What is a 'Quality' Soldier?

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:25:36 -0400

In the midst of the Army's accelerated draw-down, the Army establishes the 'Whole Soldier Concept' (link below), but how would YOU describe a 'quality' Soldier?<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/whole-soldier-concept.html">http://www.armyreenlistment.com/whole-soldier-concept.html</a><br></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/profile.gif"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/whole-soldier-concept.html">Whole Soldier/Person Concept</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">10 Years Army Strong for Soldiers and Families</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2013 12:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:19:22 -0500

That's easy. A Soldier who is resilient, meets Army standards, and performs well in their designated MOS is a quality Soldier. Any Soldier who does not comply to standards in the APFT, appearance, Army Values, qualifying at the range, or performing in their MOS....cannot be called a 'whole soldier'. Too often nowadays, many Soldiers are great at their MOS, but substandard in PT, meeting height/weight standards, or qualifying at the range. And oftentimes, unless one is in a combat or MP MOS, the Army overlooks the whole soldier concept, because as long as a support soldier get their MOS done well, that's all that counts!!!! But nowadays, it is the 360 degree view, the well-rounded view of the entire soldier, that will make the difference between a soldier being counted as a soldier that needs to be retained or not as the drawdown continues..... For those soldiers who are truly patriotic and strive to meet the whole- soldier concept, it is extremely disheartening to work with and meet soldiers that only excel in a few areas. A real soldier should be resilient enough to do anything the Army asks them to do without excuses. Even a physical profile is simply a recommendation to commanders, and not a legal document that prevents them from completing an Army delegated mission..... So many whiners in todays' Army and the amount of soldiers who ride profiles and who do not meet the whole soldier concept proves this point...

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 16 at 2013 10:41 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 22:41:35 -0500

What could/should be added to the Army's quality screening or 'whole Soldier concept'?