- Reaction score
- 10,430
- Points
- 1,260
Jumper said:I've heard this saying before, but what does it mean? Should we all be able to become infmn/gnrs or crwmn at a moments notice? Or is it that members of the CS and CSS should embody the attributes of service before self. We are all soldiers within the areas of our responsibilities, dedicated, loyal, mission oriented and ready to fight, but if you want to get paid, eat, get kit, have your vehicle fixed, your wpn repaired, get patched up if you get hurt or be flown or shipped to theatre, the primary job of CSS is to do just that: support.
I think I would define it has emplacing realistic combat standards across the Army. Fitness, marksmanship, baseline tactical awareness, and a proper "soldier mentality" should be something that all soldiers need to routinely focus on and practice with. The Combat Arms troops (especially the Infantry) merely jump to the next level and make it their raison d'etre (as the CS/CSS guys make support theirs), but it doesn't disqualify all Army pers from having a basic understanding of what I'd term "combat survival, something I think requires four things;
- Physical Preparedness: fitness, I will make it to and through the fight
- Mental Preparedness: "combat mindset", I will win the fight
- Skill at Arms: No Jessica Lynch, feel comfortable with the weapons we will win the fight with
- Tactical Awareness: Rudimentary drills and small-unit cooperation, I recognize the fight and will try to shape it
I'm sure we've all seen first hand many examples of people not ready to do any of this. In my opinion, these four principles are part of the uniform.
There was a good article in the Marine Corps Gazette a while back on how the Marines did this at the basic training level. I'll see if I can find it, but unfortunately MCG articles aren't available publically.