What makes a good soldier?

[Red 6]

Ummm... many great field soldiers find themselves in the dog house once they get back into garrison...

From time to time during my career, I ran across Soldiers who had trouble in garrison, but seemed to shine in the field. I even went to bat a few times for guys like this who worked for me. But over the years, I came to the realization that there is no such animal as a "good garrison Soldier" or a "good field Soldier." It's like being half pregnant.

 

[Yrys]

From time to time during my career, I ran across Soldiers who had trouble in garrison, but seemed to shine in the field. But over the years, I came to the realization that there is no such animal as a "good garrison Soldier" or a "good field Soldier."

Could you explain the contradictions between the firt and third sentence please (puzzled civil here) ?

 

[Red 6]

It's not a contradiction, Yrys. It's me explaining that I had guys from time to time that worked for me who had trouble with disciplinary issues, etc, that I went to bat for, usually a track commander. Later on in my career, I came to the realization that guys who screw up in garrison, but not in the field, aren't doing their job. I'm not talking about the occasional foul-up, but guys who do stuff that's just wrong.

If you have a Soldier in your squad who does a good job in the field, but uses meth when he's off duty, under the "he's a good field Soldier, but not in garrison" theory, what's the problem? That's an extreme example, but hopefully it illustrates my point.

 

[geo]

Mmmm....
While I concurr with you in many respects Red6 - the half pregnant animal does exist.
We're not talking about meth users or anything that is that extreme.... but, he was a pain in the a$$ in garrison.  All in all, I found that he got bored with his garrison duties and started to look for "interesting things to do".  He was a masterful scrounger and brillinat in the field - would have his boys on steaks & baked potatoes in the field - when everyone else was on IMPs or a poor excuse of hot rations....  However, after defending him for several years, he stepped on his D1ck one time too many and .... ciao!

 

[Red 6]

I used the meth example because I had a Soldier (specialist/E-4) in my company once who popped positive for meth on a urinalysis. His PSG and PL wanted to keep him because he was a "good in the field." I called the PSG and asked what he would've done if the Soldier had used meth in the field. The PSG said something to the effect of, "send him to the CO for an article 15." I asked, "what's the difference between being in the field and doing something wrong, and being in garrison and doing the same thing?"

cheers, Mark

 

[geo]

Well, I would have to concurre 100% with you on that call....
But in my case it was a Pl Sgt who really took care of his troops but didn't have much time for garrison chicken $h1t.
For a long time it was relatively simple to overlook.... but over time, it got progressively worse - till the day when things went wrong at home between him and the Mrs.  In the end, he was encouraged to release.... I still see him from time to time - he's even thanked me for having given him an ultimatum to get his crap together and look after his family.

 

[Red 6]

I can see where that would be a tough call.

 

[geo]

... like I said... Half pregnant does exist

 

[daftandbarmy]

I've been reading around this forum for a while, and I've got a question.  I keep reading about Reserve Force soldiers trying out and making it through JTF-2 selection and the SOAC.  Now, whenever someone describes a Reserve Soldier who has gone to selection, they are described as "switched on", or being "hardcore".  Now, what I'm trying to ask here, is what does someone mean when they say a soldier is "switched on", and what kind of character traits are the elite units looking for?  I would imagine, professionalism, dedication and maturity are key, but what other traits would a Reserve Soldier be able to work on to improve one's soldiering ability, as well as the chance of making it through selection if one were so inclined to try out?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks!

"Under a good general there are no bad soldiers" 

Chinese Proverb

 

[Dozer923]

I like alot of the replies in here, and I must say I have met some amazing leaders. What I think makes a good soldier is:

leading by example
being professional
maintaining personal fitness

also keeping up to par with your trade related skills is important as you go up in the ranks.

as far as the more elite troops needed for JTF2 etc. During selection they want to see what you can and cannot handle mentally and physically.

This post could go on for days and days..

 

[1feral1]

Welcome to the site.

Just curious, but what does this supposed to mean?

"When the Rich wage war, its the poor who die".

You also might want to fill out your profile.

 

[armyvern]

... like I said... Half pregnant does exist

Does this qualify?? 

 

[1feral1]

That guy is gonna die, or burst/pop/explode/detonate/fragmentate/furmentate/coagulate. Thats twisted

If he farted, he would be a human V2, and would put himself into orbit, and when up there, he might come accross that MIA priest from Brazil.

EDIT: Seriously, thats not very healthy, and nothing to smile about.

 

[Yrys]

Does this qualify?? 

It could me be a "pregnant man " with triplet  ...

 

[Dozer923]

Welcome to the site.

Just curious, but what does this supposed to mean?

"When the Rich wage war, its the poor who die".

You also might want to fill out your profile.

Thanks Ive came to this site alot just to read the posts so I decided to finally register. As far as the Quote Its from Jean-Paul Sartre a famous WWII veteran/French Philosipher. What I get from it is, it is usually the wealthy politicial figures deciding on when and where to wage war, and the people dying are the people in the countries we fight in, which are usually less fortunate than the people making all the decisions. Long winded I know, but thats how I percieve it and I find it quite true.

 

[Red 6]

Does this qualify?? 

Vern that is just wrong wrong wrong. 

 

[armyvern]

Vern that is just wrong wrong wrong. 

Well, at least let me assure you that his pic did not come from the CD of my family geneaology.

My geneaology rather does include this bod found here:

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/41921/post-705777.html#msg705777

 

[geo]

Ummm.... the stripper/psych or the cavalry officer in briefs? ;D

 

[RickDevlieger]

After 30 years in uniform, albeit a Navy one. I have found that there are two things you must do to be a good sailor, soldier, airman or general human being.

1. Do your job well. Do it to the best of your ability, get it done and get it done on time. Own up to your mistakes and fix them.

2. (and the more important) Help the people around you, do their jobs well. Whether you work for them, with them or they work for you. Help them to complete their tasks, remove obstacles in their way and support them. There is no requirement to protect your job because anyone in uniform will tell you, there is more than enough work to go around.

To do these things requires all of the qualities and traits that have been described in many of the previous posts. Doing these will get you a long ways, no matter where you choose to work.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

After 30 years in uniform, albeit a Navy one. I have found that there are two things you must do to be a good sailor, soldier, airman or general human being.

1. Do your job well. Do it to the best of your ability, get it done and get it done on time. Own up to your mistakes and fix them.

2. (and the more important) Help the people around you, do their jobs well. Whether you work for them, with them or they work for you. Help them to complete their tasks, remove obstacles in their way and support them. There is no requirement to protect your job because anyone in uniform will tell you, there is more than enough work to go around.

To do these things requires all of the qualities and traits that have been described in many of the previous posts. Doing these will get you a long ways, no matter where you choose to work.

There are 6 things in your Point #1 alone.  How's the math coming along?