Are we lowering standards? I recently attended a Warrior Leaders Course graduation. I was told by my soldier after graduation that of the 140 soldiers in the company, only 83 passed the initial physical fitness test or height and weight standards. I’ve found that as per All Army Activities message 075/2007, DTG 171414Z, a soldier may attend WLC or any noncommissioned officer school, and while there never pass the physical fitness test or meet height and weight requirements, yet still graduate. Will we lower the standards for selection at senior-level boards as well when these “graduates” compete for promotion?
Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston posted on his Web site that standards and discipline begin at the home station and [are re-enforced] every day in garrison physical training. Are we lowering standards in the Army to meet a certain quota of “graduates” at the cost of higher-caliber NCOs?
These new graduates of the WLC will be placed in leadership positions, mentoring those in their charge to become future NCOs. Should a leader expect soldiers to follow them in a task they are unable to perform themselves?
The Army has a new slogan: “Army Strong.” This doesn’t seem very “Army Strong” to me. The NCO Creed states, “I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps. …” I don’t believe we are conducting ourselves so as to bring credit upon the corps.
I fear we may not be suffering now with the lowering of standards, but our future Army will. We are supposed to be the standard-bearers as well as the standard enforcers. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The sergeant is the Army.”
Master Sgt. Joseph R. DiMaggio Brussels, Belgium