Best way to learn ARs and FMs?

2014-04-07T08:01:05-04:00

Since I've became a NCO, I've been taken my job serious to better myself to be a better leader. But it's been hard to memorize the ARs and FMs after I read them, they just dump out of my head after I read it. Im not afraid to ask for an answer but a lot of time the answer is find the answer yourself is the best way. Which I agree and can find it most of the time but Im just trying to be better prepared. Any ideas?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 8:39 AM

2014-04-07T08:39:24-04:00

There's an old saying "A long note is better than a short memory."  It means that you don't have to memorize ARs and FMs if you have access to read them verbatim.  With today's smart phones, you can carry around ARs and FMs and pull them up quickly.  Besides, if a soldier or an NCO ever came up to me and quoted an AR or an FM, I'd tell them to show it to me in writing anyway because I have experienced too many times where they have misquoted, misread, or flat out made it up.  Or they've reference an out of date version.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Apr 7 at 2014 9:25 AM

2014-04-07T09:25:39-04:00

Assuming "have people for that" is considered a cop-out, I think LTC Dickey hit the nail on the head.<div><br></div><div>I have all the regs and FMs I care about on my iPad. the bonus is that they are searchable electronically, as opposed to scanning with just the mark one eyeball, especially as Army tables of contents and indexes aren't always the best in the world.</div><div><br></div><div>Another method, along the "long note" path is to make crib notes for yourself on the parts of the regs/FMs you find most critical/often needed (with reference back to paragraph #).  For instance, with the new 670-1, I think the single most important aspect for commanders will be the new tattoo policy, with it's cut-offs for size and location.  There will be a lot of barracks lawyering  (especially, as I think there is some inherent confusion between "visible in PT uniform" and "below knee or elbow" - but I may be wrong).  The second biggest will be the general (except for deploying/returning/R&R) prohibition on flying in ACUs.  Most of the rest is stuff I can afford to just look up as needed. </div>

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 9:38 AM

2014-04-07T09:38:35-04:00

AR's are a little bit harder for me to learn. The best thing I've found is to quiz on them with buddies or soldiers, and read, read, read!
FM's are a little bit easier for me, because after you read something or learn something new you can apply it in training, go out and practice it, get hands on and teach it to your soldiers.
The best way to learn them is to find a way to apply them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 9:56 AM

2014-04-07T09:56:31-04:00

SGT Lund

Since the Army has hundreds of AR's,TC's, FM's, my suggestion is to focus on the ones that matter to you in your MOS, common things that all NCO's should know (AR 670-1 is a good example), everything else is a matter of searching digitally or having them on your phone or tablet

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Apr 7 at 2014 4:51 PM

2014-04-07T16:51:45-04:00

What I do for some of the common disputes with AR or even with issues with FM's is to have an NCOPD and physically read the AR/FM and have a group discussion and then put it to use. Don't do an annoying powerpoint slide. Everyone hates them. Just have an open discussion on a white board/paper, what have you, and talk through it. Spending 20 minutes going over a simple regulation or how to do something from a FM will help you remember that for future situations.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2014 1:19 AM

2014-04-13T01:19:34-04:00

Flash cards they help a lot

Response by MSG Jose Colon made Apr 13 at 2014 2:30 AM

2014-04-13T02:30:36-04:00

I've noticed in my 27 years active that many who told me to look the answer myself, didn't know the answer either. So, when my Soldiers used to ask me, I took the opportunity for some mentoring. We look for the answer together.

About the best way to learn regulations?

Easy:

whenever someone ask you a question, find the answer., Also, understand that our regulations come from memorandums, ALARCTs, messages, etc before they are updated in the actual AR. Those messages, memorandums, etc, are produced as results of Instructions and memos from DoD. DoD comes up with those messages and instructions as the result of the latest annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) pass by Congress and signed by the president.

If the item you are looking for is old, several years, you can usually find it by using Google. You are looking for the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and yes, it is long, it is boring, and confusing, but, by knowing all of that, and running the information to ground yourself, you will have more understanding of the issue than probably 90% of peers, senior NCOs and Officers.