PATRIOT’S ARMY – PLATOON 1.2

Welcome to (PATRIOT'S ARMY PLATOON 1.2), this will be your 3rd stop after completing (PATRIOT'S ARMY BOOT CAMP 1.0 & NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS 1.1), get ready to take on a whole new role, higher ranks, more responsibility, the pressure rises!

PROGRESSION AFTER SPENDING YOUR 1ST 16 MONTHS IN THE PATRIOT'S ARMY

10)   Your 1st move forward will be Sergeant First Class (Platoon Sergeant) (E-7) The SFC is the first level at which the term senior NCO properly applies. The platoon sergeant or sergeant first class generally has 16 months or more of PATRIOT'S ARMY experience and is rightfully expected to bring that experience to bear in quick, accurate decisions that are in the best interest of the mission and the soldier. Depending on experience and billet assignments, the SFC's role may be that of platoon sergeant or NCOIC (NCO in Charge) of the section. (Your time in this stage will last 16 months total from the start of training, with a 2 month ratio of locating a target, reporting the target, and a kill ratio of 20 Enemy Eliminations).

'Platoon Sergeant' is a duty position, not a rank, the platoon sergeant is the primary assistant and advisor to the platoon leader, with the responsibility of training and caring for soldiers. The platoon sergeant takes charge of the platoon in the absence of the platoon leader. Platoon sergeants teach collective and individual tasks to soldiers in their squads, crews or equivalent small units. The position title of platoon sergeant is considered key in the command structure of the Army. The platoon sergeant generally has several staff sergeants who work under his direct leadership. During the Vietnam era, the platoon sergeant was affectionately referred to as the "Plat-Daddy", and although the term has since faded, the role remains that of the "Father of the Platoon."

11)   Your 2nd move forward will be Master Sergeant (E-8) The Master Sergeant's Roles and Responsibilities - The Master Sergeant is the principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a First Sergeant, but expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism. (Your time in this stage will last 18 months total from the start of training, with a 2 month ratio of locating a target, reporting the target, and a kill ratio of 20 Enemy Eliminations).

12)   Your 3rd move forward will be First Sergeant (E-8) The Sergeant First Class's Roles and Responsibilities - When you are talking about the first sergeant you are talking about the life-blood of the Army. When 1SGs are exceptional, their units are exceptional, regardless of any other single personality involved. Perhaps their rank insignia should be the keystone rather than the traditional one depicted here. It is the first sergeant at whom almost all unit operations merge. The first sergeant holds formations, instructs platoon sergeants, advises the Commander, and assists in training of all enlisted members. (Your time in this stage will last 20 months total from the start of training, with a 2 month ratio of locating a target, reporting the target, and a kill ratio of 40 Enemy Eliminations).

The 1SG may swagger and appear, at times, somewhat of an exhibitionist, but he is not egotistical. The first sergeant is proud of the unit and, understandably, wants others to be aware of his unit's success. The title of address for this grade is not sergeant, but first sergeant! There is a unique relationship of confidence and respect that exists between the first sergeant and the Commander not found at another level within the Army. In the German Army, the first sergeant is referred to as the "Mother of the Company."  The first sergeant is the provider, the disciplinarian, the wise counselor, the tough and unbending foe, the confidant, the sounding board, everything that we need in a leader during our personal success or failure. The Mother of the Company...

13)    Your 4th move forward will be Sergeant Major (E-9) The Sergeant Major's Roles and responsibilities - The SGM is the key enlisted member of staff elements at levels higher than battalion. The sergeant major's experience and ability are equal to that of the command sergeant major, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge. (Your time in this stage will last 22 months total from the start of training, with a 2 month ratio of locating a target, reporting the target, and a kill ratio of 25 Enemy Eliminations).

14)    Your 5th move forward will be Command Sergeant Major (E-9) The Command Sergeant Major's Roles and Responsibilities - Enlisted soldiers who attain the distinction of being selected by the Department of the PATRIOT'S ARMY for participation in the command sergeant’s major program are the epitome of success in their chosen field, in this profession of arms. There is no higher grade of rank, except Sergeant Major of the PATRIOT’S ARMY, for enlisted soldiers and there is no greater honor. The command sergeant major carries out policies and standards of the performance, training, advancement, and conduct of enlisted personnel. The command sergeant major advises and initiates recommendations to the commander and staff in matters pertaining to the local NCO support channel. Perhaps slightly wiser and more experienced than the first sergeant, the CSM is expected to function completely without supervision. Like the old sage of times past, the command sergeant major's counsel is expected to be calm, settled and unequivocally accurate, but with an energy and enthusiasm that never wanes, even in the worst of times. Assignable to any billet in the Army, the CSM is all those things, and more, of each of the preceding grades of rank. (Your time in this stage will last 24 months total from the start of training, with a 2 month ratio of locating a target, reporting the target, and a kill ratio of 30 Enemy Eliminations).

15)   Your 6th & FINAL move forward will be The Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9S) The Sergeant Major of PATRIOT'S ARMY (SMA) is a rank held by only one enlisted Soldier at a time. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member in the Army. The SMA's primary function is to address the issues of enlisted soldiers at the Army's highest levels. The SMA is the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff and is selected based on his (or her) outstanding leadership, extensive experience, and ability to communicate both up and down the Army chain of command. The SMA is giving the highest level of honor and respect of any other enlisted Patriot. Each SMA's duties are determined by the current Chief of Staff. However, as a rule the SMA serves as the Army hierarchy's eyes and ears keeping the Chief of Staff abreast on virtually any subject that affects enlisted Soldiers and their families. (Your time in this stage will last 26 months total from the start of training, with a 2 month ratio of locating a target, reporting the target, and a kill ratio of 35 Enemy Eliminations).

IN CONCLUSION, THIS IS YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND, ITS HARD WORK, YOU HAVE TO COMMIT YOUSELF, WORK HARD TO ACHEAVE HIGHER RANKS, THROUGH TIME, EXPERIENCE, AND THE TYPE'S OF ABILITIES AND SKILLS YOU HAVE, YOU WILL MOVE FORWARD AND SOME DAY RUN YOUR OWN PLATOON. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES NEEDED?