Posted on Aug 1, 2016
How do I explain to a soldier that his superiors don't know what they're talking about?
11.5K
66
43
4
4
0
The last few days, I have had guys coming in where I work looking for a Fourragere for their dress uniform. Their superiors told them to get the "mostly red one with a little green" which would be the Belgian Fourragere. The problem is that these guys in 3rd ID are supposed to have the French Fourragere. The Belgian is not a temporary award, you actually had to be in WWI or WWII to wear it.
Unit Awards
Soldiers
Dress Uniform
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
6
6
0
Have you tried tactfully explaining the difference to your superiors? I learn from my soldiers too, I'm not omnipotent.
(6)
(0)
Bergman Oswell
SFC (Join to see) - Would have been better to say omniscient (all knowing) instead of omnipotent (all powerful). They get used interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
Shoot an e-mail to the Division CSM telling him the troops are being given bad info. Bet the confusion comes to a screeching halt in the form of a mass e-mailing to subordinate leaders on which fourragere is the correct one. Bet if you go to the 3rd ID web site there is a contact e-mail listed.
(5)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
Now that might be a little over my head.
Hey CSM, you might wanna fix your guys.
Sincerely,
SPC Edwards.
I'm pretty sure I'd die. Lol
Hey CSM, you might wanna fix your guys.
Sincerely,
SPC Edwards.
I'm pretty sure I'd die. Lol
(3)
(0)
CSM Richard StCyr
SPC (Join to see) - Actually, unless the CSM is a dick, you'd probably earn his respect for helping fix an issue.
Pretty much depends on the tone of the e-mail. I know i used to appreciate a heads up when the guys were getting bad info or dumb crap was happening so I could fix it. (much unlike the u tube video I got from the post CSM, when I was a BDE CSM of one of my DIs maltreating a troop, that he got from some bystander.)
Try it, worst that can happen is you get bitched at.
Pretty much depends on the tone of the e-mail. I know i used to appreciate a heads up when the guys were getting bad info or dumb crap was happening so I could fix it. (much unlike the u tube video I got from the post CSM, when I was a BDE CSM of one of my DIs maltreating a troop, that he got from some bystander.)
Try it, worst that can happen is you get bitched at.
(2)
(0)
LtCol Robert Quinter
SPC (Join to see) - It isn't over your head if you are correct and you are preventing personnel from purchasing/wearing and incorrect uniform item. The CSM most likely is aware of the correct Fourragere and appreciate your bringing the error to his attention.
(1)
(0)
https://armypubs.army.mil/Search/ePubsSearch/ePubsSearchDownloadPage.aspx?docID=0902c851800103f6
22–10. U.S. and foreign unit awards
(2) Belgian fourragere: only when authorized for permanent wear.
Better be an old dude (dudeette) looking to wear one of those
22–10. U.S. and foreign unit awards
(2) Belgian fourragere: only when authorized for permanent wear.
Better be an old dude (dudeette) looking to wear one of those
(5)
(0)
SGM Erik Marquez
The purpose of this site is to provide information on United States Army heraldic entitlements; how they are displayed, and how and why it is worn.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
Seems to me you have already answered your own question --- The problem is that these guys in 3rd ID are supposed to have the French Fourragere. The Belgian is not a temporary award, you actually had to be in WWI or WWII to wear it. Just tell them that -- you don't need to go any further they just want to be in the correct uniform.
(3)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
Thats exactly what I do, I just keep getting the response, "But my SGT told me this one." lol
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Print out the difference in requirements and tactfully explain it to the NCO. Then the NCO can inform the Soldiers what right is.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
It should be pretty straightforward to set them straight.
In the event of a debate, it should be easily resolved. Undoubtedly, command photos are prominently displayed in their company area. Unless they have the oldest CSM I have ever seen, they'll see nothing but the French Fourragere.
In the event of a debate, it should be easily resolved. Undoubtedly, command photos are prominently displayed in their company area. Unless they have the oldest CSM I have ever seen, they'll see nothing but the French Fourragere.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Keep in mind there are two variations of the French Fourragere, WWI and WWII.
The WWI French Fourragere is a very green with a little red, and is a thicker cord.
The WWII French Fourragere, is closer to 50/50 green and red (I see the 3rd ID has this one in it's lineage).
Of course the Belgian, as you stated is mostly red with a little green.
I wore WWI and WWII French Fourrageres many times in my Army career. I even got to wear the French Fourragere in the colors of the Medaille Militaire (green and yellow) while in the 7th Field Artillery. I was always curious as to why we never wore the Belgian or Netherlands cords. Whats the difference if its temporary anyway? But, I follow the regulations.
I was also curious as to why nearly every AAFES Clothing store I've been to is so heavily stocked with Belgian Fourrageres. Do they really expect that many WWII vets to buy them up?
The WWI French Fourragere is a very green with a little red, and is a thicker cord.
The WWII French Fourragere, is closer to 50/50 green and red (I see the 3rd ID has this one in it's lineage).
Of course the Belgian, as you stated is mostly red with a little green.
I wore WWI and WWII French Fourrageres many times in my Army career. I even got to wear the French Fourragere in the colors of the Medaille Militaire (green and yellow) while in the 7th Field Artillery. I was always curious as to why we never wore the Belgian or Netherlands cords. Whats the difference if its temporary anyway? But, I follow the regulations.
I was also curious as to why nearly every AAFES Clothing store I've been to is so heavily stocked with Belgian Fourrageres. Do they really expect that many WWII vets to buy them up?
(2)
(0)
Get a picture of the one that is actually supposed to be worn, post it on the wall and point to it when someone comes in asking about it.
(2)
(0)
MSG David Rogers III
At my last unit, we researched thoroughly, and created a PDF slide, with pictures, of all unit awards. Then plastered it throughout the unit's area.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
When you say "Superiors" what rank are you refering to? A SGT..SSG..SFC? Do your research as it appears you already have and present it to your boss and so on and so forth.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) please bear with soldiers from 1-28. I just left Benning and they are in a world of hurt. Believe me they have had more notoriety for bonehead moves than I care to mention.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google