@x70037 – Jeff, I do agree with you! I’m game for talking about re-aligning with standards and a PT test that doesn’t reward slamming backs into the ground…but the primary “eyebrow raiser” for me is the execution across the Army, just as @brock.j.young was saying. I think this new test will slam ARNG & USAR components. Exactly as Brock said,…[Read more]

I submit a “reflection” instead of “an experience” for this JO Jam.

In my present job, I work with many retired NCOs, one in particular who was in the parade in Berlin when the Berlin Wall came down. I was only a few months old when the Berlin Wall came down, so it’s only something that I have experienced through books, movies, and re-watching…[Read more]

I’ve seen a lot of these come and go. The bottom line is that it’s going to be horrible for the Reserve Compo. The basic APFT is simple, but it’s supposed to be! With a minimum out put of resources and time, a commander can get a baseline as to the physical health of their element. It’s supposed to let you know if your Soldiers can survive the…[Read more]

If you are still at Fort Lee stop by the IG office near the post office and talk to me. I was the Alpha company commander in that unit for 18 months. I know a bunch about the unit and the people that are still there.

Let me know or send me an e-mail.

Philip.j.stofanak.mil@mail.mil

I’m not holding my breath!

I have heard/read about a change to the physical testing for a little over a decade, and in that time, I have continued to lace up my sneakers for push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run every six months.

It’s a change I would welcome with genuine enthusiasm (even though I might feel entitled to exactly 30-seconds of…[Read more]

@katehowa – Post #3 in the “Student to Lieutenant” series specifically covers reporting to BOLC. You can read that post here. Or, you can read the entire series just for funsies!

If you have the opportunity, I recommend arriving (not necessarily reporting) one or two business days early. It will give you an opportunity to informally familiarize…[Read more]

Steve,

Additionally, I write as many OPORDs as I can. My PLs write their OPORDs for ranges. When it comes to STX or LFX, I will develop the scenario and issue a Troop OPORD (with help from XO and 1SG) and give it to the PLs and PSGs. They then issue down to the Section Sergeants. The Section Sergeants when we can issue their order formally. Team…[Read more]

Steve,

Thanks,

I like your METL slide. I think it is better than mine. I only stick with mine because it is the format Squadron conducts its briefs in and they brief to higher. I despise redoing slides for meetings. It is a huge pet peeve of mine. I can not stand watching 1SG reformat crew rosters every week because it has to go to someone. So I…[Read more]

Thanks!,

I have gone through two iterations and have been refining it.

2. Those completed training slides are now kept hidden and instead the guys are required to print off fill it out and bring it. This way they show up with notes. It sparks a discussion and HQ compiles the themes and sends it out to everyone.

3. The pre-execution checks are…[Read more]

Also, I want to expand on your self-reflection about understanding how birth control works. It’s definitely important for a couple to understand how that factors into their plans for a pregnancy!

Birth control that works via hormones (daily pills; some IUDs; shots, patches, other implants) require time for adjustment and, also as you said,…[Read more]

Ray, I keep re-reading your comment because I can’t decide where to start, it’s so helpful!

To continue your thoughts on communicating, here’s a piece of advice / thought experiment from my pre-wedding marriage counseling. Mileage may vary, but it really helped me get my head around wedding vows. If someone in a relationship is withholding…[Read more]

Hi, Kate! Great question.  I can’t answer for Benning, but I think this will still give you a good general idea.

While not nearly as aggressive as Basic, yes, you will jump right in.  For AG school house, the first week is a urinalysis and APFT, along with ~1 day of intro briefs with chain of command, and the rest is baseline informal testing f…[Read more]

Loving the different take here, Steve! I agree, reflection on something like a deployment can feel like pressure to use buzzwords and.give a cookie cutter answer, or be brutally honest and judged for a different perspective.

Great question, George! Can’t wait to hear how others adapted to one of these first but ongoing challenges of command.