I've had that - once. Some jackass came out of basic and asked who the fuck I was when I asked him to do something. That's the only time I've yelled in anyone's face. Needless to say, he was my bitch for a good two years. Any crap detail I could find, he was on it. In the end he actually turned out to be an alright Soldier. I don't know what unit he's in now but I hope they've kept him in line.
Well, a fun day for me. My Commander and 1SG were releived of their duties this morning. My Commander was actually escorted out of the building due to an investigation. I don't know what's going on but, honestly, I hope it's because of the abuse they have put us through in the past year. Constantly changing drill dates that always include Fridays, keeping Soldiers until 2300 and having them report at 0400, publicly calling out Soldier's mistakes in front of formations - to the point of embarassment (and, no, not to make a point or correct future training), hitting people on occasion, denying Soldiers food, and making them work in 100 degree heat for hours on end. Of course, all of this was justified as the cost of running a unit and to "toughen up" Soldiers in preparation for their upcoming deployment (I say "their" because I'm not going, I'll be retiring before they come back). We've complained (myself and other leaders) until we're blue in the face. Maybe someone finally went to IG with it. Either way, it's deserved and I hope it makes them think twice about doing this again.
That's a better description. The Commander is a kid. I honestly don't know how he's made it in the Army. Only five years in but somehow he's already a Captain and has a Command. The 1SG, in all honesty, is probably more of a victim. He's been in 25 years and knows better - I think he was just going along with the Commander to get SGM. He's actually a good guy. But anytime he questioned the Commander he was shot down and told that he's not in charge. If anything, he's just as abused as we have been. The fact that he didn't do anything to stop it is probably why he's gone now.
Heh, reminds me of when I was deployed, a CSM told Lt. moron to do something and this LT turned and asked him "Since when does a CSM outrank a LT?" haha Chuck
Some Officers have such a high opinion of themselves they can't justify listening to an Enlisted Soldier - even though they may have many, many more years of experience. I actually taught an OCS prep course way back when and we always told the cadets to follow the guidance of the E-6 and above during their first few years. Those (back then anyway) were the guys who had 10+ years and knew what was going on. Of course now, E-6s are everywhere with 5-6 years of service. Makes me cringe to think I worked so hard to get mine and it took 12 years.
In the Air Force the first three officer ranks are automatic promotions, which, since the Air Force is derived from the Army and copied many things from it, may also be true in the Army. I couldn't say for sure, tho. Basically, he probably didn't get his rank on merit, but he certainly was powertripping it sounds like. --Moony
Yes, the first three Officer ranks are "advancements" meaning they don't take anything special to get. Well, actually they have to take OBC (Officers Basic Course) and maintain a good standing. Captain can be obtained within five years. It is also quicker to get if you were prior enlisted for several years. Nonetheless, once you get Captain it's usually a good year or two before you get a command of your own (depends on their branch). Most Commanders I've known have been in at least 7-8 years before they are given command. I think there may be a shortage of Field Artillery branched Officers in the Ohio Guard so he was put in there without thinking of the consequences. I do have a friend in IG and this does stem from a complaint filed with them. I don't know any more details but at least I know that somebody finally got someone to listen. That's good enough for me.
I want to thank each and everyone of you in the military for my freedom!!!! Proud member of Operation Military Support!!
So here's the latest fun. My unit is deploying in March 2011 and they are trying to get me to go with them. Currently I'm disqualified because my contract ends in April and stop loss no longer exists. They think they can force me to sign a new contract before they depart. How, you may ask? By saying anyone who is left after the unit leaves will be discharged at the end of their contract with no opportunity to re-enlist. Sorry, they're wrong. If you're fully qualified to re-enlist you have to be allowed to. I'm locked in now (once you hit 18 years they can't kick you out unless you screw up big time) and I'm not flagged or in any trouble. They can't force me to sign a new contract any sooner than when my current one expires. I've been in 18 years and most of that time I've been in Personnel Services. They aren't fooling me. But it's kind of fun to watch them try.
Got my last ETS counseling yesterday. The commander was disapointed to say the least but he understood that I can't stay in at this time with my kids and the two jobs I have. One more drill, one more PT test.... Chuck
And this right here is why Commonwealth armies give command of company/squadron/battery sized formations to Major's.
Well I had drill this weekend. Since getting rid of stop-loss, the National Guard developed an "incentive" program called DESP that states if you intend on staying in the Guard, your unit is deploying, and your current contract ends during that deployment you have to extend your contract long enough to cover the mobilization period plus an extra 90 days. In return you get an extra $500 a month while you're on active duty. I think that's great and it's a good way to get Soldiers to extend and make a little more money. However, if you decide not to be included in the program they think that means you intend on getting out - which makes sense. You have to sign a form (4187 for you Army folks) which states "I have no intention of extending and if I do extend after signing this it will be declined by the state." Now, it being a 4187 it's not really applicable to refuse an extension. But that's for another time... In my case, I've been in over 18 years and there is a policy (in NGR 600-200) that states anyone over 18 years has to be allowed to extend in order to retire. That means there are conflicting policies. One saying that I have to decline this "incentive" program and by doing so I forfeit any opportunity to extend. The other policy says I have to be allowed to extend. In order to turn it down my state would have to get approval from the Secretary Of The Army, which I doubt they'd do. So I made my case and I'm awaiting an answer. Keep in mind, I'm not trying to get out of the deployment. If I extend to my retirement date and they decide to send me, so be it. I'll just have to come home early in order to retire on time. We'll see what happens...
I'm not military yet, but right now I'm attempting to lose weight so that I can join the marines. I'm hoping to be a linguist for Pashto, Farsi, or Korean, and if I can (I'm very ignorant as to how their occupational settings are) also be a heavy machine gunner. But at the very least I'd like to be a translator.
I don't think they would have a translator be full time on a crew serve. And you don't have to say heavy machine gunner, you can just say "I want to shoot the 50." You haven't lived until you have engaged targets with that weapon system. Chuck
He speaks the truth. I'm not sure how Marines work with their jobs but we don't have just "gunners" as a job. It's a position you have within a combat arms unit. If you're in such a unit, you won't officially be a translator. You'd have to choose one job or the other - each could get you assigned to a different type of unit.
Actually a "Heavy Machine Gunner" is an MOS within the Marines. It's a sub-MOS of the "Infantry" MOS. One thing about Marines is that every Marine is a rifleman regardless of MOS. MOS 0331 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I have a question for some of my fellow friends here who are serving in the army. What is the robotic technology like? Is it pretty advanced? Do you see it becoming more and more popular as the years go on? What is your experience with it? And I know this may be a bit of a long-shot, but what are the possibilities of actual "mechs" in the military? Whether piloted by a human, remote-controlled, or an actual AI controlling it? Do you see this happening within the next 20-50 years? Along with that, what about powered exoskeletons like the ones here? Powered exoskeleton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Thanks in advance for answering what you can I find it very interesting.
Godziboy, have a read of the first PDF on this site: Library: UMS Roadmap | Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise That's the US's publically released 'Unmannd Systems Roadmap' for the next 25 years, you'll see what they currently have and the research lines they are publically heading down. Some fascinating stuff in there...
