Do you think receiving an article 15 makes you a better soldier? In the long run possibly a better NCO?

That might possibly have been the case back when I first joined the Army (many moons ago). In today's Army, a single Artile 15 could be all the ammunition a board would need during the drawdown to show you the door.

An Art 15 is a corrective action. It can make someone a better soldier, and a better NCO, but it is not required to make someone a better NCO or soldier.

For some it's the RIGHT wake up call. For others, nothing will wake them up.

Story time.

I had a Marine that was constantly running late. Not a lot late, but a little late. I didn't want it to get to paperwork level, so I took corrective action.

I had him meet me at the base of the hill in Camp Horno with a bucket and an E-Tool at 0800 on Saturday morning. Appointed Place of Duty, with Equipment in proper uniform. Told him to meet me at the top of the hill at 0830 with a full bucket. It's about a mile to the top of the hill. Not a bad jaunt, but fairly easy to do. Meet him there, empty the bucket. Meet me at the base of the hill at 0900 with a full bucket. Appointed place of duty. You get the point. We do that until chow. Then do that until 1630.

I never had a problem with him being late again.

It's what you take away from the punishment that makes you a better soldier, not the punishment itself.

Many years ago, I once heard someone say..."You can't make CSM without having an Article 15 under your belt." Not really sure I bought it then, but certainly not now. Especially of you are an NCO when you get one. the way the draw down is happening, any kind of black mark will get you the tan boot to the fourth point of contact.