You have been given the authority to change three things in your branch or DoD wide … What are they?

2016-05-09T03:05:54-04:00

Response by TSgt David L. made May 9 at 2016 3:45 AM

2016-05-09T03:45:22-04:00

1. All leadership DoD wide will be evaluated by their subordinates on one block of their annual evaluations.
2. Uniforms DoD wide will not be changed any more often than 15 years unless for safety or mission concerns. Common uniforms appropriate to the theater will be worn by all troops unless specific clothing is required by individual taskings.
3. EOD will be funded, trained and equipped as a separate DOD branch. This WILL expedite TTP changes as battlefield conditions dictate, more efficiently provide combatant commanders with the necessary outfitted and properly trained teams and eliminate branch overlap and duplication of effort. For DoD, USSS, DoS, and civilian requests for EOD support missions, teams will be spread evenly by mission requirements ie. Naval specific environments such as below the water line searches, will be done by teams qualified for such environments.
The new EOD Branch will be administrative controlled and tasked for missions by JSOC and will ONLY be OPCON to the USSS or DoS as missions dictate but will be ADCON by JSOC.

Hey, it can't hurt to float a request that has been brewing for 30 years or so.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 6:22 AM

2016-05-09T06:22:48-04:00

Eliminate ALL gender differences. If a female soldier is able to avoid a deployment and a PCS move due to pregnancy, then allow a male soldier who's wife is pregnant the same benefit. PT Test requirements the same across the board. I'm not saying make it harder for females or easier for males, just make one standard and let that be that. Equal pay for equal work. "But Chief, if they do that then every married Soldier in a unit set to deploy will get their wives pregnant!" So how is that any different than when a female soldier does the same? I guess its something the Army will have to figure out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 7:29 AM

2016-05-09T07:29:04-04:00

1) No more wasting printer paper on 2404s and 5988s for weekly PMCS when no faults are being annotated.
2) No more than 1 additional duty per Soldier.
3) RFID tags on all equipment. No more pencil whipped inventories. Every sensitive item gets scanned every month. All others scanned annually.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 8:45 AM

2016-05-09T08:45:34-04:00

1) Stop DOD wide always being PC.
2) Figure out a better way to give units money. I can't even count all the times units have nothing all year then right before the fiscal year ends they buy a bunch of stuff they don't really need. I don't know the solution but their has to be a better way.
3) Demote people who deserve it, not just ones who fail pt. I mean the people that get kicked around units or are in leadership roles in any way that just can do it. Quit paying that person for a job they can't/won't do.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 10:49 AM

2016-05-09T10:49:26-04:00

1. Throw the entire lengthy acquisitions process out the window and start from scratch. Use consultative services from private industry to help draft our contracts until we have sufficient controls in place to prevent our current predicament with contract laws. Right now we're paying almost $180k for Cumins V12 Diesel for the AAV when the free market is paying somewhere around $5k for the same engine. Almost every MOS in every service has waste of this sort and the short-term high cost of consultants and private industry lawyers will be nothing compared to what we save on new contracts.
2. Institute new policies concerning unit fund allocations. Right now everyone spends so that they get the same amount next year. Ranges will never be "ammo dumps". We should be able to request training and have those funds allocated without the worry that the funds will go away next year.
3. Get rid of the civilian employees and contractors which are eating up the DoD budget when we could have servicemembers do the job cheaper. We've all heard of military higher-ups, officers and enlisted, creating justifications for new positions and then filling that post themselves when they retire at a comfy GS-12 or higher paygrade. I could name several positions off the top of my head. We don't need more garbage careerists sitting around waiting to turn 65 on the DoD's dime without providing actual value to the institution. Also, MFLACs need to go. No accountability and functions identical to the chaplain? Send the chaplains to a course if you want them to have more training, but we don't need more civilians accountable to no one. I'm tired of these garbage, entitled govt union employees who are incompetent, unhelpful, and wasteful by their very nature. I'd decimate MCCS as well, since a large portion of what they "give back" to the Marine community just goes to pay the salaries of their higher-level employees and places like MCRD aren't large enough to offset the cost of most of their services, especially when Miramar has identical services.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made May 9 at 2016 11:30 AM

2016-05-09T11:30:44-04:00

Stop wasting so much dang money, comfortable boots, and comfortable boots.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 11:36 AM

2016-05-09T11:36:18-04:00

1. Realign the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 4 Star will be Chairman. Each Branch will be a 3 Star. Each branch will have 1 SR Enlisted Advisor. Each Branch will have a "rotation" for Chairman every 3 years along with each branch. Once completed with their tour they retire. No "shuffling" around. 2nd and 3rd order effects with this will trickle down for appropriate rank.
2. It was said in another post, but "revamp" the acquisition process. Get "rid" of the "Military Industrial Complex". Any and all services and products will be American made by Americans in America.
3. 1 standardized uniform (utility/duty) for ALL services. Dress uniforms can stay branch specific.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 6:40 AM

2016-05-10T06:40:18-04:00

1. (ARMY) Bring back the Specialist career path. If officers have NCOs, Then warrant officers should have an enlisted specialist that are not for leadership but only to be experts in their own field.

2. If we are downsizing our military, then hold a petitioning board per Division to process voluntary separations.

3. Beards though not as serious as the first part of me reply but none the less. Neatly groomed facial hair unless deployed, should be allowed. People cry conformity and uniformity, but look at the differences in haircuts for men, shaving profiles, and hairstyles for women. And then the picture become a bit more blurry on iniformity

Response by CW2 William Jones made May 10 at 2016 6:52 AM

2016-05-10T06:52:03-04:00

Bring back discipline, Allow NCOs to scuff up soldiers that need it, and stop funding needless uniform changes. (If I had a fourth, I would reduce the raw number of PCS's allowing more continuity of training and stabilization at one station as well as reducing the cost to move them all over the world every few years.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 7:34 AM

2016-05-10T07:34:15-04:00

1) Allow NG awards to be worn regardless of status. We allow the wear of foreign country awards, why wouldn't we allow the wear of awards from part of our family. One Army, right?
2) I would get rid of the PT/HT/WT flagging actions for awards. It seems absurd to me that you cant recognize outstanding performance because you don't look right.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 8:18 AM

2016-05-10T08:18:33-04:00

Easy (this is infantry perspective):
1. Bring back DADT
2. No women in the infantry
3. No more PC bullsh*t
(4). Fix the acquisitions and funding process

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made May 10 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-05-10T08:27:02-04:00

1. Stop congress and senate from dictating how the military operates or what with. Give them a budget and let DOD and the Commanders of each branch figure how to divide it. then let each branch decide how to spend it.
2. Let congress and the POTUS decide what conflicts and results they want us involved in and then DOD working with the Commanders will come up with a battle plan, time line, and ROE and cost.
3. Make one standard for all soldiers in a branch. It takes the same amount of physical strength for a 40 year old 1SG to fight an enemy as it does a 17 year old E--1. Regardless if they are male or female. somehow get rid of the PC police has to fit in one of these three.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made May 10 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-05-10T08:27:16-04:00

1) Eliminate the reflective belts/vest requirement completely. It used to be just road guards wore them during hours of limited visibilty
2) Reduce the number of General officers and their perks. Guard Bureau had done just fine with a three star heading it, but then NGB gets a seat on the JCS, and instant four star...and nothing changed!
3) Stop the social engineering. The military is here to destroy our enemies, not to appease every hair-brained senator or congressman's politically motivated whim. (I looking directly at

Response by A1C Stanley Kolakowski made May 10 at 2016 8:31 AM

2016-05-10T08:31:29-04:00

1. Budgeting: A unit keeps 50% of it's "surplus" funds at the end of every fiscal year, and does NOT suffer a "penalty" to it's allocated budget for having "gone over". ie: if unit X asks for a 1 mil budget, and was "awarded" a 1 mil budget, and it only used .8 mil the year before, then it has 1.1 mil to run with the next fiscal year. If Surplus >= 25% of actual spent budget at any point of the year, unit loses any "benefit" they have and only receive enough "new" monies to reach the requested budget. IE: It's December. They were supposed to spend 1/4 of their budget. They have a 30% surplus in the account because of great frugality. They're not gonna "keep" their surplus, they're only getting "topped off" - a "check & balance" to help ensure that units don't start writing astronomical budget requests... (and as usual, waiverable so that oddball conditions like requesting a massive summer training budget can slip through)
2. Have the corporations pay their own R&D, and sell stuff to the military "at cost +X% (a reasonable number, may even be 100% - so an aircraft with 1 million in parts would cost the DoD no more than $2 million each). Using my USAF background, the F35 would still "most likely" be an affordable aircraft if the billions of dollars in R&D behind it wasn't being added into the 200 aircraft that the military's gonna buy right now. If "R&D" costs are an issue (smaller company trying to break in), there can be separate subsidies handed out by DoD.
3. Reexamine the overall "Servicemember compensation" package and apply it, universally, to all Government jobs - House Representatives could be, say, O7s, Senators O9s, Cabinet Leaders O8-O10, President O11, IRS Grunt E3, Supervising Park Ranger E8, etc. This way, when the Civvies need a pay raise, the Servicemembers get one too, I mean, we're all serving our country in various ways, correct?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 8:34 AM

2016-05-10T08:34:40-04:00

Every enlistment is a 5 year active commitment. Oh you want to go Reserve or Guard, first two years of enlistments are with an active duty unit then your last three are with your States Reserve/Guard unit. This would rapidly grow the skill level of Reserve/Guard units and lessen the training curve and APFT issues.

Get rid of CIF. Every recruit gets an initial issue and it's theirs to maintain for the length of enlistment. If they separate early turn in all you issue, if you go the length of your initial contract keep your issue.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-05-10T09:29:06-04:00

1.) Make the fitness test the same across the DOD. Adopt the fact that as one unified fighting force we should all be held to the same standard.
2.) revist the Height Weight standards before having people be taped. A younger SM who is lets say 5'8" is only allowed to weight 166 if they are 21-29 before being taped, however if they are someone who works out alot they run the risk of busting tape as opposed to an older SM who gets a higher fat percentage and it causes unhealthy habits around height weight time.
3.) DOD wide re-visit the facial grooming standards and elminate the need for shaving profiles. have a set length facial hair can be while demanding it be kept neat and clean. its a new era where beards are more common, and lets be honest with ourselves we all hate having to shave especially in the field or down range.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 9:37 AM

2016-05-10T09:37:56-04:00

weight and tape.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 9:43 AM

2016-05-10T09:43:30-04:00

1. No more boards to be a nco it should be a test on your mos and ability to lead in every branch. 2. Restructure the pay system so all soldiers get paid what they deserve. 3. Stop waisting money on dumb crap as far as paying to much for stuff. How does the military pay upward 2 grand for a ar 15 when a civilian can get one for 800 only diff is semi auto with no burst can't tell me that the components for burst cost $800 to $1000. Just an ex they over pay for everything.

Response by PFC Henry Harvey made May 10 at 2016 9:48 AM

2016-05-10T09:48:24-04:00

Change the rules for enlistment. When I enlisted in 1983 if you felt you were LGBT, you better stay in the closet or get a dishonorable discharge.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 9:55 AM

2016-05-10T09:55:55-04:00

Get rid of weight standards if someone passes the APFT...
False sexual harassment claims get prosecuted.
ACTUALLY train to standard, not time.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 10:04 AM

2016-05-10T10:04:15-04:00

******Policy writing needs to have a better review process. There is not process for a class action against a policy. There is only IG, and they only handle one Soldier issue at a time.

ALARACT for Prevention of Sexual Assault
It states that person who have certain offenses cannot serve in positions of trust. They are going back as far as 20 years on Soldiers. I have two outstanding Soldiers that can no longer be Drill Sergeants because of this. One Soldier had a DUI six years ago. I do not believe that getting a single DUI makes you at a higher risk to sexually assault someone. I believe that some of the policies being written do not make sense. Many of these Soldiers identified as level I or II are bowing out because they do not want to relive their mistakes.

There is a policy that states that Soldiers must be licensed on their assigned vehicle. This is moronic because many units such as Drill Sergeant units do not have vehicles. My Soldiers still have to be able to drive military vehicles when sent to various installations. There should simply be a process for licensing other than being dependent on other units for licensing.

********I would issue proper equipment to do the job.
We expect Soldiers to do a ton of things online using tons of bandwidth. Many of my Soldiers in the Inland Northwest live off the grid. We are losing great Soldiers do to the increases computer requirements. Half of the computers do not work in our unit areas. Each unit with 75 Soldiers or more should be assigned at IT person and each Soldier should be issued a government laptop so that they can do their job. Also, all classes should have a download option and upload because it is impossible to do many of the DL without using tons of bandwidth.

**********Special Duty Pay
Special Duty Pay should be extended not only to MOS positions but also to leadership. I spend an excess of at least six hours per week performing military duties. I am told that I can submit a 1380 for points but this takes time. It should be automatic that in certain positions such as 1SG, platoon sergeant, XO, and commander be given an increased amount of pay each month. My husband calls the Army Reserves my "volunteerism" because there is so little pay and so much work that is expected to be done. I believe that if I were better compensated, my family would be more supportive of me being in the military.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 10 at 2016 10:26 AM

2016-05-10T10:26:11-04:00

1. Restart MOS SQT testing and make it a major factor in promotions
2. Restart the Army ranks of SPC 5-8. Not everyone is a leader and those people shouldn't be placed in the position of failure.
3. Stop wasting so much money on uniforms - how come the Marines can get a dress uniform loooooking good and the Army can't?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 10:31 AM

2016-05-10T10:31:32-04:00

1) The fundamental purpose of the Armed Forces is to prosecute the nation's wars and prevent new ones, so I would actually make it easier for both Reserve Component and Active units, and individual SMs, to deploy into or near combat theaters, and make combat or combat support/combat service support deployments mandatory for retention for ALL SMs, regardless of branch, and no exemptions for "Training Units" or other desk jockeys, either. Cut the mandatory online training back by 85% or better--- almost NOBODY is going to conduct their combat over the internet--- and focus on battle-applicable skills like firing one's weapon, rather than Diversity Sensitivities and such. Make the Physical Fitness standards more relevant to current combat operations, rather than our fathers' combat operations in Viet Nam.

2) Stop using the DoD for social-engineering politics! Those who feel compelled to remove healthy and functional organ systems are not healthy enough for long-term combat effectiveness, and those who use the service as a sexual hook-up source to feed their promiscuity are in for all the wrong reasons, whatever their initial motivation for swearing in.

3) Cut out, gut, and eviscerate (with severe prejudice and malice aforethought!) the bureaucratic song-and-dance nightmare that now handles promotions, evaluations, and assignments in the Reserve forces. Let unit leaders and Senior Raters (MSG and above at the Company level, SGM / O5 and above at Battalion, et. c.), be the decisive authority for promotions up to two (maybe only three) grades below their own, instead of centralizing every decision Army-wide or DoD-wide in an impersonal server in Kentucky and a board of anonymous check-block-inspectors.

Response by SGT Michael Dugas made May 10 at 2016 10:54 AM

2016-05-10T10:54:31-04:00

Chain of Command;
Chain of Command; and
Chain of Command.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-05-10T10:58:23-04:00

1. ALL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (Including Contractors) Must have served a minimum of 3 years in the Military. VA Employees must serve 5 Years. Congress must serve 5 years.
2. Stop letting the Civilian World force the Military World to change policy. They once looked at us on Race, Gender and equality issues but now we look at them?
3. A High PT Score (But can't spell BINGO with the damn song playing in the background) does not equate to promotion! Stop this crap NOW!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:13 AM

2016-05-10T11:13:47-04:00

1. Restructure both the Army Reserve and Army National Guard via the shifting of some actual combat arms units (infantry, armor, artillery, attack aviation) to the USAR and shifting some actual support units (engineer, medical, transportation/logistics and civil affairs, assault aviation) to the National Guard to allow better support for homeland / natural disaster missions.

2. Reform the current military-industrial complex where mergers have now created a handful of mega-defense industries that has over time reduced the overall ability of the DoD to actually have a competitive bidding process for items ranging from aircraft carriers down to small arms and ammunition and even the common gear utilized by the service member themselves.

3. Stop the zero-defects mentality that grips the military as a whole. Let leaders and service members make mistakes. But in doing so, expect accountability when service members are hurt or killed at the lowest level where is actual evidence of a failure of leadership at the level of the incident.

Response by LCpl Kenneth Heath made May 10 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-05-10T11:15:36-04:00

1. Eliminate all PC, race/gender quotas, set-asides and incentives. One race: Americans!
2. Raise all standards to the same level, male or female shouldn't matter when training for the same job.
3. Re-evaluate cutting score procedures, promotion considerations are not fair across all MOS'.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:18 AM

2016-05-10T11:18:23-04:00

Maybe a Draft? The American people need to have skin in the game again. As it stands the military is a "video game" the People watch on TV when we have an action. Not my kid? Why NOT your kid?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:20 AM

2016-05-10T11:20:28-04:00

1) Change the OER/NCOER for leaders to have input from the led, and base their rating off of that. You have toxic leaders who routinely get top blocked because they get results. They get results because we are professionals and we do our best in spite of that leader, not because of that leader.
2) Reward units that know how to save the Army money and not hurt them for wasting it.
3) Bring back customs and courtesies. Most people joined the military because of stories their older relatives told when they were younger.; the first 30 minutes of Full Metal Jacket.

Response by 2LT Kenneth Carden made May 10 at 2016 11:42 AM

2016-05-10T11:42:24-04:00

1. Stop social engineering. Standards for combat arms should reflect the reality needed for combat.

2. Set a standard for concealed carry and allow soldiers who meet the standard to carry concealed on post.

3. Reduce the tail and associated costs. The job is combat.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made May 10 at 2016 12:04 PM

2016-05-10T12:04:32-04:00

1. Increase psychological evaluations for enlisted and Officers before they are allowed to enlist.
One must be sure of themselves, for instance
A. Must have a clear understanding that they are either a man or a woman. The military is not the place for you to have a relapse or to be unsure if you feel like a man or a woman when you wake up every morning.
B. The military is in organization that trains and individual on how to kill people. That is the soul purpose of the United States military. You want to build schools and bridges join the Salvation Army or the peace course but do not joining the Marine Corps because you want to build bridges and serve coffee and rice to the natives.
3. Inform all in listed and officers that no matter what you're mos is, you are a basic 0300 rifleman. Because when the enemy comes where the thru line CR your job is the aim that rifle and take out is many as you can I don't care if you're radar technician tank technician super duper Drone joystick operator.
3. And still in all my officers from lieutenant all the way up to General you do not have to fear losing your pension because you don't agree with the current political climate. And to instill also in my officers to keep politics out of the training. And they don't have to fear what some crazy senator are congressman is ranting about on the nightly news.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made May 10 at 2016 12:25 PM

2016-05-10T12:25:44-04:00

Overhaul the personnel system (using many suggestions of MAJ Donald Vandergriff
Re-evaluate the integration of women in the armed forces, focusing on military necessity rather than civilian egalitarian desires.
Make the DoD truly joint by reducing redundancies; unifying the HRMIS's; minimal equipment (uniforms, weapon systems, commo), etc

Response by CPL James Ross made May 10 at 2016 12:58 PM

2016-05-10T12:58:12-04:00

#1; ... get females out of Combat Units.

#2; ... punish all Deserters & Traitors.

#3 ... do away with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

For all of the above, I want to know who/what is guarding my back !!!!!!!

Response by CPL Harro Penk made May 10 at 2016 1:18 PM

2016-05-10T13:18:53-04:00

1) Be prepared to drop contractors for violations of their contract. This goes all the way from mom-&-pop type operations with consultants, all the way to large contracts like aircraft carriers and jet fighter programs. If you can't deliver agreed upon features/quantity at the agreed upon price - get dropped and BANNED from further contracts. PERIOD. Enough is enough, it's getting completely out of hand lately.
2) Have a better promotion system that doesn't consistently promote people for the achievements of others. Somehow, every now and again we have a wave of blow-hearts who rise to the top. We don't need more talkers - we need doers. We need people who are educated and know, rather than people who just know how to yell at those people. That's not leadership - it's not good for the overall ethos of the armed forces. Too many still get promoted based on perceived accomplishments rather than actual ones.
3) Make the US Army wear cooler hats than the Marine Corps. Seriously. Baseball caps? 250 year history and we wear baseball caps?!! Not cool.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 1:21 PM

2016-05-10T13:21:42-04:00

1. I do what I want.
2. I get paid O-10.
3. I get to pick a five-star and an E-9 to make sweeping changes and run the joint as they see fit, because I have no idea what reality is on a bigger scale; I only know the life of junior Es and junior Os.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 1:34 PM

2016-05-10T13:34:02-04:00

completely reboot the following:

1. Acquisitions & Budgeting: Throw out the entire system and start from scratch. Eliminate unnecessary positions in the acquisitions process and break the perception that the Federal Govt is a bottomless moneybag to be siphoned from. If the DoD has to pay more that the free market price for the exact same product, something is massively wrong and much trimming is needed. As for budgeting, end the practice of blowing money of at the end of the year to make sure it is allotted for next year. Allow units at some level (say Brigade for example) to save that money for singular anomalous situations.

2. Military Education: Absolute standardization across the board. We are all part of the same Army, Military, etc. Regardless of component (active, guard, reserve), all major OES, NCOES, etc will be conducted in the same fashion. Example, a Captain's Career Course should never be reduced to "online training" that should be relegated to single subject lessons such as accident avoidance, Commander's Safety Course, etc.

3. Standards: A soldier is either qualified for the position in question or they are not, regardless of any conceivable classification, protected class, etc. One Army, one standard to speak of my Service, substitute Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force as needed. Side note, further standardizing basic stuff such as HR practices probably wouldn't hurt either. We need to return to the "we're all green (& genderless) in the Army" logic.

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made May 10 at 2016 1:56 PM

2016-05-10T13:56:29-04:00

1) go to one style of combat boots across all the military branch.
2) Civil service managers , Rotate them around the conus some have been sitting in there office for years if not decades and not coming up with no new ideas on how to improve the work environment at there facility
3)Standardized the military uniform for all military branches and keep it

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 2:17 PM

2016-05-10T14:17:45-04:00

1. Merge the Marines and Army, no need for two land forces. Make three branches, land, sea, and air, that are completely interoperable. They should have cascading doctrine with the same uniform and PT standards.
2. Reduce our OCONUS footprint to support our Allies, not be the main effort. In effect reducing our OPTEMPO and allowing units more time for collective and individual training.
3. Slow down officer promotions, more time as a LT and pre command CPT. Also separate the logistics back to Ordnance, Transportation, and Quartermaster. Finally, put rank and branch back on the collar. I want to know who is who.

Response by Maj Jack Seebacher made May 10 at 2016 2:23 PM

2016-05-10T14:23:53-04:00

Commander in chief, sec of defense, syncophonts

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 2:25 PM

2016-05-10T14:25:20-04:00

1) One uniform to rule them all by STOPPING the constant every other year multi million dollar uniform research to find a better style of duty uniform and picking ONE pattern for all the branches to use. The caveat to this would be 3 styles: Woodland, Desert, and Snow......but only as needed depending on when/where they deploy to. Seriously, does the Navy really need to wear a blue patterned uniform while at sea on a HUGE gray ship? Oh, and that velcro (or hook and loop if you prefer) is gone the way of the Dodo bird.
2) A 2 prong plan on winning wars. Find and properly identify the enemy. Kill the enemy.
3) Fix the monetary distribution by a few methods (as a start). A) Revamp government contracts: Example, a Tank Company needs to order 3 new engines, let them order those 3 engines instead of having to order 100 engines in one mass hit. B) Most (if not all) deployment government contracts are hereby null and void. Example: Why would the government agree to pay a civilian mechanic 150K a year when the powers that be deploy units WITH endemic mechanics.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 2:31 PM

2016-05-10T14:31:45-04:00

1) Allow hazing (still controlled by a salty senior, to make sure it doesn't get personal/out of control);
2) Promote those that are actually worthy and desiring of that rank;
3) Send boots to larger/higher echelon units, where they get exposure, training and then send them down the line;

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-05-10T14:37:51-04:00

• Make every Branch work off the same budget constraints the Marine Corps has had to.
• Force the Air Force to develop an actual Fit to Fight/Physical Fitness Assessment that actually shows Physical Fitness. They would have to do this without a budget and within three months.
• Force the General Officers to make their budget cuts from the top down and not from the down up. No Cuts to equipment until the US Army and USMC has been able to mess it up, destroy it, or otherwise prove it is ineffective.
• Not allow any ineffective members serve longer than 6 months after graduating from AIT, Tech School, or 'A' School.
• Randomly select supervisors across the AF and spot check their documentation. If they are not doing Performance Reviews, Feedbacks, EPRs, or MFRs, give them a 2 month cycle to catch up or demote them.
• Force every branch to go back into a common battle dress uniform. Have the Navy try to destroy it, Have the Army & USMC test its effectiveness, and prevent the Air Force from making it obsolete.
• Force all branches to go with the same location for Rank.
• Force Officers (in Garrison, to include Field Exercises) to wear shiny, metal, full color rank. Subdued rank for officers is for OCONUS Operations only, when they do not want to be saluted.
• No Officer is to be saluted while wearing subdued rank.
• Force 15% of all service members to cross train with another branch of service. To assist in best practices being exchanged and learned.
• 10% of Service Members must cross train with Allied Forces for a minimum of 6 months.
• Not pay any Military Member while they are serving as a Military Fellow for Congressional Members. That cost should come from the Politician they are schmoozing.
• All Military Police Branch Members will have to wear their MP Shield while in any Uniform.
• Have the Air Force commit to an “All or None” hat rank and not just officers.
• Pride in Service will be held to a higher standard.
• No longer make a Community College of the Air Force’s Associate’s Degree a Standard for promotion or special duties. If a degree is required, any college should be sufficed. Furthermore a Bachelor’s Degree should trump an Associate’s, and a Master’s should trump a Bachelor’s.
Do you want me to keep going?

Response by MSgt Fred Gottshalk made May 10 at 2016 2:41 PM

2016-05-10T14:41:53-04:00

1) Give a clear mission statement !
2) Let the 'warrior' carry out the mission w/o interference.
3)There is no such thing as 'PC' it gets the wrong ones killed.

Response by PO2 Lester Sullivan made May 10 at 2016 2:43 PM

2016-05-10T14:43:35-04:00

1. Polishitans who were never in military should NOT have access that affects military. POTUS & rest of worthless can only say: Sick 'em or Heel, stand ready! 2. All branches should be ready to send runts to the front! Too many said: That's not my job/MOS. "i just joined for the GI Bill!" 3. Have 1 bootcamp in Garden City, KS, where you make it, or you don't;)

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made May 10 at 2016 2:52 PM

2016-05-10T14:52:25-04:00

1. I would end "Political Correctness" swiftly and ruthlessly. I would put it in the same category as treason, subversion, and espionage. Violators would be subject to trial be Courts Martial and, the minimum sentence would be 20 years in prison. You should not have to worry about hurting someone's delicate feelings while your job is deploying to a hostile location to engage in combat with an armed enemy who wishes to kill you. Focus on critical war fighting tasks rather than "mandatory sensitivity training". Harsh words killed no one ever and, if you get destroyed over words, combat is definitely not the place for you.
2. All major policy or uniform changes would have to pass a board, with a two thirds approval, of Soldiers comprised of three personnel of each of the following categories: Field Grade Officers, Company Grade Officers, Senior NCO's and, Junior NCO's. If it's a bad idea, like the black beret or the last great tattoo policy, it will most likely fail here.
3. I would do away with gender specific standards. There would be ONE standard across the board. No Soldier should have to put their life in the hands of another who is not required to meet the same standards in training.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 3:38 PM

2016-05-10T15:38:24-04:00

I can only speak Marine Corps specific but here it goes (in no particular order):

1) Meritorious promotion boards. So many Marines get promoted because they look good on paper. So what if you can get a 300 PFT, have a black belt in McNinja and know how to set up a junk on the bunk? I understand that these are the basics but can you do your job? There should be a test to show you are MOS proficient before you can even be considered for a meritorious promotion. These "meritorious" Marines are expected to lead Marines within their charge and one of their jobs is passing along their MOS knowledge, how are they supposed to do that if they are barely proficient in their job?
2) ServMart/CMSC or whatever you want to call it these days. The DoD wastes so much money contracting with companies that offer supplies and equipment. Allow units the authority to open purchase if we can save the government money. I do not know how many times I have went into CMSC to purchase supplies and been astounded by the prices we pay. I have seen the same (and I mean the exact same) items in town for much cheaper, not to mention the sales, coupons and military discounts we could use. Sorry, I've been known to coupon a little.
3)Administrative separation for drug use. We waste too much time and effort on those individuals who have chosen to use illegal substances. The military has a ZERO tolerance policy on using illegal substances, so kick those individuals out post haste or send them to the brig. Stop offering them fast track or taking it to court martial. Make one standard for all, I am tired of seeing us keep Marines around for months after they have popped positive. Not only are they getting their benefits but they are getting paid while they wait (obviously they lose some money at NJP) but they still get paid. I do not care what their family situation or lack there of is, they chose to do drugs so they must suffer the consequences.

Okay, stepping down from my soapbox now.

Response by SSG Jeff Carlisle-Tierno made May 10 at 2016 3:46 PM

2016-05-10T15:46:48-04:00

1: As the LTC above me said, social engineering needs to end. The military is nothing like your local 7-11, bar and grill, etc. Stop making it out to be.
2: Pay attention to the lessons of those who came before us. The Humvee proved to be a death trap on OIF… the politicians' solution… buy more Humvees! Finally, the MRAP came into play… some 30+ years after the Rhodesians and South Africans figured that out (by the way, many of the ones we've taken into inventory are designs from there which have been around since the 70s). It means we'd also need to clean up the acquisitions and contracting processes… you can't convince me someone wasn't paid off to procure more Humvees as a solution to the Humvee being a failure, purchasing that American Growler POS, etc.).
3: Uphold the standard, period. That whole scenario with that CSM from the 8th MP Brigade should never have been. Period. End of story. That sort of RHIP crap is 75% of the reason I got out. CSM Flournoy's actions and her unit's unwillingness were not only detrimental to her unit, but to the MP Corps, female soldiers, and minority soldiers collectively. Regardless of how I or others might feel about it, with new roles being opened to female soldiers, I'm sure CSM Flournoy's name and her unit will repeatedly come up in those discussions.

Only three? Well, it's a start.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 4:18 PM

2016-05-10T16:18:47-04:00

1. All Military Police, DOD Civilian Police, DOA Police, DOAF Police, Security Forces and Master-at-Arms would be able to carry concealed on and off Federal property and on/off duty just like all civilian Law Enforcement Agencies and other Federal Agencies.

2. Navy should adopt a Provost Marshall System for Law Enforcement and Local LE Commands and NCIS should all fall under local PM and work hand in hand.

3. Extend the MAA A School to 6 months, expand the curriculum to include all facets of the Master-at-Arms Rating. Law enforcement, Harbor Security, ATFP, Ship Board Security, Detainee Operations, Mobile Security, Air Field Securtit, etc.....

Response by Maj John Bell made May 10 at 2016 4:27 PM

2016-05-10T16:27:05-04:00

One comes to my mind immediately. I hated "up or out". I think if you get passed over twice for promotion to a particular rank, its time to go. But I loved being a 1stLt. If selected, I think there should be a "no thanks, I don't want to grow up" option. I would have stayed a 1stLt until my body was no longer capable of the rigors of leading a rifle platoon. Somewhere around 35 years old I would have had to accept "up", if I made that years board.

Response by SSG Lemuel Genovese made May 10 at 2016 4:56 PM

2016-05-10T16:56:40-04:00

1.) NCOER's and OER's - need subordinate input.
2.) AAR's - kept on file at platoon & Squad level for at least 2 years. More if CBT OPNs involved
3.) EM rating of all MTO & E gear for effectiveness, durability, maintenance requirements, shortcomings and strength.

Response by SSG Vik Polivka made May 10 at 2016 5:04 PM

2016-05-10T17:04:32-04:00

Well, whoever it was that gave me a blank check on policy seems to have never met me. Those fools!

1) Allowing Soldiers to place hands in their pockets, for any duration. Oh, sure, there's going to be someone who says how it doesn't look very professional, but it looks a lot more professional than having your hands down your pants, which is allowed.

2) Allow Soldiers to drive tactical vehicles, wait for it...without a helmet. I drive a POV everyday, no helmet, and to date (I love living on the edge) there has not been a catastrophic loss due to my reckless, non-helmeted operation of a SUV.

3) Allow myself the authority to change three more things.

Of course, if that fails...

3A) Outlaw the use of "behoove", "caveat", and "BLUF". If the 'BLUF' really is present in the way it's advertised, it is not required. Unless you're a fan of "ATM Machine", and "CAC Card".

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 5:59 PM

2016-05-10T17:59:53-04:00

1) Give all soldiers the option to choose matching TSP contributions for a reduced retirement pension. If the TSP funds perform anything like they have done in the past, this will save the government money and increase individuals' retirement savings. This also helps improve talent management by increasing incentives to serve, especially if one doesn't plan on serving 20 years.

2) Require potential recruits to pass an APFT test before they may enlist. You shouldn't be allowed to join the Army until you have demonstrated the motivation to pass the test. This will save the Army money as well because less weaklings will be getting injured on the government's dime.

3) The military should provide healthier food and eliminate unhealthy options. Yes, I understand healthier food tends to be more expensive, and am thankful that there has been a great salad bar at every DFAC I have been to, but seriously, why are there still sugary sodas, cakes, breakfast bars, and what not? That does not increase our soldier's fitness for duty.

Love how the Army is always self-assessing and open to change though.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 10 at 2016 6:11 PM

2016-05-10T18:11:30-04:00

1) Eliminate all references to gender, ethnicity and race in all senior enlisted and officer promotion. Assign each packet a number and evaluate each fairly without "Goals" (Quotas). For uniform and appearance, allow that to be judged by the upper chain of command of the individual and noted on the NCOER/OER.
2) Establish a "Combat Arms Physical Fitness Standard" which is the minimum to be accepted for BOTH Male and Female. Can't pass the single standard, you get to stay a pogue.
3) Establish ONE Standard for appearance. Either the Sikh shaves and cuts his hair or NO ONE is forced to shave and cut their hair. It is called Uniform for a flipping reason.

Just for good measure, I would bring back the Khaki Short and Long sleeve uniform as THE Class B duty uniform. The current White Shirt over dress Blue pants just is not cutting it. Khakis ROCKED!

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made May 10 at 2016 7:22 PM

2016-05-10T19:22:51-04:00

Tough question, especially since everything I knew about my branch or the DOD is completely FUBAR now. Here's my list:

1) Bring back the A-10 Thunderbolt II and plan for indefinite improvements. The A-10 is the best aircraft we ever had for air-to-mud warfare. The concept of multi-role aircraft for close air support (CAS) is, and always will be, folly.

2) Reverse all the cuts and broken promises for lifetime medical care for military retirees and their families. The active duty members and prospective recruits are watching how the retiree's are being treated. We cannot afford for them to lose trust in the military retirement system as it will severely affect retention and recruiting.

3) Bury political correctness. It's a curse on readiness and proper planning.

Response by SFC John Mandrioli made May 10 at 2016 7:25 PM

2016-05-10T19:25:59-04:00

Get rid of GD online classes troops spending day after day after day on the Damm computer! Train Train Train

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 8:38 PM

2016-05-10T20:38:41-04:00

#1 No females in combat MOS's, ESPECIALLY INFANTRY!!! #2 Bring back the smoking of soldiers!!! #3 Don't let pieces of shit squeak through basic training, especially, when it comes to a combat MOS!!!

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made May 10 at 2016 8:47 PM

2016-05-10T20:47:15-04:00

To start with, I'd fix the Navy's broken body composition assessment, the Navy's advancement system and possibly make it into a hybrid of the advancement systems that the Army and Marine Corps, and I would fix the way that the Navy expects sailors to obtain newly released uniforms. Concerning this last item, the problem is that when a new or updated uniform is released, the Navy says that sailors have until a specified date to get the new uniforms without any consideration for the cost of the new uniforms, which are expensive. I would modify this policy where the Navy would issue the first 2 sets of uniforms for free (including any sewing and/or embroidery). For the service and dress uniforms, the first set would be free (including sewing and/or alterations). If these things couldn't be done, then I would make boot camp more tough, I would remove most of the computer-based training topics in 'A' and 'C' schools with instructor-based training, and increase manning and funding requirements for warships because the current policy of 'doing more with less' is adversely impacting our sailors as well as the materiel readiness of the ships, aircraft, and submarines.

Response by Cpl John Mathews made May 10 at 2016 9:15 PM

2016-05-10T21:15:35-04:00

1. Improve quality of food in the mess halls and in the field. Good chow is a major morale booster.
2. Stop screwing around with benefits and retirement. Service to the nation involves many hardships (more now than when I served). Promises made must be kept.
3. Hold officers to the same, or higher, standards than enlisted when it comes to the UCMJ. Shit flows downhill and it seems like enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen, coasties, and Marines get punished while their officers avoid punshment and are allowed to retire or resign (as if that is punishment enough).

I don't want to sound bitter, because I am not. I lve the Marine Corps, respect the other branches, and would do it all again if I had the chance. I do know some young enlisted Marines who had the book thrown at them when they followed the advice of their seniors, yet their seniors were let off without even a slap on the wrist.

Response by PO2 Joseph Hodges made May 10 at 2016 9:56 PM

2016-05-10T21:56:48-04:00

I would make the PRT job based. There are some very good people being put out because they have a problem with the run or pushups. I would get rid of reenlistment bonuses...with the job market you either want to be in or not. I would change the dress uniform for enlisted. I am never a fun of capes.

Response by SGT Tim Fridley made May 10 at 2016 10:24 PM

2016-05-10T22:24:53-04:00

I would start by changing the DFAS system get them on the same page as it is a very broken system. 2nd I would make it easier for Military personnel to rotate from in service to the VA medical system too many people falling through the cracks. 3rd I would try to make it easier for people to take college courses while on duty.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 10:25 PM

2016-05-10T22:25:30-04:00

Eliminate Course 15
Bring Back Baseball Caps
Eliminate Minimums on PT Test

Response by SGM Robert Parsons made May 10 at 2016 10:43 PM

2016-05-10T22:43:23-04:00

Improvement of three things DoD wide:
1) Pay and Benefits
2) Retirement
3) EEO

Response by Capt Michael Halpin made May 10 at 2016 10:43 PM

2016-05-10T22:43:53-04:00

1) Prepare each service for the coming WWIII 2) Restore the old club system. Great leadership trading and esprit de corps. 3) Go back to Don't ask, don't tell and restore religious liberty.

Response by Lt Col George Muller made May 10 at 2016 11:20 PM

2016-05-10T23:20:37-04:00

As a previous enlisted than became an officer I have seen many men and women who would be very capable in the officer ranks but are restricted due to the regs. Any worth while corporation doesn't hold back any one who has the capability to move up to greater responsibility. The forces need to get ride of the artificial barrier between the enlisted ranks and the officers. I know of some who would have been better commanders then even I was.
George T. Muller Lt. Col (USAF ret)

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 12:18 AM

2016-05-11T00:18:05-04:00

For the Marine Corps:

(Not in order of importance)

1. The seperation of SUAS pilots into their own MOS
- I am an Intelligence Specialist and I wear a few hats within my occupational specialty. One of them is that I'm a Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) subject matter expert for my Division and one of several Marines that pilot our drones. I've flown them on deployment and in many exercises. A big issue that I have is that BUQ-1 (smaller class) systems are flown primarily by people in my job, but we have a LOT of other tradecraft to juggle. It would be a far more efficient alternative to turn all SUAS operations into its own MOS (which I would then lat-move to). Drones, whether we like it or not, are becoming more and more a critical facet of operations. Soon, it will be lunacy to suggest it doesn't rate its own job designation.

2. Start weeding out the civilian contractors
- There are very few things that they can do that we cannot create a billet/SAD/MOS for. It's financially irresponsible and eliminates much of a unit's ability to train in-house for a lot of simple things. When there are only a small handful of civilian contracotrs because of budgeting, versus many Marine instructors for far cheaper, we experience clogging between many different units seeking the same training. Plus, on a less serious note, they take up all of the benches at the gym, as well as the Subway and Dominos workers that sneak in with them for free.

3. Eliminate Political Correctness
- This is the biggest cop out in the DoD in general. Nowhere else do I hear as many slurs against so many different people groups. I hear white guys using the N-word jokingly to their black friends, (who laugh along with them) have yet to meet a female who agrees with the new co-ed combat policies, and the words "faggot" and "wook" are more common than the word "the." Hardly PC. Some of the worst comes from Equal Opportunity reps themselves. The only difference now is that Marines now quickly glance over their shoulder before continuing with their dirty joke. So, how about we knock it off with the false pretenses and stop crying about it? Free speech unfortunately allows for peers to say things you don't like. Oh well.

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made May 11 at 2016 7:07 AM

2016-05-11T07:07:56-04:00

Same PT tests for all branches make more MOS specific events. Have 5 events, with 3 being the basis for schools and 2being MOS specific.
Get the civilians out of Military business. Funding should not ever be an issue. There are MOS's for everything... No need to pay a salary to a civilian when you can get a Spc. for half price.
Mandatory 2 year Recruiter/DI duty to go from 5 to 6. Recruiter/DI tours limited to 3 years and 1 promotion then sent back to normal duty.

Response by CPL Steven Toal made May 11 at 2016 8:21 AM

2016-05-11T08:21:45-04:00

Educate all members of the armed forces in the U.S. Constitution and The Bill of rights. Remove all Muslim Solders from our Armed Forces. Remove from political office immediately those that are at work destabilizing this country and those who are seeking to weaken our Unite States Armed Forces.

Response by PFC Ed Dunnigan made May 11 at 2016 10:25 AM

2016-05-11T10:25:19-04:00

1. eliminate co-ed Basic Training IN ALL BRANCHES
2. Upgrade Basic Training to Marine Corps standards for all branches
3. Seek out private sector replacements for outmoded equipment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 10:56 AM

2016-05-11T10:56:51-04:00

(1) LIK for Reserve Soldiers living 40 Miles or more away from unit footprint. (2) no age limits for becoming a warrant officer. (3) Berets in garrison PCs in the field.

Response by CPO Richard Goldthwaite made May 11 at 2016 2:36 PM

2016-05-11T14:36:58-04:00

King for a day...hmmm....DOD wide...First, all services would have one uniform standard. Unit identifiers such as squadrons, battalions, units, ships, etc. would be still be unique, but if you are in the armed services, then everyone would wear the same uniform. Secondly, USMC personnel would go back to the gates for Navy/USMC installations, and USA personnel for USAF/USA installations. One Security command would govern and provide policy. Lastly, briefs of mission elements, announcements, deployments, returns, etc. would cease. John Q Public has no need for this information. Transparency of government actions in governing is one thing...but this information creates a security concern and allows for observations and planning to occur by opposition forces against armed services. The military and politics mandate a line in the sand in the same recourse as defined between state and church. PR must always be positive and reflective to the American values, otherwise it becomes propaganda for our enemies.

Response by LtCol Mac McCarty made May 11 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-05-11T16:55:24-04:00

Oooooh, this is fun!

1. Institute a two-tiered system of service. Draftees are enlisted for three years at subsistence pay levels—no housing or subsistence pay (dependents get an allotment at equivalent levels to 1960s standard, but not more than the pay of a PFC) , maximum rank is PFC (or equivalent), can transfer to career status up to end of enlistment. As pre-WWII, no civies, liberty at the discretion of the CO, unmarried troops must obtain CO’s permission to marry (and if they do not—no pay or benefits to dependents) and then only in uniform. Career path: enlistment is for 8 years, current pay and benefits, enforce promotion so that NCOs have at least 4 years to make Corporal and 7 to make Sergeant.

2. No women in infantry.

3. Reduce the bloated civilian DOD work force. Any civilian employees must have served at least 4 years on active duty.

(If I was allowed a fourth—no one may receive a commission unless he or she has first served as an enlisted man or woman for at least one year in a post-recruit training , MOS-specific billet.)

Response by SPC Robert Conway made May 11 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-05-11T18:29:43-04:00

1. Remove criminal prosecution/investigation from the chain of command, if not from DOD control entirely.
2. Show the neanderthal racists, sexists and bigots of all stripes where the door is. You cannot defend this country when you don't have a clue about what the country stands for.
3. Promotion should be either be beyond the scope of human influence, or incorporate an outside agency to review qualifications. Carrot/stick promotions and firewall 5s are a problem

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 10:26 PM

2016-05-11T22:26:29-04:00

1. Eliminate the Air National Guard. No governor has the authority to use the fighters, bombers and refuelers. The Air National Guard exists because in 1947, when the Air Force was created from the Army, the Army had 3 components, so the Air Force got 3 components. Eliminating the Air National Guard eliminates Joint HQs at the State level and eliminates the NGB Joint HQ status, enabling the rank structure to return to State 2-star AGs and 3-Star NGB Director reporting to the 4-Star FORSCOM Commander.
2. Eliminate Active Component, including AGR, and replace it with Active Duty tours that last between 30 days to 20 years. Everyone would be a member of the Reserve Component and would serve on Active Duty or in a Reserve status. As a result, we have one retirement plan, one benefits plan and one HR, Finance and promotion system. No more AC preference for schools, billets or promotions.
3. Reduce HQ and Pentagon staff by 30%. This includes reduction of GOs and SES.

Response by Cpl Michael Crowley made May 12 at 2016 12:03 AM

2016-05-12T00:03:40-04:00

Civilian validation for job experience (certifications, more applicable college credits, union acknowledgement, etc.)

Require all civilians to spend a term of service in no less than the national guard or reserves in order to earn citizenship (local born or not), but let them still volunteer.

Get rid of FSRs and other contracted support and let us control our own systems again. If your personnel can't get the job done than train them better and don't simply accept when they claim to not be proficient.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 12:49 AM

2016-05-12T00:49:18-04:00

1) Remove these useless classes i.e. SHARP, EO, Resiliency. While these are problems in our ranks, giving classes is like putting a bandaid on an amputation. Root out the troubling SM's, extra duty, take pay away. Because powerpoints won't change anyone's ways.
2) ENFORCING THE CURRENT STANDARDS
3) Train in our two tasks as members of the Military. Being a damn Soldier (Shooting, First aid, map reading, etc) and be proficient in our MOS. I can't tell you how much paperwork, classes I've had to take that are not appurtenant to my duties as a Soldier.

Response by SGT John Hamby made May 13 at 2016 2:00 AM

2016-05-13T02:00:51-04:00

go back to the Woodland Camouflage BDU's & Black Leather Boots, reinstate Road Guard Vests, & keep the PT Standards and MOS Restrictions as they are

Response by MSG John Wirts made Jun 7 at 2016 5:02 PM

2016-06-07T17:02:54-04:00

1) Require that all specifications in a contract have a need other then to giving a preferred contractor an unfair advantage. The Army 2 piece rain suit had a specification for a yellow silk label, there was only one contractor who had a yellow silk label, this was inside the jacket and pants, and was never seen, and as I recall the labels did not last very long. The outer example was a contract for cotton duck butchers aprons. Several companies made them and each used a different color thread to sew their aprons. These aprons are not used for a uniform, they are protection for the butchers clothing. To specify a single stitch color just eliminated all competitive bids on that contract.

2) Any contract to replace current vehicles or weapons platforms, should have attainable standards, recently 5 rifles were tested to replace the M-16. All 5 "failed", I say the failure was intentional, the specifications were unrealistically high. The VENERABLE M-16 was not included in the test! I would say if there is a test to replace a weapon, the weapons being considered to replace an existing platform should be tested against that platform. The best performing platform should be adopted, if none of the replacement weapons nor the the existing platform can meet the contract specs, a modification of the specifications is in order, Don't just fail the contract and say we'll keep this 50 year old weapon. Maybe we should reconsider the 30-40 Krag-Jerogison from the 1890's.

#0 When I was in Germany the Americans had been working to get the Germans to adopt many of our governmental processes. In particular the competitive bid process. The Germans examined the process, and adopted it with modifications. They issued a specification and requested bids to provide what the contract called for. They took all of the bids and ranked them from high to low, just like the U.S. Then the took the top 10% of the high bids, and discarded them reasoning the bill was padded, They took the bottom 1% of the bids and discarded them reasoning that the contractor would cut corners and deliver an inferior product. The remaining 80% of the bids were added together and divided by the number of remaining bids, to get the average bid. The bidder closest to the average bid was awarded the contract.

Those are my three ideas what say you?

Response by SSG Lemuel Genovese made Jun 11 at 2016 11:45 AM

2016-06-11T11:45:50-04:00

1.) Make it mandatory that any new vehicle or weapon system under development is field tested by those who will actually use it in a combat zone and allow their input to have the final say on the contract to purchase. Body armor, the HMV and radio/telephone jammers for IED prevention are just a few examples of battle tested wisdom our troops had to suffer through in IRQ & AFGN because the system is broken on procurement and R & D. Don't get me started on the Air Force fighter mafia regarding the A-10 or the F-35.
2.) If a general hasn't served in a combat zone in the past five years, DO NOT make him a zone commander. The higher the rank, the less oxygen is available as you scale the chain of command. Rules of Engagement are crucial to the success and survivability of our ground troops.
3.) Cut the number of flag officers by at least 30% in all branches of our military. Cut their staff size in half. Superfluous doesn't even begin to approach how much duplication and waste these excess generals and admirals create.