A basic training alumni shares his thoughts on the changes being made to basic combat training, one of which involves bayonet training. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, writes back:
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:21 AM
To: MONR TRADOC PAO
Subject: Changing Army Basic Training
This is to whoever is responsible for changing the way we are training our troops these days. I read the article in the paper this morning (by Susanne Schaeffer, AP), and it sounds like you’re doing the right things.
It’s about damn time. I took basic at Ft Jackson almost 40 years ago at the bottom of tank hill across from the cs gas chambers. What I have been reading about the changes in training you folks made, makes me wish I were in this new modern army. I have always believed that our troops needed certain area’s of training : first, with whatever current war or situation we are in at the moment , second; train them in the heat, the cold , the muggy. All my training was jungle and cold for conditions such as Korea or Russian.
I didn’t know diddly about deserts. This hurt me a little as an NCO later on. As I trained troops, I also learned from them. I remember the 82nd back in 82 or 83, they didn’t know jack about deserts either, they assumed a lot though. They found out the hard way out in Ft Irwin. Anyway, enough about what you folks all ready know.
I just wanted to heap some praise on the folks that had some gumption to get things changed that needed to be changed and modernized. Most people assume one can never change anything in the Army. You folks just
proved everybody wrong.
Once again Job well done !!
Respectfully,
S. Stallard
Fresno, Ca
Basic training unit E-5-1 (1972)
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Mr. Stallard
Wanted you to know that your note reached me, and I sure appreciate you taking the time to send it.
As you might imagine, we get quite a few comments from folks who don’t like what we’re doing…they want to keep us fighting the last war. But we need to change, and the words of encouragement you sent give us increased motivation. Will continue to constantly improve the training our soldiers get as they fight this long conflict.
Thanks, also, for your service!
Mark Hertling
LTG, US Army
DCG-IMT
What do you think of the changes? What other skills should Soldiers know coming out of BCT?
When I first found out I was selected to be a Drill Sergeant I was so excited. I remember the impact that my Drill sergeants left on me, hoping I could do the same for a young soldier. I know we always here about these are a “new breed” of soldiers the “video games era” and it doesnt apply to all. I guess what is really disturbing to me we have soldiers that can barely pass an APFT, barely qualify with an M16, getting information from officers that the drill sergeant need to explain to privates Company Commanders (1LT)telling they do not need to worry about certain training that is not the Company Commanders place to tell a private that. Then we have the whole watch our verbage around the privates but have Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (1SG) pretty much cursing out Drill Sergeants in front of privates. This is the topper though then trun around and give them (privates) a pizza party. Im so confused. What is the purpose of a Drill Sergeant? Training civilian into becoming soldiers or a babysitter, because if thats the case I did the babysitting gig when I was twelve years old. When the article came out in the Army Times about BCT getting soft, it wasnt lying. I really want someone to come down here unannounced (key word unannounced) and see whats going on.
If this is the way the army is going im going to continue to prayer for our fine establishment because right now we are doing our nation an injustice.