Army NCOs Told To 'Check Their Privilege'
FORT MCCOY, Wis. — Newly minted non-commissioned officers in the Army are now being told to "check their privilege" as part of a radical new form of training that would re-examine issues such as giving lawful orders, leadership skills and showing real competency in Army traditions and knowledge, Duffel Blog has learned.
"We're taking a drastic step to ensure that no one in the NCO corps would ever dream of feeling privileged to serve in it," Command Sgt. Maj. Garry L. Cole said, during the policy announcement last week.
The new philosophy of teaching the sometimes-grueling two-week Warrior Leadership Course (WLC) has seen both celebration and sharp criticism, according to Cole, who leads the program at Fort McCoy.
The change to the course stem from Specialist Clarissa Estes, who had effectively lobbied for the Army to address what she called “rank privilege,” as well as assignment of details and how to maintain the self-esteem of junior enlisted soldiers.
According to Estes, junior enlist…
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