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SERGEANTS LACK TRAINING

The noncommissioned officer corps that I am so proud of has fallen victim to soldiers being promoted to sergeant without being properly trained and/or prepared prior to promotion. The learning curve should not start at promotion. It should be complete at this point. The only “teaching” that should be done to a sergeant should be the job of a staff sergeant. In the NCO Creed it clearly states... “I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role.” Nowhere does it say that the NCO will learn his responsibilities.

— skiftcky

Been saying this for the past five years. In my opinion, everything just shifted. E-5 is what E-4 used to be, E-6 is what E-5 used to be and so on and so forth.

— FatCat40

I agree, 1,000 times over. The NCO corps is absolutely the worst I have seen in my 20-plus years in the service. ... Now don’t get me wrong. There are some of us out there busting our butts to do what we can, but to only see us [go] backwards. It really is a shame, and I really feel sorry for these junior NCOs who won’t have a clue of what being an NCO really is.

— ghostrider

HARD WORK OVER EDUCATION

Nobody gives a hoot about enlisted education. Leaders blather on about it endlessly when it suits their aims, or when they need an easy indicator to weed people out of a stripe or advancement or school.

The truth is, they wish enlisted soldiers would just do their jobs.

— Texpat

NO RULES FOR THE ENEMY

The rules of engagement have always been the 800-pound gorilla in every foxhole.

In Afghanistan, our forces are told “don’t bomb this” and “don’t shoot that.” Watch for white flags, schoolhouses, cemeteries, hospitals, civilians, mosques, shrines, churches, red crosses, red crescents, U.N. convoys, friendlies, etc. Additionally, don’t risk civilian casualties and break contact with the enemy if there is a high risk of collateral damage.

The opposition blows up or slaughters everything and anyone with a cold-blooded ruthlessness that boggles the mind of civilized citizens throughout the world.

— ChiefB