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An evaluation of Palmetto Battery's academic, military, moral-ethical, and physical effectiveness pillars, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement. Includes insights on unique missions and ongoing operational issues.
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Palmetto Battery METL Assessment April 25, 2017
Overall Assessment T = Trained P = Needs Practice U = underprepared
Academic Assessment • Strengths • Great Environment • Successful students in the Battery • Academic support center • Weaknesses • A small amount of cadets drag down the rest • Focus was put on weaker few, less emphasis on stronger crowd
Academic Pillar Strategy • Study Hall • Focus on cadets that have GPA below 2.3 • Helping those who can’t help themselves • i.e.: Xbox, Gallery wanderers
Military Assessment • Strengths • Cannons • Marching • Weaknesses -Detail Discipline
Military Pillar Strategy • Continue to do what we are doing • Put people first!!! Take care of each other. Be tough, but fair.
Moral-Ethical Assessment • Strengths • No honor violations this year • No sexual harassments or assaults • Cadets felt comfortable in asking the honor reps for advice to avoid accusations • Weaknesses • One honor accusation
Moral-Ethical Pillar Strategy • Continue with the positive environment that is knowledgeable about sexual harassment and assault and is honorable • Encourage company to keep seeking advice to avoid incidences before they occur.
Physical Effectiveness Assessment • Strengths - Good PT scores (220) - Environment that is geared towards PT • Weaknesses - Hard to motivate PT studs to do Regimental PT - Little incentive for maxing PT test (Only two maxed in company)
Physical Effectiveness Pillar Suggestions • Create incentives that make people want to do above the bare minimum; 270+ will let a cadet skip one PT a week. 300+ will not require a cadet to go to PT at all.
Unique Missions Color Guards, Flags, Cannons These Unique Missions are Planned and Executed By The Battery Operations Officer
Color Guard • In-house training • Typical month: • 4 formal parades • 2 alumni center events • 3 - 5 in-town events • Inauguration • All tasking comes through the Commandant’s Department • PB does not loan the Color Guard Equipment
Flags In-house training 500 Main Post Flag Ceremonies a year. All retreat parades All football games (19 cadets needed for a Garrison Flag 20 x 28 feet)
Cannons • 2 - M1943 75mm Salute Guns • 4 - M1841 Howitzers w/ Limbers • 1 - 3/5 Scale Bronze Gun (Boomer) • 1 - 10 ga. Small Shotgun Shell Gun • 6- Springfield Muskets
M1943 75mm Salute Guns • New trailer tires • New harnesses • 75mm Blank Ammo • All Training Done By Palmetto Battery • PB is unique as in it has an in company officer that is in charge of training cadets on all artillery • Training is largely cadet led and merley supervised by PB TAC and other historical experts
Football Game Support • Cadets to Support • Palmetto Battery Operations Officer (C/1LT) • Palmetto Battery Training Officer (C/2LT) • Palmetto Battery Gun Platoon Leader (C/2LT) • Palmetto Battery Gun Platoon Sergeant (C/SSG) • Supply Sergeant (C/SFC) • Regs and Discipline and Colors Sergeant (C/SFC) • Historical NCO (C/SGT) • Armorers (C/CPL) • 6 knobs for muskets • 8 knobs per gun • 20 upper-class for Garrison Flag detail • 2-hour pre-game requirement • Moving artillery to game • ‘’rolling” of rounds for cannons and muskets • Moving supplies to support gun crews • Securing food (pizza) for halftime as the gun crew usually misses mess • 1-hour post-game requirement • Moving artillery from game to battalion • Cleaning of cannons on Sundays after game
On Going Issues • Black Powder is the Single Biggest Cost • w/ Friction Ignitors it Runs About $10 a Shot, 200+ Shots a Year • Continued Need for Top Cadets for The Many Decentralized Missions • Maintenance of Equipment – Began to tackle issue with training on how to maintain equipment
Palmetto Battery Company Commander/TAC Comments