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Recently a there was a story that has a soldier that struggled to meet an Army standard. The task did prove to be extremely difficult for that soldier and they overcome the challenge. With that being said this soldier has attained national media attention for meeting the standard. That is great for the soldier but at what cost?
Does anyone know who had the best ruck time? Did they get any attention? Was there a soldier that completed their tasks without any "No-Go's" or failures? In EIB we have a thing called "True Blue." This title is held for those that complete every event their first time successfully. They are mentioned at the pinning ceremony. Are the last few feet of the ruck march all that really counts?
In other events, as a race or game, have you ever seen anyone that completed the race get more attention than the one that won or the top athlete. MAJ Chrissy Cook was the commander for the best Bradly crew in her battalion. She was the “Top Gun” so she was recognized for that and rightfully so. I can’t recall anyone else getting recognized for just passing.
Were there other factors that led to his soldier getting so much attention? Was it just a feel good story? Were there not other soldiers that did the same and did they get as much attention from the media? Was anyone really concerned about what being an Expert Field Medic really is? If you view it as a regard for getting to your objective how useful would they have been as a medic or even safely handle their weapon without flagging others?
(On a side note 3 Air Force Combat Controllers saved the lives of 38 Army Special Forces and Afghan Soldiers. One will get the Air Force Cross, being second only to the MoH. Just in case you didn’t see this in the news. It seems to not be as important.)
Does anyone know who had the best ruck time? Did they get any attention? Was there a soldier that completed their tasks without any "No-Go's" or failures? In EIB we have a thing called "True Blue." This title is held for those that complete every event their first time successfully. They are mentioned at the pinning ceremony. Are the last few feet of the ruck march all that really counts?
In other events, as a race or game, have you ever seen anyone that completed the race get more attention than the one that won or the top athlete. MAJ Chrissy Cook was the commander for the best Bradly crew in her battalion. She was the “Top Gun” so she was recognized for that and rightfully so. I can’t recall anyone else getting recognized for just passing.
Were there other factors that led to his soldier getting so much attention? Was it just a feel good story? Were there not other soldiers that did the same and did they get as much attention from the media? Was anyone really concerned about what being an Expert Field Medic really is? If you view it as a regard for getting to your objective how useful would they have been as a medic or even safely handle their weapon without flagging others?
(On a side note 3 Air Force Combat Controllers saved the lives of 38 Army Special Forces and Afghan Soldiers. One will get the Air Force Cross, being second only to the MoH. Just in case you didn’t see this in the news. It seems to not be as important.)
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Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 19
I feel that it is the media perpetuating this men vs. women stuff to further a political agenda. While I applaud the Captain for a job well done and not quitting, I don't think this was worthy of national media attention. She was a success in acheiving the EFMB, and should be commended but didn't do anything in my mind worthy of so much attention. I really hate this kind of stuff being constantly cycled in the media. CPT (Join to see) mentioned other events more newsworthy. I'm certainly not trying to take away from what the Captain did. The EFMB is extraordinarily grueling task to earn the badge , but that is exactly what she did earn the badge. That's it.
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That story resonated because it portrayed perseverance in the face of failure, will to overcome... teamates cheering her on. It was good optics. AND the EFMB is no joke. It wasn't just that ruck march, it was several days of events leading up to it.
To your point CPT (Join to see), I do not believe in celebrating mediocity. I believe in celebrating excellence. Excellence gives everyone something to aspire to.
Having said that, if I have a Soldier who has struggled to pass a standard (say APFT) and does, I make sure that it is a big deal. To the Soldier, it is. It should be to his peers as well. But most importantly, you need to celebrate success in order to foster more success. If that event had passed without anyone noticing, I can virtually guarantee the next test will be a failure.
That Veterinarian met a standard that a whole lot of people try and fail to attain. That is a big deal.
To your point CPT (Join to see), I do not believe in celebrating mediocity. I believe in celebrating excellence. Excellence gives everyone something to aspire to.
Having said that, if I have a Soldier who has struggled to pass a standard (say APFT) and does, I make sure that it is a big deal. To the Soldier, it is. It should be to his peers as well. But most importantly, you need to celebrate success in order to foster more success. If that event had passed without anyone noticing, I can virtually guarantee the next test will be a failure.
That Veterinarian met a standard that a whole lot of people try and fail to attain. That is a big deal.
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1SG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see), would I celebrate a 180? APFT? Of course not. My point there is a bit more subtle about how to maintain momemtum and motivation on a Soldier who could have quit, but didn't.
We have a 24 news cycle. They have to fill the time. The optics were good, so it went viral. I saw that CPT interviewed on the news this morning and she was clearly a bit embarrased by all the hoopla. She in front of the whole world, was dehydrated, broken down, and falling on her face. But she got back up again and found enough in the tank to pass. That shows heart.
Now if she would've just drank some water, she would never have been on TV.
We have a 24 news cycle. They have to fill the time. The optics were good, so it went viral. I saw that CPT interviewed on the news this morning and she was clearly a bit embarrased by all the hoopla. She in front of the whole world, was dehydrated, broken down, and falling on her face. But she got back up again and found enough in the tank to pass. That shows heart.
Now if she would've just drank some water, she would never have been on TV.
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CPT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) I agree with you. I just can't help but to think there were other motives here. Like the whole push with women in combat arms and trying to sway the public. I don't think if it was a male it would have been treated the same way.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
No apology necessary. My comment above was meant as a light jab, I forgot the ;-) Please read my commendatory (as in commendable, not me, you) comment further down the thread.
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Commendable and motivating. Too many perfectionists and negative Nancy's judging her performance or what not as if they knew her body as their own. Regardless it's an issue. I see the good in this, not the bs.
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CPT (Join to see)
There is a lot of combat arms types questioning this. The question at hand is that they ruck is something that you do to get to an objective. It isn't the mission itself. How effective would one be if they couldn't perform when they got to the objective.
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SrA (Join to see)
Understood CPT (Join to see). I would safely assume that her occupation(probably not combat arms related) limits her to be in pristine condition to perform a 12 mile hump. Her field of work doesn't have consistent endurance events to ensure her effectiveness in combat related maneuvers. If I recall she did endure five days of other related strenuous activities before completing this event. That has to count for something.
My biggest gripe is that it is her and only herself whom knows her capabilities. I have faith that she would persevere to complete the mission if need be.
I share sentiment and a keen level of understanding when it comes to women in the military. I had a relationship with a female Marine and seen the levels of retardation she dealt with day in day out. One of the toughest Marines I knew. Women are constantly judged and discriminated in the military and the negative feedback from this video is just another example of it.
I can only imagine how many male service members struggled with similar events as this one. Hell, I've seen Marines struggle with our 15 mile humps at times. It happens. There are so many factors that could've resulted in her performance, whether if it was to help her pass or make it harder for her. We don't know anything of this woman, except that she passed. So why is it that service members are instantaneously jumping to conclusions about her abilities? Aren't we supposed to encourage one another and set the example? Why haven't any leaders addressed the inappropriate commentary?
The unwarranted commentary only increases the disparity between women and men in the military. Although I see your standpoint, the way people have been responding is egostistical. It is in no way productive.
My biggest gripe is that it is her and only herself whom knows her capabilities. I have faith that she would persevere to complete the mission if need be.
I share sentiment and a keen level of understanding when it comes to women in the military. I had a relationship with a female Marine and seen the levels of retardation she dealt with day in day out. One of the toughest Marines I knew. Women are constantly judged and discriminated in the military and the negative feedback from this video is just another example of it.
I can only imagine how many male service members struggled with similar events as this one. Hell, I've seen Marines struggle with our 15 mile humps at times. It happens. There are so many factors that could've resulted in her performance, whether if it was to help her pass or make it harder for her. We don't know anything of this woman, except that she passed. So why is it that service members are instantaneously jumping to conclusions about her abilities? Aren't we supposed to encourage one another and set the example? Why haven't any leaders addressed the inappropriate commentary?
The unwarranted commentary only increases the disparity between women and men in the military. Although I see your standpoint, the way people have been responding is egostistical. It is in no way productive.
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CPT (Join to see)
This a very sensitive topic and some are going a bit overboard. I have seen some memes on this that are a bit rough. But going back to her and the test. We have to eliminate any demographic data in this. I would also take away her MOS also. She is testing for the Expert Field Medic Badge. So regardless of her MOS she should be held to the standard. She is being held to the standard of being a Field Medic. That is what the standard that I am holding in this. In this situation the ruck is being used to measure their ability to get the objective. Getting there is just the start of the fight.
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SrA (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see)
http://www.stripes.com/news/recipients-of-expert-field-medical-badge-beat-the-averages-1.302182
I dug into the badge you were referring to and interestingly enough, found some good information. It is said that the success rate of this training is 18-20%. It really puts things into perspective being that many don't even make it halfway. By her crossing the line she completed the most enduring physical portion and is well more than halfway done with the training. The rest is a piece of cake for her given her success so far.
http://www.stripes.com/news/recipients-of-expert-field-medical-badge-beat-the-averages-1.302182
I dug into the badge you were referring to and interestingly enough, found some good information. It is said that the success rate of this training is 18-20%. It really puts things into perspective being that many don't even make it halfway. By her crossing the line she completed the most enduring physical portion and is well more than halfway done with the training. The rest is a piece of cake for her given her success so far.
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