Every day is a good day..

The lost art of Drill and Ceremony

2011-11-22T15:40:00.004-05:00

After 10 years of fighting the Global War on Terror, I have witnessed our young leaders losing those “basic” perishable skills that equate to building disciple and junior leader development! Whether our Soldiers are in a physical fitness formation, saluting the flag or Officer in passing, or merely casually speaking to a Senior Non Commissioned Officer or Commissioned Officer, the discipline of our Soldiers is deteriorating quickly and needs to vastly improve.

As leaders, are we ensuring that our subordinates (both Officer and Enlisted) are conducting adequate drill and ceremony practice when time permits? Do our Soldiers at least have the confidence in their ability to conduct a change of command, change of responsibility or even a pass and review ceremony? More importantly, can they take charge of a formation on the spot?
Drill and Ceremony is important to good order and discipline because it prepares our Troops for combat by rapidly carrying out orders. Every week when we conduct Officer physical training, we take the 10 minutes prior, “form up”, and drill all of our leaders. What have you seen done and what are your recommendations to how we can fix the problem OR do you think that our Army is good to go?

Mountain Masochist 50++ Miler race report

2011-11-11T21:28:00.000-05:00

MMTR

There was no anxiety level this time which was really odd. Two months prior I ran my first 50 miler in just under 11 hours so I know that I had what it took to go the distance. The only real concern of course was the mental challenges associated with the elevation changes and the 12-hour time limit/cut-off times at each aid stations.

October wasn’t really a good month for running for me. I only logged 103 miles and 32 of those were a 50k I did earlier in the month. The longest run that I did in the weeks prior to the Masochist was a 16 miler. I remember getting one of Clark’s emails stating “I hope you are all tapering”..I thought “heck, I haven’t even begun training yet!” Nevertheless, once you are registered, you are committed.

The only goal that I set for this race was to finish; that’s it! This was Ultra # 7 for me and since they were all different in nature, it was hard to judge where I would be at over the course as far as time was concerned. I asked so many friends advice about the race but when you ask 10 different Ultra runners the same question “so, how long is the MMTR”, you pretty much get 10 different answers. Their answers all ranged between 51 and 54 miles. The advice that Josh Yeoman gave me the day prior was “the race doesn’t really start until mile 29”. I kept this in mind throughout the morning basically trying to convince myself that I was going to only run a marathon but I had to run 26 miles first to get to the start point.

0600hrs on race morning- It seemed like if I wasn’t standing in line at the port-o-potty, I was jammed in the bus trying to maintain those last few precious minutes of warmth. I was very thankful for the warm toilet seat…it’s the little things in life that makes our moral high! At 0635hrs, I stretched for a few minutes. At 0630hrs, Horton said the prayer and we were off. The first 55 minutes of the race was either on the BRP or State Route 501 so I was not a fan of that BUT..I knew that once we hit aid station 1 at mile 5.7, we would all be on the Northward trek! I did my best to not look at my watch to keep track of time and distance (for mental reasons) and also tried hard to not look at the white boards at each aid station that had distances and cut off times on them. Creeping up at Dancing Creek at mile 11.2 there was a good size crowd which was motivating. Why cowbells impact the psyche is beyond my knowledge. Even better was Terry who shouted “Go Army” to me and seeing Muffy behind the table of food boosted my spirits. The toughest part of the race for me was between aid stations 3 and 7 (miles 11.2 and 22.3). I felt real alone during this time and besides the few aid stations over the period of 2-2.5 hours, I don’t recall passing anyone or getting passed. I recalled thinking about tapping out for whatever reason but I can’t recall why. Perhaps my mind was spinning with the realization that the race would never end and that I wasn’t even close to being halfway complete. It wasn’t until I bumped into Blake Edmondson around mile 22 or 23 where my mind started getting back into the fight. It was perfect timing too because I had just thought “man..20 miles down…I still have a 50k left”. As we talked and walked up the hills Blake, being a veteran of the MMTR, sort of gave me the mental snapshot of what was yet to come (hills, flat sections, etc..) and told me that if we were at 5.5 hours at mile 26.9 (Buck Mountain) then we would pretty much be good to go for completion unless of course “we totally fell apart!”.

I got to the halfway point right at 5 hours and 30 minutes. Keeping Blake’s comment in the back of my mind, I tried not to get delayed. I spent about 3 or 4 minutes at my drop bag; swapped shirts, tossed on the Sox cap and took a few seconds to enjoy the sun’s rays on the skin…I fell back from Blake but I bumped into Martha, who I continued to play leap frog with for the next 5 hours. At mile 33.6 – The Loop (in), I got a cup of warm Ramon noodles which hit the spot!! I bumped back into Blake and thanked him for his subliminal encouragement during the previous 10 miles. At about 2 miles into the ‘Loop’, I was feeling really good and started passing people (which, for me, is unusual). I don’t know if it was the Ramon or the fact of knowing that I was over the hump but I passed 7 people in that section. At mile 38.6 – The Loop (out), was the same deal with the Ramon but this time I washed it down with a half a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon..not sure who provided that but it helped the motivation level.

From miles 41-50+, Mike, Martha and I all ran together and they definitely helped me out through the tough sections. We picked off another 4 or 5 runners prior to hitting aid station 15 and with only 4 miles of downhill to go, we were right at about 10:20 hrs into it. I thought maybe it was possible to get a sub-11:00 and we pushed it pretty hard. Martha took off from Mike and I and after seeing the 1-mile marking on the ground, I was getting so excited knowing that I was actually going the finish my toughest race ever. With every bend of the road I was anxiously anticipating seeing the end but couldn’t. Once I began hearing the crowd and seeing civilization in the distance, I knew that it was only 2 or 3 more minutes of running. My first visual was the clock and it read 10:57; and change…the next was Clark’s smiling face shaking my hand and Horton congratulating me.. It was a victory for completion and a PR for me to try to beat next year. Next on the bucket list is the Hellgate and the Grindstone.

Mike ~ Psalms 144:1

Toxic Leadership

2011-11-08T19:52:00.000-05:00

Each and everyday we are surrounded by those that are in positions to make decisions that effect our daily lives.

What are some observations that you have pertaining to bad leaders within your organization or ....what are some characteristics that good leaders have that you wish others would?

~Disclaimer:
“The views expressed in this Blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

Intro of MAJ Donahue

2011-11-07T21:01:00.000-05:00

I am a native of Massachusetts. I attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Columbus, Ohio where I received an Associate’s Degree in Electronics. I enlisted in the Army in 1995 as a 95B (Military Policeman) serving at the 447th Military Police Company, Columbus, Ohio; Law Enforcement Command, Fort Knox, KY; United Nations Command Security Battalion - Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, South Korea and both the United States Army Infantry Center (USAIC) and 988th Military Police Companies at Fort Benning, GA. I attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps in April 2000. I attended the Signal Officer Basic Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia and in Oct 2000 was assigned to C Co, 82nd Signal Battalion, FT Bragg, North Carolina as a Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) Platoon Leader for 18 months. I entered the U.S. Army Degree Completion Program in March 2002 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Campbell University in July 2003. In May 2004 upon completion of the Signal Captains Career Course I was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division as the Battalion Signal Officer for 2^nd Battalion, 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment and, in March of 2005, I deployed with Task Force Devil to Eastern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In April 2006, I took command of C Co, 1BSTB (1BCT, 82^nd Airborne Division) where, in June 2007, I led my company with Task Force Devil to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time, I was responsible for a Combat Outpost conducting Full Spectrum Operations with two Route Security Platoons and one Quick Reaction Platoon. In addition to managing the planning and integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets; attack aviation, demolitions, counter surveillance, and 120mm and 60mm mortar fire support, my mission was primarily focused on Counter Insurgency operations along 80 miles of Main Supply Route and Civil Military Operation amongst 8 Iraqi Tribes and within 14 local villages. Upon successful completion of 24 months as Company Commander, I was assigned to the 10^th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team (MiTT) for my last three months in Iraq serving as the G6 communication advisor. After transitioning to Liberty University Army ROTC where I was the Assistant Professor of Military Science for 24 months, I was assigned as the 35^th Tactical Theater Signal Brigade where I served as the Brigade Plans Officer for 8 months and then served as the Battalion Operation Officer for the 63^rd Signal Battalion for 5 months.

My military education includes the Military Police School, NBC Defense School, Instructor Training Course, Field Sanitation School, Combat Lifesaver Course, Airborne School, Primary Leader Development Course, Signal Officer Basic Course, Signal Captains Career Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Brigade and Battalion S6 Course, Jumpmaster Course, the Iraq Counter Insurgency Course and the US Army Cadet Command Faculty Development Course. I am currently in the Intermediate Level Education course until March 2012. My awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (w/oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (w/oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (w/second oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (w/ second oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/ bronze star), Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, German Armed Force Efficiency Badge (Gold award), German Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Signal Regimental Bronze Order of Mercury.

I have been on active duty in the Army for 16 years traveling all over the world and my goal is to serve 20-22 years then I will think about retiring. My personal goals are completing my Doctorate Degree as an Educational Specialist (two classes remaining) and also in Educational Leadership. My military goals are to attend Ranger school, and be a Battalion Commander.

ATW,

MAJ Michael J. Donahue

NIPR: michael.j.donahue@conus.army.mil

SIPR: michael.j.donahue@us.army.smil.mil

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=611841446

~Disclaimer:
“The views expressed in this Blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”