Essential Skills

[CommunityEditor]

Every soldier, sailor, airman or Marine worth his salt knows how to execute a smart, snappy salute, read a lensatic compass, spit shine a shoe, and tie a reef knot. Tell us your mission-essential skills. The top five submissions will earn a prize from the Lifelines' loot locker.

[Shrike]

Every soldier, sailor, airman or Marine worth his salt knows how to execute a smart, snappy salute, read a lensatic compass, spit shine a shoe, and tie a reef knot. Tell us your mission-essential skills. The top five submissions will earn a prize from the Lifelines' loot locker.

My top three:
1) Attention to Detail - Without it, the job doesn't get done right the first time.

2) Breadth of Job Knowledge - If you know your duties inside and out, it makes your job and, more importantly, your boss' job easier.

3) Knowing What You Don't Know - I know it sounds like a "Rumsfeld-ian" statement, but it's true. If I ask a subordinate a question they don't know the answer to, I want to hear "Sir, I don't have the answer, but I know where to get it. I'll have it for you in 10 minutes." If instead I get a song and dance, then there's a problem.

[ringjamesa]

Integrity is my #1. You have to trust the people you work with and work for to do what they are supposed to do.

[dourdan]

dedication: make sure he or she stills wants it (success, victory, ability to graduate, etc) bad enough to follow thorough with the task at hand.

[Measure Man]

The ability to write effectively.

[Shrike]

The ability to write effectively.

I believe you mean "The ability too right affectively."

;)

[SSG Army at Al Asad]

These are not "skills", but I'd have to say one must possess courage and be able to effectively deal with fear - as described by Lord Moran in "The Anatomy of Courage".

"Courage, Moran suggests, is a moral quality that comes from an unwillingness to quit. Fear, he says, is a critical part of it. Without fear, he argues, there is no courage; fear provides the energy, the resolve.

[Riansoccer10]

I am an American Airman, I am a Warrior, I have answered my Nation's call. My mission is to Fly, Fight and Win. I am faithful to a Proud Heritage, a Tradition of Honor, and a Legacy of Valor. I am the Guardian of Freedom and Justice, my Nation's Sword and Shield, it's Sentry and Avenger. I defend my Country with my life. I am an American Airman; Wingman, Leader, and Warrior. I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter, and I will not fail.
~ Airman's Creed (condensed)

I am a Security Forces member, so my job is to defend the Air Force and all those who call themselves a part of the Air Force (Defender of the Force). I am trained in all aspects of Security and Law Enforcement, directly related to military activities. I am one of the few SF members trained to operate the 50 caliber Machine Gun, and the MK-19 Grenade Machine Gun.

I am also a Ceremonial Guardsman, as a member of my base's Honor Guard. I represent the Air Force in saying "Goodbye" to military members, when they retire or pass on. The Honor Guard's primary function is to present military honors for Retired, Veteran, and Active Duty Funerals by the means of pallbearers (to carry the casket and fold the flag), firing party (presentation of 21-gun salute), and a bugler (to play taps). It is truly an honor to be a part of those ceremonies, and a part of the lives of the families. We also present military honors for base and local community functions.

As the Airman's Creed says, I am trained in the basics, but as a member of Security Forces I also have some combat training. Security Forces is slowly evolving into the Air Force's Infantry. We work with the Army regularly, and I am proud to do so. I am an American Airman, and that's all there is!

[Riansoccer10]

Oh, and I serve in the Lord's Army too;-)

[Shrike]

Every soldier, sailor, airman or Marine worth his salt knows how to execute a smart, snappy salute, read a lensatic compass, spit shine a shoe, and tie a reef knot. Tell us your mission-essential skills. The top five submissions will earn a prize from the Lifelines' loot locker.

If I don't say them, someone else will:
1) Nunchuck skills
2) Bowhunting skills
3) Computer hacking skills

;)

[Unregistered]

he shoud have following five essential skills:
* HIGH DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL
* ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD IN LIFE,NO MOVING BACKWARDS
* TAKE EVERY TASK WITH CHALLENGE AND JUST PUT HIS EACH DROP OF BLOOD INTO THAT
* DO NOT GET DISHEARTENED AND MOTIVATE HIMSELF AND OTHERS TIME TO TIME
* HIGHLY FOCUSSED TO WIN THE BATTLE.
"NO BODY CAN STOP THEM FRON ACHIEVING THE GOAL,IF THEY FOLLOW THESE FIVE POINTS"

[Unregistered]

Tactical Logisitcs is what I do. I am able to source, procure and get any asset for our airmen and soilders in any theater any terrain, the ability to seek out side the box is called on now more than ever. We need things on the ground now that we never needed before. We need to be able to hit the ground and set up a fully functioning base in a matter of hours and you can not do that without the proper resources and that is where I come in, from IBA upgrades to portable latrines. Lean mean tactical logistics is not just a job it is a skill in itself. It is what I do it is who I am in uniform lean mean and on the scene. CANDOA!!! (Phrase coined by Mrs Martin the fomer first lady of the 305th AMW)

[fmrldylthrnk]

1) Resolve
2) FLEXIBILITY!
3) Self-motivation

[fmrldylthrnk]

If I don't say them, someone else will:
1) Nunchuck skills
2) Bowhunting skills
3) Computer hacking skills

;)

rofl! I almost spit out coke!

"Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills."

[Unregistered]

Sorry, after reading all these entries, I forgot the subject.

Oh yeah, Essential Skills!

Air Force senior leaders have held summits and seances and they've come to the conclusion that it is no longer an "essential skill" that Airmen be trained and proficient in the use of M-16s and other small arms. No! That's far too costly and interrupts the timely purchases of espresso machines and 42-inch plasma TVs.

Instead, Air Force senior leaders have determined that our most Essential Skill is RUNNING!

I don't know how to tie one of those knots you mentioned and I while I know (roughly) how to read a compass, I can't follow one. And I'm in the Air Force so "spit" and "shine" don't go in the same sentence and are NOT related to Air Force shoewear.

[Measure Man]

Powerpoint skills!

[MACHINE666]

To do the right thing even when it's not the popular thing...

Or as I like to put it - Not selling your soul for the corporate Air Force answer. I've seen countless senior NCOs and officers put politics before their people, in hopes for promotion and self-preservation, whilst their surbordinates get little or no support.

New recruits - are you listening? New officers? Pay attention because attitude reflects leadership, and you're our future leaders.


:D :D :D :D :D

[Ole' Salt]

Effective Listening - enough said.

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

Every soldier, sailor, airman or Marine worth his salt knows how to execute a smart, snappy salute, read a lensatic compass, spit shine a shoe, and tie a reef knot. Tell us your mission-essential skills. The top five submissions will earn a prize from the Lifelines' loot locker.After going through the entire thread so far, I am surprised that no one had mentioned the two absolutely essential skills required in an effective and efficient military:

1. The applied ability to THINK - Troops that don't think effectively about what their actual situation is tend to get stomped into the fround by troops that do

and

2. The ability to ANTICIPATE - Troops that don't anticipate are always "playing catch up" because "the other guys" aren't necessarily bound by the same Rules, Regulations, and SOPs that they are.

With regard to the thoughtful post from the "LogWog" - "Damn rights!" - but you forgot the other absolutely essential skill without which no Logistics organization can function properly }} The ability to "BORROW" - with or without permission {{ Which is even more important in an active theatre.

[Unregistered]

1. Time management-ability to forecast and schedule personal and professional obligations.
2. Goal management-ability to plan for future events both personally and professionally and then work towards achieving milestones.
3. Change management-ability to view change as an opportunity, take advantage of situations that arrise from change whether it is required or is forced upon the individual.

[Unregistered]

My top three:
1) Attention to Detail - Without it, the job doesn't get done right the first time.

2) Breadth of Job Knowledge - If you know your duties inside and out, it makes your job and, more importantly, your boss' job easier.

3) Knowing What You Don't Know - I know it sounds like a "Rumsfeld-ian" statement, but it's true. If I ask a subordinate a question they don't know the answer to, I want to hear "Sir, I don't have the answer, but I know where to get it. I'll have it for you in 10 minutes." If instead I get a song and dance, then there's a problem.

I agree, but don't forget that when you have all of that knowledge you need to pass it on to tomorrows Air Force, we are a team and we can't rely on just one persons knowledge.

[1316]

MY essential skills are
#1 is dependabilty
#2 selflessness

[Measure Man]

Am I the only one that knows what "skills" means?

[ERIKAKIRE79]

Powerpoint skills!



I agree, this should be #1 for sure!

[Shrike]

Am I the only one that knows what "skills" means?

Nope, but I decided to answer with what I thought they wanted, not with what they actually asked. :)

"Skills" are far too job-dependent. What's an essential skill to me is probably worthless to a jet engine mechanic and vice-versa.

[fmrldylthrnk]

Nope, but I decided to answer with what I thought they wanted, not with what they actually asked. :)

"Skills" are far too job-dependent. What's an essential skill to me is probably worthless to a jet engine mechanic and vice-versa.

ITA.
My first question was what's the mission?

[Unregistered]

Be a rifleman first no matter what your job, no matter what the branch of service.

Have basic knowlege of fieldcraft and knowlege of your operating enviroment, no matter what the service.

Navigation on land and at sea.

Learn as many skills as you can, no matter what your job or branch of service.

[Shrike]

Be a rifleman first no matter what your job, no matter what the branch of service.

That's a little difficult in the Air Force. Unless your job actual requires carrying firearms, you don't fire for qualification unless you're getting ready to deploy.

As I said in my previous post, "skills" are far too job-dependent. Add "service-dependent" to that.

[ringjamesa]

A skill is the learnt capacity or talent to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time energy or both

[LIVEINTHEMUD]

This is reply may tend to be more combat arms specific, but it is relevant. I am refering to those of use whose primary role in life is using a weapon to eliminate bad guys. It is not meant to slight any other MOS, but I can't speak to square one on how to fix a jet and will not embarrass my self by trying.

All of our essential skill sets that can be broken down into three categories:

1. Shoot
2. Move
3. Communicate

For those who would call this oversimplification I will elaborate:

Shoot- The ability to zero, place into battery, operate, clear malfunctions on, maintain, and put rounds on target quickly, accurately and lethaly every time. Instinctively.

Move- Taking the fight to the enemy carries this implied task. This task includes PT. Daily 7/8/16 doesn't cut it. We must be able to hike, with our kit, run climb, jump, duck, patrol and perform a multitude of other actions wearing an increasingly heavy fighting load. The way we PT, and just as importantly, the way we are evaluated on PT doesn't cut it. A Marine with a 3rd class PFT in an infantry unit does not meet the standard, he is a hinderance to the rest of the unit. Also in this category is the ability to navigate, be it by map and compass, GPS, or any other system. The entire Jessica Lynch debacle started when the unit took a shortcut and got lost. Again, to take the fight to the enemy, one must be able to navigate to the enemy. Completing this category are our comabt formations, be it a team, squad, convoy, or mechanized company. We have proven tactics and formations for operating in just about every concievable environment. These tactics can evolve, but in order for something to evolve it must start somewhere. Riflemen, Automatic Riflemen, drivers, coxswains, and the like must understand what their role in each of these formations is, and unit leaders from the fire team leader through battallion commanders must assess his tactical situation and employ his forces in the appropriate formation, with the appropritate method of movement (i.e. bounding or traveling overwatch, bumbing, patrolling etc...) to the situation at hand, which may change seconds later.

Communicate- This starts with hand and arm signals and extends through satellite imagery and real-time video feeds. Each has its place, and is is not feasible for every Marine to do them all. Thats why we have the 06xx MOS. What every gunfighter must be able to do though communicate, clearly and concisely , via the appropriate method, (again for the tactical situation be it verbally, visually, or via comm assets ) with the Marines adjacent to him and to his direct higher. The Marine recieving the message must have enough information to take decisive action.

If there was one more essential skill set that we as a Corps need to focus on it would be the education and selection of our leaders, particularly at the team, squad, and platoon sergeant levels based on capability. We often say every Marine is a Rifleman, or all Marines passed the only test they need by graduating recruit training. The fact here is that while all men are created equal, all men are not capable of performing equally. For that matter, not all are willing to. We need to make every effort humanly possible to train our Marines. Anything less is a dis-service, however a Marine not being able to perform a task is commonly reflected back on the instructor as a their inability to train the Marine or as a "leadership challenge". This is wrong. By all means hold all instructors and trainers to task. Ensure they are competant and dedicated, but, everyone has different capabilities. Forcing a "zero-defect" mentality on our schools and leaders creates quantity, not quality. Quantity is cannon fodder. Quality, is an elite organization.

[Unregistered]

1.Honor, Courage and Commitment without expectations of medals, awards, or commendations.
2.Perform your job to the best of your ability and stop the B.S. politics.
3.Bring pride and professionalism by wearing your uniform in sharp detail.
4.Quit being a professional advancement sailor and start being a true leader, paper leaders are worthless and have no place in the military, maybe politcs.
5.Lead by example, get off you fat ass and set the example other than just re-iterating the example or standard.

[Measure Man]

1.Honor, Courage and Commitment without expectations of medals, awards, or commendations.
2.Perform your job to the best of your ability and stop the B.S. politics.
3.Bring pride and professionalism by wearing your uniform in sharp detail.
4.Quit being a professional advancement sailor and start being a true leader, paper leaders are worthless and have no place in the military, maybe politcs.
5.Lead by example, get off you fat ass and set the example other than just re-iterating the example or standard.

excellent characteristics...none of which are "skills" though :-)

[Measure Man]

This is reply may tend to be more combat arms specific, but it is relevant. I am refering to those of use whose primary role in life is using a weapon to eliminate bad guys. It is not meant to slight any other MOS, but I can't speak to square one on how to fix a jet and will not embarrass my self by trying.

All of our essential skill sets that can be broken down into three categories:

1. Shoot
2. Move
3. Communicate

For those who would call this oversimplification I will elaborate:

Shoot- The ability to zero, place into battery, operate, clear malfunctions on, maintain, and put rounds on target quickly, accurately and lethaly every time. Instinctively.

Move- Taking the fight to the enemy carries this implied task. This task includes PT. Daily 7/8/16 doesn't cut it. We must be able to hike, with our kit, run climb, jump, duck, patrol and perform a multitude of other actions wearing an increasingly heavy fighting load. The way we PT, and just as importantly, the way we are evaluated on PT doesn't cut it. A Marine with a 3rd class PFT in an infantry unit does not meet the standard, he is a hinderance to the rest of the unit. Also in this category is the ability to navigate, be it by map and compass, GPS, or any other system. The entire Jessica Lynch debacle started when the unit took a shortcut and got lost. Again, to take the fight to the enemy, one must be able to navigate to the enemy. Completing this category are our comabt formations, be it a team, squad, convoy, or mechanized company. We have proven tactics and formations for operating in just about every concievable environment. These tactics can evolve, but in order for something to evolve it must start somewhere. Riflemen, Automatic Riflemen, drivers, coxswains, and the like must understand what their role in each of these formations is, and unit leaders from the fire team leader through battallion commanders must assess his tactical situation and employ his forces in the appropriate formation, with the appropritate method of movement (i.e. bounding or traveling overwatch, bumbing, patrolling etc...) to the situation at hand, which may change seconds later.

Communicate- This starts with hand and arm signals and extends through satellite imagery and real-time video feeds. Each has its place, and is is not feasible for every Marine to do them all. Thats why we have the 06xx MOS. What every gunfighter must be able to do though communicate, clearly and concisely , via the appropriate method, (again for the tactical situation be it verbally, visually, or via comm assets ) with the Marines adjacent to him and to his direct higher. The Marine recieving the message must have enough information to take decisive action.

If there was one more essential skill set that we as a Corps need to focus on it would be the education and selection of our leaders, particularly at the team, squad, and platoon sergeant levels based on capability. We often say every Marine is a Rifleman, or all Marines passed the only test they need by graduating recruit training. The fact here is that while all men are created equal, all men are not capable of performing equally. For that matter, not all are willing to. We need to make every effort humanly possible to train our Marines. Anything less is a dis-service, however a Marine not being able to perform a task is commonly reflected back on the instructor as a their inability to train the Marine or as a "leadership challenge". This is wrong. By all means hold all instructors and trainers to task. Ensure they are competant and dedicated, but, everyone has different capabilities. Forcing a "zero-defect" mentality on our schools and leaders creates quantity, not quality. Quantity is cannon fodder. Quality, is an elite organization.

This is a good post.

[Unregistered]

Anything and everything that will keep you and/or your soldiers from getting dead.

[Shrike]

Anything and everything that will keep you and/or your soldiers from getting dead.

So breathing is a skill?

:^)

[MarineSNCO]

Regardless of which service you belong to the following three submissions will provide for any leader the all encompassing skills necessary for success, especially in the Asymmetric/COIN environment(s) we find ourselves in now and in the future;

1. Leadership
2. Morals
3. Ethics

[Unregistered]

The lack of counting to five is disturbing.