thedrifter
09-17-07, 03:54 PM
Editorial: Put BEQ rules to practice
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Posted : September 24, 2007
Earlier this year, just a few months after the Corps released its updated campaign plan for bachelor enlisted quarters, then-Sgt. Maj. John Estrada started asking Marines how many of them had read it.
The result: Only two out of five typically raised their hands. “That ****es me off,” he said days before finishing his tour as sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
Estrada was especially angry because one of his main efforts as the Corps’ top enlisted leader was treating junior Marines more like grown-ups — and making sure that single Marines don’t get the short end of the stick when compared to married leathernecks.
Approved in November, the campaign plan is actually little more than an update to the 1999 version, which was approved but was never put into practice. It essentially gives single Marines more freedom and independence. It cuts the number of inspections so that Marines who keep their rooms squared away will be hassled less. It allows Marines to personalize their rooms with posters and pictures and relaxes restrictions on furniture.
While Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, who replaced Estrada in April, said he thinks many units are following the plan, he also said leaders need to educate all Marines, so everyone gets the word that it’s time to treat Marines like grown-ups.
As of Sept. 1, the Corps had awarded 17,327 personal combat decorations to enlisted Marines for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. While that’s not broken down by marital status, it’s logical to assume that a huge chunk of those numbers are single Marines living in barracks. If you trust them to fight for their country, you should trust them to clean up after themselves.
For those who haven’t done so already, it’s well past time to put these new rules into practice. Go to www.marinecorpstimes.com/benefits and read the policy. If you’re running a barracks, put this policy in effect.
Ellie
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Posted : September 24, 2007
Earlier this year, just a few months after the Corps released its updated campaign plan for bachelor enlisted quarters, then-Sgt. Maj. John Estrada started asking Marines how many of them had read it.
The result: Only two out of five typically raised their hands. “That ****es me off,” he said days before finishing his tour as sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
Estrada was especially angry because one of his main efforts as the Corps’ top enlisted leader was treating junior Marines more like grown-ups — and making sure that single Marines don’t get the short end of the stick when compared to married leathernecks.
Approved in November, the campaign plan is actually little more than an update to the 1999 version, which was approved but was never put into practice. It essentially gives single Marines more freedom and independence. It cuts the number of inspections so that Marines who keep their rooms squared away will be hassled less. It allows Marines to personalize their rooms with posters and pictures and relaxes restrictions on furniture.
While Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, who replaced Estrada in April, said he thinks many units are following the plan, he also said leaders need to educate all Marines, so everyone gets the word that it’s time to treat Marines like grown-ups.
As of Sept. 1, the Corps had awarded 17,327 personal combat decorations to enlisted Marines for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. While that’s not broken down by marital status, it’s logical to assume that a huge chunk of those numbers are single Marines living in barracks. If you trust them to fight for their country, you should trust them to clean up after themselves.
For those who haven’t done so already, it’s well past time to put these new rules into practice. Go to www.marinecorpstimes.com/benefits and read the policy. If you’re running a barracks, put this policy in effect.
Ellie