What was the best, worst, or most memorable corrective training you have ever received, given, or observed?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 13:25:30 -0500

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Dec 1 at 2013 8:21 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:21:08 -0500

I once knew a couple of Marines who dodged out of duty somehow on a payday weekend, and their punishment was to "Wax a bus" at Motor T. For three days, they slaved over that bus, and I'm pretty sure, they never dodged duty again.

In my father's day, he witnessed something that had him giggling for many, many years. When he came stateside during wartime... I believe it was right before he was sent to Korea, he was on duty at Camp Pendelton. Chesty Puller was put in charge of their unit, and he had an inspection in full field gear. Most of the Marines, filled out their packs with cigar boxes, rather than all the gear they were supposed to carry, but my father had served with Puller in WWII, so he and several others knew the man's views, so they had their gear with them. Puller tapped on several of their packs, smiling slightly as he heard the thump of the empty cigar boxes. "You know, you Marines look so good, I think we ought to take a little walk, let everyone see how fine you look..." He took them on a 3 day march, with nothing more than what they all carried. My father said he was offered five bucks for a sip from his canteen during that march, and needless to say, the next inspection, no one appeared with an empty pack.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 8:35 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:35:58 -0500

I remember an inspection in the barracks and a foul order and the inspectors asked what that smell is. I said my roommate's locker. They actually busted in a suspended bust and an Article 15. The locker never smelled like that again.

Response by SSG Bruce Durham made Dec 1 at 2013 9:54 AM

SSG Bruce Durham — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 09:54:34 -0500

Filling 150 sand bags in Korea and toting them two by two up 96 steps to the top of the mountain for playing a prank on another Pvt. Ahhh, the good old days!

Response by SSG Martin Petersen made Dec 1 at 2013 10:47 AM

SSG Martin Petersen — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 10:47:59 -0500

I remember during AIT some soldiers had a hard time making their racks, so the Drill Sergeants would make them dissassemble the whole thing and put it back together on the parade field, to include making their bunks.

Response by SSG Matthew Thomas made Dec 2 at 2013 10:31 AM

SSG Matthew Thomas — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 10:31:43 -0500

During AIT several individuals decided to sneak out after curfew. Mass punishment was instituted and we had to rub sun screen over every rock around the barracks in AZ.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Mar 9 at 2014 8:48 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 20:48:45 -0400

My most memorable corrective action was when another unqualified crewman and I took a small boat out to deliver a lightbulb to the Aids to Navigation Team. On the way back, we saw a guy fall out of his boat and we swung around and rescued him. It took only minutes and we didn't have time to call in what we were doing. We got our butts chewed and then the officer in charge screamed "What do you think would have happened if something went wrong?!" I said "You would have written us qual letters, postdated them, and then pulled them and put us on report." The next day we both had qual letters so we wouldn't be rescuing anyone while we were 'unqualified.'

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 10 at 2014 12:41 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 12:41:44 -0400

So there I was... young LCpl Hasbun... In the Shower..with the hot water cranked up... in MOPP 4... doing Mountain Climbers.. -My room was never below standard agian..

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Mar 10 at 2014 12:45 PM

MSG Gene Potocki — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 12:45:52 -0400

The weekly 12 mile road march on the PT track, while the squad leader sat in a lunch chair supervising. Learned quick not to push the envelope. 

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 12:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 12:49:51 -0400

My most memorable smoking was when I had first gotten to Iraq and we were doing our left seat, right seat. After doing our mission, the squad I was in was doing an AAR. I was an E4 at the time and one of the Sergeants tried to call me out for being alone while we were at an IP station and not having a battle buddy. I wasn't alone as I had the DOC with me, but it may have been one of those moments where I should have just said roger that and went on my way. Instead I stubbornly tried to argue that I wasn't alone and it ended up with me being smoked. I had to do a whole regimen of different exercises and smoking techniques all while I was on those sharp large gravel rocks they put around the tents. It was also around 110 that day as well. Definitely won't forget that one.

Response by CPL David Levy made Mar 10 at 2014 1:10 PM

CPL David Levy — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 13:10:32 -0400

Every unit has a dysfunctional guy, well, our guy had a problem with following orders, here we were, in South Korea, its monsoon season, pouring rain, on a friday, and he decided he didn't like the rain, ducked out and went back to his barracks.

When he got caught, his best excuse was "Oh Sergeant, I got wet and had to come dry off"...

Saturday Morning rolled around, we are all in the barracks looking out the window to a Sergeant smoking this soldier in the pouring rain.. flutter kicks, side straddle hops, push ups, sprints... his attitude got him even more in trouble, lead to further corrective action, but lets not talk about that. lol

Response by SSG Jason Hoadley made Mar 10 at 2014 1:53 PM

SSG Jason Hoadley — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 13:53:16 -0400

Most Memorable....

A fellow NCO, turned a PVT in to a human telegraph.

The PVT's offense was called the SSG "dude"

The SSG was in a office 1/4 mile away from another NCO.

The PVT, relayed inane messages several times between the two

Least Favorable,

I as a young PVT, smarted off to my squad leader a SPC.

He later that day tasked me to wash and drain the engine bay of an M88 tracked Recovery Vehicle.

I washed out the egine bay, but did not know how to drain the water out of it.

I was instructed to remove a small-ish metal plate from the under the vehicle.

As soon at I did most if the oily water in the engine bay poured out on to me.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Mar 10 at 2014 2:43 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:43:08 -0400

A Soldier returned home from an OEF deployment.  This Soldier decided that he would try to drink 12 months of beer in one weekend.  Soldier made his way to the roof of the barracks and decided it was a great idea to urinate off the roof onto traffic.  Needless to say the MPs and the 1SG and PSG were not entertained.  1SG turned to the PSG and was told to fix the problem. The Soldier arrived to PT formation on Monday with a chain around his neck with a toilet seat attached to it.  When asked, he was to respond loud and passionately while holding up the toilet seat that "This is used for peeing.  It is found in a latrine attached to a toilet.  There is not a toilet or a toilet seat on the roof.  The roof is not for peeing."  This went on for almost a week....until the CSM caught wind of it. Needless to say, the CSM lost his mind and the PSG was hemmed up (just an ass-chewing).  The Soldier however, never urinated off a barracks roof again.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 3:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:02:53 -0400

I was once took a nap at lunch, causing me to be late for a 1300 meeting with my Commander. In addition to the behind chewing I received from the 1SG, I was also given corrective training by my PSG. I was made to carry a wall clock around my neck tied with 550 cord, Flavor Flav style. It was pretty embarrassing. Needless to say, I wasn't late meeting with my Commander again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 3:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:12:20 -0400

Getting yelled at, in the stall, while in the act, after running in the halls of the school house. Apparently I was supposed to defecate in my pants as I calmly walked to the bathroom.

Response by SSG Roderick Smith made Mar 10 at 2014 7:37 PM

SSG Roderick Smith — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:37:27 -0400

Everything I owned was thrown out of a 3rd story window in BCT. Gear, uniforms, blankets, anything that would fit. My DS even folded up the mattress and threw that out. Three of us got that treatment. Obviously our bunks and wall lockers wouldn't fit out the window, so we had to hand carry those down to the drill pad. There, we had to set everything back up and make it inspection ready. We lived there all day. I learned a lot about following rules that day...

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Mar 10 at 2014 9:33 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:33:14 -0400

My NCOIC slightly raised his voice and threatened to send me to a line unit. I had heard those were the types of units that worked in "motor pools" and didn't have their own work computers much less their own office. <div> </div><div>That was all it took for SPC Woods to get right.</div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 10:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:31:02 -0400

The cold inescapable stare. Sometimes there is not a need for words. Yelling is ineffective. But the stare as they cease, duck, and walk away looking for redemption in conducting productive activities is one of the most powerful phenomenons I have ever witnessed in my days.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Mar 10 at 2014 10:53 PM

SSG Oliver Mathews — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:53:28 -0400

Soldier had a messed up room.  We are talking Cigarette buts on the shower floor, and enough paper bags from Burger King to probably build a small forest. Bad enough that there was talk about UCMJ which after a hefty amount of convincing and providing the CoC with my plan of action was that pulled from the table. He had just been transferred to my team so 1SG expected that his old NCO and I work together on correcting this issue. Not to mention i was a Team leader and only SPC at the time .... Fast forward to Saturday morning. Me and other NCO woke the soldier up at quarter till 7 and instructed him to come down stairs to the grass outside when he was dressed in PTs. When he arrived he found Engineer Tape on the ground that oddly resembled his room. He was then instructed to remove every item from his room and bring it down stairs to the grass. We watched as he enlisted other people willing to help as he moved his entire barracks room to the grass. He then proceeded to Clean his room from top to bottom. Once the room was clean he then had to set the Grass "Room" up exactly as he had it in the barracks. He "Plugged" his TV in to the Ground and He spent a while watching TV playing XBOX, Surfing the web. It was priceless, he watched the BN CSM walk up and ask us what was going on. We explained the situation and the CSM said carry on. After a while he was instructed to put everything back. Which he did.  He wiped all the furniture down as he took it into the building.  He was released once his room was back in order. It took an entire day, but his room was NEVER substandard again and was used more than once as an example of how a room should look. I know these methods seem harsh or Cruel but the soldier was given a choice. The 1SG wanted to recommend UCMJ. He could be recommended for an Article 15, or he could do it my way. After all was said and done the soldier learned a hard lesson.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 2:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 14:51:25 -0400

Soldier failed to shave prior to accountability formation. 10lb bag of potatoes+10 pack single blade Bic razors= enough said!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 5:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:35:07 -0400

The good cop, bad cop routine. As a PL, I was out hunting on Fort Sill with my CO and a buddy. While walking down the railroad tracks to check out a pig wallow, we see a guy in ACUs running parallel to the highway. We yell for him to stop but he doesn't hear us or ignores us. 15 minutes later we are waiting at the pig wallow and we hear rustling in the bushes. The three of us take aim with a 12 gauge shotgun, 50 cal black powder rifle, and compound bow as we watch the bushes move. I yell, "Don't shoot! That's a fleece ACU cap!" A lone private steps out of the bushes onto the railroad tracks. We get up and tell him to get over here. He takes off running down the tracks the other way. I ask my CO "Can I get him?" My CO yells at him to stop a few times. Then he takes my shotgun, and fires two rounds into the air. BAM! BAM! Private just runs faster... "Can I get him? Can I get him?" I ask again. "Ok, Matt. Get him." I take off after him and catch him after a good 200 meters. He was only 50 meters away from the boundary fence. I grab him by the shoulder, spin this private around, and launch into a expletive and spittle laden tirade. "What the (blankety blank) are you thinking! We (blanking) could have (blanking) killed you!!! What the (blank) are you doing!" etc. etc. The PVT is deer in the headlights, out of breath, mumbling nonsense. After about 5 minutes the CO walks over grinning and tells me to take a walk. He sits down with the guy and talks to him. He was a PVT trying to escape basic training for one silly reason or another. The CO talks him into coming with us and we continue the hunt for another half hour or so. The whole time the PVT won't come within 10 feet of me. My CO drops him off with his unit shortly afterwards. There were six Drill Sergeants lined up on the curb waiting for him. They had been searching for hours. Poor guy... I think we scared the crap out of him but got him to calm down eventually. Didn't get a pig on that hunt, but I did get a private and a good story! The CO called me Cujo for a few weeks after that...

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 11 at 2014 6:02 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 18:02:58 -0400

As a young CPL, so this was like late '89, I had a young PFC driver on my tank that had a habit of acting really childish at times; well one day said PFC did whatever he was doing (almost 25 years ago so forgive my aging mind lol) and it got on my last nerve, so as we were in the back of our orderly room at Ft. Carson, I made him stand in the corner with his nose touching a certain point on a wall locker that caused him to have to stretch a bit, I made him stand there for a good half-hour till the PSG made me let him resume normal operations.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 2:41 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:41:30 -0400

Lost or misplaced serialized gear replaced by a gigantic serialized rock.

Filling sandbags with a fork.

Building and tearing down walls of sandbags.

Hygiene by the numbers under supervision.

Oki Field Day.

Dirty barracks room replaced with a half shelter.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 11:35 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 23:35:50 -0400

When I was a PVT I was asked by a SSG if my hair cut was in Reg's. I told him yes. He asked me how do I know. I said because my PSG cut it for me. He told me look it up in AR 670-1. I told my PSG what he said and he told me I was in Reg. Next day the SSG asked me again if I was in reg and I answered again yes. He than asked me how do I know and I said my PSG told me so. The SSG told me to look it up. So about 3 weeks pass and we were at the range and he saw my hair cut and asked me the same question. I told him it's in reg. He asked me if I looked it up and I told him no the PSG said its in reg. He than pulled me from the range and told me to follow him. We walked to a empty parking lot full of rocks. He set up a table and told me to listen up. He said I want you to build me a Battalion made up of rocks. He wanted 4 companies of 30 soldiers. He told me to pick up the soldiers from the other end of the parking lot. So I started. I picked up the biggest rocks I could find. About 30 mins in I was almost done with my 1st company and he came over to check on me. He than pushed all the rocks on the ground and said he didn't want any fat soldiers in his BN. He picked up the smallest rock and said I want these soldiers. So I started over. About 2 1/2 hours and 1 1/2 companies later he came back over and told me to stop. He said do you know why I had you do this. I said no. He said I been telling you to pick up the reg and get your hair cut to the standard, it seem like I wasn't getting anywhere with you. Same as you felt you wasn't getting anywhere building that BN. Every scents than I always stayed in regs with my hair cuts.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 11:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 23:55:33 -0400

I had to dig a standard dimension grave with an e-tool for a cigarette butt on the ground that happened to be my brand. Then I had to deliver a eulogy to my platoon, play mouth Taps, and fill in the grave. I pick up every cigarette butt I see now.
~this was in the USMC

Response by SGT Montana Crawford made Mar 13 at 2014 12:08 AM

SGT Montana Crawford — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 00:08:39 -0400

A few years ago, before the Army decided we should ruin peoples careers with paperwork, I don't recall what I said, but it was something a stupid private would say. My punishment? The whirly-bird.

They picked 2 points, 15 meters apart, had me run back and forth while spinning in a circle. Once I was sufficiently dizzy to almost puking, they had me bear-crawl.

Priceless hilarity, and I learned my lesson.

Response by SGT Montana Crawford made Mar 13 at 2014 12:13 AM

SGT Montana Crawford — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 00:13:36 -0400

Another good one, this didn't happen to me though. My first unit, Expert Infantry Badge testing. The penalty for being more than 5 feet from your weapon ("left behind") was a large tree limb typically 10-15lbs 550 corded to your M4. Hilarious watching several people lugging it around all day.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 13 at 2014 7:42 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 07:42:43 -0400

Back when corrective training could be humiliating and entertaining to walk, there was a soldier who was always late in my platoon. I made him bring an alarm clock to every formation. I do not go as far as making wear it around his neck like Flavor Flav though.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 10:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:19:59 -0400

I was late to formation back in 1996, my SQD LDR made me show up to the Staff Duty desk in a different uniform every hour until 2358.

It worked!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 10:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 22:19:03 -0400

My first cycle of privates, we briefed them that they could only get one condiment. Of course it's always one that doesn't listen. I saw a private with 2 peanut butters. So I took him into peanut butter overload. Let's just say he later got stationed at FLW and I ran into him. He told me to this day almost 2 years later he can't smell nor look at peanut butter without throwing up.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 11:38 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:38:54 -0400

Skilcraft wall clock around the neck for being late

Response by CSM Christopher St. Cyr made Mar 22 at 2014 7:21 PM

CSM Christopher St. Cyr — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 19:21:29 -0400

My favorite for many years for a Joe who may have misplaced something was accounting and carrying 155mm dummy round.  Some of the guys learned they fit well in the old ALICE pack.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 4:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 16:56:10 -0400

Joining at forty my most memorable corrective training was in basic. A drill Sgt knowing I needed help with push ups found something in my class clown attitude to correct me on. He told me any time he saw me I would have to do push ups, including mess hall. Some times even when not in the room I would hear from around the corner "Viisola, I see you!" and I would just get down. It helped a lot and was fun at times I was not in the mood and had to get creative to avoid him.

Response by PO3 Anthony Zucarelli made Apr 10 at 2014 5:27 PM

PO3 Anthony Zucarelli — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 17:27:49 -0400

In basic one of the recruits has made his rack improperly, he had the catch edge of the sheet showing. The CC made him strip the bed and put the sheet over his head and go from person to person during inspection and say he was the Catch Edge fairy and how to properly position the catch edge of the sheets.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 7:32 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 19:32:15 -0400

During BMT we had this one genius decide to speak for the entire flight and tell our TI we were tired, after only 2 weeks of training. Our TI told us to strip down next to your bunks climb in and go to sleep. He came back with another TI about five minutes later and they had us doing dressing drills for about 20 min, then they moved us into the drying area of the shower for about 15 min, then into the day room for another 30 minutes. after we got dressed we were on our faces for about 10 minutes. We had 2 min for all of us (about 50 trainees) to get completely dressed and undressed. Needless to say we were never tired again and could get dressed in under 2 min.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Apr 27 at 2014 12:28 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:28:24 -0400

This was while I was in the Chilean Air Force Academy. Late 1980's.
As future pilots, at the very least we should have known the length of the runway of the very base we were in.
One day when asked by one of our platoon leaders, not one of us could answer correctly. So that night after last formation (around 2100), we were issued a matchbox and then instructed to measure the runway using matchsticks. It took the better part of 3 hours but we got it done.
roughly 48100 matchsticks for a length of 6020 feet.

Another time we were given teaspoons and ordered to water the entire DNC yard. This was after lunch in July. By the time you turned around to go get another spoonful of water the first one had started to evaporate. That one was never finished but kept us busy for a couple of hours. Our crime? Not reporting in time for the police call that morning.

Another night, we were awaken at roughly 0200 and rushed to formation. Then we were ordered to run back to our rooms, change into our flight suits and grab our mattress, our backpack and our briefcase. We were then lined up in a takeoff queue, where we had our backpack in one hand, our briefcase in the other, and our mattress slung over our shoulders, simulating the wings of a plane. With the backpack and briefcase as "missiles". Then we marched in our takeoff queue to the runway and then ordered to run the length of the runway and jump every 20 steps or so simulating our takeoff. That one lasted over an hour.

Memorable for sure.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 27 at 2014 12:37 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:37:07 -0400

After receiving a "Bravo Zulu" (an Atta-boy) from our Maintenance Officer. Our Division Chief was so happy, he gave the entire shop EMI. He called it "extra training" but it was only to be done after working hours - one of the very definitions of EMI. We had to do several projects, which he was to "grade" the next morning. Those who didn't pass his grading got a counseling chit and had to redo the previous one as well as do the one on that night.

There's a lot more to this story, what happened afterwards, funny as hell, but would detract from the main point...

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2014 11:15 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 23:15:26 -0400

Thousands of years ago (1987), in Korea (Camp Casey), a buddy got caught downrange with a slicky pass (to get off Post, you needed a Pass - he bought one for $10 and got caught).

Our Platoon Sergeant told him to report to him at 1800 with an e-tool and two canteens of water - the SFC showed up with a lantern, book and a lawn chair.

The intrepid Private had to dig an entrenched position according to spec (foxhole) - and it took him several hours due to the rocks and roots. When he was done, the SFC ensured it was up to par, then tossed something into it and told the Private to fill it in and ensure it couldn't be seen.

When the ground was restored, the SFC started slapping his pockets like he had lost something - and said, "I lost my lucky coin - it must have fallen in the position - get it!"

It took about four more hours to find that coin - and then fill the position in again, ensuring that the disturbed earth wasn't visible. They were walking down the mountain to the Company Area as we were forming up for PT at 0545.

The SFC never spoke about the issue again (we had several in our Battalion get Field Grade Article 15's over this and lose rank).

The kid never did it again.

SFC Percy Clayton, wherever you are - you taught me to be a leader!!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 8:21 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:21:05 -0400

The best and most memorable, don't even remeber what I did, was when the Superintendent called me in his office at a deployed location, that we weren't at but that a different store, and proceed to rip my ass with out ever raising his voice. I walked out of there not pissed off but feeling about as low as could be because I let him down. Would have rather had him yell and scream for an hour.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 1:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 13:07:37 -0400

Corrective training is big at my school during the first six months. We have a ratline which is along the same line as plebe year in the academies. I was once smoked for a half hour for smiling in my room. Doing 60 or more push ups for messing up something was the norm.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 2:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 14:32:00 -0400

Had a soldier that we could swear was retarded. The list of dumb stuff he did in a 6 month time frame could fill a book. We tried to kick him out several times but for some reason he stayed in. We eventually made him walk around with his LBE with a leash attached and his Kevlar helmet. He was basically a retard in a harness with helmet. The SGM caught wind and we got chewed out. A few days later while giving a network brief to the SGM and BDE CO this guy out of nowhere (loudly I might add) asked if we all wanted pizza and gummy bears.

...there was a long pause and the SGM looked at me and asked "where is his harness and helmet?" I don't think any of us ever laughed so hard in our ARMY careers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 2:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 14:40:51 -0400

I watched a platoon of chewed bubble gum get turned into an apartment.

Let me explain... one soldier was a table where he was on all fours with one hand slightly off the ground so as to wobble (the NCO said he didn't make the big bucks so he couldn't afford the best furniture). One soldier had to squat with both arms outstretched to be a chair. two soldiers next to each other doing something similar to the chair but they were a couch. The NCO did a good job making just about every piece of furniture in an apartment. He even had a soldier as a radio singing. I just feel sorry for the guy that had to be the ceiling fan but the lawn mower was the worst. (front leaning rest with another soldier holding his feet walking around while he walked on his hands chomping his teeth together)

When I saw that platoon again they were very squared away! LOL

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 3:29 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 03:29:21 -0400

SFC Boyer,

My favorite training was in late 2012, we conducted multinational training in Spain. We conducted Route Clearance Training as the Spanish Army prepared for an upcoming deployment.

V/R

MSG Haro

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 12:49 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 00:49:22 -0400

PFC Eric Minchey , I think you are referring to corrective training or what is known as non-punitive measures. I was an enlisted (E6) Paralegal for 8 years. Non-judical punishment is not really creative because it carries certain punishments such as extra duty. Non-punitive measures are what you are referring to. The AR is 27-10 Chapter 3... this is recalling after 4 years.

Basically, there is no punishment when using non-punitive measures. It sounds confusing, but it's not. I remember it saying that the purpose it educate and rehabilitate. In a sense, it's using negative reinforcement, but with lesson learned.

For example, a Soldier who is late to formation can be told to just come the next day 20 minutes prior or teach a class on the purpose of timeliness (but not embarass the Soldier). The purpose is to teach a lesson, therefore it is not punishment. It's a corrective measure. You can bar a Soldier from re-enlistment., but that is not a punishment.

AR 27-10 even provides an example about not having a Soldier using a toothbrush to clean a floor. You have to relate the corrective action with the problem. Even though people say the Army can be fluff at times, it's not when people follow the book correctly. Proper counseling and corrective training is key. Follow up's are vital too. Another aspect is take in the problem the Soldier is having. Being late might be related to marital problems or failing a class with disappointment.

Creative action should be avoided and consulted with JAG because it may land someone in hot water, the Army Times and etc. I know I sound offbeat from what your asking, but rather give realistic information that is important for all those to understand.

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Aug 3 at 2014 1:46 PM

PFC Eric Minchey — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 13:46:38 -0400

After a soldier in our section ended up on the MP blotter. We had to email our weekend plans to the NCOIC by COB every friday & get a Go or No Go from him until he said otherwise.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Aug 4 at 2014 6:08 PM

PO3 John Jeter — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:08:02 -0400

Periodically the Marines aboard ship would draw their rifles for cleaning. With free space at a premium, many of them would bring them up to our gun mounts. We had open 3" 50 Cal. Dual gun mounts. They could sit and clean to their hearts content. We didn't mind so much as long as they cleaned up afterwards. One particular LCPL had difficulty getting this done. The third time he left a mess on mount 32, my leading Petty Officer (Mike) said to let him know the next time he came up to clean his rifle. As ordered, I let him know and he came outside with me and then sent me aft to get some other gear for maintenance. While I was gone, he distracted the LCPL by asking if the trash on the other side of the gun mount was his. When he went to look Mike took the handguards for the M-16 and hid them in a locker. The guy comes back and says no, so Mike says Ok and leaves. When I come back this guy is going nuts looking all over hell trying to find his rifle parts. I helped for a while, but I didn't have a key for that particular locker. Eventually he gives up and goes to meet his fate, trying to turn in a "partial" M-16. I will allow y'all to imagine the fireworks.......they were on the spectacular side! In the meantime, Mike has contacted the "Gunny" and filled him in.......For the rest of the trip to Australia (3 weeks) we had the cleanest, shiniest, best cared for, gun mount in the US Navy. Courtesy of Lance Corporal _________ USMC 3/4 India!

Response by CDR Thomas Gatliffe made Aug 5 at 2014 5:37 PM

CDR Thomas Gatliffe — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 17:37:03 -0400

Had an hour marching "extra duty" under arms to work off the 5 demerits "earned" while a 4/c midshipman for a half-inch straight pin found lodged well beneath the edge of the floor moulding during room inspection by a 1/c Midshipman in my company. The infraction sheet read "Unauthorized steel rod." Got him back in the middle of the night with a "Comet bomb" (canister of Comet cleanser taped shut with an M-80 firecracker inside and the fuse sticking out one of the lid holes). Waited until the watch was in another section, quietly pushed open the room door, lit the fuse, and tossed into the closet where his dress blues were hanging. Was worth every minute of the ten additional hours I earned for that.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 2 at 2014 2:40 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:40:54 -0400

SFC Jason Boyer,

As a Detachment Sergeant, my BDE CSM, Art Souza, was the epitome of a professional Senior NCO. My Detachment Commander had a habit of running around Command structure if they were failing to accomplish his mission on his timeline. CSM Souza had a pointed discussion with me about “keeping my Warrant Officer under control.” This corrective training had a deep and long lasting impact. At a promotion ceremony, CSM Souza said of me that my unit was lucky to have me, because I was like a pit bull that did not let go of an issue until it was resolved. He added that too many NCOs did not handle Soldier support issues in that fashion. I learned from many great leaders during my service and I am thankful to them all for the corrective training I received.

By far the funniest, was when I was in Marine Corps Boot Camp. We were at the BX obtaining hygiene items and a recruit saluted a Mastery Gunnery Sergeant. The Drill Instructors were scampering like rats in the light trying to find out who was yelling, at whom they were yelling, and what was done to cause them to yell.

Thank you for a great question and allowing me to present some fond memories,

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 2:58 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:58:56 -0400

In basic training, we alienated the Drill Sergeant one day. So after returning to the barracks from a 10 mile ruck march, after a bivouac, we had to remove EVERYTHING out of the barracks. And these were the old WWII barracks at Harmony Church. Getting the wall lockers down the stairs was an engineer feat. We had to replicate in the company formation area the exact layout of our bay. Then we had an inspection. After that episode, we had to move all the furniture back into the bay. When we moved it in, we found out that the Sr Drill Sergeant paid a visit with the "Mud monster". This entailed him mopping our bay with a bucket of mud (well, sand and dirt, this was Fort Benning). We did not hit the rack until 0300. Good training.

Response by SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau made Oct 26 at 2014 9:06 PM

SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 21:06:33 -0400

Best corrective action I ever received was being made to write a 1000 word essay. The Plt Sgt issuing it gave me the ARs as references and told me to have it to him in 48 hours. Sitting down, reading the actual regulations, and relating them to what the corrective action was for really made me think about what I did and why it was wrong. Sticks with me to this day.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 16 at 2014 4:12 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 04:12:11 -0500

I had to wear a traffic cone in police orientation as a hat when I made a mistake or said something something the old and crusty civlian did not like.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 16 at 2014 4:16 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 04:16:41 -0500

There are a few I would like to see for example, there have a been a few speeders who got caught be the MPs. I'd like for them to carry around a steering while for a week or so. They could carry it as if they are driving.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 9:08 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 21:08:30 -0400

Felt like this would be a good discussion to re-ignite. I updated the tags. Feel free to add your inputs to this question!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 19 at 2016 10:14 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 10:14:44 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Left my foot locker unlocked in Marine Basic,had to carry it EVERYWHERE for 3 days.This included doing the manual of arms ,PT,and sleeping with it. Needless to say,i will never forget that.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Oct 19 at 2016 10:20 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 10:20:35 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I have one eye brow on the left side that extends very high up my forehead when I'm not a "Happy Camper". It was a signature look that I had throughout my career - that is all I had to do and most individuals got the message when I wasn't happy with a decision they made or didn't make, or if there was a major blunder. It sent a very clear message to those it was targeted toward! LOL!

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 19 at 2016 10:43 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 10:43:11 -0400

When i was in the Army i didn't have money for savings bonds taken from my pay. The FirstSgt called me into the company office & explained how important it was... then stood me in the corner at attention until i saw the error of my ways (about 30 minutes... i'm not overly bright sometimes)

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Oct 19 at 2016 5:46 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 17:46:37 -0400

I had a chief once when I was an Airmen give me "positive reinforcement" for beinglate. I had flown in late the night before on a crew from an overseas flight and there was a roll call the next morning and I overslept. When I walked in he was down front and I thought I had gotten away with it. When it was over he walked by the row where I was sitting, grabbed my by the ear, drug me down the hall and "gently" placed me in his office. After I was in receive mode for about five minutes learning about time management, he threw a five dollar bill at me and told me to report to the barber shop and then back to him before I went back to barracks. Best training I ever received and it never had to be repeated!!! Always been on time ever since.

Response by CPT William Jones made Dec 23 at 2019 11:14 PM

CPT William Jones — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 23:14:59 -0500

Many years ago while in Vietnam in a combat Engineer Company we were having little bouts of problems in unit that needed correcting before it became a serious problem so we set up an extra training class after regular work day in basic engineering skills. Made a lesson plan and everything usually had an NCO that was in small trouble also to conduct the class. there was a 15 minute class on the proper way to fill sandbags using either one person or two, Then an 1hr 45 minute(2hr class) practical exercise. First time we started class sm said he wanted to go to IG we took him. IG sent him back so IG could inspect class that night. By coincidence class had three more people. IG shows up instructor presents himself to unknown O6 and finds who and what he is. upon learning hands IG lesson plan and finishes instruction portion and stated exercise. IG sent NCOIC to find me and when I reported to class site and reported to IG we went for walk. He told me off record that was the neatest/funniest thing he had seen in a long time and he would recommend that type extra training to all units on the base. We got needed sandbags to use as needed and troops with problems got straightened out with no marks on official records.

Response by MSgt Bill Miller made Mar 16 at 2021 5:39 PM

MSgt Bill Miller — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 17:39:38 -0400

Near the end of my three week “refresher course” after switching from green to blue, the entire BMT flight was standing in line in the MTI lounge for weigh ins. Tensions had been high among the troops for some weird reason; lots of scrapping and poor behavior. During the nut-to-butt shuffle one of the guys stepped on a cockroach under the pool table. MTI hit the roof, yelling about his pool buddy Johnny Cockroach and all the baby Johnnies that would be raised without heir father now. Had us make an origami casket, form an honor guard and parade the casket to the drill field for a full military honors funeral procession. I, as the only surviving Progressive Advance, was tasked with retrieving a spoon from the mess hall (dating myself here) and, as an engineering recruit, digging a precise 6” x 3” x 6” deep grave. Taps was hummed, a 21 gun salute was simulated, and Johnny Cockroach was eulogized with honors.

Afterwards, we were marched back to the barracks bay, stood at parade rest and ordered to remain there until the MTI returned. We lasted about five seconds before he snickering started, and it was an on the floor but roll from there. You wouldn’t believe the turn-around in morale and performance after that stunt. I shipped out to my first duty station a couple of days later, but I remembered the sheer stupidity, and effectiveness of that little technique for the rest of my career. Kinda like the “moostache “ scenes from an old Corps series...