Three weeks under my belt
Hello y'all,
Well, I am entering week #4. Hard to believe that three
weeks have already passed. I guess that they are going
by quickly, but it seems like it's still a long tunnel
without much light at the end of the tunnel.
We took Exam #2 last Wednesday. It covered The Uniform
Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This is the set of laws
that persons serving in the armed forces must abide by.
As officers, we are taught how to administer UCMJ punitive
and non-punitive as well as judicial and non-judicial
punishment. Luckily, if a soldier does something wrong,
there are options other than court marshal. Our instruction
mainly dealt with non-judicial punishment. The Army calls
this action an Article-15. It is the same as the Navy's
"Captain's Mast." I don't know why the Army couldn't come
up with an equally ominous sounding name. Regardless, it
is basically an expeditious way to punish a soldier (take
a little money and perhaps a stripe) and is a really
effective tool for commanding officers.
Once again, I missed ONE question on the 20-question exam.
I should have noticed the "Army" answer...
Here is the question I missed:
> The following is a recognized purpose for administering
> non-judicial punishment?
>
> a) To correct, educate, and reform the soldier.
> b) Preserve soldier's record from unnecessary stigma
> from a court martial.
> c) Effect military efficiency.
> d) All of the above.
I picked "A." the credited "Army" answer is "D.. All of
the above." I should have known that. So I am now tied
with several others for 5th place in the class with a
95% average. I know that once we get into more technical
subjects that I'll be able to pull ahead. I don't know
though, there are some pretty sharp people in the class.
Besides having two exams last week. Not much to tell here.
We have really started into a regular routine of doing PT
in the morning, and then starting right into class. Pretty
boring stuff though. So far. I am waiting patiently for
bridging and demolitions. We have an exam this Friday
covering THREE subjects: Supply, Maintenance, and Combat
Service support (CSS). CSS is very interesting. It is
basically the answer to the question "How do you get beans
& bullets to the troops in a war?"
Last week, we received instruction in a few subjects. A
couple of note: Suicide Prevention. Where we learned a
couple of valuable? pieces of information.
1) 79% of Army suicides are by self-inflicted gunshot wound,
17% by hanging, and 4% other.
2) The two questions to ask a soldier if you suspect him of
being at-risk of suicide. "Are you at risk of hurting
yourself?" and "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
Pretty straight forward. I hope that I will never have to
ask those questions. Or, at least, hear a hearty. "No,
do you think I'm crazy?" If I do ask it.
One of the best things I heard from our battalion commander
last Friday, is "Try to catch your soldiers doing things
right." I had to stop and think about that one. Then I
thought, wow, very cool. I want to be the kind of officer
that catches my soldiers "doing things right." What a
wonderful philosophy.
I have been putting in extra time doing PT outside of the
duty day. My arms and stomach are really sore, but it is
a good feeling. I know that it will be worth it and pay
off later.
Well, my boots are shined, uniform pressed, and PT uniform
is all laid out. It is getting pretty late, so I will get
this out. Thanks SO MUCH for those who have written and
sent me packages. It is such a morale boost to get a box
from home. Plus it puts a big smile on my face when all of
my classmates get jealous! :) I am writing back to everyone
who has sent me mail, but I don't get a lot of time to access
the computer (and I'm slow at writing letters) so please be
patient if you don't hear back from me right away.
Good night all,
LT Nicholas Kliewer