Posted on Dec 7, 2013
Who remembers the "Peacetime Army?" Are we headed towards painting rocks again?
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As the Military transitions back towards a "peacetime" stance, will the leaders, (junior and senior alike) forget lessons learned? Will training revert back to check the block exercises, and will budget cuts leave us woefully unprepared for future conflicts? How do we prevent the "training for the last war we fought" as was done after Vietnam, and then again after Desert Storm? Are these real issues that deserve attention, or are they unfounded fears. Thank you in advance for your input.
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Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 18
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We obviously cannot ignore the priorities of those above us. What I recommend is that we all get accustomed to demanding a purpose to go along with the task we are given. When things are put in perspective people with "great ideas" might realize they are pushing I'm the wrong direction. My old Regimental CSM once said, "If it doesn't kill the enemy or ensure your Soldiers' survivability, then why are you doing it?"
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MAJ Joseph Parker
1SGT Gary V: Quotes like that take 20 years off an old Infantryman's heart. Thank you.
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Two things: Everything is cyclical and war brings money.
The military cannot sustain the current fighting force or training opportunities without funding from the government.
The military cannot sustain the current fighting force or training opportunities without funding from the government.
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CSM (Join to see)
Ah the memories of washing and painting rocks is returning to me SGM. I believe the Army will return to the "peace time" Army where pulling details are more prevalent than training due to budget constraints. On a more positive note I think the Army is doing a great job of combating this by regionally aligning forces to areas like Korea where units will deploy to instead of the typical unaccompanied tour.
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Perhaps we will eventually go to war with a country whose kryptonite is painted rocks?
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SFC Michael Hasbun
If we're REALLY lucky, that same country will also be littered with HESCO barriers, rendering our ACU's viable as a camouflage pattern again!
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Transitioning back to an Army focused primarily on efforts other than training for combat is inevitable but we must remember that as Leaders we have to train as if we'll be leaving for another deployment in 2 weeks. We're not doing so hot on that now and it starts from the top down. Those Seniors must enforce the standard for those that serve underneath them.
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SFC Rocky Gannon
SGT Cunningham, so true, and as young leaders step up and start training others will follow as to not allow themselves to be left behind. Soldiers want training and discipline, we have to provide it to them at ever level. It takes no money to pack a ruck and go do IMT, or MAP Reading in the Battalion area. For that matter, find a spot and (hope not dating myself) set up shelter halves and spend the night, doing some night movements and training.
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Our civilian and military leadership (and society in general) need to learn from the past - like the saying goes "learn from history or you are doomed to repeat it."
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Who said we ever stopped painting rocks. Wether we are in a time of war or peace, there is always going to be that BS detail in between the training missions.
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We are already gearing up to fight the last war next time.
I'm certain we will go back to check the block training where it was more important for the Range OIC to have a briefing book and dress right port a johns than actually ensure training is conducted.
If we didn't go to war I would have got out as soon as my time was up.
I'm certain we will go back to check the block training where it was more important for the Range OIC to have a briefing book and dress right port a johns than actually ensure training is conducted.
If we didn't go to war I would have got out as soon as my time was up.
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I remember some of that in my first assignment but in the weather field there was no time of peace. Always had something to do that was important and related to peace time activities. In maintenance we cleaned the seals of refrigerators to keep the country safe.
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Our military training and doctrine still has a solid foundation in conventional warfare and a very comfortable familiarity in the unconventional. Along with the newly-developed Direct Action Training Envoronment (DATE) scenarios, and a pruning of leaders who lack potential, I believe we will be much better prepared for future contingency operations than we were for OEF.
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Being in the 82nd airborne I remember there not even being enough money to fuel the airplanes so we can go on jumps or field problems, not a good time for the military or the country. I truly hope that does not happen again.
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