Shows
The Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 70: Character, Presence, Intellect: The Triple Threat of Army LeadershipSend us a textEver wondered what truly separates good leaders from great ones in the Army? Forget the stereotypes about badge-heavy uniforms and drill sergeant voices. The secret lies in mastering three fundamental leadership attributes: character, presence, and intellect.In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the foundations of Army leadership according to AR 623-3 and DA PAM 623-3, breaking down what these attributes actually mean in practical terms. Character isn't just about Army values—it's about building trust and accountability while maintaining empathy and discipline. Presence goes beyond looking sharp in uniform—it's...2025-07-3012 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 69: Gen Z Soldiers: Soft or Savvy?Send us a textAre today's soldiers truly soft, or are they simply adapting to systems that haven't evolved with the times? This thought-provoking episode dives deep into the generational divide shaping today's Army culture.When senior NCOs claim that Generation Z soldiers lack discipline or respect for tradition, they're often misinterpreting critical thinking as defiance. The younger generation's tendency to question "why" before action isn't necessarily about avoiding work—it's about seeking efficient solutions and understanding purpose. From customs and courtesies to training methodologies, what looks like resistance to authority often reveals a deeper de...2025-07-2324 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 68: Stripes on the Horizon: 9 Keys to Dominating Your Next Military BoardSend us a textFacing a military promotion board can make even the most confident soldier anxious. The stakes are high—one wrong answer could derail your career advancement. But what if you could walk into that room knowing exactly what to expect and how to respond?This episode delivers a comprehensive roadmap for conquering any military board, from Soldier of the Month to promotion boards. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience, we break down the nine critical elements that separate successful candidates from those who leave empty-handed. You'll discover how to master the fu...2025-07-1627 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 67: Beard or No Beard: Decoding the Army's Facial Hair MemoSend us a textConfused about the Army's new facial hair policy? You're not alone. The recently released Directive 2025-13 has created waves throughout all Army components, with soldiers debating what it really means for their grooming standards. Join me as I cut through the confusion and give you a straight-talking breakdown of what's actually written in the policy.Many soldiers are misinterpreting the directive, claiming it doesn't explicitly require shaving. I carefully analyze the actual language: "all male soldiers will maintain a clean, shaven face when in uniform or on duty in civilian attire."...2025-07-1510 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 66: Stop Settling for Mediocrity in Your Military ServiceSend us a textWhat separates excellence from mediocrity in military service? It all comes down to your relationship with standards. While the Army establishes baseline requirements for physical fitness, marksmanship, and professional competence, truly exceptional soldiers view these minimums as merely the starting point—not the destination.In this candid exploration of military standards and expectations, we dissect the Sergeant Major of the Army's powerful statement: "I don't like to start from the minimum standard. That, to me, is not a place you start any conversation, especially as warfighters." Too often, we encounter soldiers ap...2025-07-0931 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 65: New Army Policy Leaves Many Surprised!Send us a textThe military grooming standards debate has reached a critical turning point. A bombshell Military.com article reveals the Army's upcoming policy that could separate soldiers diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)—a condition affecting up to 94% of Black men—if they require shaving exemptions for more than 12 months in a two-year period.What makes this policy particularly contentious is the clear demographic impact. PFB occurs when tightly coiled hair curls back into the skin after shaving, causing painful bumps and potential scarring. While the Army plans to implement treatment plans, including possible lase...2025-07-0230 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 64: Beyond the Uniform: 5 Traits That Set Great Soldiers ApartSend us a textThe stark contrast between exceptional soldiers and those merely going through the motions reveals itself through five distinct traits that consistently separate warriors from paycheck collectors in today's military. Drawing from experiences across multiple duty stations, this raw, unfiltered breakdown exposes what truly makes certain soldiers shine while others fade into the background.Relentless discipline stands as the cornerstone of military excellence—not just following standards but living them with unwavering commitment. From immaculate grooming to meticulous weapons maintenance, elite soldiers understand that discipline creates reliability when chaos erupts. As we ex...2025-06-2522 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 63: USAREC to USARD: Inside the Army's Recruiting MakeoverSend us a textThe Army recruiting landscape is changing dramatically, and we've got the inside scoop. In this eye-opening conversation, Sergeant Bruner returns to break down the major transformation happening within Army recruiting—starting with the elevation of U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) to U.S. Army Recruiting Division (USARD), now a three-star command reporting directly to Congress.This isn't just a name change. The recruiting world is undergoing fundamental restructuring, with Cadet Command now falling under USARD's umbrella and new MOSs being introduced. The traditional 79R recruiter designation is transitioning to 42T, wi...2025-06-1150 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 62: Ranger School's Radical Fitness Test OverhaulSend us a textEverything you thought you knew about preparing for Ranger School just changed. The Army has unveiled a radical transformation of the Ranger Physical Fitness Test that will challenge candidates in entirely new ways starting April 2025.The traditional assessment of push-ups, sit-ups, and a five-mile run? Gone. The new test is a grueling 14-minute continuous event featuring an 800-meter run, dead stop push-ups, sprints, sandbag lifts, farmer's carries, and combat movement drills—followed by a four-mile run under 32 minutes and six chin-ups. This isn't just a minor adjustment; it's a complete reimagining of...2025-04-1615 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 61: Beyond gender lines: Examining the Pentagon's push for unified combat fitness standardsSend us a textDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dropped a bombshell directive that's sending ripples through military fitness circles - a move toward gender-neutral physical standards for combat roles across all service branches. This isn't just a bureaucratic shuffle; it's a fundamental rethinking of how we prepare our warfighters for the battlefield.The reasoning behind this shift cuts to the core of military effectiveness: combat situations don't differentiate between male and female soldiers, so why should fitness standards? Under this directive, any soldier in a designated combat position would need to meet identical physical...2025-04-0924 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 60: Green Numbers, Red Flags: Why Soldiers Leave EarlySend us a textThe future of our military readiness hangs in the balance as nearly one in four new Army recruits leave service within their first two years. What's driving this alarming exodus, and why are the very programs designed to help new soldiers actually contributing to higher failure rates?This deep-dive explores the startling contradiction at the heart of Army retention: recruits who attend special preparatory courses before basic training are washing out at significantly higher rates (15-19%) than those who don't (11%). Meanwhile, the doubling of recruitment waivers—including over 400 felony exemptions—raises seri...2025-04-0235 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 59: The Power of Military Networking: Your Secret WeaponSend us a textNetworking isn't just a buzzword—it's the difference-maker in military careers that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. What sets apart those who rise through the ranks isn't just competence, but the meaningful connections they build along the way.This deep dive explores how networking transforms your Army experience through multiple dimensions. From career advancement opportunities like specialized training recommendations to professional development through diverse perspectives, the right network amplifies your effectiveness. A staff sergeant who understands logistics terminology can better serve as a medical brigade planner. A sergeant who's connected wi...2025-03-1930 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 58: Your Soldiers Deserve Better PT Sessions—Here's How to DeliverSend us a textPhysical readiness isn't just about fitness—it's about combat effectiveness and unit cohesion. When over 70% of soldiers struggle to hit the 500-point mark on the ACFT, we have to ask ourselves: are our PT sessions truly preparing our troops for the battlefield?The difference between mediocre and exceptional PT leadership comes down to understanding a few critical components. Proper warm-ups performed with precision prevent injuries. A balanced exercise selection targeting strength, agility, and cardio creates well-rounded soldiers prepared for any mission. Most importantly, adapting workouts for different fitness levels while maintaining mo...2025-03-1217 minThe Roger Sarnt PodcastEpisode 57: Social Media: The New Front Line for Military CultureSend us a textSocial media is more than just a tool; it's transforming military culture at its core. In this episode, we look into how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter are reshaping communication, camaraderie, and public perceptions of service members. While the connectivity provided by these platforms offers crucial support and community to troops, it also poses significant challenges, including operational security concerns and the risk of misinformation.We explore the double-edged sword that is social media in the military context—offering recruitment benefits while raising critical security questions. How does a seemingly in...2025-03-0515 min