Tag: U.S. Army

It will be interesting to see how this turns out:

After almost seven hours of testimony Monday, the Article 32 hearing for a senior Army National Guard officer charged with knowingly exposing a woman to HIV by having unprotected sex will continue into Tuesday.

Col. Jeffrey Pounding, a Special Forces officer who is currently assigned as the deputy director of the National Guard Bureau’s strategic plans and policy directorate (J-5), faces one charge each of assault, adultery and conduct unbecoming an officer.
The woman who is accusing Pounding of exposing her to HIV said their relationship began when they were both at Texas A&M University, where he was an Army fellow. ( Army Times)

You can read more at the link, but if it is proven this Colonel knowingly gave her HIV I would hope that would lead to jail time.

Breaking promises like this was bound to happen with all the officers being kicked out of the Army:

About 40 officers selected for involuntary separation this spring will be ineligible to attend graduate school on the Army’s dime, as initially promised.

Early in their careers, these officers signed contracts agreeing to serve three additional years on active duty in exchange for the Army paying for their master’s degree. As part of the program, called the graduate school option, or GRADSO, soldiers are eligible to attend school while still on active duty and still receiving pay and benefits. After graduating, they are required to serve three days for every one day enrolled in school.
About 40 officers who signed the contracts now find themselves among 1,100 captains selected for involuntary separation as part of an ongoing Army drawdown to reach an end-strength of 490,000 by Sept. 30, 2015.
One of these captains, who asked that his name be withheld for fear it would hurt his civilian career, said he will have served 34 of the 36-month-service obligation that should have enabled him to cash in with an Army-paid-for degree. (Army Times)

You can read more at the link, but the argument can probably be made these officers did not keep their side of the bargain by not being high performers that would have prevented them from being cut. Bottom line is that expect more situations like this if the Army due to sequestration continues to make cuts.

I hope there is more to this story that we don’t know about because there is no way this guy should be punished the way he is for enforcing appropriate dining out conduct:

The Army is moving to discharge a decorated combat pilot who intervened to stop two lesbian officers from showing what he considered inappropriate affection on the dance floor during a full-dress formal ball at Fort Drum, New York, in 2012.

Lt. Col. Christopher Downey, who was once assigned to the White House and completed tours in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, ended up being convicted administratively of assaulting a soldier trying to videotape the kissing and grabbing. Col. Downey’s attorney, Richard Thompson, says his client merely pushed down the camera to prevent photos and video that could end up on social media.

Mr. Thompson said Col. Downey’s commanding officer also convicted him of violating the directive that ended the ban on gays openly serving in the military.

“It’s political correctness run wild,” Mr. Thompson said. “Military rules do not apply to lesbian officers because of political correctness.” (Washington Times)

You can read more at the link, but to me it is amazing how many careers I have seen ruined by dining outs.

Having spent a few years in 1st Brigade it is a bit sad to see it go:

SEOUL, South Korea — A decades-old 2nd Infantry Division unit stationed near the tense South-North Korea border will deactivate and be replaced by a U.S.-based rotational brigade combat team, according to the Pentagon.

The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team will be deactivated in June 2015 and will be immediately replaced by approximately 4,600 soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

Troops are typically stationed in South Korea on one- or two-year tours, leading to frequent turnover within units. The deactivation and switch to nine-month rotational deployments is part of a U.S. Army rotational plan that calls for similarly sized and capable units from the United States to train and deploy together.

“There’s no loss in capability. Some would argue that the capability might even be slightly higher because it’s a trained unit that arrives there in Korea prepared to act,” Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren told reporters. “We believe that any loss to continuity with familiarity to the terrain will be made up by a single cohesive unit that is familiar with working with each other.”
(Stars and Stripes)

You can read more at the link, but the problem you have with rotational units is that everyone is the new person all at the same time.

I do not understand why these people are not just hired as contractors or DA civilians?

Patriotic hackers, your big belly may no longer hinder national security.

Over 70 percent of Americans between ages 17 and 24 can’t become soldiers, the U.S. Army reports, because of three big issues: obesity, lack of education, and criminal records. Overweight problems are growing the fastest of all with around a quarter of teens and young adults qualifying as obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Weight issues result in 18 percent of military recruiting disqualifications but the number is rising and expected to hit 25 percent by 2025.

The situation is particularly harrowing when it comes to cyberwarfare, one of the crucial military arenas of the 21st century. So in response to the great fattening of America’s potential cybersoldiers, the U.S. Army may relax physical requirements in order to recruit the very best. (Daily Dot)

You can read more at the link.

Here is an interesting retirement out of 2ID:

CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea– As the cold wind blows on a crisp and calm morning in South Korea, a voice echoes, Get Ready! Get Set! Begin!

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ralph E. Rigby executes the commands as he prepares for his final Army
Physical Fitness Test, a test which he has devotedly taken for the last 42 years.

Rigby, a native of Auburn, New York, began his military service when he was drafted, in 1972,
during the Vietnam era. Today, he is known as the last continuously serving draftee on active duty in the U.S. Army.

Where it all began
As a young boy, Rigby always had a love for vehicles. He would walk around carrying any tool he thought could assist someone who was having car issues. Rigby had just started his own mechanic shop when he received a draft notice.

At the young age of 19, joining the Army was far from his life plans. He was clueless as to what
would be in store for him. His first response to the notice was, “I don’t have to put up with this! I can just move to Canada like everyone else, and avoid all of this.” he said jokingly.

On the other hand, his mom, Dorothy Rigby, wasn’t going to allow this to happen. Her exact words to him were, “No Way! You are not a quitter,” she said. “We do not quit in this family.”
She was scared that her son had to serve, but her daily prayers reassured her that he would come back home safely. With his mother’s advice, Rigby set out on his military journey. “I took my mother’s words and kept on going,” said Rigby. “After all, being drafted was the closest I have come to winning the lottery.”

Throughout the years
Upon processing through his local Military Entry Processing Station, he was assigned to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for basic training. After training, he attended the United States Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as a power generation equipment repairman. Although he was drafted during the Vietnam era, he did not end up deploying there. Instead, his first assignment was to Kwachon, South Korea.

Rigby recalled a message the president of the United States at the time, President Richard M. Nixon, ordered to all draftees. It read, “All draftees would be out of the Army and be home by Thanksgiving,” said Rigby. In his mind, he had other plans. Instead, he signed a waiver electing to remain on active service. He enjoyed his first assignment so much that he decided to extend his tour. After being promoted to sergeant first class, with less than 10 years in service, Rigby joined the ranks of the Warrant Officer Corps.

Throughout his military career, Rigby has served in numerous positions to include Power Generator Equipment Repairman, Platoon Sergeant, Engineer Equipment Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Technician and Ground Support Maintenance Technician. Rigby, who now serves as the senior ordnance logistics officer in the 2nd Infantry Division, on Camp Red Cloud, South Korea, is responsible for making sure the division’s equipment is fully functional, as well as ensuring all vehicles assigned to the division are ready to “Fight Tonight”.

“I love what I do,” said Rigby. “Knowing that I am able to work with all the brigades while still getting the opportunity to mentor officers and junior enlisted Soldiers.”
Rigby believes he has made a positive impact on the lives of the Soldiers who have worked for him. He has a lot to offer, and he ensures he uses his vast knowledge and extensive experience when helping Soldiers. (Army.mil)

You can read more at the link, but what I find more amazing than him being a draftee is that he served 42 years in the Army. Talk about a well deserved retirement.

Here is an interesting article about two ROK female infantry NCOs that were awarded the US Expert Infantryman Badge:

Two women have earned the U.S. Army’s coveted Expert Infantryman Badge — and they’re members of the South Korean army.

Staff Sgts. Kim Min Kyoung and Kwon Min Zy are the first women, Korean or American, to earn the special-skills badge created in 1943.

“There were 21 soldiers from the (South Korean army’s) 21st Infantry Division that competed with them, pushing and pulling each other, helping each other out,” Kwon, 21, said through a translator.  [USA Today]

You can read more at the link, but the article is a bit misleading by making it appear these are the first women to pass the EIB test.  The US Army has for years allowed women to take the test:

Two Soldiers received special honors Friday during a ceremony at the Hilton Field Softball Complex recognizing those Soldiers who recently completed a week of tasks to earn the Expert Infantryman Badge.

Sgt. 1st Class Scott Wilkie, a drill sergeant with Company E, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, was the only Soldier who received the “true blue” designation, meaning that he completed all the tasks without making any mistakes. Capt. Michelle Roberts, commander of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, was the only female Soldier who passed the test.

Wilkie and Roberts were two of 42 Soldiers who passed from a field of 97 who began the testing.

“This is the first year that (I’ve seen) a (woman) compete in the 27 years I’ve been in the Army,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael Love, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Expert Infantryman Badge, or EIB, testing. “I think it’s great.”

Roberts, an activated National Guard Soldier, said she believes it is her duty to be trained as well as possible in Soldiering skills, which is why she did not want to pass up the opportunity to go through the test and the two-week training in preparation for the EIB.  [Army.mil]

The problem that females that pass the EIB test have is that they are not in an infantry MOS, so they cannot wear the badge, but they receive the training certificate.  This is the same for non-infantry MOS males as well.  People have complained about this for years that the infantry branch are being badge protectors by not allowing other branches to wear the badge.  Since the ROK NCOs are in the infantry branch they get to wear the badge on their uniforms.  This seems very unfair to everyone else that has passed the testing that they cannot wear the badge, but foreign military personnel can.

This whole EIB testing gets back to my whole point of view on this that women should not be barred from any MOS or training as long as they meet the same established standards.  So did the ROK soldiers meet the same established standards as the US soldiers? According to this comment left on Facebook by an NCO claiming to have graded the testing, they did not:

If this claim is true and the ROK soldiers did not have to meet the same standards as US soldiers than this was nothing more than a PR stunt by 2ID.  The statistics may also give some indication that different standards were used.  According to the article only 18% of 2ID soldiers passed, but 18 of 21 (85%) of ROK soldiers passed the testing.  That is a big difference in percentages though the ROK Army likely sent 21 of their best soldiers.  Even if it was their best soldiers should the percentages be that skewed?  Anyway I would be interested to hear what others who may have been part of the EIB testing have to say about this issue.

I am not sure how big Army can claim they are trying to weed out toxic leaders when they accept this as appropriate conduct for a battalion commander:

The commander of a Fort Carson helicopter battalion objected when subordinates talked about a toxic command climate, according to documents obtained by The Gazette.

“You want toxic? I’ll show you toxic,” Lt. Col. Tammy Baugh allegedly told soldiers in the 1st Battalion of the 25th Aviation Regiment, documents said.

A 263-page Army investigation report released under the Freedom of Information Act portrays Baugh as a foul-mouthed boss who belittled soldiers, threw things during a meeting and sometimes stormed out of battalion gatherings.

Baugh and the battalion’s command sergeant major were temporarily relieved in July, but later placed back in command despite the scathing report.

“Too many soldiers and leaders in the battalion, across all ranks, have been negatively impacted by her belittling, disrespectful and caustic interaction, and the results of that interaction have been detrimental to morale, effectiveness and climate of the organization and the morale and well-being of soldiers,” the report says.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read much more at the link, but this commander would throw flight schedules at people, cursing them out, and storming out of meetings.  It was so bad that the colonel that conducted the investigation recommended that she should be removed which the 4ID commanding general decided not to do for whatever reason.

So does anyone think that LTC Baugh would tone her act down a bit during a high profile investigation?  If you did you would be wrong:

In her statement, Baugh said her critics are slackers.

“It seems that those who cannot meet the standard have the loudest voice,” she wrote.

And the colonel denies that she belittled troops.

“I have made spot corrections,” she wrote.

I have been in units where senior leaders felt like they had to come in hard to change the culture.  Cursing I think people can live with, but if it is meant to belittle others that is where it becomes a problem.  I once saw a first sergeant in 2ID replaced due to cursing soldiers out in front of others much less throwing things at them.  In my experience it seems like senior NCOs get less the benefit of the doubt compared to a battalion commander or higher.  Also the storming out of meetings seems childish to me unless it was a one time thing to make a point.  However, it is her meeting so if she wants to storm out than so be it, but it does not set a healthy command climate.  I do have to wonder though that if she felt her staff was letting her down what had she done to properly train them to meet her standards?  I seriously doubt everyone in her unit, but her was incompetent.  For the most part if you tell people exactly how you want things done they will usually do it.

Anyway it takes something pretty big to remove a battalion commander like committing a crime or making inappropriate comments about women or gays.  She did nothing like this just demonstrated the toxic leader traits the Army has claimed it is trying to weed out. The 4ID commander may have felt since she did nothing criminal it may cause a bad precedent to remove her because of an investigation that began due to a poor command climate survey.  He may not want to send the message that soldiers can get rid of leaders they don’t like by giving poor ratings on a command climate survey.

In my experience I have never seen a battalion commander removed for toxic leadership if like this if everything claimed is true?  Than again I have never served under a commander who regularly cursed people out, stormed out of meetings, and threw things at people.  Has anyone else?

Seen at the Army Ten Miler today~

AR 670-1 (Effective date: 15 September 2014):
“Glasses may not be worn on top of the head at any time.”

Wasn’t he the SMA that over-saw that particular addition to the eyewear regulation? [Rally Point]

I wonder if anyone correct the Sergeant Major of the Army on his uniform violation?  By the way I don’t see his reflective belt either?

This has to be the fastest revision of AR 670-1 ever:

The Army dialed back some controversial rules on tattoos and women’s hairstyles in an update on Tuesday to the regulation governing appearance and uniform wear.

In March, the Army issued a heavily revised Army Regulation 670-1, a move that spurred grumbling in the ranks and a protest on Capitol Hill with newly restrictive language about a number of appearance issues.

The more stringent tattoo policy issued in March remains largely unchanged, retaining the limits on the size, number and location of tattoos. Full sleeve tattoos are still banned, for instance, and no more than four small tattoos can be visible on lower arms and legs. The rules were meant, the Army said in press release Tuesday, “to maintain the professional appearance of the force.”

While tattoos in violation of rules issued in March could be grandfathered, soldiers with grandfathered tattoos couldn’t seek a commission or appointment without receiving a special exception. That changed Tuesday.

“The updated regulation takes into account that previously authorized tattoos should not prevent a soldier from becoming an officer, but that candidates are to be evaluated based on the whole soldier concept, or all characteristics of a soldier,” the Army said. [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more about the changes to hairstyles as well at the link.