Why are soldiers not being taught how to "live" in the ARMY?

2013-11-10T01:45:02-05:00

 I work in the Installation Transportation Office (ITO) and we have hundreds of people filter through us each week. I come across at least one Soldier every day who had no idea they could ship household goods to Korea, never heard or TSP, can not read Orders/LES/ERB not sure how leave works, did not know they could have relocated their family or that they were entitled to 10 days PTDY. Most of these Soldiers are fresh out of AIT but there is even the occasional NCO that fits this description. This is day one stuff we should be sharing with every Soldier.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 10 at 2013 2:23 AM

2013-11-10T02:23:21-05:00

The Army is so vast, with every unit, every duty station being so different, we really lack a single, unifying culture. It may explain the vast differences in experience and knowledge base depending on where you are..

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 10 at 2013 11:57 AM

2013-11-10T11:57:31-05:00

Wow! I thought I was alone when I had to teach a soldier how to organize the stuff in his room so that its not an eye sore.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Apr 5 at 2014 11:36 PM

2014-04-05T23:36:02-04:00

My civ employer doesn't have to tell me all this stuff (well you get the "day one stuff" but then it's on you), why does the army have to babysit soldiers?

I'm not saying soldiers shouldn't be taught but there are opportunities available for them on base. It shouldn't be the NCOs job since they likely aren't the SMEs on all the issues. Their NCOs should be leading them to those resources and allowing the soldiers to make their own opinions.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 8 at 2015 10:12 PM

2015-03-08T22:12:55-04:00

SSG William Martin, "Teach a Soldier how to organize the stuff in his room"? The Army no longer uses foot lockers, wall lockers or a wooden rod for your uniforms? What is "stuff"? Will it fit into a Soldier's duffle bag? Do y'all have personal conexes?

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Mar 8 at 2015 10:47 PM

2015-03-08T22:47:05-04:00

This is not just an Army thing. This I would imagine happens in all branches and even in the civilian sector as well. To find out about this you need a senior that has two key aspects. First he needs to pay attention to all of his minions personal lives and what is happening in them. And second he needs to care enough to tell you what you should know.

I guess a third point would be that he needs to know or be experienced/mature enough to find the answer. Fresh service members are still just high school graduates in most respects and unless their parents raised them above average with the ability to think outside the box they will never even have the thought "it" may be possible.

And as SSG (ret) William Martin pointed out it goes beyond those unique/understandable situations... that is how they loose their kevlar, lock themselves out of their rooms, and go on hour long searches for humvee keys....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-03-08T22:49:15-04:00

Simply put - Many Leaders today have a "Mission First, Soldier Second" mentality.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-12-15T12:20:53-05:00

I can agree with this sgt haranzo, I was not taught ANY of this. I was WAY behind the 8 ball when i came in, I didn't even have AIT and my first squad leader and platoon sgt were in awe that I did not know ANY of this. Now, did they teach me? Of course not. 'that wasn't their job'...I had to find out for myself what all that was (what you just described above.) It should not be that way. But it still is apparently.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 15 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-12-15T12:34:58-05:00

Babysit and hand hold the young ones? Why not just assign a N.C.O. to each and be done with it.
Treating them like kids, they will act like kids. They too have a responsibility to ask questions and accept responsibility for their actions or lack of. Yes that includes buying a damn alarm clock.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 16 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-12-16T17:20:24-05:00

We are not close to being a perfect organization. Case enclosed: Mandatory Deployment Briefs will be missed, thus, there will be an alternative briefs or training for the make ups.