Improper storage damaging $1.8 billion in Army ground combat equipment

LTC Trent Klug Sir, I am currently a civilian in a government job. I have three full months of training for this job. After training, I hit the ground stumbling. Because 60% of my job was not covered in training. And 60% of my training did not apply to my job. After 2 1/2 years, I am recognized as *the* subject matter expert in my region. I am writing the state-wide SOP, from scratch, in my "spare" time.

But no one trained me on my job, I learned it on my own. And because I learned it on my own, as I am writing the SOP, and referencing various policies, regulations, and interstate agreements, I am finding that I have been doing some things wrong for years.

Being a government civilian is not a magic cure for training. If they have never been trained what right looks like it is not their fault.

SFC Casey O'Mally - I concur, after working for 10 years at the US Naval Ship Repair Facility on Guam, as a journeyman welder.
The best thing that got things better, was the Navy implementing the program, Total Quality Management (TQL), which got skilled workers in their field, talking to each other on any project, how things were to get done, and the best quality work.
Before, things got done by, having management do all the decisions on the skill work, and not on the floor looking at the job itself.
But, you're right, can't hold anyone accountable, if they don't know what to do, and, managements is responsible to train it's work force, for what it expects.

SFC Casey O'Mally Well join the club. I experienced the same thing in the Federal Corrections field. Policy is out there and if supervisors ain't following it, then you need to fire that supervisor. I guarantee you, the supervisors know what right looks like as do the senior employees. They're just not held accountable by anyone above them.

You all make great points. Everybody knows the basics of D&C, right? Well, not necessarily. The last thing I did for the Commandant of Cadets at VFMA&C in Pennsylvania before I left was put together a complete drill manual showing everything from the position of attention all the way up to company drill movements. You would be amazed how many came up to me after we distributed it and said, "Gee, I never knew that!" with regard to one or more items in the manual . . .