The
term “Standards” has
been a
catch-all word that in some way
affects every individual in the military
today. Standards in the military can
trace their origin back to the pre-Revolutionary war when Citizen-Soldiers
were called upon to face the
challenge of building a new nation out
of a wilderness. In the initial stage of
developing an army, certain individuals
were unknowingly tasked to set the
example for the newly fledgling
Continental Army of militiamen. These
individuals were appropriately called “
Leaders.”
Never in our nation’s history have
Soldiers faced the unique challenges
they face today. To deal with these
challenges, today’s leaders need to
remember that NCOs are charged to
set and maintain standards.
Standards are enforced by
conveying the reasons for standards
in a teaching manner and setting the
example. Setting and maintaining
standards instill discipline. Disciplined
Soldiers tackle challenges head-on.
Undisciplined Soldiers, those unsure
of standards, may buckle under
pressures caused by challenging
situations. NCOs, since the days of
the Revolutionary War, have had to
prepare Soldiers for unexpected
challenges by enforcing established
standards.
In today’s operating environment,
conditions change rapidly. Soldiers,
trained to standard under varying and
diverse conditions, can readily shift
their efforts as conditions dictate.
NCOs must never forget that they are
charged to enforce and maintain
standards. Since 1779, NCOs have
accepted this challenge and executed
their duties in all situations. NCO's
are responsible for training Soldiers to standard while maintaining
set
standards themselves and leading
from the front. An Army cannot exist
without this fundamental element. As
Rudyard Kipling wrote in The Earthen, “
The backbone of the Army is the
noncommissioned man.”
Standards had a different meaning
for Soldiers and NCOs of the New
Jersey Army National Guard while
serving at their home station or
participating in Annual Training.
NJARNG Soldiers constantly trained
to standard on tasks to become
proficient in the established tasks to
assist them in accomplishing their
mission and to assume a sense of
pride and satisfaction in these
accomplishments. Today, these
same NJARNG Soldiers from the 42nd
Division Support Command have seen
the sense of urgency and commitment
that comes with setting standards in
all tasks. The NCO's of the 42nd
Division Support Command have
realized that enforcing standards
means more than accomplishing the
mission. To these NCO's it means by enforcing the tough standards
that are
established in a combat zone such as
Iraq, they will help keep their Soldiers
safe while accomplishing difficult missions. It means taking
no deviation
from enforcing the standards for
wearing seatbelts on Combat Logistic
Patrols (CLP's) or properly clearing
your weapon in the prescribed, safe
manner. It means wearing your Kevlar
Helmet, ballistic eyewear, earplugs
and your Interceptor Body Armor (IBA)
with SAPI plates in 100 degree heat to
set the example for your Soldiers.
Rehearsing Battle Drills every day
before an upcoming CLP may become
tedious in nature, but maintaining this
standard ensures that every Soldier
will respond in the correct manner by
instinct when called upon to do so.
NCO's have learned that shortcuts do
not save lives, only standards do.
The Soldiers and NCO's of the
42nd Division Support Command have
met and accomplished some
extraordinary challenges in our path
to Operation Iraqi Freedom III. We will
make our mark on world history with
our own special contributions to
bringing democracy to Iraq. I have
challenged every Soldier and NCO in
the 42nd Division Support Command
to ensure that the Soldier standards
that have been set in this Area of
Operations are maintained and
enforced by every NCO within this
Command. These Citizen-Soldiers
from New Jersey continue to establish
new and higher standards of
professionalism and commitment
while they proudly serve our state and
the nation.
The family members of these fine,
patriotic Soldiers can be very proud of
their loved ones. They are “First in
Support”. |