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



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