EMPOWERMENT FOR THE JUNIOR ENLISTED TROOPER
'...to flatter its humblest members, the American army has largely replaced the title Private by that of Specialist. Yet it is a name with little substance for, though it imputes to its holder a delicate expertise, he very often possesses no more than is necessary perform a very simple function...'
-John Keegan, The Face of Battle
Insulting, isn't it? No, this is not mere rambling from some witless amateur, this quote came from one of the most respected military historians today. So highly regarded he is a former senior lecturer at Sandhurst(UK's version of USMA). Think this British snob's babble is confined to the British Army? Nay. While senior military leaders laud the junior enlistedman of today, as the best to date in history, some still see us as inferior minds. Proof? Look only towards NCOES, and CTT for example. I think you would be hard pressed to find a sixth grader who could not execute the tasks for PLDC graduation!
EMPOWER yourself!! Education, Knowledge, Skill mastering. Three simple ideas that require much more than simple effort.
Education: Dantes was set up so you could attend an undergraduate institution while you serve. Use it. For troopers, a traditional curriculam does not fit in with his training time and commitments, however thanks to the internet, these minor obstacles can be leaped. Distance learning over the internet is rapidly becoming a major player in the world of academia. AMU offers professional udergraduate, and graduate degrees you can use in the military. However, a college education, no matter the major will provide you with much deeper logic, reasoning, and awareness skills. Skills every human being could use more of.
Knowledge: Learning never stops. Whether you attend school or not, keep up with the world and more importantly your profession. Take advantage of the professional journals in print: Armor, Infantry, Military Review etc.. Clausewitz, BH Lidell Hart, Keegan, Sun Tzu, Dounagin etc.. these are the authors of what should be required reading to everyone in the Army, commisioned or not. You might not agree with what some of them impart, but different perspectives only enhance awareness. Look them up, and get started with your expanded knowledge.
Skill Mastering: Don't just master your MOS, get Ranger recommended, CLS, take any school you can get!! Master levels above you. At any given time, you should be able to step up and PL any patrol, period! Let others know that as a fellow homosapien, you are just as capable of advanced thought as any officer, or mil scholar.
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