At Fort Jackson in South Carolina, the Army chief of staff, General Mark Milley, recently handed out for the first time certificates of graduation to recruits who completed basic training. Thankfully, they stopped short of giving recruits medals for learning to march and orienteering badges for finding the mess, but we’re not alone in wondering what kind of message the Army is sending here. Without diminishing the strenuous effort involved, we note that it’s called “basic” training for a reason.
Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey did his best to defend the new policy, telling the Army Times the “Soldier’s Certificate” is a way to welcome “the new recruits into a community of soldiers for which they are lifetime members.”
Certainly, we sympathize with the efforts to build community and otherwise make the Army a more attractive career choice. But giving awards for the most commonplace of military accomplishments smacks of lowering standards. The new basic training certificate reminds us of the Army’s notorious decision to make berets—once worn only by elite troops—standard headgear for the rank and file.
The Army insists the new basic training certificate is legitimate. “As we earn this title, it’s not just something that’s given to anyone,” Maj. George Coleman, director of education and training for the Soldier for Life program, told the Army Times. “This is not that participation medal you get after the marathon because you paid your $65.”
Perhaps. But we suspect if you have to say an award isn’t a dreaded Participation Trophy, it probably is.
A poll on the Army Times website ran three-to-one against basic training graduation certificates. Those in that majority should get medals for common sense.
