positions. Something 30 years ago would NEVER have happened. Minorities who aren't relegated to being cooks, drivers, or other mundane jobs. That was the Army we're ALL a part of, and it changed for the better. I'm not calling you close minded, but if you cannot see that the military as a whole is an evolving process and the largest social project ever, then it's not the Army who has a problem. BTW I don't see WAC on your profile. So there must've been a change in things to allow you to enlist into the regular Army and not be relegated to some secondary MOS in the WAC.
So I'll ask again what ”All Military Rules/Regulations and Traditions “, are you talking about?

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Apr 6 at 2016 6:55 AM

2016-04-06T06:55:40-04:00

The biggest oath is to "Support and Defend The Constitution".

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 6 at 2016 6:59 AM

2016-04-06T06:59:55-04:00

The military has a lot of great History, Tradition, and even Rules. It does. It also has a lot of Bloody Stupid History, Tradition, and Rules. And anyone who says it doesn't is lying to themselves.

The most beautiful part of the US Military is that when we identify the stupid, we're able to change it, hopefully for the better.

Some of those changes are going to come from internal. We're going to realize things don't work and we'll actively change them. Some of them are going to be forced upon us from ABOVE and OUTSIDE aka Congress. Remember we work for them.

Although we are Apolitical, we are a warfighting organization for a political body, of a political Nation. Politics and beliefs in general change over time. That means we have to evolve with them. It's really that simple.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 8:26 AM

2016-04-06T08:26:47-04:00

When will the service start focusing on the mission instead of the fluff? We should focus on function over form. Often we focus on form instead of function. This is what we swore to:

I, _____, having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

And yet, it is often not what we focus on. I've had people demand I salute them in a combat zone. I've had people lose their shit over uniform malfunctions when I was a mechanic. I'm not impressed when I crawl out from under your vehicle having fixed it and you feel it is time to gig my uniform.

If someone is focusing on form over function, then they are useless and need to be let go IMO.

The Army should adapt as time goes on and drop our formal uniforms, bands, social balls, and the other "form" stuff and focus only on the function.

Response by CW2 Max Dolan made Apr 6 at 2016 9:11 AM

2016-04-06T09:11:55-04:00

Well, that's a good question. As an "old soldier," I remember the "good old days" when I got whacked over the head with my own M-14 by a Drill Sergeant who thought that it wasn't clean enough. We didn't have TBI, we were just "knocked out." PTSD was just "malingering."
Some things have changed for the better, but these days, it seems like politics has gotten more and more into everyday military life. During the Vietnam era, politics prevented us from bringing home victory. Sound familiar? Now when it comes to standards and regulations, I think you are right. I was a volunteer, too. I tell people "I enlisted to avoid the draft...does that make me a 'draft dodger'?" I remember when Sikhs (spelling?) were allowed to wear their turbans, but that's about the only aberration to the uniform code that I can recall. One guy, whose face was burned badly in Vietnam, was allowed to grow his hair long to cover up the scars that used to be his ears. He was reclassified from Infantry to Mortuary Attendant, because he didn't want to be exposed to so many of the shocked looks that his face got him. You can sort of understand these things. Personally, I don't like facial and neck tattoos, ear-rings and other things like that, on or off-duty for a military person. If you want to go "all the way back," then you are looking at the Woman's Army Corps (WAC), which I also recall. Women were clerks, cooks, and medical, and stayed as far away from combat as we could get them. What about that? I'm not being critical, just looking back from an old soldier's perspective.

By the way, remember the old saying that begins with "Old soldiers never die...?" It is a quote from WWII General Douglas MacArthur. I have re-written the end of that quote so that it now reads:
"Old soldiers never die...they just SMELL that way!"

Keep your chin up, little Sister...your time in service is worth all of your blood, sweat and tears. Thanks for your service!!

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 6 at 2016 10:22 AM

2016-04-06T10:22:55-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Good to see there are still a few 'hard Corps', no nonsense SMs out there who chafe at seeing the services become more and more caring and compassionate for everyone's hurt feelings. About all you can do is hold up yr end and not allow any let down of discipline if you can help it. Let's hope the feel-good types don't completely undermine the services before we head off into our next major war.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Apr 6 at 2016 12:36 PM

2016-04-06T12:36:40-04:00

When I saw the guy with the hat I couldn't help but remember being told that I couldn't wear the acus du rag from the px. It helped keep sweat out of my eyes and helped against fogging of my lenses and goggles when in the turret. also the back tucked into my collar nicely and prevented sunburn on the neck. Yeah I couldn't wear that

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 6 at 2016 4:45 PM

2016-04-06T16:45:18-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member The military reflects society and, as society changes, so does the military. While I am certainly old school and disagree with much of what is happening in the military today, especially all the PC/social engineering BS that, in my opinion, undermines discipline and adversely impacts mission accomplishment, it is simply the world we all live in today.

Having said that, leaders still need to uphold/enforce standards, rules and regulations. That has not changed (even though some of the standards, rules and regulations have).

Response by TSgt James Emanuel made Apr 6 at 2016 9:59 PM

2016-04-06T21:59:19-04:00

Some of the first things I learned in basic training were the customs, courtesies and traditions of my branch of service (Air Force). The organizational structure, the order of rank, how to address my compadres and render appropriate respect. We were stripped of our individuality and made a part of something bigger than ourselves. We were one team and we all looked the same. Those appointed over us were accorded respect unless the individual proved unworthy. The transition starts when the newbie comes through the door.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Apr 6 at 2016 10:32 PM

2016-04-06T22:32:42-04:00

One thing that has caused change is the all vollunteer military. In the old days we could just drag people in off of the street. Today we have to try to get them to actually want to join.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 7 at 2016 1:03 AM

2016-04-07T01:03:00-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member My granddaddy got out in 1920 because the Army was going to ‘Hell in a hand basket’! Hold on, change ain't done yit!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 8:14 AM

2016-04-07T08:14:04-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member We see a great deal of "uphold the standards!" arguments here on RallyPoint, and, most of the time, it really does seem like those who have issues with standards "not being upheld" generally have no idea what standard it is that they are trying to uphold. In the case of religious accommodation, a standard exists. As such, its surprising that an NCO would have an issue with it (given the role of the NCO in enforcing standards, a huge part of which is actually knowing the standard which NCOs are tasked to uphold).
So, for your consideration:
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/130017p.pdf
http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_20.pdf, paragraph 5-6.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 9:20 AM

2016-04-07T09:20:35-04:00

...

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Apr 7 at 2016 10:09 AM

2016-04-07T10:09:46-04:00

That, like I have said many times, is on you. I always enforced standards. I didn't have my subordinates on my Facebook. I wasn't trying to make friends with them. I held everyone regardless of rank to standards. If you perceive there is an issue, fix it. If not then truthfully you are the problem. If I had a Soldier who didn't salute then they would be doing something to find out why they should. and if they failed at that order than it is time for more serious action which is supported by the counseling directing them to Unf*** themselves. Change is not conforming to Soldiers. Change is bettering the military. We change equipment to get better stuff. We change grooming standards to get people that might provide some kind of asset to the force. all other standards must be enforced until change is needed. However those changes are not lackadaisical. They are targeted and to serve a purpose.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 10:44 AM

2016-04-07T10:44:06-04:00

I concur with Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS and I'll add regulations and traditions evolve, some go away for periods of time, then come back, others just go away due to various reasons. The fresh shaven look regulation hasn't exactly been around since the beginning of our military. The biggest argument is due to the wearing of a gas mask. There's several studies that validate that facial hair does cause a varying degree of leakage - but so does a clean shaven face...on a much smaller scale. You can simply counter that by mandating a person to be shaved during a deployment in which CBRNE is imminent or reasonably believed to be a enemy threat. In garrison - outside of going to the gas chamber...there's not much CBRNE threat within CONUS.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6702601

Effect of facial hair on the face seal of negative-pressure respirators. - PubMed - NCBI

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1984 Jan;45(1):63-6.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Apr 7 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-04-07T12:20:57-04:00

I seen a lot of things change in the Army between 1987 and 2013. Some for the better, some for the worse. Change can be uncomfortable and often stirs skepticism, especially when it involves changing a tradition. Around 1990, the BOSS program (Better Opportunities for Soldiers) and the SSI (Single Soldier Initiative) was put into effect in the Army. The old timers hated it and thought it was going to kill good order and discipline. Prior to that, single Soldiers living in the barracks had to live in a sterile, dress-right dress environment, right down to OD wool blankets on the bunks, footgear lined up, wall locker SOP's, and absolutely ZERO civilian decoration unless it was inside your wall locker door. Floors had to be buffed and shinning like glass. CQ was posted downstairs, and opposite sex visitors were prohibited. You get the picture. While this is fine in a training environment to institute tradition and foster discipline, it was unnecessary for garrison Soldiers at their permanent duty station. The biggest reason for the change was that quality of life for a single Soldier in the barracks was vastly different than a married one of equal rank who lived off post or in govt housing. That change made a Soldier's life better, and did not kill tradition, good order, and discipline as the old guard predicted.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2016 7:48 AM

2016-04-25T07:48:06-04:00

There are too many hurt feelings these days. Soldiers have lost that rough and tough tradition that made us strong as an Army. I came in the Army when was "Be All You Can Be, in the Army". "now it's walk litely before someone ruins your career"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2016 8:17 AM

2016-04-25T08:17:39-04:00

Unfortunately this is only going to happen after a bunch of our sons (and daughters now as well, I guess) get killed fighting a near-peer enemy.

It is going to take us getting kicked int the teeth to see that we are sacrificing combat effectiveness for the sake of political correctness.

Fundamentally, if it doesn't enhance lethality, increase the effects on a target, or is part of the warfightimg functions, we shouldn't be doing it.

The military is not a Petri dish and combat is not a "game." The results of it are real and sometimes very permanent for those involved.

This is why I am absolutely opposed to a decrease in function for the sake of accomodation.

Our people, our children/ brothers/ fathers/sisters/mothers will die because we are spending energy on priorities other than: shoot, move, communicate, and see.

This unnecessary loss will occur because agendas and cowardice by those in power/command.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-05-07T11:49:38-04:00

We veterans experienced the same things years earlier 70's and 80's VOLAR Army. Serving beer in the mess halls, 2 beer lunch. LOL This was in my AIT unit. Sat through several Blue Ribbon Committee's surveys. Things they were proposing just boggled one's mind. Are we still in the Army or is some type of frat-house organization I thought to myself and I was just a SP4, when those type of changes were made. The changes were brief in nature and reverted back to a normal Army/military. We must uphold ourselves to a higher standard.

Response by CPL Mark Andersen made Aug 5 at 2017 8:20 PM

2017-08-05T20:20:03-04:00

Back in my day....

Seriously? I am Gen X, when I went in, those of us in Gen X were supposed to bring about the end to discipline in the military. We were undisciplined, could not follow orders, etc., etc., etc..

The Army is the Army - some things, will change. Others, will stay the same - it appears the one thing that stays the same is that those with 10-20 years in will bitch and complain about the lack of discipline amongst the newest batch of junior enlisted.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Aug 6 at 2017 5:32 AM

2017-08-06T05:32:42-04:00

The only one I can think of that you might be mentioning for the hair point are the Sikh's, and almost from the beginning they used to be in the Army, but after WW2 the War Dept came down and said "cut your hair and shave your beards" This is in direct opposite to their religion (which is about 1500 years old I would guess, but much older than the USA is regardless). During the time of their service, they were considered some of our best warriors and soldiers by their leaders of the day. They are now able to return to serving their country with honor. I have talked with some Sikh's before this change was brought in, and they explained to me that theirs is a warrior religion, training their kids almost from birth to be soldiers for their country. I asked them specificly about gas masks because that was the reason I had been given for why we keep a close shave ourselves, and they had come up with a solution, and they even train to standard 8 seconds on that specific point growing up so that they would be ready if the time came.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2018 4:26 PM

2018-02-10T16:26:13-05:00

Why does RallyPoint dig up these threads? This one’s from a year ago...

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2018 4:44 PM

2018-02-10T16:44:58-05:00

Times have changed, people have changed and unfortunatley we also have to change. Some may say for the worse and some may say for the better. This isn’t your grandpas military anymore. Standards have been relaxed to adjust to the x-box and PlayStation generation. If standards were not relaxed recruiting would be in the hurt locker. Priorities have shifted on what is needed in today’s military. We need people that can play video games to fly drones and drop bombs where we don’t need as many fit, mean and lean troops to fight.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2018 11:08 PM

2018-02-10T23:08:47-05:00

Last I checked, we are ALL volunteers, or were you drafted? Also as a SFC, maybe you should enforce rules and regulations, rather than bitching about Soldiers in public social media.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 3:12 AM

2018-02-11T03:12:59-05:00

When we reinstate the draft.
till then.....HALF RIGHT, FACE!

MSG Bo

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Feb 11 at 2018 6:44 AM

2018-02-11T06:44:20-05:00

Unfortunately these days we are far more concerned with the feelings of the soldier than with the dicipline the soldier needs to display and live by. I recently read about the US Army reverting back to enforcing dicipline statndards in basic training. This would be great, however it needs to be re-enforced once the soldiers get to their permanent party unit and beyond. I firmly beleive that how we train in peace time will only help us during times of war/combat or in some of our most darkest times in life. I fo rone have been able to use this mental approach in my life during my time in service and once i retired.

I remember speaking with two soldiers when i was an instructor at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Both of them were reservist and could not wait to go home and get back to what they knew as their normal life away from the dicipline the US Army was instilling in them. They were convinced that things would be just like they were before they joined. I explained to them that this would not b the case. That they would see thiings differently. They did not beleive what i expliend to them. about two years later i ran into one of them, he expalined to me that what i had told him and the other soldier was true. He realized that he had grown up and his friends back home were stil the same. He was not able to adjust to his old lifestyle and so he decided to go active duty.

This tells me that even the most thick-headed soldier will benefit from a more diciplined military lifestyle.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 11:43 PM

2018-02-11T23:43:59-05:00

To answer the question; with the latest article on changes coming to BCT/AIT I think that is a start.

Response by SPC Jon Terry made Mar 11 at 2019 1:23 AM

2019-03-11T01:23:49-04:00

You know I appreciate those traditions respect and discipline

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 11 at 2019 1:27 AM

2019-03-11T01:27:32-04:00

Ten minutes into the next war

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 8:53 AM

2019-03-11T08:53:36-04:00

It's not all about changing to conform to the new Soldiers.
If your opposition to the changes is that great, ETS or retire.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 11 at 2019 9:17 AM

2019-03-11T09:17:29-04:00

I actually never signed a contract to abide by traditions. Regulations, yes.
Just because someone does something a different way (provided that the new way is legal, moral, and ethical) doesn't make that way or that person wrong. Even if that is not the way "it had always been done." (And beards are authorized , BY REGULATION, for religious OR medical reasons.)

The primary purpose of the formation was mass communication. The secondary purpose was accountability. There are more reasons, but these two are far and away the most important. In today's digital Army, we no longer NEED the formation to ensure rapid and accurate dissemination of information to the masses. Accountability is still accomplished in accountability formations, and thru 1st line leaders. The formation is no longer as important, therefore there are less of them - which means less time standing around, more time DOING. This is a GOOD thing.

There are no Salute zones, and every single one has a legitimate reason like not identifying Officers to snipers downrange). Outside of that, salutes are still required.

I am not sure where you are going, but the examples you used are poor ones to get there.
The Army is made up of people. It is a Human Resources truism that in order to get maximum efficiency, policies and procedures must both be created and adapted with the specific workforce in mind. The Army of the 2010s is not the Army of the 1770s. It isn't even the Army of the 2000s. We adapt to the situation on the ground. Part of that ground truth is the identity of the people making up the fighting force.

If you are REALLY that concerned with traditional military roles, I suggest you either A) become a nurse and volunteer to support the military (but not actually be IN the Army) or B) find a good Army husband who you can support at home by cooking and making babies. Offensive, right? But after all, that is the TRADITIONAL role of a female in the military. If we can adapt to accommodate the growing role of women in the military, the workforce, the WORLD, why can we not adapt to accommodate Sikhs, or Jews (who are allowed to wear head covering indoors, in most situations), or transgender, or whatever else a changing society requires?

Response by SP5 Lori Pong made Mar 11 at 2019 12:20 PM

2019-03-11T12:20:23-04:00

I agree with staff sergeant swan I would need an example of what you're talking about when it comes to not saluting. It has been a few decades since I've been in however growing a beard for religious reasons is no different than the American Indian I saw while I was in who had a long braid down his back while in uniform because of his beliefs. And many black soldiers were permitted to not shave because of the extreme skin irritation shaving caused. As others have said there have been exceptions to every rule.

Response by SPC Randall PeQueen made Mar 14 at 2019 1:25 AM

2019-03-14T01:25:03-04:00

I was made for my time. I'll be ready and willing to fade away and leave the new world to the younger generations. I have groomed my children to not have children. If they do I am sad that they'll never know my world. Change is inevitable and it's extra sad knowing that the last of the 'old school' toughness (our military) is going the way of appeasement. It's been 28 years since my time but I hate what I constantly hear from the new Armed Services. Oh well.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2019 10:48 AM

2019-03-14T10:48:32-04:00

The only discarding of the rules I’ve ever seen is with the higher ranking people in the Army. If the leaders don’t enforce the standard, then the soldiers will follow the standard. You’re wondering why the Army is softening it’s touch, look at all the soldier suicides we’ve had since the initial push into Iraq and Afghanistan telling people to suck it up is no longer the answer. There’s nothing wrong with the Army we’re just evolving and trying to become more of modern entity. Also I call BS on soldiers not saluting as a SPC I would lay into someone for not saluting.

Response by SSG Bonnie Stiriz made Sep 9 at 2019 11:10 AM

2019-09-09T11:10:01-04:00

Great concern. While I was on active duty, a soldier was called out if failing to salute. Is it fear of non-compliance that leaders are failing to do this part of their job? If a soldier cannot be trusted to cooperate or comply with AR in peace time, what are the chances he or she will in combat?

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Jan 21 at 2020 11:41 AM

2020-01-21T11:41:58-05:00

I was active 74-80. I saw so many changes during that short time. The Army IS evolving and there really isn't much you can do about it

Response by SSgt Dan Moquin made Jan 16 at 2021 12:39 PM

2021-01-16T12:39:03-05:00

The military is not a social program. Like it or not the military is here to fight our wars, and keep our way of life safe. Being a PC military doesn’t do that.
When you join the military you give up certain rights even if you don’t realize it. As service members we conform to the needs of our branch, not the other way around.
Face it, on the battlefield there are no safe spaces, time outs or do overs. That person on the other side isn’t going to give a damn about your feelings. While you’re crying because it isn’t fair, they’ll kill you and not think a second about doing it.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2021 12:48 PM

2021-01-16T12:48:00-05:00

Saluting should really only be done on base during duty hours when in uniform. Company formations are really only good for accountability. Every unit I've been in 1st formation was just accountability & the 1sg saying we got a lot to do, your psg have the info. Other than that, that's it. Now with the rest that has been slacking is because at basic they aren't training soldiers anymore. They are being friendly & nice to them. Not Training them to be a basic soldier. Then having the units ncos deal with the mess afterwards. Which making discipline, cohesion a problem. They need to take their cells aways, ipods, tablets, etc. Treat them as if they were in basic. Then trian them to standard. Of completing basic skills, marksmanship, pt, respect, customs, NBC, etc. If I have to right a new soldier up every 5 minutes cause he's disrecepectful cause he didn't learn it at basic then the problem is there. If a soldier comes to the unit & can't pass a pt test within 3 months there is a problem there. If a soldier doesn't know what their weapon is, certain types of generic vehicles, what their Mos is, how to do their job, then we got a problem there. Sry if it sounds like a rant but the army starts @ BCT & AIT. Train & teach to standard. Ppl say the good old days are no more & need to stop looking to bring them back. Well I say forget that. The good old days, soldiers were soldiers not kids looking to have their hand held every step of the way.

Response by SPC Paul Hayward made Jan 16 at 2021 1:32 PM

2021-01-16T13:32:57-05:00

agreed, we are using the U.S. military for experiments in political correctness over continuing with making it the most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen, there is no place for politics in the military, no place for political correctness and it's no place for "safe spaces" the main purpose of the military is to kill people and break things, all the humanitarian missions are secondary to that... and all the p.c. bullshit is, or should be, nonexistent

Response by Wayne Soares made Jan 16 at 2021 7:09 PM

2021-01-16T19:09:20-05:00

Thanks for the share Danielle

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Jan 10 at 2022 9:00 AM

2022-01-10T09:00:09-05:00

I think it depends greatly on individual commands. It becomes quite obvious that not all units follow the same rules & regs when they are brought together to train. That goes for the active duty & the Guard. Some units seem to operate on union rules where they have to get so many breaks & have designated meal times. When work needs to be completed & they aren't coddled like in their duty command, they get pretty insubordinate. I've been in units where we trained in all kinds of weather. We only took breaks due to (real) temperature extremes or severe storms. God forbid if someone gets snow down their collar or they get drenched during a jump. It is no longer an Army of one. It's too fragmented, lacking standards & cohesion. The top command needs to get back to being military professionals & to stop being politicians in uniform.