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Originally posted by bunny shooter
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I disagree (as a former instructor) you are being assessed on your leadership when you are O/S, section commander or whatever - take control & be decisive (make a decision & stick with it, even it is the wrong one). When you are just another member of the section - do everything you can to help the O/S & section commander, otherwise when you are O/S.... -
Let me specify (as a former instructor) be the grey man when not o/s or section i/c or 2i/c.Originally posted by DeV View PostComment
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There is no such thing as the grey manComment
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The grey man.
I think the point is to be the opposite of a heatseeker. Keep mouth shut and ears open.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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The grey man is not a waster who cant or wont do something he does his bit and no more, by that i mean when he is occupying a position he/ she is solid when in the section he is acting his role not trying to draw attention to himself by trying to take over or messing up ,,
in every platoon you will find stereotypes the mouth piece ,who cant shut up and gets every one into trouble he usually has a few lackeys who thinks he is great .
the guy who is always the last
the guy who thinks he knows it all
mr popular
the comedian
the old guy
the guy always out step
i could go on
but there is that guy or girl who is there listening taking it in who rarely draws attention to themselves the greyman ."take a look to the sky right before you die, its the last time you will"Comment
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If the instructors instructions or advice differs from what you have read on this forum, help them by pointing out their error to them immediately.
Tell them that they would be most welcome on this forum and that they could do worse than to join IMO and broaden their knowledge base.Air Corps VeteranComment
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I've come to the conclusion that the grey man exists but there's no point telling someone to be one. Those that are grey men are just natural at it through attitude, cant really be learned. Although it helps if you are of average build and look! no Ginger ever succeeds!Comment
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But there's no danger
It's a professional career
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear
If you're out of luck you're out of work
We could send you to johannesburg.
(Elvis Costello, Olivers Army)Comment
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Don't forget to ask them which IMO member they are...Originally posted by magister View Post
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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I agree with Elvis - you will fall into your natural category. If you're grey, funny, stupid, oldest or youngest then thats what you are. You'll just have to live with it.
IMHO the Prisoner has it. Without PMA even someone that starts at the top, with all the right gear and preparation can fail miserably without it.
Don't be disheartened if things don't go the way you thought they should. You are there to learn.Without supplies no army is brave.
—Frederick the Great,
Instructions to his Generals, 1747
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Ensure your footdrill is perfect and know the screed inside out - then get some practise on the square with some troops. Being able to project your voice and knowing how to march a section or platoon without getting confused will mean your square tests should be a breeze - one less thing to worry about.
Know the Steyr and GPMG backwards - get the manuals and read them front to back. Get an NCO to go over IA's, loading, firing positions etc. Get an officer to TOET you. Learn how to make lesson plans properly and quickly.
Riflemangundy makes some very good points, especially about your CEMO - you should be able to drop your kit in billets and march out the gate five minutes later in combat gear.
Orderly sergeant will be your first chance to take command. Take good control, don't accept any lazyiness but don't let it get to your head either.
As O/S don't be afraid to tell an instructor that they're running over time - if you arrive late to the next lesson you will all be in trouble. And late means anything less than 5 minutes early.
Take it all on the chin, unless you really did something stupid - if thats the case pick yourself up, shake it off and get on with it.
I disagee about the grey man - volunteer for everything, sing the loudest, be confident in everything you do. You are there to become a leader and leaders stand out. Stay at the back and encourage people rather than galloping off at the front. Take the radio or the GPMG - its character building
Essentials - foot long ruler, red pen, rolls and rolls of black tape
PREPARATION + ATTITUDE"Attack your attic with a Steyr....as seen on the Late Late Show..."Comment
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If your a natural funny man or mouth piece play the grey-man card..BTC instructors might appreciates leadership but sticking out from the crowd draws heat.
You do not need a full tac-aide print off exactly what you need (Ammo-Cas, Contact Rep. Quick Attack etc etc) laminate them bind them and stick them in your top pocket.
Carry a small sized hard covered note book (reids nassau street bout € 2) No point in trying to fit a copy book/A4 in your pocket.
Laminate A4 Sheets with the words Subject, Aim, Lesson etc so you dont waste time having to clean or write on the board. You just use a wipe on marker on the sheets and stick them on or pull them off.
Marking and pre cutting your flannelette (particularly for the GPMG) with the appropriate sizes is beneficial.
"No excuse" is the best excuse as they cant chase you in circles unless you use it too much.
If your kit is worn and threadbare and due to "Q issues" don't fret it is NOT your fault.
You did not go to McDonalds :wink:
Dont be afraid to tell heat-seekers and mé féiners to cop the fcuk on
If some cabbage cant march or turn left be creative in how you fall in stick them in the middle rank.
NEVER rat or hang your buddies no matter how much you might think the instructors actually want you...just dont.
BTC does NOT stand for Ball Touching Club
Its not mini-scratch its a corrective action."Many a time a man's mouth broke his nose"
"Don't waste money buying expensive binoculars. Simply stand next to the object you wish to view."Comment
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write stuff down. This comes in extremely useful later, when you are trying to remember what time the instructors told you to be somewhere.
You would be surprised how many people fail themselves before ever turning up at the gate [ simple Admin, passing the ITs ] try not to be one of these. Have all the forms on the Joining Instructions. Not knowing what an AF220 abstract is is no excuse for not having it.
If you don't have these ring the BTC now and they'll send them out.
Take each day as it comes and prepare for it, do it, and then move on."Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "
"No, they're trying to fly the tank"Comment
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oh!Originally posted by Duffman View Post
One other item that leads to sucess is EAT.
This is no a special code or acronym. You would be surprised the number of people that don't like the food or ration pack and eat nothing. You need food. You eat it wether you like it or not. Its army food. It may be at the low end of the gourmet scale but it won't kill you.
Not eating however poses a multitude of problems. The most basic of these being loss of concentration and irritability.Without supplies no army is brave.
—Frederick the Great,
Instructions to his Generals, 1747
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In your future career you will go on courses are physically and mentally harder, however you will always remember your pots course. For where you are at now this will be the most demanding course you will have gone on. DON'T let that discourage you, it will end, you can get through it and you will bring back valuable learning points.
DON'T GIVE UPComment
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