Who remembers the "Peacetime Army?" Are we headed towards painting rocks again?
Training
Morale
Motivation
Policy
But, as a positive we are also starting to train as we did before 9/11 on legacy and new missions. As MSG Cunningham stated above, our officers and NCOs who have only been in since 9/11 don't know how to do peacetime training and daily activities. You get a very blank stare on things that a lot of us take for granted. Like the Green/Amber/Red cycle we reinstituted here at Ft. Stewart a few months ago. That hasn't been used in over 10 years.
And the budgets are shrinking with the personnel reductions and this will continue for the forseeable future. For those who have lived through one or two of these post-war eras, we know it will get worse. They will have us hit bottom before we start climbing and eventually reach an even keel (to borrow a Navy term).
So, yes, painting rocks is back in vogue, but so are a lot of good things to.
I think this is a good thread for those we are trying to get to join can see the substance of some things we discuss between us as current and former military, soft spoken as well as informational and mentoring types of postings.
We also have fun at times while remaining professional.
SFC Cornett: Great question! The answer is that most leadership won't forget the lessons learned, but the organizational dynamics of the Army, political pressures, and budgetary constraints will inevitably push training into a showcase mode at best and as in times past the military will not be fully prepared. Some of the RP readers may remember TF Smith from Korea, and soldiers preparing for "OHIO" before WWII. This question has been raised since after the Revolutionary War, and was the very reason for the founding of West Point in 1802, so it is not an unfounded fear. It has been that way ever since.
Of course, junior leaders can just go with the flow. Do minimal training because there isn't enough money, not enough ammo, too hard to be innovative. Nobody really cares anyway. Don't rock the boat. Chances are there won't be any hostile action; and if there is the unit will get everything it needs and there will be time to get ready. Most leaders are more than willing to bet their soldiers lives on that. In the end, careers are far more important. Right?
Wrong. Leaders must train with whatever resources they have, even if there are none at all. Every junior leader owes it to the troops in their charge to have them ready for combat and their mission at all times, no excuses about budgets, Washington, whatever. The enemy won't allow the excuses, the troops won't forgive the excuses, their parents and families won't accept the excuses, and those excuses will sit in the junior leader's heart forever, if they even survive. The same goes to the supporting units' excuses. Think of it this way: would any unit quit fighting because they ran out of resources? Hell no. They would fight to the death. We train the way we fight. There were lots of ways we did it. Today's SMs will do it, too.
Apologies for the long post. Thank you for your excellent service, SFC Cornett!
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