Great advice when attending a military school... What is your story?

2014-06-02T17:33:38-04:00

This is a trick someone taught me..

I was the one in charge of my ANCOC or Conversion class during school; and if you have ever worked with senior personnel in a school room setting you know how difficult they can be. I had a NCO complain about how dated my Cadence calling was and how he didn't like some of them. So during one of the formations I called him out and put him in charge of marching us to one of our events. He lasted 50 feet before he called on someone else to take over and slithered his way back into formation. Never had an issue again.

Response by SSG Joshua Locke made Jun 2 at 2014 7:28 PM

2014-06-02T19:28:23-04:00

HAHA, I love that move

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 11 at 2014 10:41 AM

2014-11-11T10:41:30-05:00

The best advice I got from mentors was to keep my eyes and ears open, my mouth shut, and my brain engaged. That whole attention to detail, stay alert, stay alive conversation. Instructors *usually* do their job enough so that they know exactly what to tell you and what's irrelevant, thereby avoiding wasting their time. If you pay attention to what the instructors tell you, you shouldn't have any problems.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 11:29 AM

2014-11-12T11:29:21-05:00

SFC Whitehead...my father was once in a special forces A Team that was engaged in "anticommunist" activities. I remember watching a film where the communist instigator rallied a crowd, and when the crowd surged ahead tearing things up, the instigator faded into the background. During my own career, I could not help but notice how certain personalities always tried to take control of a class or group during initial stages. While they weren't communists (we hope) they also faded into obscurity or absurdity during the longer courses. Some remained to become a thorn in the side of real leaders, constantly criticizing rather than supporting in the manner you described. So I always looked and listened and waited for them to fall while working on credibility. While I did not always become the top leader, I was happy being in the top group to help get the job done and get us all through the course.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 12 at 2014 12:08 PM

2014-11-12T12:08:42-05:00

Attention to DETAIL! Pay attention to what the instructors say and keep the goals of the course in sights! I attended a LRRP (NATO) school in Germany, probably one of the most difficult I attended. At the end of the course there was only one test, one shot to get it right, not like U.S. schools. For the time I was there I did nothing but focus on the course. I'm glad I did. There were Americans at the course who'd always had the second chance - NO GO AT THIS STATION.

Response by PO1 Donald Kennelly made Nov 16 at 2014 2:40 PM

2014-11-16T14:40:52-05:00

That's a great move and one that is often used in many different circumstances. You'll note that most that respond do so in the same manner. Keep you mouth shut, your eyes and ears open and your brain engaged. Most of the training you're taught has been taught many times over and it takes a lot of effort to change that instruction (for a reason). Reason is that in most cases it works. You'll have some hot shots that have better ideas. Bottom line; learn it they way they teach it first and when you gain real life experience you may come up with some tweaks. Let the newbies learn the foundations of the teaching first also. Don't show them any "shortcuts" that more experienced have learned. They too will learn in time. Adapt.

Response by CPT Robert Skinner made Nov 18 at 2014 11:44 PM

2014-11-18T23:44:29-05:00

Till this day, the hardest course in the Army I ever attended was the Master Gunner course 19KA8. They challenged me, they tested me, they failed me. Follow your heart, and study, and no outside influence. 19KA8/K1 I think? is the best gut check next to SFAS I ever attended.