Do you think basic soldiering (military) skills get enough attention at IET schools (not branch specific)?

2018-03-22T10:48:25-04:00

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 10:54 AM

2018-03-22T10:54:14-04:00

When I was a Drill Sergeant I was part of a 10 Week pilot program for Basic training. That extra week allowed us to cover more training on the necessary skills IET Soldiers would need for combat operations. This was during the surge of Afghanistan. In short yes and no would be my answer but I understand cost and time constraints.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 11:19 AM

2018-03-22T11:19:13-04:00

Honest truth, no! It's very focus on MOS training and maintaining what the DSs ingrained in those soldiers.

At least from my foxhole that's how it looks. Me as the PSG I do take my time on the soldierization process, but that takes my family times. Is a give or take.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 11:46 AM

2018-03-22T11:46:26-04:00

Are we talking about Basic/Boot or AIT and its equivalents? Basic soldiering should be all that Basic/Boot is. I mean, that's the point of that two months, isn't it? In AIT all they should be worried about is learning their job. For certain careers that's just pretty much an extension of Basic where those basic skills are fine tuned and expanded upon. Basic soldiering has nothing to do with fixing helicopters or tanks.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 22 at 2018 12:03 PM

2018-03-22T12:03:44-04:00

Not really. I don't know what AIT is like now. When I went in 2004-05 we did do some basic soldier stuff but it was mostly at the end where we had an FTX and TOCEX combined.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Mar 22 at 2018 2:23 PM

2018-03-22T14:23:34-04:00

They get attention, but issue is how much and what topics to cover. Familiarization on optics and CQB are very useful, but it may mean less time to cover iron sights or foxhole construction.

Regular Army basic training (non-combat arms / not OSUT) is only ten weeks now before transition to MOS specific AIT. Enlisted Marines have additional in-between training period on military skills after boot camp and before their MOS school.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 22 at 2018 3:56 PM

2018-03-22T15:56:49-04:00

Personally I don't think you are doing anyone a favor but instead are doing a disservice to the individual soldier. When the stuff hits the fan all soldiers whether they are dentists or IT personal are RIFLEMEN and WOMEN. If you can't throw a grenade, pop smoke, or shoot your rifle with any kind of accuracy what good are you as a soldier?