The discussion continues…
“My name is Sergeant Hook; I am your new squad leader. I have been working on CH47 Chinook helicopters for several years now and intend to share my experiences with you. I will take the first two days getting to know each of you and will spend time explaining my expectations of you and goals for the squad. I will also outline what you can expect of me but for now; know that I am available to you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
“I understand from Sergeant Greene that you guys were on a detail earlier today, how did that go?” I asked the six young men standing before me, all holding the rank of private first class (E-3) except for one, Specialist Lim (E-4).
“It went well,” replied Specialist Lim somewhat enthusiastically.
“What was the mission?” I asked.
“The mission?” Lim began, “Oh, the detail, well we had to pick up some parts at the motor pool for our truck to get it running.”
“And that required 6 soldiers to accomplish?” I asked, but continued, “Never mind, what work orders do we currently have open?”
The soldiers exchanged momentary glances before Specialist Lim offered an answer, “We don’t get much aircraft maintenance here, the flight platoons take care of most of it, and 1st squad handles the phase inspections.”
I stood there, in front of a group of young, inexperienced soldiers, aircraft mechanics, amazed at their lack of focus, their misguided sense of purpose. I felt a fire beginning to burn in my gut and was not pleased at all. Just as I was about to lash out at the soldiers, I stopped short, realizing that it wasn’t their fault, but it was the fault of their leadership. It was at that moment that I developed the mindset that there is nothing wrong with our soldiers, and that 99% of the problems we have stem from a lack of leadership (a mindset that has endured over the years).
“OK, let’s begin with a toolbox layout,” I said, not wanting to dwell on what was.
“Ah, Sergeant Hook, we don’t have tool boxes,” Specialist Lim answered for the group.
“What do you mean ‘you don’t have toolboxes’ ?”
Lim began to answer when I held up my hand cutting him off. “You, Private Edge, why don’t you have toolboxes? You are mechanics right?” I asked sarcastically getting a bunch of head nods and a couple of chuckles.
Private First Class Edge eagerly replied, “Sergeant Hook, Sergeant Greene keeps all the toolboxes locked up so that we don’t lose any tools and his periodic inventories are squared away.”
“Well how in the hell do you fix f*&#n’ aircraft?” I was beside myself.
“We sign out a toolbox from Sergeant Greene whenever we need to use tools,” he replied.
Shaking my head in disapproval and keeping my emotions under control I offered, “OK then, Private Edge, you are now in charge of 2nd squad’s toolboxes. Today we will issue each of the squad members, mechanics as I understand it, a toolbox, conduct an inventory and provide you each with an inventory sheet that you’ll use at the end of each day to make sure you haven’t lost a tool.”
Most eyes were wide in amazement as I continued, “Private Edge will conduct a monthly toolbox inventory with each of you, and if a tool is missing, he will fill out the proper paperwork so that it can be replaced, after you pay for it.”
Smiles and grumbles.
“But!” I said raising my voice, “If you lose a f*&#n’ tool, it’ll cost you more than the price to replace it. A lost tool in aviation maintenance means that it could possibly be on the aircraft where it may cause catastrophic failure.”
Serious stares.
“Do you know what that means Private Pilsner?” I asked.
He hesitantly replied, “Ah, I think so Sergeant Hook.”
“It means somebody dies because we f*&#ed up and lost a tool!” I sternly offered. “Now, let’s get you issued your tools. C’mon Edge, I’ll show you what right looks like.”
“That sounds great Sarge, but I don’t think we have enough time,” Lim countered.
With a growing annoyance I flatly stated, “We have plenty of time Lim, it is only 1430 hours, now let’s get moving.”
“Uh Sarge, it’s Wednesday and we get off at 4 O’clock on Wednesdays,” Specialist Lim informed me.
Deciding that I had allowed this to go on long enough I explained, “Specialist Lim! Assume the position of parade rest and listen very carefully. First of all, you will NO longer address me as ‘Sarge,’ do you understand? I am Sergeant Hook and I am your squad leader. I will tell you what time you get off on Wednesdays and every other f*&#ing day, is that clear?!”
“Yes Sergeant Hook.”
“Furthermore,” I continued, taking a moment to look at each of the other squad members, “And this applies to all of you, you are Soldiers and you are mechanics and your mission is to repair the Army’s CH47 helicopter and by God that is what you are going to do! Is that clear?”
This time a chorus of voices replied, “Yes Sergeant Hook!”
“Good. Now let’s get the gottdamned toolboxes inventoried and issued. And once we’re finished with that, I will counsel each of you individually on what my expectations are of you, and what you can expect from me. Are there any questions?”
There were none and at 1800 hours on Wednesday, my first day as the 2nd Squad, squad leader, I released the men to go get chow and informed them that I would see them at 0630 hours for PT the following morning.
More to come. Sgt Hook out.
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