Should Okinawa, Japan be a Soldier's first station?

MSG Martinis Butler — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 03:08:37 -0500

Should Okinawa, Japan (Kadena AFB) be a Soldiers first duty station? There are so many things that is done over here that does not go on in the states that would allow a Soldier to become complacent ex. when Soldiers go to the field they are not allowed to sleep out over night on sight. Should Soldiers be introduced to this coming out of AIT?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2013 6:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 06:56:40 -0500

I said the same thing about Germany when I first got here, but I realized that units need soldiers. If we're going to have a unit someplace it's going to need the boots. That and if we can entrust that soldier to raise their hand and swear an oath, we need to trust that they'll be able to make it wherever they're stationed. Leadership is the problem when new soldiers have "adjustment" issues at duty stations that aren't "typical".

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Dec 16 at 2013 9:26 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 09:26:26 -0500

I'm a little confused by this question. Is it your recommendation that new Soldiers should not be sent overseas for their first duty assignment? I read and understand what you are saying about weeding out issues with Soldiers as soon as possible, but to change a Soldier's assignment because he/she is having personal issues seems counter-productive. Soldiers have and will continue to have issues. That's called being human. Sure, dealing with their issues while dealing with your own issues is not one of the prettiest things about being an NCO but it needs to be done.

As part of my onboarding process when I got a new Soldier start out of AIT was to sit down with him and talk. I got to know my Soldiers and my Soldiers got to know me. If they were married, I would try to meet with both of them. I told them we have a job to do and because of that, they had to keep their house in order. I expected them to be ready and on point when called upon and they expected the same from me. If they had an issue going on while we were out in the field training, guess what, they still went out with us. They did their job, came home and dealt with the issue. Sure it wasn't always easy, but it is what has to be done.