YOU CAN AFFECT CHANGE!!
A few months ago, our BN CSM recieved a memorandum from the BDE CSM regarding our fighting loads. The memorandum was intended to open up a dialogue with the BN's regarding the MINIMUM standard for what should be carried for our paratroopers and was differentiated between each duty position. Our BN CSM blatantly disregarded the "dialogue" portion of the memorandum and pushed forward with his own monologue in the form of an assinine IBA Pouch layout SOP. His intent was to have everyone put their pouches on the IBA in the same manner. When this "SOP" came down to the company their was a lot of bitching, and everyone was ready to salute the flagpole, move out and take another proverbial reaming in the *** when I threw a fit in the platoon CP. Recognizing the stupidity of such an SOP (I wish you guys could see this ******* thing), I could not keep quiet. My PSG chided me and mocked "what are you going to do, tell the chain of commmand frig you I'm not going to do it?" I replied, "Yes SGT, but not as bluntly as you put it." I immediately took the SOP and made my soldiers configure their crap as prescribed. I then had them line up outside the CP and illustrated to the PSG how assed-up this hooah hooah SOP was. Next trip was the 1SG's office to demonstrate said SOP. Then BN CSM's office, where I realized our CSM was more concerned with mere appearance when I struggled to read the English subtitles scrolling accross my vision as he spoke. "But SSG Miller, ::gasp:: ::growl::, we got to have dee uneeformitee, you know, ees eemportant when we marshing dow dee stree!"
"WOW" Marching down the ******* street. So thats what we are here for... to look good when we MARCH?? down a ******* street? I countered that we would be more effective if the paratroopers were able to configure the equipment in such a manner that best suited them, and that the concept of "uniformity" is outdated and of no concern considering the vast differences in individual weapons and equipment and the related gear to support them. We will not look the same even if we tried. He actually told me that the guys would just have to deal with it, that if 3 out of 4 guys were capable of optimal performance with the uniform SOP, it would be better that people "doing their own thing." Once again, "WOW." Who ******* promotes these guys? I refused to back down and with as much tact and litigating as I could muster I managed to get him to direct me to the BDE CSM for futher scrutiny.
Once I reached the BDE CSM, I was given the opportunity to inject some end-line user input into the process. The BDE CSM is actually a very forward thinking man, and he listened to everything I had to say. Finally the "dialogue" had been opened. We discussed how to better carry our fighting load, which we had been restricted to the issue IBA (yeah great it saves lives, but anyone who can get better does so because its made for ******* pogues) and the FLC (Molle Fighting Load Carrier and piece of crap IMO). We needed a way to streamline our load and not leave guys hanging along the way (grenadiers, gunners). I recommended the Hellcat, and directed the CSM to LF, namely Pete and Nate. After some tinkering between the BDE S4, Pete, Nate, the CSM and me, we came up with a customized Hellcat with integrated hydration carrier and pushed for the BDE to purchase it.
Four months later we now have the "Falcon Rig." The very same item of equipment that SOTECH and LF helped us put together. Whats more is that the other BDE's in the DIV are looking to purchase it as well. ******* A. Wow. You can change crap. By merely not buckling at the prospect of a weak airborne *** chewing and standing your ground with some wit and tact, you can get crap done. I feel empowered, and my guys have definitely taken notice. For those of you out there that feel the wrath of dogmatic bullshit, you can change crap. Do not be that guy that buckles and salutes the flagpole when confronted with stupid crap. Identify the problem and confront it with a solution. After all, this is YOUR ******* Army, and your life to protect and wield against our shitbag enemies as best as you can.