Returning to the Fundamentals of On-The-Spot Corrections
SPC Jonathan Leugers
As the Army continues to adapt to life in a post-GWOT world, we must also continue to
adapt to life in a post—COVID-19 world as well, which means bringing back fundamental
building blocks that fall under the categories of standards and discipline. These critical
components make up several key factors in ensuring soldiers are disciplined, physically and
mentally tough, and proficient in all aspects of their MOS and warfighting functions. A key
component to this is providing the NCO Corps with the tools and confidence necessary to
address immediate, or on-the-spot corrections that may immediately impede standards,
discipline and unit cohesion.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, we were suddenly faced with the mass closure of
businesses on and off military installations that impeded the everyday lives of soldiers and their
families. Although the effects of this were broad, and many examples can easily come to the
forefront of the mind, there were ripple effects too that weren’t immediately realized for their
depth and lasting effects. Trainees and Soldiers were now no longer able to visit barber shops
or clothing/surplus outlets in order to remain in compliance with AR 670-1 and local regulatory
standards. This resulted in an effective suspension of large portions of these standards which
resulted in several major changes across the force in how standards were enforced. For new
trainees, there was an absence in Drill Sergeants ability to uphold grooming and uniform
standards from day 0 of basic training. This meant that for the first time in the history of the
modern Army, soldiers were not subjected to on the spot corrections from the beginning of their
time in service. As we gradually came out of the haze of COVID, our focus shifted not towards
resuming the fundamentals of enforcing everyday standards, but on ensuring we were able to
pick up where we left off in providing a world-class defense of the United States. As such, we
have atrophied on our ability to promoted individuals into the ranks of the NCO Corps that were
“raised” in an Army that focused heavily on daily standards in regards to the most basic of
soldier functions, like wear and appearance of Army uniforms and grooming standards.
Within the last 2-3 years, the Army has focused on several programs designed to
provide soldiers with a better experience upon entering the Army, up through roughly 2-3 years
of service. This Is My Squad stated that “Squad leaders are the key to enforcing policy down to
the individual Soldier.” The second was the institution of the Corporal’s Initiative, which was
designed “to further strengthen the Army’s junior NCO corps, and will instill more than just
leadership skills.” While both provided purpose and direction, neither addressed the lack of
comfort or knowledge younger leaders had in their ability to provide soldiers with an on-the-spot
correction due to something being either out of regulation or out of line with the Army values.
Both also mentioned that its primary focus was to “lower sexual harassment/assault cases,
lower alcohol-related incidents, eradicate racism, and prevent suicides because units will now
take better care of and protect each other (Rempfer, 2019)”.
In his paper “Building a Foundation of Training Management and Discipline, DCSM
Nema Mobarkzadeh writes, “If handled incorrectly, leaders worry they open themselves up to an
Inspector General complaint, investigation, or at the very least, embarrassment.” This can be
rectified by utilizing things like Foundational Days, Leader’s Time Training, and Hip Pocket
Training to provider leaders an opportunity to learn the standards and regulations, and then flip
them utilizing a “train the trainer” method so as to ensure that formations in masse are brought
up to par on how best to ensure that soldiers are taking daily pride in not only their appearance
and behavior, but the appearance and behavior of seniors, peers and subordinates alike.
In short, on the spot corrections are a cornerstone of what makes the Army a welldisciplined organization. It provides a guideline that ensures every soldier is consistent in
displaying pride in their appearance, and an adherence to the Army values. We must ensure to
continue to uphold this fundamental standard as Non-Commissioned Officers.
References
“This Is My Squad” https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2021/April/Thisis-My-Squad/ Command Sgt. Maj. John A. Bamba & Staff Sgt. Oly A. Magofna April 23rd, 2021
“Soldiers to pin on corporal after
BLC”https://www.army.mil/article/247183/soldiers_to_pin_on_corporal_after_blc Joseph Lacdan, Army
News Service June 4, 2021
“Building a Foundation of Training Management and Discipline” DCSM Nema Mobarakzadeh, October
2023