Thursday, January 24, 2013

Leader Responsibilities


Leader Responsibilities
The counseling process does not end with the initial counseling session. It continues throughout the implementation of the plan of action, consistent with the observed results. Sometimes, the initial plan of action will require modification to meet its goals. Leaders must consistently support their subordinates in implementing the plan of action by teaching, coaching, mentoring, or providing additional time, referrals, and other appropriate resources. Additional measures may include more focused follow-up counseling, informing the chain of command, and taking more severe corrective measures.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

EXERCISE 3: MOUNTAIN CLIMBER


EXERCISE 3: MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

Purpose: This exercise develops the ability to quickly move the legs to power out of the front leaning rest position (Figure 6-87).

Starting Position: Front leaning rest position with the left foot below the chest and between the arms.

Cadence: MODERATE

Count:
1. Push upward with the feet and quickly change positions of the legs.
2. Return to the starting position.
3. Repeat the movements in count 1.
4. Return to the starting position.



Figure 6-87. Mountain climber from the APRT book

Check Points:
Place the hands directly below the shoulders, fingers spread (middle fingers point straight ahead) with the elbows straight, not locked.

To prevent the trunk from sagging, tighten the abdominal muscles and maintain this contraction throughout the exercise. Do not raise the hips when moving throughout the exercise.

Align the head with the spine and keep the eyes directed to a point about two feet in front of the body. Throughout the exercise, stay on the balls of the feet.
Move the legs straight forward and backward, not at angles.

Precautions: N/A

Thursday, January 3, 2013

US Army Leader Defined

Army Leadership

1-1. An enduring expression for Army leadership has been BE-KNOW-DO. Army leadership begins with what the leader must BE—the values and attributes that shape character. It may be helpful to think of these as internal and defining qualities possessed all the time. As defining qualities, they make up the identity of the leader.

1-2. Who is an Army leader? An Army leader is anyone who by virtue of assumed role or assigned responsibility inspires and influences people to accomplish organizational goals. Army leaders motivate people both inside and outside the chain of command to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization.

  1-3. Values and attributes are the same for all leaders, regardless of position, although refined through experience and assumption of positions of greater responsibility. For example, a sergeant major with combat experience may have a deeper understanding of selfless service and personal courage than a new Soldier.
 
1-4. The knowledge that leaders should use in leadership is what Soldiers and Army civilians KNOW. Leadership requires knowing about tactics, technical systems, organizations, management of resources, and the tendencies and needs of people. Knowledge shapes a leader’s identity and is reinforced by a leader’s actions.

 1-5. While character and knowledge are necessary, by themselves they are not enough. Leaders cannot be effective until they apply what they know. What leaders DO, or leader actions, is directly related to the influence they have on others and what is done. As with knowledge, leaders will learn more about leadership as they serve in different positions.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Blog of an Obstacle Racer



The following is an excerpt from a blog. The blog references Army Physical Readiness Training; check it out.

Run 5.5 miles and begin with an easy pace. Make sure you stretch just a little to get the kinks out of your legs. Once ready, head out the door to your favorite trail and go.
As you run, pour it on for about thirty seconds and then jog for five minutes. This will get you used to forcing sprints and demanding something from your body when you need it.

Be sure to not only run off the paved areas, but along grass, ditches and where ever your adventures take you. During my run I jumped across narrow ditches that run perpendicular to my course and through ditches that run parallel to the course.
If you run through neighborhoods, run in grass and stay off the sidewalks. You might have to dodge poles and mailboxes, but it will keep you sharp.

For those of you who live in Huntsville, Alabama and who might work on Redstone Arsenal, we have a fitness trail. The run covers miles and miles of asphalt trail. However, when possible I run the just off the trail and through leaves, woods and fields. My run goes from the Von Braun II building to the swimming pool and then back.

Try these obstacles from the Army Physical Readiness Training book. They are fun:


Thursday, December 6, 2012

EXERCISE 2: MEDIAL LEG RAISE


EXERCISE 2: MEDIAL LEG RAISE
(5 repetitions on each side)
Purpose: This exercise strengthens the inner thigh and hip muscles (Figure 6-11).

Starting Position 1: Lay on the left side with the left leg extended straight to the side and the right leg bent at 90 degrees with the right foot flat on the ground behind the left leg. Support the upper body with the left elbow. The
elbow is bent at 90 degrees, the upper arm is perpendicular to the ground and the right hand makes a fist vertical to the ground.

Starting Position 2: Lay on the right side with the right leg extended straight to the side and the left leg bent at 90 degrees with the left foot flat on the ground behind the right leg. Support the upper body with the right elbow. The elbow is bent at 90 degrees, the upper arm is perpendicular to the ground and the left hand makes a fist vertical to the ground.

Commands: The commands for the lateral leg raise are as follows:
􀁺 Starting Position, MOVE.
􀁺 Ready, EXERCISE.
􀁺 Change Position, MOVE.
􀁺 Ready, EXERCISE.
􀁺 Starting Position, MOVE.
􀁺 Position of Attention, MOVE.

Cadence: SLOW

Count:
1. Raise the bottom leg so the bottom foot is 6-8 inches above the ground.
2. Return to the starting position.
3. Raise the bottom leg so the bottom foot is 6-8 inches above the ground.
4. Return to the starting position.

Figure 6-11. Medial leg raise



Check Points:
􀁺 Keep the hips facing forward and the body in a generally straight line.
􀁺 Keep the toes facing forward on the bottom leg.
􀁺 Place the top hand over the stomach throughout the exercise.
􀁺 Do not raise the bottom foot higher than 6-8 inches above the ground.

Precaution: N/A

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Preparing to eat wild game..


d. Medium Sized Mammals.
The game you trap or snare will generally be alive when you find it and is therefore dangerous. Be careful when you approach a trapped animal. Use a spear or club to kill it so you can keep a safe distance from it. After you kill an animal, immediately bleed it by cutting its throat. If you must drag the carcass any distance, do so before you cut off the hide so that the carcass is protected from dirt and debris that might contaminate it. Clean the animal near a stream if possible so that you can wash and cool the carcass and edible parts. Fleas and parasites will leave a cooled body so if the situation allows, wait until the animal cools before cleaning and dressing the carcass. To skin and dress the animal (Figure 14-14 and Figure 14-15).