When do briefings and training become too much?

SFC Randy Purham — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 08:58:24 -0500

Here's a touchy one to some. But here goes. You know when "someone" screws up or a rash of incidents (same natured) happens; we have to go through a bunch of classes and briefings to be reminded on how its wrong and not to do it and etc? Where did that come from? At what point does it become too much?

I see it as a mechanism of empahsis, but no action. What I mean by this is; we overly emphasize on it in hopes that it doesn't happen, but when it does then it may or may not be dealt with accordingly. It should come to a point that if you been in Army or any organization and you are a full-fledged adult, you simply know better, held accountable and the punishment for the crime should be carried out accordingly. This is definitely applicable to SHARP/EO and the god foresaken weekend safety breifings.

Your thoughts?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 6 at 2014 9:34 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:34:25 -0500

When you are training to time instead of to standard, then you run the risk of spending needless time on briefings, etc. Unfortunately, many times military units are pressured from higher to train to time, even if they would prefer otherwise. In those cases, it's beneficial for the leaders to provide effective hip pocket training so that the time is well spent.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 6 at 2014 2:38 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:38:20 -0500

When this question starts being asked, than "too much" has already come and gone...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 15 at 2014 7:15 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:15:31 -0400

How appropriate that you are in Alaska SFC Randy Purham. When I worked there as a civilian, I had at least 30 days of online mandatory classes, briefs, presentations, etc. Is it an Alaska thing or universal overkill?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 8:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:14:13 -0400

Well, I have no doubt that the intent behind these briefings is a good one. And you are correct, SFC Randy Purham, every adult should know better. And really, these briefings and training should be unnecessary. But, there are always those soldiers who you can't seem to grasp vital information on the first or second go-round.
Many of these briefings hold some good information. Most of us retain the content. It does get redundant, but it has to be reiterated. First, to remind soldiers of where they are, what they represent, and remind them of the standards that they are expected to meet because of these factors. Secondly, so that the soldiers cannot say that they didn't know the standards because they were not TOLD. That's where the personal accountability comes in.
If you have a training briefing, over the same stuff consistently, you lose your ability to claim ignorance.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 8:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:32:39 -0400

When they make you want to do the things that they're intended to prevent.

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Sep 15 at 2014 8:48 PM

MSG Gerry Poe — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:48:48 -0400

Seems like during the duty day there is some kind of training or briefs all the time! When it gets to much is when the head-shed forgets that we also have to train to fight. PMCS has to be accomplished, MOS training and daily duties as well. I feel it is up to CDRs and 1SGs to manage their Company's around the mandated training. 60,90,120 training meetings need to be well planned and developed to get the training accomplished. Get those NCOs & LTs earning their money, spread the wealth on coming up with strategic plans of action on everyday soldiering!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 10:21 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:21:13 -0400

Usually when you look around and see that over half the group is asleep that's a good indicator that the briefing has been too much.
In all seriousness though you do bring up a good point SFC Randy Purham. It's something that I've thought of a lot. It seems these days there's a whole lot of discussions about "how we shouldn't do/ need to change something because some incident occurred." And honestly it seems to be a bit of overkill. You find yourself wondering why don't we actually do something instead of just talking about it or even I wonder why don't we take the next guy that really screws up and throw the book at their face and make them the example? It gets annoying and all we can do is that if and when we get into higher leadership positions that we can take more action and do less talking and wrist slapping when incidents occur.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 2:04 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:04:18 -0400

The majority of the briefs or the training simply draws attention. What is lacking is the delivery of a skill or tool people can use to change their behavior. When most people don't commit these crimes, or most people respond appropriately it becomes too much when it feels like they are compelled to attend for no other reason than 'congress requires it' or some other bureaucratic approach. If people feel the institution cares about the individuals, they're more likely to attend/retain the message of the training or brief. If people can walk away from a 30 minute presentation with a higher level of understanding about the issue AND with a skill they can use/practice in their own lives to prevent these incidents, then there will be less collective resentment.
The problem isn't that we don't know something may be wrong. Rapists know rape is wrong. They know it is illegal and punished harshly. But they do it in spite of these things. Therefore the briefing/training should focus on things that will stop them from doing it. The rest is fluff and tiring.