Friday, January 27, 2012

Fixed-Rope Installations.

 A fixed rope is anchored in place to help Rangers move over difficult terrain. Its simplest form is a rope tied off on the top of steep terrain. As terrain becomes steeper or more difficult, fixed rope systems may require intermediate anchors along the route. Planning considerations follow:
• Does the installation allow you to bypass the obstacle?
• (Tactical) Can obstacle be secured from construction through
negotiation, to disassembly?
• Is it in a safe and suitable location? Is it easy to negotiate? Does it
avoid obstacles?
• Are natural and artificial anchors available?
• Is the area safe from falling rock and ice?

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Influence

When extending influence beyond the traditional chain, leaders often have to influence without
authority designated or implied by rank or position. Civilian and military leaders often find themselves in
situations where they must build informal teams to accomplish organizational tasks.

A unique aspect of extending influence is that those who are targets of influence outside the chain
may not even recognize or willingly accept the authority that an Army leader has. Often informal teams
must be created in situations where there are no official chains of authority. In some cases, it may require
leaders to establish their credentials and capability for leading others. At other times, leaders may need to
interact as a persuasive force but not from an obvious position and attitude of power.

The key element of extending influence and building teams is the creation of a common vision
among prospective team members. At times leaders may need to interact with others as a persuasive
influence but not from an obvious position and attitude of power.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Set the Example

Setting a good ethical example does not necessarily mean subordinates will follow it. Some may feel
that circumstance justifies unethical behavior. Therefore, the leader must constantly monitor the
organization’s ethical climate and take prompt action to correct any discrepancies between the climate and
the standard. To effectively monitor organizational climates, leaders can use a periodic Ethical Climate
Assessment Survey combined with a focused leader plan of action as follows:

  • Begin the plan of action by assessing the unit. Observe, interact, and gather feedback from others, or conduct formal assessments of the workplace.
  • Analyze gathered information to identify what needs improvement. After identifying what needs improvement, begin developing courses of action to make the improvements.
  • Develop a plan of action. First, develop and consider several possible courses of action to correct identified weaknesses. Gather important information, assess the limitations and risks associated with the various courses, identify available key personnel and resources, and verify facts and assumptions. 
  • Attempt to predict the outcome for each possible course of action. Based on predictions, select several leader actions to deal with target issues.
  • Execute the plan of action by educating, training, or counseling subordinates; instituting new policies or procedures; and revising or enforcing proper systems of rewards and punishment.

The organization moves towards excellence by improving substandard or weak areas and
maintaining conditions that meet or exceed the standard. Finally, periodically reassess the unit to
identify new matters of concern or to evaluate the effectiveness of the leader actions.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Physical Training Activities. APRT

This addresses specific PRT goals in the areas of strength, endurance and mobility. It takes most of the training time (30 to 60 minutes). Conduct at least two strength and mobility days and two endurance and
mobility days each week, with one endurance and mobility training session consisting of speed running. Follow
the guidelines listed below:
􀁺 Conduct strength and mobility training every other day.
􀁺 Conduct endurance and mobility training (running) every other day. This also applies to foot marches
more than 5 km in the toughening phase.
􀁺 Avoid conducting foot marches and endurance and mobility training on the same or consecutive
days.
􀁺 Perform speed running once per week, preferably in the middle of the week. In the sustaining phase,
speed running may be conducted twice per week for well-conditioned Soldiers.
􀁺 A typical five-day training week will include two or three strength and mobility days that alternate
with two or three endurance and mobility days.
􀁺 Conduct the preparation drill before the APFT. If required, Soldiers may perform push-ups in
conditioning drill 1 on their knees. After the conclusion of the AFPT, the recovery drill is conducted.
􀁺 Schedule APFTs so Soldiers have advance notice. Preferably, the APFT should be scheduled on
Monday to allow for recovery provided by the weekend. If the APFT is not conducted on a Monday,
no PRT should be conducted on the day before the APFT.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

BUILDING TRUST OUTSIDE LINES OF AUTHORITY

7-67. Forming effective, cohesive teams is often the first challenge of a leader working outside a
traditional command structure. These teams usually have to be formed from disparate groups who are
unfamiliar with military and Army customs and culture. Without some measure of trust, nothing will work
as well. To establish trust, the leader will have to identify areas of common interests and goals. Trust
between two people or two groups is based largely on being able to anticipate what the others understand
and how they will respond in various situations. Keeping others informed also builds trust. Cementing and
sustaining trust depends on following through on commitments.

7-68. Successful teams develop an infectious winner’s attitude. Problems are challenges rather than
obstacles. Cohesive teams accomplish missions much more efficiently than a loose group of individuals.
While developing seamless teams is ideal, sometimes it will not be practical to bring disparate groups
together.

Monday, January 2, 2012

The Goal of US Army Physical Readiness Training PRT

GOAL
5-1. The overall goal of the Army Physical Fitness Training Program is to develop Soldiers who are
physically capable and ready to perform their duty assignments or combat roles and to promote good health,
resiliency and physical readiness through exercise. To best plan PRT to achieve this goal, leaders must know
the PRT system. Chapter 2 explains the Army PRT goal. Adherence to the exercise principles of precision,
progression and integration are key to program effectiveness and injury control. These principles of exercise
should be used in developing all PRT schedules.