Ok, so how do i be a leader, and not just a volunteer? How do i say that im willing to take responsibility for my men, without saying I WANT TO BE A LEADER, LOOK AT ME! ?
In pt, im pretty much the leader, other than the recruiters. Im not the best out there, but when people are giving up, and quitting, i try to motivate them, and stay back there with them, and try to keep them jogging and tell them not to walk and stuff. Is this being a leader? I can only run maybe a 16:30 2 mile, and theres a few people who can do a 11:30 2 mile, but they dont seem like leaders. Theyre just really good.
Simple. Your attitude..To lead you must be willing to be first in you (APFT) Army Superior Phyiscal Fitness Test. And then place everything and everyone ahead of yourself. The Team Leader. Leadership. You can't lead without performing in the field. It would be a good bet for you to shoot at least 32/40 (sharpshooter). Fitness, soldier skills marksmenship..leadership. Hooah! If your proven. Then you know it's about your unit and your team. At that point.....I would follow.
Peace.
Nightflyer. Army Avaition. Highspeed. Black berets forever.
Posts: 60 | Location: Home of the show 7th & 33rd | Registered: 31 July 2006
"Ok, so how do i be a leader, and not just a volunteer? How do i say that im willing to take responsibility for my men, without saying I WANT TO BE A LEADER, LOOK AT ME!"
Simple - do what must be done, regardless of how tired you are, or how many other Soldiers are refusing to do what must be done, or whether you think anybody will praise or curse you for doing it. We (DS's) see everything and forget nothing. In BCT, you're objective is not to impress us or receive a pat on the back from us, it's to become an American Soldier. That being said, I always pulled my high-speed Soldiers aside at the end of each cycle and encouraged them to continue doing the right thing, even when it seems nobody cares. Sooner or later, it always pays off.
Ok, about rifle marksmanship, how much practice will i get before? right now im a damned good shot not to brag, with a Mossberg 100 ATR 30-06, Nylon 66 .22, and 7mm Mauser.
Im not used to peep sights, i prefer open sights, and dont care for scopes unless at long range where i cannot see the target well with open sights.
If i get plenty of practice i think i could probably hit expert.
Heres a question, with peep sights, how do you adjust for range when shooting a target? If its at optimum range with open sights you put the front sight at the same high as the back sight and put the target right on top of it. If its a little closer, you put the front sight a little lower than the back, and if its a little further, vice versa.
Dont worry troop. You will get plenty of practice in BRM before you actually fire, to include up to twice a year. My advice is to forget what you THINK you know about weapons and take it from the instructions you recieve. You will save yourself possibly alot of time and frustration. The DS' are there for a reason and they will put you on the right track.
As far as leadership- my philosophy on this is, even though you may be great in PT and whatnot, remember the ARMY is a teamed effort. The greatest thing a leader can do,....is make other leaders. Keep that in mind. Congrats again and welcome to the service.
Soldiers may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.
Posts: 181 | Location: FT. Rucker, AL | Registered: 14 November 2006
Okay i guess i will.... the only thing is when my Recruiters and other army friends came over to my house to shoot targets with me, they cant hit shit :\ I dont know anyone from the army that can really hit that well, and thats why i was wondering about what they tell you in basic. I always thought that if they taught you to shoot well, it wouldnt take these guys 10 shots to hit a target at 100 yards. That isnt that far away and they still take awhile to hit it :\
Originally posted by DanielArmy: Okay i guess i will.... the only thing is when my Recruiters and other army friends came over to my house to shoot targets with me, they cant hit shit :\ I dont know anyone from the army that can really hit that well, and thats why i was wondering about what they tell you in basic. I always thought that if they taught you to shoot well, it wouldnt take these guys 10 shots to hit a target at 100 yards. That isnt that far away and they still take awhile to hit it :\
One attitude I WOULDN'T have in basic is your cockiness.
Im not cocky. Im actually quite modest usually. Its just im tired of all my friends coming back, and picking on me saying that they can outshoot me now that theyve been to basic, then they come over and cant hit anything.
Im humble about the fact that im just another "Lizard turd" as my recruiter calls me. That im just a 5'9" pile of shit and all of that other stuff that Sergeant Crawford says. But the one thing that I am confident in is my shooting. I know i can shoot. I may be over weight, fat, and all, but I know that I am a good shot. Thats how I've won awards.
Originally posted by DanielArmy: Im not cocky. Im actually quite modest usually. Its just im tired of all my friends coming back, and picking on me saying that they can outshoot me now that theyve been to basic, then they come over and cant hit anything.
Im humble about the fact that im just another "Lizard turd" as my recruiter calls me. That im just a 5'9" pile of shit and all of that other stuff that Sergeant Crawford says. But the one thing that I am confident in is my shooting. I know i can shoot. I may be over weight, fat, and all, but I know that I am a good shot. Thats how I've won awards.
Well, then go to basic and tell them how much of a better shot you are than them and see how that works out for you. Tell them every Army person that shoots can't hit **** and see if they give you a nice slap on the bum and pat on the back.
Did i say thats what i was planning on doing? Hell no. Im going to say ive never shot a gun before. If i say Ive been shooting guns since i was six, shooting guns would be no big thing. But if ive never shot a gun before, and i shoot very well, thats great. So im going to say ive never shot a gun.
And i know to be humble. When you show people what you can do through actions you really impress them. When you talk about it, its all bullshit. Thats why i never brag, but i like to show what i can do.
It should also be noted that in Basic, they will back up a truck full of ammo until you qualify. Same thing when you get to your unit. It's only twice per year, if that.
But when you can't pass your PT test, weight, or can't keep up with the formation - that's when chapter paperwork and holdover status starts coming into play.
What I'm saying is, no one gives a crap if you think you are a better shot than everyone in the Army that you know, as you put it.
Originally posted by DanielArmy: Did i say thats what i was planning on doing? Hell no. Im going to say ive never shot a gun before. If i say Ive been shooting guns since i was six, shooting guns would be no big thing. But if ive never shot a gun before, and i shoot very well, thats great. So im going to say ive never shot a gun.
And i know to be humble. When you show people what you can do through actions you really impress them. When you talk about it, its all bullshit. Thats why i never brag, but i like to show what i can do.
Im overweight, but I can definitely pass the 50% on the AFPT. Im sure after basic ill be able to do the 60%. I used to not be able to run a mile, but when my drill sergeant, Sergeant crawford made me get up each morning at 4, and run now i can run 2 miles in about 15 minutes.
I used to think fat people were slower than skinny people, but i run like the 3rd fastest out of our DEP Platoon, and i am THE fattest person. I dont know how i beat them but i do. My drill sergeant has me running 5 miles 5 times a week, and the other 2 days a week i have to do situps and pushups at home. Also, they dont let me eat anything but salad and lean meat. I lost close to 20 pounds in a month and a half. They say "Now you dont look like a ******* whale. Now you look like a ******* cow. Good job. Maybe you wont get smoked as bad in basic."
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Originally posted by DanielArmy: Im overweight, but I can definitely pass the 50% on the AFPT. Im sure after basic ill be able to do the 60%. I used to not be able to run a mile, but when my drill sergeant, Sergeant crawford made me get up each morning at 4, and run now i can run 2 miles in about 15 minutes.
I used to think fat people were slower than skinny people, but i run like the 3rd fastest out of our DEP Platoon, and i am THE fattest person. I dont know how i beat them but i do. My drill sergeant has me running 5 miles 5 times a week, and the other 2 days a week i have to do situps and pushups at home. Also, they dont let me eat anything but salad and lean meat. I lost close to 20 pounds in a month and a half. They say "Now you dont look like a ******* whale. Now you look like a ******* cow. Good job. Maybe you wont get smoked as bad in basic."
Several points to address here:
1) I know these are your DSs and what not, but losing 20 pounds in a month and a half is borderline dangerous. The Army recommends losing 3-8 pounds per month as per AR 600-9.
2) It sounds like your major focus should be on PT and weight (healthy, not some Hollywood diet), not marksmanship. Day to day operations and long-term career operations are much more focused on PT and weight, and almost zero on weapons qual.
3) Some people around here will get all upset if you (Heaven forbid) swear, so I would keep that to a minimum (hell and damn I would think would be ok, but you should probably quit dropping f-bombs).
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Here we go again. I wish I could be the fly on the wall when you get to basic! So you think you can shoot- the way the Army wants you to shoot? Guess what, so can 20 other guys, and chances are 20 more who will outshoot you. So you think you're a PT stud? Guess what, so are 20 other guys, and again, 20 more who will outrun you.
The purpose of basic training is training you to be a soldier. Being able to effectively hit the target is the goal of marksmanship, and they'll keep you out there all day with unlimited ammo to get you to that point.
Being able to run is nice, but I know plenty of PT studs who are pretty much a dud in everything else. Being able to run is just that-you can run. Whooopee-doo! You need to learn to be a well-rounded soldier, which I hope basic teaches you. If not, you'll be trained when you get to the real Army. Good luck in basic!!
Posts: 10 | Location: Fort Sill, OK (it's hot) | Registered: 04 April 2007
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