The Wisdom Of Privates

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 21:27:09 -0500

I was an ammo section chief when i 1st made Sgt in the Army. We were in the middle of an ARTEP( field exercise) at Camp Roberts when a staff car with a newly minted LTC showed up waving a shiny new kevlar helmet. to replace our 60 year old steel pots. Now, we used a steel pot for everything from digging and pounding cam net stakes to bathing and cooking and even sat on them whem inbound to keep our asses from being shot off from ground fire.. it wwas a universal item. You should have seen this poor bastard chasing my team around scolding them on mishandling his pet. "No no dont pry with it!" He hollered, "Dont hammer with it. you'll break it" .I love pvts who speak up and have wisdom that is plain and home spun. One of mine give the frustrated young colonel an up and down appraising look that said he did not approve and said" Can't wash in it, Can't cook in it cant beat on it or dig with it. Sir, just WTF good is this thing?" The LTC response" It's good for a goddamn art 15 and two weeks confinement is wtf it's good for! Anybody else got any commentary?"

Response by SGT Jay Ehrenfeld made Nov 21 at 2015 10:26 PM

SGT Jay Ehrenfeld — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 22:26:10 -0500

the inset was for total control in basic training lol

Response by SGT Barry Third made Nov 22 at 2015 10:38 AM

SGT Barry Third — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 10:38:24 -0500

way funny

Response by SGT James Hastings made Nov 22 at 2015 11:08 AM

SGT James Hastings — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 11:08:12 -0500

I respect that Pvt for being honest but I imagine he also learned a lesson that day: think about the consequences before opening your mouth! lol

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Nov 22 at 2015 11:58 AM

SGT Dana Williams — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 11:58:08 -0500

From the mouths of babes.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Nov 22 at 2015 12:33 PM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 12:33:03 -0500

My pal, in Utah, a very funny lady named Andrea(American Legion Aux woman of the year) got me this 7th Inf patch for my Army waist jacket which I took to the tailor here on Bush St to have sewed on.The tailor, a Chinese immigrant who is as gung ho America as can be, had pics of Kennedy and Reagan and Clinton all up on the walls and above his cash register refused payment when I presented my svc connected 100% card I did not have the heart to tell him he missed straight by a good country mile. And how are all of you this fine Sunday morning?
:)

Response by SGT Shannon Wasielewski made Nov 22 at 2015 3:21 PM

SGT Shannon Wasielewski — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 15:21:27 -0500

I would say it demonstrated poor leadership on the part of the LTC. While the private could have been more diplomatic, it is a poor leader that cannot face criticism or complaints and either accept the response or use the opportunity to bond with subordinates.

Response by SGT Philip Keys made Nov 22 at 2015 9:21 PM

SGT Philip Keys — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:21:56 -0500

That new LTC sounded like a goof, the pvt was right

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 1:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:58:59 -0500

I came in the Army as a spec. 4 but have said things like the private above, I'm surprised I myself didn't get any art. 15s.......I know I got many 'evil eyes' from my superiors. But not any art 15's for what I've said out loud to officers....

Response by SGT Steven Riggan made Dec 22 at 2015 4:05 PM

SGT Steven Riggan — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 16:05:54 -0500

I'm sorry, the WHAT of Privates? The title lost me.