Rolf Holmquist’s Post

Today, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith, signed the U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Annual Report (TEAR). Published and distributed by Lieutenant General Kevin M. Iiams, the commanding general of Training and Education Command, TEAR is the first annual report to be released since the publishing of Training and Education 2030 (TE2030) by General David H. Berger, the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps. The 14-page document outlines how TECOM has organized, progressed, and accomplished the 37 Force Design directed actions from TE2030. “The Training and Education Annual Report is another milestone on our modernization journey,” said Gen. Smith. “We continue to deliver on our promise to Congress, the Joint Force, our Allies and partners, and our Marines to ensure we are postured, manned, trained, and equipped for a peer fight while ensuring we remain ready for any crisis. I can’t say enough about the efforts of Lt. Gen. Iiams and his team, who keep pushing us forward. Our Corps remains at the cutting edge of training and education, which allows our Marines to continue to survive and thrive in any clime and place.” TECOM has codified Three Primary Projects, also known as the Three Ts, to accomplish its Force Design obligations: Project Triumph, Project Trident, and Project Tripoli. Collectively, these projects are providing the Fleet Marine Force with the standards, curriculum, and training environments it needs to prepare, fight, and win in the future highly contested multi-domain battle space. To learn more about the Three Ts, read the full press release and download a copy of the report ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/et-239R2

As annual training wraps up I like to reflect on the lessons learned. Lessons learned at AT, working hard with the Soldiers at drill, and my time in this unit that will be coming to a close. Thanks to the Airmen and Marines who trained with us as well. I learned a lot but there are some main take aways. - The importance of being able to take lessons from the civilian job and apply it to one's military career, as well as Vice Versa - Being flexible and understanding that your limited perspective is just a small piece of the whole picture, thus priorities can change at a moments notice. - It's easier to build a solid team and teach Soldiers how to maintain their own careers than only making deadlines last minute and playing catch up. - There's always training that can be conducted. Even without the proper resources, small trainings can build confidence and add up over time. - consistency is one of the key factors to performance.

“Think about the difference between training and education. Training helps me understand the checklist. I can do XYZ and it's a known. Education really prepares you for the unknown. Being in a classroom and being educated makes us think more critically about a particular topic.” Chief Master Sgt. Stefan Blazier Air University command chief Learn more as Blazier and Dr. Yolanda Williams, the provost and institutional accreditation administrator for #AirUniversity, discuss the differences between education and training and what each prepare Airmen to do. #EducationVsTraining

No offense to anyone of course, but I think this is pretty silly... "Faculty Advisor." There was a time when this enlightened "end state" came early and naturally to every Marine via the many enduring official and unofficial counseling / mentoring processes the Marine Corps used to expouse and embrace (nay...demand)..you know, the ones Marines were CONSTANTLY immersed in. Remember official Counseling and Training Jackets...useful tools to help Marines as needed 24/7/365...as opposed to something 100% electronic useful only to go on Christmas / New Years leave? The "mentoring epiphanies" provided by the course were also an end-state of beginner PME...such as graduating NCO school...yes, NCO School. We might want to also stop watering down the implied billet expectations and responsibilities of Squad Leaders, Platoon Sergeants, Platoon Commanders, 1st Sgts and Sgts Majors...and of the other myriad grownups in uniform. ----------- "MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – The U.S. Marine Corps’ Training & Education Command held its very first graduation for the new military occupational specialty Faculty Advisor at Marine Corps University, April 24, 2024. “The new 0961 faculty advisor MOS is a better tuned process,” said Master Sgt. Saul H. Lopez, a task analyst with TECOM. “It seeks out knowledgeable and personable Marines who understand human dimensions and can articulate information with a more acceptable delivery in teaching, coaching, and mentoring young Marines for a more efficient war fighting organization.” This new academic MOS identifies staff noncommissioned officers who are professionally trained in understanding and mentoring Marines on personal and professional goals, to include career paths and higher education. The 16 graduates left the course with a deep understanding of military requirements and academic pursuits, a skillset that can help them navigate the planning process for opportunities that may be available to their Marines in and outside of the Marine Corps. The faculty advisor course is not specific to any MOS and those who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply."

6 years enlisted in the Marine Corps & 15 years as an Army Officer (3x Battalion S3 Operations Officer/Project Manager), taught me the unequivocal value of preparatory commands. Whether marching troops from A to B as a Sergeant or writing out a detailed order & timeline for 2,500 personnel, preparatory commands/warning orders (WARNO) are essential for successful execution of the mission. As an S3 primary in 3 different organizations, one of my favorite sayings was, "A person is smart but people are stupid. if you want a group of people to do what you want, and do it well the first time, you have to dummy proof it by warning them what you plan to do in summary (express your intent, critical actions, & end state), put this in writing (Order) using simple language and specific instructions by phase, & finally provide a detailed timeline with milestones (sync matrix) that will serve as a roadmap to keep everyone aligned. In a group, humans mill around until someone gets their attention and tells them what's coming before it gets there. If it takes a few seconds for a military formation to get the drift, a civilian gaggle takes an hour." But it all starts with that WARNO, that critical preparatory command. Marines know how to march. We spend 2 weeks in boot camp just marching. Yet, without a preparatory command, even the best Marines will struggle to execute as one. If you want to execute well, you need to start off on the right foot, & you do this by always issuing preparatory commands. As a platoon leader in combat, as a good S3, as a company Commander, I learned that in order for the mission to go well, a lot depended on the quality of my initial WARNO / preparatory command. Good initial sync & great outcomes are influenced by solid preparatory commands. "In the military, orders given by a senior to a junior member are typically given in two parts: the preparatory command which is intended to ready you for action; and the command of execution which tells you when to take action." "When people know where they are supposed to go & when they are supposed to move, it is easy to get people from one place to another or to accomplish a specific task. When leaders skip the preparatory command and go to straight to the command of execution, confusion can ensue if it isn’t entirely clear what people are supposed to do. As a leader, think carefully about what you do to prepare people for action. What do you do to get their attention? Clear your throat? If you are a conductor, you might tap the sheet music stand with your baton. Or you may rise from a seated position in a meeting. The signals we give to people can have a major impact on how people react to us. Consideration of how thoughts are transferred from one person to another, especially if an action is required, can impact your success." #WARNO #Ordersprocess #Preparatorycommand #Sync #Bestbusinesspractice #PM #S3 #Projectmanagement #USMC #USA #Officership #Organizationalleadership

What is BUD/S? Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) training is a demanding 24- week training course that develops the SEAL candidates’ mental and physical stamina and leadership skills. Arguably the toughest military training in the world. NavySEALMuseumSD.org

The Military Brat Defence Academy (MBDA) is an educational institution that is often associated with the upbringing of children in military families, often referred to as "military brats." These children typically grow up in environments where discipline, respect, and a sense of duty are emphasized. While specific information about MBDA may vary depending on the location, the concept generally focuses on providing specialized education and training for students who are part of military families, preparing them for a future in defense-related professions or other fields requiring leadership and commitment. Key features of such academies often include: 1. Discipline and Structure: Reflecting the military ethos, MBDA provides a structured environment with a strong emphasis on discipline, punctuality, and responsibility. 2. Leadership Development: The academy aims to nurture leadership qualities in students, preparing them for roles in the military or other service-oriented careers. 3. Curriculum: The curriculum typically includes a mix of traditional academic subjects alongside specialized programs in physical fitness, survival skills, military history, and tactical training. 4. Physical Fitness: A significant focus is placed on physical fitness, teamwork, and resilience, which are key aspects of military life. 5. Character Building: In addition to academics, MBDA emphasizes moral values such as integrity, honor, and selflessness, key principles for students who may eventually serve in the armed forces. Military Brat Defence Academies may exist in different countries or regions, each with its own specific programs and structure but generally share the common goal of supporting the unique needs of students from military backgrounds while preparing them for both personal and professional success.

This hung in my classroom for 5 years as a Professional Military Education (PME) instructor during my ALS (Airmen Leadership School) and NCOA (Non-Commissioned Officer Academy) duty: "Son, we live in a world that needs PME, and that PME has to be taught by instructors with lesson plans. Who's gunna do it? YOU? I have a greater responsibility than you can possible fathom! You weep for washouts and you curse the curriculum. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, educates Airmen (capital A). You don' want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about in parties, you want me in that classroom. You NEED me in that classroom! We use words like cognitive objectives, affective learning, summative evaluations. We use these words as a backbone of a life spent teaching something. You use them as a punch line! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to one who rises and sleeps under this very blanket of education I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just say "Thank you" and be on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a dry erase marker and stand your post. Either way...(Fill in the blank) I know each career field had their own version of this for the tasks... What was yours? :) 😎 #USAF #nco #airmen #moviequote #mondaymotivation #thisactuallyhappened

This week I share my thoughts on the changing and ambiguous guidance given to the NCO Corps, which challenges our ability to master our roles. Check out my latest substack below.

<Partnering with Learners' Families> I'm honoured this morning to meet up with parents of the 59th cohort of Basic Specialisation Course 1, to articulaye to them how we conduct training here in the Naval Military Experts Institute, and clear anydoubts that they may have on the Navy and naval training. One of the most important aspects of running a schoolhouse and courses, is a strong partnership between the school and the families of our learners. This is even more important for military training, and for national service training. Parents and families of our young sailors must be given the opportunity to understand the training and environment that their child are going through, and provide a strong support system at home. In this way, our learners can reaffirm their commitment to defence even at home, regenerate adequately before they return back for (more) training. This is not unique to the military. Even the preschool centre that my 3-year-old kid goes to engages us as parents fairly frequently, even on weekends. Such engagement sessions reassures parents of the learning environment that our children are in, and reinforces learning even at home. I have come to realise that fostering a strong partnership with our learners is a critical component of enforcing seamless education. The strong purpose behind why we conduct Family Engagement Programmes like this, continues to drive educators like us to seek the strong partnership with the families of our learners. #nsss #fep