SFAS Preparation Book - Page 20

Hammock · 04-15-2009, 18:35

The Recruit Sustainment Program -- a place to keep enlistees who have not yet gone to BCT, or who are between BCT and AIT. The program's main goal is to prepare recruits to attend BCT, so they put great emphasis on doing things very much by the book. In this case, that meant that the knots tying the shoelaces should not be visible, which is impossible to accomplish if you tie them in two stages.

Hammock

Dozer523 · 04-15-2009, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammock

At our last drill (with the local RSP of the FLARNG) we had a 6-mile road march. I showed up with my boot's shoelaces tied in two stages the way that the book recommends, so that they are tight on the feet and looser on the calf. The cadre were not impressed and, remarking that such an arrangement was nonmilitary, made me tie them normally. They did ask where I had learned to tie my boots that way, and I almost told them that I had read about it in a book called Get Selected! about preparing for the special forces, but I held my tongue and muttered vaguely about the internet.

Hammock

They are your feet. You aren't going to let a little "what the. . . " from a "THEY" are you.

You want it, right? You should have told them the truth. Drive on!

pjg45 · 04-16-2009, 06:26

On a side note (sorry if this is off topic) - just got my book yesterday in the mail. I am half way through reading it, and I am going to finish it up today at breakfast. It is a fast read for anybody thinking about buying it (at least for me, since it is in my interests) and I would definitely recommend the half I have read already. Tossing in my 2 pennies.

pjg45

Dozer523 · 04-16-2009, 06:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjg45

On a side note (sorry if this is off topic) - just got my book yesterday in the mail. I am half way through reading it, and I am going to finish it up today at breakfast. It is a fast read for anybody thinking about buying it (at least for me, since it is in my interests) and I would definitely recommend the half I have read already. Tossing in my 2 pennies.

pjg45

The Breakfast of Champions!

I'm sure the first of many reads.

Then you can study it.

Good luck.

ZonieDiver · 04-16-2009, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjg45

On a side note (sorry if this is off topic) - just got my book yesterday in the mail. I am half way through reading it, and I am going to finish it up today at breakfast. It is a fast read for anybody thinking about buying it (at least for me, since it is in my interests) and I would definitely recommend the half I have read already. Tossing in my 2 pennies.

pjg45

You're going to read HALF a book at breakfast? That's a hell of a breakfast, even if it were a comic book (which it is not).

Hammock · 04-16-2009, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer523

They are your feet. You aren't going to let a little "what the. . . " from a "THEY" are you.

You want it, right? You should have told them the truth. Drive on!

I appreciate your point, but strictly speaking, "they" are probably right. The regulation governing the wear and care of the ACU states in relevant part that: "5E1. ARMY COMBAT BOOTS (HOT WEATHER AND TEMPERATE WEATHER) . . . . THE BOOTS ARE LACED DIAGONALLY WITH TAN LACES, WITH THE EXCESS LACE TUCKED INTO THE TOP OF THE BOOT UNDER THE BLOUSED TROUSERS."

The SSG (a veteran of the 1st ID) who told me about the laces was passing down an order from the MSG. The SSG didn't care personally, but he was going to make damn sure I laced the boots the way the MSG wanted. I think it would have betrayed a lack of SA to have pressed the issue. This is not a high-speed unit and I am not looking to stand out other than through excelling in PT (at that drill I scored 321) and learning as much as I can. I doubt that how the boots are laced would be a problem at the 20th Group NQP program, for example.

That being said, I am trying to come up with a way to improve upon the two-part lacing system that does not call so much attention to itself.

Hammock

Warrior-Mentor · 04-16-2009, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammock

I appreciate your point, but strictly speaking, "they" are probably right. The regulation governing the wear and care of the ACU states in relevant part that: "5E1. ARMY COMBAT BOOTS (HOT WEATHER AND TEMPERATE WEATHER) . . . . THE BOOTS ARE LACED DIAGONALLY WITH TAN LACES, WITH THE EXCESS LACE TUCKED INTO THE TOP OF THE BOOT UNDER THE BLOUSED TROUSERS."

The SSG (a veteran of the 1st ID) who told me about the laces was passing down an order from the MSG. The SSG didn't care personally, but he was going to make damn sure I laced the boots the way the MSG wanted. I think it would have betrayed a lack of SA to have pressed the issue. This is not a high-speed unit and I am not looking to stand out other than through excelling in PT (at that drill I scored 321) and learning as much as I can. I doubt that how the boots are laced would be a problem at the 20th Group NQP program, for example.

That being said, I am trying to come up with a way to improve upon the two-part lacing system that does not call so much attention to itself.

Hammock

Smart. The first SOF Imperative: Know your operational environment.

Have a set of boots you roadmarch with...and set for the drills you have with the conventional folks. I didn't know or use the dual lacing system when I went to basic training (1989). Not sure how the drill sergeants would have responded to it...guessing neutral at best by ignoring it.

**The Reaper** · 04-16-2009, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammock

I appreciate your point, but strictly speaking, "they" are probably right. The regulation governing the wear and care of the ACU states in relevant part that: "5E1. ARMY COMBAT BOOTS (HOT WEATHER AND TEMPERATE WEATHER) . . . . THE BOOTS ARE LACED DIAGONALLY WITH TAN LACES, WITH THE EXCESS LACE TUCKED INTO THE TOP OF THE BOOT UNDER THE BLOUSED TROUSERS."

The SSG (a veteran of the 1st ID) who told me about the laces was passing down an order from the MSG. The SSG didn't care personally, but he was going to make damn sure I laced the boots the way the MSG wanted. I think it would have betrayed a lack of SA to have pressed the issue. This is not a high-speed unit and I am not looking to stand out other than through excelling in PT (at that drill I scored 321) and learning as much as I can. I doubt that how the boots are laced would be a problem at the 20th Group NQP program, for example.

That being said, I am trying to come up with a way to improve upon the two-part lacing system that does not call so much attention to itself.

Hammock

I agree.

You have to choose the moment to defy authority and when flaunt your individuality.

Since the people telling you to comply with the Army regulation were senior to you, in your chain of command, correct, and control whether you get to go to SFAS or not, IMHO, you made the right decision.

TR

pjg45 · 04-16-2009, 15:35

Actually it was a Large Chic-Fil-A Coffee (x2 Refills) and the back half was not as long as I thought it would be. Several Appendixes and about 15 resource pages. I got a few funny looks sitting in the mall reading a book - Thank goodness I finished up by 0930

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

You're going to read HALF a book at breakfast? That's a hell of a breakfast, even if it were a comic book (which it is not).

baofeibo · 04-21-2009, 20:27

Thanks very much for writing this book! A great and informative read.

baofeibo

Richard · 04-21-2009, 20:37

Quote:

Smart. The first SOF Imperative: Know your operational environment.

Actually, that's the third one in my book, the first being know yourself and the second being know your team's capabilities.

Richard's $.02

Warrior-Mentor · 04-21-2009, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Actually, that's the third one in my book, the first being know yourself and the second being know your team's capabilities.

Richard's $.02

...and I thought you were gonna get Sun Tsu on me

"...know yourself and know your enemy..."

Richard · 04-21-2009, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

...and I thought you were gonna get Sun Tsu on me

"...know yourself and know your enemy..."

Sun Tsu was a [acronym for a furry critter with no testicles]

Richard's $.02

jrc · 04-26-2009, 16:10

Just ordered this book, and I can't wait to read it.
I'm about to Graduate (MAY09) and get my Bachelor's, then it's a summer of training before I enlist! Hopefully this book will help me in my journey.

Richard · 04-26-2009, 16:14

Quote:

...then it's a summer of training before I enlist! Hopefully this book will help me in my journey.

Make sure the girls strolling by in their bikinis can see the cover while you're reading - that might be of help there, too.

Richard's $.02