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It should come as no surprise to anyone who has spoken with me or read some of the other pieces that I have had the privilege of posting that education is something that I feel extremely passionate about. In fact, I would go so far as to say that education ranks right up there with my passion for writing, service to my country, and love for the Constitution of the United States and everything that it provides. Why exactly would education rank so high up there in things that I value? Simply put, education is the basic foundation for those other things that I have listed. Without a proper education, one is unable to utilize the written word. Without a proper education, one cannot properly serve in any branch of the military or law enforcement (contrary to popular belief). Lastly, and most importantly, without a proper education, one is unable to understand, abide by, and protect the Constitution of the United States; this fact seems ever more evident by the masses of ignorant young people and their radically unhinged and politically motivated leadership.
I previously wrote a piece that really maligned what has so far been my experience at a university. I could go on to elaborate even further about the shortfalls of the college education provided in this country, possibly for eternity, but I would rather take aim at a different aspect of our education system. As previously stated, young people show up ill-prepared for what they should be expected to do once they arrive at college. Why is this? Well, we can point fingers at government regulations (ie “No Child Left Behind”), or ‘teaching to tests’, or funding, and, in all honesty, any one of these could very well be accurately blamed for one negative aspect of our system or another. What about just the people teaching our kids?
We hear all the time about the professors at universities but it is very seldom that we look at the people at the elementary, middle, and high school levels – unless there happens to be a scandal involving sexual misconduct (which is an issue of a whole other kind) – but take a moment to think about these people.
I am going to speak in generalities. Young people these days have little to no discipline, no work ethic, believe that they should receive unearned benefits and or rewards, and seem to have the worst time regulating their emotions (so much so that “trigger warnings” have become common practice in many places). Who can the education system turn to in order to make drastic improvements to these circumstances? Why, the last time that I had an issue with any of these things was prior to my experience in basic training!
Noncommissioned officers, not just drill sergeants, are specially adapted to developing functional and well-adapted youth that are prepared to take on the difficulties associated with the real world. Day in and day out, NCOs across the military are constantly dealing with young men and women ranging in ages starting at 17; who is to say that these professionals could not adapt to perform the same miracles with young people only slightly younger? Counseling, personal and professional development, and teaching (training) are all tools that any NCO worth their salt has at their disposal. In addition, NCOs promote discipline in various ways, understand the need for proper levels of encouragement, and instill values into those under their charge. Are these not the exact qualities that we wish for our young people?
Everyone has heard the saying “those who cannot do teach”. The fact is that this has been the case for far too long. When you have a generation of people who cannot do anything, teaching kids who will in turn not be able to do anything, you end up with a large portion of a generation essentially crippled. We can see this right now. A generation of young adults looking for handouts, free stuff, and government assistance because they have been taught, for ages, by people who could barely do anything for themselves (or at least were so inept that they could do almost nothing of novel value). We have people going into disciplines like “gender studies” in which lies a future of absolutely nothing. Can anyone please tell me exactly what someone with a PhD in gender studies does for society besides teach other people who are going for a degree in that area? Of course you can’t because there is nothing. Perhaps work in some obscure fashion for the ACLU, maybe.
I believe that it is high time that people who can do, and can do many different things, teach those who we expect to do many different things. If we want young people to take up valuable professions, to be pushed towards doing things of value to themselves and society, they must first be provided with the structure that supports them to do so. Noncommissioned officers are often described as being the “backbone” of the military service (or at least in the Army they are). Could these professionals become the kind of “backbone” structure for the education system that we need? I believe so.
I previously wrote a piece that really maligned what has so far been my experience at a university. I could go on to elaborate even further about the shortfalls of the college education provided in this country, possibly for eternity, but I would rather take aim at a different aspect of our education system. As previously stated, young people show up ill-prepared for what they should be expected to do once they arrive at college. Why is this? Well, we can point fingers at government regulations (ie “No Child Left Behind”), or ‘teaching to tests’, or funding, and, in all honesty, any one of these could very well be accurately blamed for one negative aspect of our system or another. What about just the people teaching our kids?
We hear all the time about the professors at universities but it is very seldom that we look at the people at the elementary, middle, and high school levels – unless there happens to be a scandal involving sexual misconduct (which is an issue of a whole other kind) – but take a moment to think about these people.
I am going to speak in generalities. Young people these days have little to no discipline, no work ethic, believe that they should receive unearned benefits and or rewards, and seem to have the worst time regulating their emotions (so much so that “trigger warnings” have become common practice in many places). Who can the education system turn to in order to make drastic improvements to these circumstances? Why, the last time that I had an issue with any of these things was prior to my experience in basic training!
Noncommissioned officers, not just drill sergeants, are specially adapted to developing functional and well-adapted youth that are prepared to take on the difficulties associated with the real world. Day in and day out, NCOs across the military are constantly dealing with young men and women ranging in ages starting at 17; who is to say that these professionals could not adapt to perform the same miracles with young people only slightly younger? Counseling, personal and professional development, and teaching (training) are all tools that any NCO worth their salt has at their disposal. In addition, NCOs promote discipline in various ways, understand the need for proper levels of encouragement, and instill values into those under their charge. Are these not the exact qualities that we wish for our young people?
Everyone has heard the saying “those who cannot do teach”. The fact is that this has been the case for far too long. When you have a generation of people who cannot do anything, teaching kids who will in turn not be able to do anything, you end up with a large portion of a generation essentially crippled. We can see this right now. A generation of young adults looking for handouts, free stuff, and government assistance because they have been taught, for ages, by people who could barely do anything for themselves (or at least were so inept that they could do almost nothing of novel value). We have people going into disciplines like “gender studies” in which lies a future of absolutely nothing. Can anyone please tell me exactly what someone with a PhD in gender studies does for society besides teach other people who are going for a degree in that area? Of course you can’t because there is nothing. Perhaps work in some obscure fashion for the ACLU, maybe.
I believe that it is high time that people who can do, and can do many different things, teach those who we expect to do many different things. If we want young people to take up valuable professions, to be pushed towards doing things of value to themselves and society, they must first be provided with the structure that supports them to do so. Noncommissioned officers are often described as being the “backbone” of the military service (or at least in the Army they are). Could these professionals become the kind of “backbone” structure for the education system that we need? I believe so.
Teacher
Teaching
NCO Academy
Primary Education
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 69
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As a former NCO I was given the task at fort Carson to teach supply personnel how to pass their proficiency test. Not to get 156 out of 160 like me. Just 100. I was paid 5 USD a hour for 4 hours a week in the evening. For the solders it was free. The pol, warehouse guys were having a hard time. I prepared practice tests for which I was paid for as well. I had taken 6 of these tests and basically new what was coming. The 76Y's by and large did well. Just like Sgt Bilko. Well time to take the test. 4 hours to take the test. Multiple choice. First go through and mark the ones you are 100 percent sure. Then narrow it down to where you are unsure of two possible correct answers. Take the first one. Then for the ones you do not have a clue. Mark them all c. Took me one hour. Scored 156 again.
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OK, I am going to disagree to a point. Yes, young people today are ill equipped to take on life's responsibilities. And yes, a good NCO is an educator/trainer. When I went through NCO School teaching was a big part of our training. However there is no way an NCO can take on ALL the responsibility for educating everyone under his charge. He will have a tough enough time teaching them the things required to do their job and/or survive in combat. He can however act as a facilitator, arranging for classes and training for those who do want to improve. The Corps had something like correspondence courses (I forget what they were called) even back when I was in. Make sure they know they can take these courses, and when they do encourage them to finish the courses they sign up for. And find someone they can go to (you in most cases) for advice or help so they are not left to flounder when they don't understand. Also maybe arrange times when those taking the same courses can get together, compare notes and study. That's just one example of what I mean by being a facilitator. Delegate, then use your time to teach those things you must very well.
And yes, a good NCO can teach many of life's lessons their parents should have taught them while teaching other subjects. But not if he's trying to teach 12 years of primary education to an entire squad, all the while performing his supervisory duties. And don't forget, NCO's today are from that same generation. My guess is they are struggling to stay afloat themselves. They need the support and facilitation of staff and officers. The military should operate as a unit in all things and all ways. That's how individuals are trained to act on their own when necessary. A man will take risks for comrades who've shared in personal growth. Units where this kind of leadership and camaraderie are lacking do not fare as well, even in peace time. We called it being tight, and if a unit wasn't the members tended to be victimized by others who were.
And yes, a good NCO can teach many of life's lessons their parents should have taught them while teaching other subjects. But not if he's trying to teach 12 years of primary education to an entire squad, all the while performing his supervisory duties. And don't forget, NCO's today are from that same generation. My guess is they are struggling to stay afloat themselves. They need the support and facilitation of staff and officers. The military should operate as a unit in all things and all ways. That's how individuals are trained to act on their own when necessary. A man will take risks for comrades who've shared in personal growth. Units where this kind of leadership and camaraderie are lacking do not fare as well, even in peace time. We called it being tight, and if a unit wasn't the members tended to be victimized by others who were.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
I don't think you quite understood the argument that was actually being made. I'm saying that NCOs (and I've amended it in other comments to include officers) could function as better teachers in the civilian world after service. I am not stating that they take up the full weight of training, education, and instilling values but rather they could do a better job in these areas than many of the people employed in this field. I'm not saying the teacher then takes the place of educator, parent, and priest; I'm saying they bring a particular set of experiences and skills to the table that makes them especially valuable as teachers of young people.
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Sgt Dan Catlin
Thank you for the correction. In this case, I absolutely agree. I have taught a few disciplines since leaving the service, including a Fire Services Instructor in the 90's', and my service experience was invaluable. At that time we were starting to see young peole who could not focus on one topic for long, had poor study habits, and a reverse learning curve (all down!) since they could not follow instructions well to learn a simple evolution (method of accomplishing a task). The hard part was they were mixed with older Firefighters and EMS personnel who were used to listening and doing. The younger ones learned best in sound bites, and the oler ones wanted a full lecture and complete instructions, then practice.
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CPT Earl George
In Army ROTC advanced course, you receive instruction on how to teach a class. One of the first things we were told was to teach the class for the 9th grade level. I was surprised to hear that but not surprised after actually being on active duty. You have to become a creative instructor in the military, whether officer or NCO. time is always critical and you are usually short of qualified leaders at all levels. You have to be creative in getting your point across.
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Sp4 Byron Skinner…I will take some exceptions here with the Sargent..College is not job training it's an education. I'm a firm believer in the Oxford system and it was used bad in 1967 when I had done my Military Service and went to College. To become a Teacher you need the fifth year which is the job training. Teacher like Police are really not good civilian job choices for what are being called Maneuver Troops, especial if they have served tours(s) in their MOS, in the Sand Box. For those in service and support MOS's who being a soldier means you don't have to decide what to wear to work everyday and are part of the 40% of the Army that doesn't deploy the above two caress might be OK for post military service…The educational system don't like Combat soldiers.I remember going for an interview for a teach job in the public school. The interview was conducted by a ranking administer from the non teaching educators, the ones who know what kids want. Asked me at the end, did you kill people in Vietnam, of course I did, I was an Infantry soldier. His replay I can't hire you, I won't put a killer in the classroom with impressionable students. End of interview.
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I couldn't agree more. However I have also wondered about the impact of providing counseling to children for every adverse event in their young lives. It seems that we have gotten to the point that they no longer can deal with adversity (hence the increase in snowflake behavior or tantrum like behavior. I don't know if any studies have been conducted it is just a personal observation. I would also tend to agree that teachers good or bad lack the freedom to employ discipline
because the administration as a whole is afraid of lawsuits which further complicates things.
because the administration as a whole is afraid of lawsuits which further complicates things.
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I agree with you sir, on almost every point. There is however a growing group of people who have a disability that keeps them from learning like the other 99%
There is Dyslexia, Autism, and various shades of both that turn curious intelligent children into sullen angry adults if they don't get the help that they need and this help is not in your average teaching syllabus.
Even sadder, most of their problems aren't touched by those who become special needs teachers, so its going to take an entirely new sort of training to handle these kids as well!
There is Dyslexia, Autism, and various shades of both that turn curious intelligent children into sullen angry adults if they don't get the help that they need and this help is not in your average teaching syllabus.
Even sadder, most of their problems aren't touched by those who become special needs teachers, so its going to take an entirely new sort of training to handle these kids as well!
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
These issues are an extreme minority when the population of students is taken as a whole. I also believe that much of these occurences are wrong. Some people do have to cope with such things but labels of add/adhd, autism spectrum, and the like are issued out to give excuses because people don't want to be told they are simply stupid.
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Cpl Glynis Sakowicz
SGT Joseph Gunderson - I was one of those kids that was told they were too stupid to learn... it wasn't until I was in high school and I'd learned to adapt to having a form of Dyslexia, that I found out that I wasn't just stupid. As to the Autism, trust me, most Autistics if you know them, are all over the place. Anyone who doesn't like eye contact? Anyone who hates being touched? Anyone who will hit or shove before they let someone touch them? I have an autistic daughter who is brilliant, but she'll lay a powerful right cross on you if you grin or touch her... She doesn't understand all those little emotional cues like smiles or handshakes, so she works in isolation, with earphones on, making a damned good paycheck, as long as people leave her the hell alone.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
Cpl Glynis Sakowicz see, that's why autisim is a worthless, blanket diagnosis. I can testify to not liking to be touched or working with people. Frankly, I am happiestwhen just left to my work. Does that make me autistic? Of course not; it means I'm not a person who necessarily needs or enjoys people. It's a cop out for maladjustment.
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Cpl Glynis Sakowicz
SGT Joseph Gunderson - Perhaps for some people, but not my daughter. Newborn... she would grit her gums and stiffen like a board whenever we'd try to pick her up. After every feeding being a near fight with a tiny baby, the husband used a bean bag chair and a hanger for her bottle, and suddenly, she was gaining weight and content. She babbled at six months, then at nine months, and suddenly stopped doing anything but screaming for two years. She fought every touch, she screamed bloody murder until we found a happy medium and my sister the behavioral shrink stepped up and helped us find a path that worked.
The first time she spoke a single word, it was a complete sentence... after years of screaming so violently, that people who lived around us, kept turning us in for child abuse. I can't tell you how many times we had to undress our little girl to show there weren't bruises.... In the end, it took us learning how to deal with her, finding the right medication to handle her aggression, and pretty much her growing up.
She's adjusted just fine to the world she wants, and we've learned not to push her to fit into ours... to us, its not a cop-out, its profound Autism and if you've ever faced down a three month old that you can't feed while holding, and you can't diaper without touching, you have no idea how much you can handle! Now, I think back and I realize, I'd much rather do the breast stroke thru raw sewage, than take the child that she was, from North Carolina to California again!
The first time she spoke a single word, it was a complete sentence... after years of screaming so violently, that people who lived around us, kept turning us in for child abuse. I can't tell you how many times we had to undress our little girl to show there weren't bruises.... In the end, it took us learning how to deal with her, finding the right medication to handle her aggression, and pretty much her growing up.
She's adjusted just fine to the world she wants, and we've learned not to push her to fit into ours... to us, its not a cop-out, its profound Autism and if you've ever faced down a three month old that you can't feed while holding, and you can't diaper without touching, you have no idea how much you can handle! Now, I think back and I realize, I'd much rather do the breast stroke thru raw sewage, than take the child that she was, from North Carolina to California again!
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My time in the service I found I could teach others how to get the things done correctly. My Motto has been the same as Sgt Joseph Gunderson. "Those that Can't, Teach", "Those That Can Do". Its goes with this term "Those that Talk the Talk, Better be able to Walk the Walk" if not its just bullshit. That's the standard I held my teachers to when I took college courses, I was paying for it and you better get it to me.
The Children coming out of Public Schools today are getting absolutely no education in Life Skills. IE Budgeting, setting attainable Goals, being able to balance a "Check Book", Putting Bigger requirements on CIVIC (Social Studies to some). My list could go on for days. They are not being taught how to use what they are being taught in practical applications, that is HUGE! They are being educated on the easy way to do things IE Math they let them use calculators in class. "Hell No". Do it on paper then you own it, let a calculator do it and you will struggle with math all your life. I have seen many kids doing homework and having trouble with it, using a calculator. When I help them we do it on paper, put the calculator away. Then they really get it. Same with life skills Goals and Budgets.
Yeah I am from a Older Generation and we got that, Home Ecc, Typing ect all of those were offered when I was there and I took them then and it was rounded, Where I Graduated from. They are not getting them or the schools are not requiring it. They are not prepared for College, because of the above they have no life skills and they are in trouble the day they walk in there. So many of them have no "Common Sense" they may have "Street Smarts" but not the other. That is where the parents have failed them.
That is why Colleges spend, usually the first 2 years, teaching them what they should have been taught in HS. Because that is how unprepared they are, they are having to pay for what they should have before they get there. I reviewed many of the Syllabuses of Colleges that their requirements include what I mentioned above. They can take the Optional courses "Majors" they want to Graduate with at the same time.
When I taught others I did it the Military Way. You Tell them What you are going to Teach, Then you teach them the Subject Matter. Then you ask them what they were Taught. That is how you can catch the ones that fell through the cracks. The ones that got it, done. The ones that didn't, I spent extra time with them. Never Assume anything. That is how I got the EIB the first time through and 5 other Guys with me got it also, When I saw what each station was about I would go over it with all of them. Hell it was refreshing me to on each one. That way you weren't having to do it all cold. A big Go, No Go for that test, one, No Go, You failed the whole thing.
Good Officers and NCOs have had to do these things yeah we got the kids from Basic/AIT and then would begin the extended part of their education. I just don't think public schools would allow the level we would need to educate them. We know how to get their Attention and we know how to make sure they get it. Its just the all the Psychologists and Head Doctors won't let them learn with discipline. To many schools are passing kids who really shouldn't be but its the $$ now.
The Children coming out of Public Schools today are getting absolutely no education in Life Skills. IE Budgeting, setting attainable Goals, being able to balance a "Check Book", Putting Bigger requirements on CIVIC (Social Studies to some). My list could go on for days. They are not being taught how to use what they are being taught in practical applications, that is HUGE! They are being educated on the easy way to do things IE Math they let them use calculators in class. "Hell No". Do it on paper then you own it, let a calculator do it and you will struggle with math all your life. I have seen many kids doing homework and having trouble with it, using a calculator. When I help them we do it on paper, put the calculator away. Then they really get it. Same with life skills Goals and Budgets.
Yeah I am from a Older Generation and we got that, Home Ecc, Typing ect all of those were offered when I was there and I took them then and it was rounded, Where I Graduated from. They are not getting them or the schools are not requiring it. They are not prepared for College, because of the above they have no life skills and they are in trouble the day they walk in there. So many of them have no "Common Sense" they may have "Street Smarts" but not the other. That is where the parents have failed them.
That is why Colleges spend, usually the first 2 years, teaching them what they should have been taught in HS. Because that is how unprepared they are, they are having to pay for what they should have before they get there. I reviewed many of the Syllabuses of Colleges that their requirements include what I mentioned above. They can take the Optional courses "Majors" they want to Graduate with at the same time.
When I taught others I did it the Military Way. You Tell them What you are going to Teach, Then you teach them the Subject Matter. Then you ask them what they were Taught. That is how you can catch the ones that fell through the cracks. The ones that got it, done. The ones that didn't, I spent extra time with them. Never Assume anything. That is how I got the EIB the first time through and 5 other Guys with me got it also, When I saw what each station was about I would go over it with all of them. Hell it was refreshing me to on each one. That way you weren't having to do it all cold. A big Go, No Go for that test, one, No Go, You failed the whole thing.
Good Officers and NCOs have had to do these things yeah we got the kids from Basic/AIT and then would begin the extended part of their education. I just don't think public schools would allow the level we would need to educate them. We know how to get their Attention and we know how to make sure they get it. Its just the all the Psychologists and Head Doctors won't let them learn with discipline. To many schools are passing kids who really shouldn't be but its the $$ now.
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MAJ William Smith
The topic isn’t public schools or public school students. The topic is do prior service NCOs make good teachers. The answer is yes.
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SPC Kelly Grindstaff
MAJ William Smith - I have watched to many kids get so disillusioned with school.
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A complete overhaul is needed on the conscious level. And that won't happen until TV, RADIO, BROADCASTING on every level ceases to use subliminal messaging.
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