Posted on Mar 14, 2015
Which important individual military skill is the worst-taught?
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According to the wisdom of the RallyPoint community, "Communicate" is the most important individual military skill. Of the most important individual military skills which ones are the most poorly taught in our current system?
Extra Credit: How do we do it better?
Most important skill:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-most-important-military-skill?page=9&urlhash=530786#530786
For those that argue Think/Decide/Situational Awareness
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-ooda-the-best-description-of-decision-cycling
Extra Credit: How do we do it better?
Most important skill:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-most-important-military-skill?page=9&urlhash=530786#530786
For those that argue Think/Decide/Situational Awareness
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-ooda-the-best-description-of-decision-cycling
Shooting (Sport)
Professionalism
Training
Fitness
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 27
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Marksmanship, for sure. I have been in the AF Reserve for four years now. My military shooting experience is limited to two occasions, both of them half days in duration. One was at BMT, the other was at OTS. In both instances, proficiency was not a requirement for graduation. It was an "experience." At BMT, I managed to qualify on my weapon. There has been no follow-up training to improve my skills. At OTS, I had a cornea abrasion on the morning of M9 shooting and didn't get to shoot. There was no concern expressed by leadership to have me repeat the training and complete it.
I've heard of members in my units doing M9 training, in particular, my flyers, but it is not something that is mandated for all. Any additional training I've done has been personal.
I've heard of members in my units doing M9 training, in particular, my flyers, but it is not something that is mandated for all. Any additional training I've done has been personal.
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SSG (Join to see)
I would have to say markmanship is the worst, Soldiers coming out of AIT have lost their markmanship skills and units are chasing slide numbers. Our focus on quality shooters is lost time management.
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There are many ways to communicate; verbal, nonverbal, passive, non passive etc. The ways in which we communicate will affect the situation and outcome of the transfer of information. By not understanding how to communicate we limit ourselves and our goals. There are classes that can be given to help an individual become a more equipped communicator but it takes effort to communicate efficiently. There has been more reliance on technology to enhance communication but there is a shortfall of the basic components that structure communication itself. Regardless of someone's background, rank, or job set the basics are the same. There are also classes on Army E learning that individuals can utilize for free or they can take classes at a local college, it is a skill that is necessary when they transition out of the service. Communication has been the most difficult thing to learn and teach because of the time it takes on the part of each person involved.
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I feel that communication skills are paramount for any leadership roles. If you can't get the point across of the purpose more than likely undesired results will occur. Also communication is a two way street as it takes a good listener to be a great communicator. These things are not so easily taught. Some may argue that it can't be taught and that the gift to gab is a more innate virtue that makes select individuals great leaders through their effectiveness in their ability to communicate. I think if the military is going to fix this they should have the lower ranks present information (not power point) to their peers and allow for their superiors to provide feedback. I don't see this as a pass or fail skill it is something that needs to be kindled and refined by practice and application. Kind of like the tea toasters do. Alright PVT Smith you got 5 minutes to tell your cohorts here why we use the 5.56 mm round. Go.
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I was pretty extensively trained in hand to hand combat, which after the military, as a police officer and even as a civilian, I was glad I was taught well. It has had to come into play several times. Even in the military battle is not always a long range event.
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I realize my response may not qualify as a "skill" but more of a "task", but, I think it will apply at a micro level.
Running - I can't tell you how many injuries I have seen from over use and poor running techniques. <> I am not advocating less running, just the opposite.
Most injuries from running come from over use or over exertion. I've been running my entire life, more so once I joined the Army. I was a terrible runner...back, feet, knees, etc. It was only after a pretty serious knee injury that I learned "how" to run. Techniques from body position, cadence, shoes, frequency, etc. It has even improved my speed. I realize that some are natural runners, but not everybody has the same athletic ability. A lot of Soldiers today have NEVER been physically active.
Looking back on every military school I have been to, the focus on running was on speed, the faster you were the better you were. But I was never taught the "skill" of running. I consider myself a hack runner now, and later in life actually enjoy long runs, but the damage has already been done.
I'd like to see the military (Army) really focus on physical fitness, not just as a morning task, but more like a professional athlete.
Running - I can't tell you how many injuries I have seen from over use and poor running techniques. <> I am not advocating less running, just the opposite.
Most injuries from running come from over use or over exertion. I've been running my entire life, more so once I joined the Army. I was a terrible runner...back, feet, knees, etc. It was only after a pretty serious knee injury that I learned "how" to run. Techniques from body position, cadence, shoes, frequency, etc. It has even improved my speed. I realize that some are natural runners, but not everybody has the same athletic ability. A lot of Soldiers today have NEVER been physically active.
Looking back on every military school I have been to, the focus on running was on speed, the faster you were the better you were. But I was never taught the "skill" of running. I consider myself a hack runner now, and later in life actually enjoy long runs, but the damage has already been done.
I'd like to see the military (Army) really focus on physical fitness, not just as a morning task, but more like a professional athlete.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Capt Richard I P.
What worked well for me was completely forgetting about speed and starting with technique. Proper posture and weight balance was first, then came how the foot should strike...I'm a pronator so bought shoes to correct that. Once I worked out the technique and worked through the soreness that's when I concentrated on speed work... sprints and interval training. BREATHING techniques. I always focused my breathing on which foot was striking the ground rather than controlling heart rate and expanding lungs through belly-breathing. Stretching before and after to ensure hamstrings and hip-flexors had good recovery.
But my biggest lesson learned was changing my mindset, from being the fastest 2 mile runner or being able to stay in step in a formation run at a 8:30 min/mi while sounding off to a cadence, to truly focusing on endurance. Monitoring heart rate, muscle fatigue while increasing mileage.
What I realized about the way that I was brought up was we only focused on formation runs. While most Soldiers could keep up, I keep seeing the same injuries from those that don't have the same athletic ability as others. Not necessarily gender specific either. The injuries I've seen come from entry level Soldiers not having an athletic background. They hit the ground running and some can't overcome their injuries or believe they can't.
I'd like to see more of a focus on running techniques. With my companies remedial physical readiness training, I often take the Soldiers who have had a lower extremity injury and focus on technique, breathing, and distance and forget about time. Once they have rebuilt the muscles and flexibility coupled with cardio vascular shape, EVERY Soldier has passed their 2 mile time without EVER concentrating on speed.
I'm not sure if I have the answers to the test or not, but, this is what's worked for me. I hope I've answered your question.
What worked well for me was completely forgetting about speed and starting with technique. Proper posture and weight balance was first, then came how the foot should strike...I'm a pronator so bought shoes to correct that. Once I worked out the technique and worked through the soreness that's when I concentrated on speed work... sprints and interval training. BREATHING techniques. I always focused my breathing on which foot was striking the ground rather than controlling heart rate and expanding lungs through belly-breathing. Stretching before and after to ensure hamstrings and hip-flexors had good recovery.
But my biggest lesson learned was changing my mindset, from being the fastest 2 mile runner or being able to stay in step in a formation run at a 8:30 min/mi while sounding off to a cadence, to truly focusing on endurance. Monitoring heart rate, muscle fatigue while increasing mileage.
What I realized about the way that I was brought up was we only focused on formation runs. While most Soldiers could keep up, I keep seeing the same injuries from those that don't have the same athletic ability as others. Not necessarily gender specific either. The injuries I've seen come from entry level Soldiers not having an athletic background. They hit the ground running and some can't overcome their injuries or believe they can't.
I'd like to see more of a focus on running techniques. With my companies remedial physical readiness training, I often take the Soldiers who have had a lower extremity injury and focus on technique, breathing, and distance and forget about time. Once they have rebuilt the muscles and flexibility coupled with cardio vascular shape, EVERY Soldier has passed their 2 mile time without EVER concentrating on speed.
I'm not sure if I have the answers to the test or not, but, this is what's worked for me. I hope I've answered your question.
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Capt Richard I P.
MAJ (Join to see) I appreciate it, I'd like to improve my running but am not sure where to begin, any reading recommendations?
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First of all, shooting and fighting remain the cornerstones of any military unit. You learn everything else as you go (hopefully) but marksmanship is a lost art if you don't teach and practice it.
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Capt Richard I P.
SGM (Join to see) This was the discussion on most important if you want to add your point there.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-most-important-military-skill
Which ones do you think are worst-taught?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-most-important-military-skill
Which ones do you think are worst-taught?
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I think in the Army... at least until we realized after 911 many MOSs were not all well trained to fight and survive in combat (we were all good at what the Army needed us to do in peace time, at the NTC/CMTC/JRTC etc, or what we thought the Army needed us to be good at). Readiness varied widely by types of units.
After 911, the Army dramatically changed marksmanship to rival how the Marines do it, and added 30-40 Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, to ensure all Soldiers were capable of fighting first and foremost. It was a great step forward, but we still have improvements to make.
The concept was great, but unlike the Marine mentality of everyone's a rifleman first and foremost (which they embrace, believe and live), I don't think everyone in the Army really embrace(d) this.
Yes, BCT was/is dramatically better, but we still have a long way to go in my view. Once we get to units, we all still focus on our missions, jobs, and skills we need to support our higher commands.
Some units place a a priority on shooting, and fighting, but in many places, after IET, this becomes a once or twice a year qualification, or pre-deployment training... for many units outside the BCTs.
After 911, the Army dramatically changed marksmanship to rival how the Marines do it, and added 30-40 Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, to ensure all Soldiers were capable of fighting first and foremost. It was a great step forward, but we still have improvements to make.
The concept was great, but unlike the Marine mentality of everyone's a rifleman first and foremost (which they embrace, believe and live), I don't think everyone in the Army really embrace(d) this.
Yes, BCT was/is dramatically better, but we still have a long way to go in my view. Once we get to units, we all still focus on our missions, jobs, and skills we need to support our higher commands.
Some units place a a priority on shooting, and fighting, but in many places, after IET, this becomes a once or twice a year qualification, or pre-deployment training... for many units outside the BCTs.
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Communication far and away is the biggest issue. With the inability to properly communicate we cannot perform any of the other skills nor can we complete a mission. I do not know how many times that I have been unable to complete a task due to a lack of proper communication from my superiors. I also have likely issued my level of confusing communications as well.
I agree with what SSG(P) (Join to see) said.
I agree with what SSG(P) (Join to see) said.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Capt Richard I P.
You mentioned concern for the thoughts of communication being the most important and worst taught skill, and while I agree, this is also something you do not consider: Communication is the only skill listed with an inherent ability that can be directly applied from other sources. Shooting (especially on military ranges) is taught differently than a civilian might, and we generally do not use maneuver skills while civilians.
You mentioned concern for the thoughts of communication being the most important and worst taught skill, and while I agree, this is also something you do not consider: Communication is the only skill listed with an inherent ability that can be directly applied from other sources. Shooting (especially on military ranges) is taught differently than a civilian might, and we generally do not use maneuver skills while civilians.
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Capt Richard I P.
LTC (Join to see) It is definitely leading the list, just like it did for "most important" that's kind of a concerning trend, don't you think?
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