Posted on Nov 29, 2015
What do you think of the latest revision to the IET soldiers handbook?
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I have been out of the Army for a while, but for some reason I was interested in seeing what changes have been made to the way we train our soldiers since I first signed up back in 2005. So I googled the latest version of TRADOC PAM 600-4, revised in 2014. I looked looked it over, and (as much as I hate being negative) I was not pleased at all.
Within the very first pages of it's content goes straight into preaching about sexual harassment and suicide prevention, then it's re-emphasized several times throughout. Yes we know it's wrong, but I just got this feeling like it immediately starts victimizing recruits.
Another thing I notice is that it hardly portrays the standards that new recruits should be expected to live up to. It doesn't go over anything about our current US weapons systems, and how to properly use and maintain them. UCMJ and Army Values are only briefly touched on, then it barely explains battle drills, TTP's, ect...
It does go over the usual like customs and curiosities, appearance, hygiene and what not.
To me we are still very much at war. It seems we not forging our soldiers to be battle minded, then MOS second like the Marines do. It's like we are coddling and putting them in environments where they expect to be babysat. I read my first IET handbook front to back, and got a very clear picture of who I was supposed to be. Combat minded.
What are your thoughts?
Update: I just want to point out that I'm not saying sexual harassment, EO, and suicide prevention shouldn't be address. You don't take them lightly, because it has a serious effect on command climate, and unit cohesion. In my rotation we did cover these things, but it was only a matter of just don't do it, and everything will be good. I am just saying that when recruits come into BCT you want them motivated. You want them to have confidence in themselves to be a combat ready soldier no mater what their job is, not scared to death to look at someone of the opposite sex, and not even giving them the idea of suicide in the first place, but letting them know to address it if they do. Just don't let these things take away a ridiculous amount of time from the rest of the training.
Within the very first pages of it's content goes straight into preaching about sexual harassment and suicide prevention, then it's re-emphasized several times throughout. Yes we know it's wrong, but I just got this feeling like it immediately starts victimizing recruits.
Another thing I notice is that it hardly portrays the standards that new recruits should be expected to live up to. It doesn't go over anything about our current US weapons systems, and how to properly use and maintain them. UCMJ and Army Values are only briefly touched on, then it barely explains battle drills, TTP's, ect...
It does go over the usual like customs and curiosities, appearance, hygiene and what not.
To me we are still very much at war. It seems we not forging our soldiers to be battle minded, then MOS second like the Marines do. It's like we are coddling and putting them in environments where they expect to be babysat. I read my first IET handbook front to back, and got a very clear picture of who I was supposed to be. Combat minded.
What are your thoughts?
Update: I just want to point out that I'm not saying sexual harassment, EO, and suicide prevention shouldn't be address. You don't take them lightly, because it has a serious effect on command climate, and unit cohesion. In my rotation we did cover these things, but it was only a matter of just don't do it, and everything will be good. I am just saying that when recruits come into BCT you want them motivated. You want them to have confidence in themselves to be a combat ready soldier no mater what their job is, not scared to death to look at someone of the opposite sex, and not even giving them the idea of suicide in the first place, but letting them know to address it if they do. Just don't let these things take away a ridiculous amount of time from the rest of the training.
Army
Training Soldiers
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Basic Training
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 23
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HOORAH. I 100% AGREE AND TY FOR SAYING IT. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR JOB IS IN THE MILITARY BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CRUCIBLE IN ALL BRANCHES. PREPARED
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Thats what happens when a community organizer is given the job of commander in chief.
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SGT (Join to see), The first thing is that TRADOC 350-6 dictates how we train Soldiers. That is the real document you should be evaluating between now and when you joined. We do train Soldiers very differently now because we had to evolve as an Army. Now, you will most likely NOT be able to find TRADOC 350-6. Last I checked they do not publish it publicly anymore, which is probably for the best.
As far as sexual harrassment and suicide prevention, those are the Army's two major issues with young Soldiers (probably next to non-deployability). The Army has to do its due diligence in ensure that we train young Soldiers as early as possible to ensure they report such issues.
Lastly, just because something is in a publication, does not mean it is always followed. You should know that from your time in the Army.
As far as sexual harrassment and suicide prevention, those are the Army's two major issues with young Soldiers (probably next to non-deployability). The Army has to do its due diligence in ensure that we train young Soldiers as early as possible to ensure they report such issues.
Lastly, just because something is in a publication, does not mean it is always followed. You should know that from your time in the Army.
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SFC Robin Fahey
I went to Iraq in 2004. I was a reservist who was mobilized. We had EO, Sexual harassment, CTT training. However, when I received my IBA, I asked about how to fit it. I never got an answer. There was no training on this. I found out a few months after being in Iraq, that my IBA was not fitted correctly and was too loose.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
Sergeant Major,continue the baby sitting that you follow and proclaime,and that's the Army that we will have.A mediocre under standard and coward military,that not even can withhold a true strong and highly discipline Basic Training.
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CSM Carl Cunningham
I am confused by your response SSG Walter Corretjer . You response does not really have anything to do with what I said. Can you clarify why you think I accept mediocrity? The reality is that a CSM/SGM cannot be everywhere. It is the young SSG's and SGT's that are not enforcing the standards to the level that I would. I just answered a question pointing out that TRADOC 350-6 should be looked at before DA PAM 600-4. It isn't always the what we are teaching that is the issue. Sometimes it is the how......
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