Army, needing 2nd lieutenants, speeds process for NCOs to become officers

[lebkuchen]

* Wasn't it, in part, the poor leadership quality of 2nd LTs that eventually got their rank fragged the most in Vietnam?

***************************

Facing an urgent requirement to field an additional 300 second lieutenants in 2006, Army officials have decided to make it easier for nontraditional officer candidates to enter that career track.

Two-star generals now can sign waivers that would allow Officer Candidate School admission for NCOs who are older than 30 or who may have minor criminal or military offenses on their records, according to a memo sent to Army leaders on May 25.

Previously, all OCS waivers had to come from the Department of the Army itself, according to Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, an Army personnel spokesman. Army leaders decided to delegate OCS waiver authority to lower levels in order “to speed the process” of admissions to OCS, Hilferty told Stripes.

<cut>

Speed is of the essence, Hilferty said. Instead of the 4,300 new officers Army officials originally thought they would need to produce in fiscal 2006, the real requirement is 4,600.


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=29616

[truthisfreedom]

1. the criminalization of the upper ranks. neato! i can't wait to see what

they do next to keep bushco afloat as they empty the last of the US Treasury coffers into the pockets of their cronies!

[Joyce78]

2. David Hackworth

I miss him. What more can I say.

[MADem]

3. In response to your query

Wasn't it, in part, the poor leadership quality of 2nd LTs that eventually got their rank fragged the most in Vietnam?

Yes, and no fault of those who were thrust into these leadership positions untried, untrained, and unable to cope with the 'culture' associated with the rank. Those that survived were fragged yet again in future promotion boards, for the most part.

Mark my words, for the 299 who fall by the wayside during this evolution (either by misadventure, hostile fire or promotion board shenanigans), there will be one, just one, who rises to the top and will be used as an example to con other young folk to join...like a lottery...an icon...ugh!

Been there, seen that. Cannot believe they are doing it yet again...!

[saigon68]

18. THESE CRIMINALS AND THUGS

WILL NOW BECOME WAR CRIMINALS

HEY RUSTY CALLEY !!!!! WHERE ARE YOU???????

YOU CAN NOW GIVE THE ORDER TO YOUR TROOPS TO "GREASE" HUNDREDS OF "RAG- HEADS"

[MADem]

26. They did not join to become criminals, or thugs

They joined because they bought the cowboy's horseshit, because they loved their country, because they felt it was patriotic, because they wanted to protect us all. You can fault them for being naive, for believing that we as a nation really did stand for truth, justice, and the American way, that democracy was a principle worth defending, but their intentions were honorable. Now they are stuck, in a hellhole, and unable to get out--no flowers, no sweets, no smiling faces. That's what their leaders promised them.

It is just sad how they are being used, abused, not provided with the appropriate armor, not given sufficient forces to do this fool's mission, and not given real guidance on what to expect once they get there. Of course, the USMC is in something like their fifth rotation, the Army not far behind...so they get the picture now, and it ain't a pretty one.

Plus, it is awfully hot in Iraq this time of year.

[geckosfeet]

28. Its the good ones that die,,, the criminals join for their own agendas

and rarely risk their own skin when the stuff hits the fan. Scraping the side of the barrels will have negative (and predictable) results for the military. Note prisoner abuse.

There are plenty of intelligent, well educated young people who would be ideal as military representatives. This whole idea is back wards ! Its crazy ! Our military should be represented by our best and brightest. Laws should require that the super rich and over-privileged give back to society by serving in the military.

[daleo]

35. There ought to be laws against illegal, agressive war, too.

I guess there are, but Bush just ignores them, with the spineless permission of the Congress. If Bush wouldn't have began this whole process, none of this would be happening.

[funflower]

4. Seems to me more NCO's should be commissioned.

Maybe I don't understand military culture, but I don't think that 2nd Lt.'s business administration degree really means a lot on the battlefield.

I've always thought it was pure class warfare to keep a 15-year NCO out of the officer's ranks while commissioning a 22-year-old kid with zero experience at anything just because he went to college.

[zipplewrath]

14. More complicated than that

The training of officers involves alot of indoctrination. You almost prefer the "know nothing" 22 year old than a 15 year veteran because the veteran knows too much. Furthermore, they can have axes to grind. If you're enlisted, and are drinking the juice so to speak, you'll go through the steps to qualify for OCS. Here, they are talking about accepting candidates who might otherwise not qualify including past disciplinary problems. Many ways to interpret their actions here. One of them is that "we can't get the smart ones anymore, and the young ones aren't signing up, so now we need to get the malcontents".

[Orsino]

15. Officer Corps' war on the NCO Corps?

This is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

If there's a shortage of NCOs, what are they gonna do? Speed promotions of E-3/4 soldiers?

I smell creeping desperation. Our military is beginning to resemble a conscript force. Standards are being lowered across the board.

How soon before they stop kicking out gays, in a move reminiscent of the Confederacy's enlisting of African-american soldiers toward the end--despite the cries that this would spell the end of their cherished institutions?

[Toots]

21. OCS is not college.

Any NCO can enter OCS once given approval by Dept of Army. Always has been that way. Most just don't want to. OCS is not for the faint of heart. The only difference now is a Col can give the okay and they can now accept people with criminal records. I am sure a bit of cronyism will take place but I think this is a good deal as well. Enlisted men are always closer to the troops (it is against military law for an officer to fraternize with an enlisted man) so they have a better insight into what the men are thinking and feeling. I think this will not help much though because people are leaving the service in hordes just as soon as they are allowed to do so. The Bush* Cabal has hurt the Military badly and it is mostly because none of them have any idea at all what it is like to be in the military, while on the other hand Democrats have a very high participation level among them. Most Democrats in Congress have served honorably and some have the highest award given to an American soldier while most Republicans have never served. Republicans all have some romantic idea about what being in the Army is like while Democrats have actual knowledge

[wookie294]

5. Strained US Army relaxes new officer requirements

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army, facing recruiting woes and a reorganized force, will relax requirements for new officers, welcoming older candidates and allowing more tolerance of past minor crimes, officials said on Thursday.

Trying to stem the loss of current personnel, the Army also has made it more difficult to kick soldiers out of the military for alcohol or drug abuse, being overweight or "unsatisfactory performance," according to a recent memo.

"We are an Army at war and increasing levels of attrition of first-term enlisted soldiers in both the training base and units is a matter of great concern," the memo stated.

These changes come as the Army struggles amid the Iraq war to sign up new soldiers at the same time it restructures its force to add numerous additional combat brigades. The regular Army has missed four straight monthly recruiting goals and is in danger of missing its first annual goal since 1999.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=4&u=/nm/20050609/ts_nm/arms_usa_army_dc

[LynnTheDem]

6. Allowing criminals as officers. Our military is being destroyed.

The empire is failing.

ALl because of bush.

[Cooley Hurd]

9. And WHY ISN'T THIS MAKING EXISTING OFFICERS ANGRY ENOUGH

...to mutiny?:shrug:

[LynnTheDem]

11. It is; they're resigning in droves. That's why Criminals May Apply.

The good guys are getting out; the bad guys are getting in.

[saigon68]

19. Criminals will give the orders

Of the Bush Criminals

[LynnTheDem]

20. You know it makes sense.

SOMEBODY HELP US!!!

[ngGale]

7. No way we can sustain Iraq or any other war...

without a draft. They will keep the older men in even longer and give them rank. I did hear civil service mentioned today - this will be forced on us and our children. Soldier's can't fight unless there is just cause, hasn't Rummy and the Pentagon figured this out yet.
The soldiers know the Iraq war is not what they are saying it is.
FGS - How I wish Bush, Rummy, and the whole bunch would have to go into active combat for about a year or two.

[SKKY]

10. You have no idea just how right you really are...

...if North Korea were to light off tomorrow. I mean, really light off (not talking about nukes) and invade the south, we'd be pretty much helpless to stop them. Toast. done.

[Massacure]

13. Wouldn't Japan probably get caught up in that?

[MADem]

32. I've been pounding the draft drum for eons

It is coming...they are throwing out bonuses left and right, but there are no takers. There is now a huge push on to get more language specialists and medical personnel, and the cash is incredible, yet still they are not getting the takers they need.

And all the while, they put out this bullshit that morale is high. It isn't--it sucks. The UNIT LOYALTY is off the charts, that IS high, but that does not translate into support for this foolish endeavor AT ALL...and the suits in the five sided building just do not GET IT. When you are in a shithole with friends that you are relying on to stay alive, it is a given that strong and intense bonds develop. They are calling that "morale" and the clowns sitting in air conditioned offices have no clue at all what these kids are going through, thinking, or feeling.

[teryang]

8. Unbelievable!

Destroying and corrupting traditional institutions is what the bushistas are all about. The Army has had a bullseye on it since they came into office.

[fasttense]

12. Hmm, just like in Vietnam.

They changed all sorts of qualifications in order to get enough people in. But then they had a draft.

The draft is coming soon. It will be called public service but it will require all US citizens 18 to 21 to give two years of public service. Big brother, I mean the government, gets to pick which you get - military or other volunteer work. Guess which children will go into the military and which ones will have to stay home and do other volunteer work?

[Supersedeas]

22. commissions haven't come so cheap since Jr's AWOL days

[catnhatnh]

16. "An Officer....

...and a Minor Criminal"...there's a movie I want to see...

[DemoTex]

17. Maybe they will waive age and let Lt. William Calley back in.

"Ell-tee, you want us to do what?!"

[BlueIris]

25. Might as well. He'd fit in pretty well in some spots.

Fellow posters? I mean no disrespect to the thousands and thousands of members of the military who are doing an admirable job serving our country during this difficult time. Please don't flame me.

[0007]

23. I'm getting a little confused......just what army are we trying to

upgrade? The Iraqis or ours or the Afghanistan army......sounds like everyone is bailing, LOL!!

I bet Kim Jong Il has added another inch to his shoes.

[daleo]

24. The status quo is in trouble

When an important class distinction marker like officer vs NCO becomes permeable, it indicates that the status quo is in a great deal of difficulty. Historically, this sort of thing tends to happen as manpower shortages become critical (i.e. during wars of attrition). Granted, this is an early stage still.

[Lowell]

27. Wasted too much political capital

on the wrong war. What is going to happen when North Korea decides to start stomping through northern Asia? We can't meet our recruiting goals now, we can't retain our junior officers and this isn't even the right war. If North Korea starts kicking their neighbors asses we either won't be able to help or we will have to start the draft again.

[lebkuchen]

29. Bush has the US up against a wall, no doubt about it

The fundies had better start praying their hearts out for us all.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

30. It's almost the old "battlefield promotion" tactic that the US has used...

...in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, when the supply of junior officers started to run low.

How soon before some of our fresh junior officers out of West Point become the targets of troops who no longer wish to be ordered into situations that they perceive as dangerous? The action taken by enlisted men was known as "fragging" in Vietnam.

[lebkuchen]

31. The NYTimes is bound to make the same observation

a month or two from now.

[pfitz59]

33. Unspoken truths

Officers and Enlisted men take different oaths. Enlisted men swear to "obey the orders of the President of the United Sates, and the officers appointed over me...". This portion is missing from the Officer Oath. Officers can legally tell Bush, and senior officers "NO"! Huge legal and ethical distinction. My guess is many officers have recalled this distinction and are telling the Brass to "F-off!"

[pfitz59]

34. PS

Former enlisted men jumped up to Officer may not recognize this change in their legal status. I'm sure the Pentagon is counting on that!

[jmowreader]

36. This is more a "realitization" of OCS admission

Before this latest revision came out, someone who wanted to go to OCS basically had to have a squeaky-clean military record. No nonjudicial punishment at all.

Y'all are thinking "but that's good, right?" Depending on the offense, I'd almost rather have the guy with an Article 15 in his packet than someone who didn't have one. An example: one of my platoon members at Fort Campbell was walking through the mess hall one morning. One of the civilian KPs yelled at him "hey you! GI! Push that cart of dirty dishes into the kitchen right now!" My platoon had almost nothing to do with the mess hall save eating in it. We definitely didn't work there. My guy looked at this asshole (whose job included pushing carts of dirty dishes into the kitchen" and told him "fuck you, I ain't pushin' that into the kitchen, I don't work here and that's your fucking job anyway." He got fourteen days of extra duty for saying fuck to the KP.

Now let me ask you, DUers: is saying fuck to someone who wants you to do their job for them a sign of inability to lead? No, but the Army says it is.

[lebkuchen]

37. Your guy's saying the F word may have saved him from a fragging incident

as a 2LT.

Be thankful for the F word.

[jmowreader]

38. Trust me on this--this guy was NOT officer material

He was, quite possibly, the biggest pothead I ever knew in my life. The only way they would have ever commissioned him is if they'd already commissioned all the guys in the stockade.

I used this guy as an example of the highly-trivial shit the Army will give Article 15s for.

Funniest Article 15 in the history of the Military Intelligence Corps comes courtesy of a gentleman named Fillinger, who was the worst dirtbag to ever be in the army. In order to leave Fort Devens you had to meet height/weight standards. Fillinger was a little worried about it because he went to Double-D's every night and drank a pitcher of beer--and this was a little guy. So to ensure he passed, this fuckwit went to a lumber yard, bought a scrap piece of 2x4, carved out little foot-shaped blocks, and put them in his socks. Then he got on the scale. Uhh...don'tcha think someone would notice if you grew an inch and a half overnight? Well, First Sergeant Gulledge sure as hell did...and the funniest thing was, even after they got the blocks out of his socks, he still made weight. Gee, Fillinger, there's a scale sitting right next to the first sergeant's office for a reason.

He received another one for failure to follow a direct order: while working his extra duty as a result of the first Article 15, they gave him a five-gallon can of traffic paint and a four-inch brush and told him to repaint the lines in the parking lot. This idiot went out and painted the whole parking lot yellow.

Then, while working off THAT Article 15, he got ANOTHER Article 15. You know those neat poems little kids write in school, the ones where you write a word vertically then put a phrase next to each letter? The company's nickname was No Slack Bravo, so the first sergeant thought it would be just lovely if we had a poem like that with the keyword NOSLACK painted on all the staircases in the company. Top Gulledge called the elementary school, got his kid's class to write these poems, and gave them to Fillinger. Fillinger decided to paint BOHICA (bend over, here it comes again) on half the staircases and DILLIGAS (do I look like I give a shit?) on the rest.

They quit giving him Article 15s after that one; Captain Vikstrom figured Fillinger's next act would be to paint FTA on the side of post headquarters.

[lebkuchen]

39. Maybe a little humor is what the officer corp needs?

The officer corp I've seen is a bunch of stuffed shirt right-wingers married to cute little wives who eat/drink Pilates and fret about their manicures.

I'd take Fillinger any day over the hum-drum run-of-the-mill.

BTW, terrific stories!