@adam.szczypka – For those not familiar with CY (or MI) OPCON / ADCON relatinoships, would you do into more detail so more folks can understand what means on a day-to-day and a mission basis?

@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]

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 Chris!

I spent a few short stints at Fort Bliss our the past few years. I found life at Fort Bliss to be enjoyable. like many things in life, they are what you make of it. It’s warm, of course, but there’s plenty of things to do in the area. The food options in the area are top notch, there are a bunch of outdoor places to hike, explore and…[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.

@george.l.gurrola – you’re so, so right about not only delivering “bad news” (whether it be training, taskings, or otherwise).   I had a HQ CC who did that, just always delivering the news of something that was late or hot, basically that I’d have to 180 at least a handful of folks.  It became a conditioned response after awhile. Anyway, after h…[Read more]