CSM Purdy
-
BigKev1800
unforgettable
I'll never forget... right after he got out he was visiting the Ranger DFAC at 4th RTB. I got caught in his "Kill Zone" evidentally the 94 seconds it took me to inhale that plate full of slop was much too slow. The first and only time I've ever been smoked by a dare I say it? " civilian."... lol Well I don't think you could ever call him a civilian... all i know is that he wasn't on active duty anymore... how's that?
-
The Old Guy
- Ranger
- Posts: 670
- Joined: September 30th, 2006, 5:17 pm
Who do you think that "Purdy LZ" is named after at Fort Benning, vicinity of Camp Darby?
The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity – even under the most difficult circumstances – to add a deeper meaning to his life.
Viktor E. Frankl
Viktor E. Frankl
CSM Purdy was my BN CSM at Campbell (3/187 INF.) when I went to Ranger school. I still give him credit for instilling the pride and training I needed to get through Ranger school. Ill never forget one cold and rainy morning lined up outside of BN HQ waiting to go on a BN run. We had been out there for about 15 minutes freezing. CSM Purdy ran outside and rolled around in the water and grass. He then stood up and said "Now that I am just as miserable as the rest of you, lets get it done." Ill never forget him. He was the best CSM I ever had the honor to serve with.
RS 04-94
"Hard and Cold for the Black and Gold"
Ne Desit Virtus
"Hard and Cold for the Black and Gold"
Ne Desit Virtus
-
battleforcebulldog
- Ranger
- Posts: 30
- Joined: July 27th, 2007, 9:08 pm
-
Silverback
- Ranger
- Posts: 20118
- Joined: March 7th, 2004, 11:06 pm
- Been thanked: 1 time
-
panthersix
- Ranger
- Posts: 2888
- Joined: June 14th, 2008, 4:27 pm
Met SSG Purdy in C 1-75 on a Run!
He'd just come back to 1st Bn from Delta and was a bit out of shape. But he was no one to mess with, had no neck and lots of pock marks on his face and was generally a scary dude. But he was always cool with me, even when he jacked me up for not having my Class A blouse buttoned up when I was visiting the C. Co. aid station to BS with my medic bro's after my E-5 Board at Hunter. I was in Medevac down at Stuart at the time.
Can any of you guys that remember me from Charlie help me get verified? Or Bonerfided ;) with the admins!
Doc McCalip
Can any of you guys that remember me from Charlie help me get verified? Or Bonerfided ;) with the admins!
Doc McCalip
Doc Mac
Ranger Class 11-80
C.Co. WPNS 1/75 79-81
3rd Plt/498th Medevac 81-82
104th LRSD 92-93
422d CA BN (A) 94-97
118th ASOS 02-08
Ranger Class 11-80
C.Co. WPNS 1/75 79-81
3rd Plt/498th Medevac 81-82
104th LRSD 92-93
422d CA BN (A) 94-97
118th ASOS 02-08
-
garyedolan
- Ranger Hall of Fame
- Posts: 1405
- Joined: December 8th, 2006, 8:05 am
- Has thanked: 9 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
Re: Purdy's Standards for the Army
I would like to give an NCO perspective
on this issue of the Army of one. I am a
retired CSM with 27 years of service.
Most of it in Ranger companies, and the
Ranger Regiment. I am a Vietnam veteran,
and a veteran of special operations.
I retired in 1995 but have done mostly
contract work at FT Benning involving
experimentation on MOUT ops. I got to
work around a lot of soldiers, and had
to keep up with current trends and tactics.
I am currently working in Saudi Arabia
training Saudi paratroopers and Rangers.
1. Some senior NCOs are nothing more than
boot lickers who sing the "Army of One"
song to their superior officers everyday.
Commanders need to hear the good, bad and
the ugly, and then be given good solid
recommendations. They need there senior
NCOs to be TRAINERS. LEAD by EXAMPLE.
DO as the troops do. LEAD FROM THE FRONT.
GET IN THE DIRT. This bull shit of
"I have done that" is garbage. What you are
doing now is what counts. Quit worrying
about your next assignment. Focus on your
mission now. Your mission is to train
soldiers for war, and it's damned hard work.
If you do it right you will leave the Army
in worse shape physically than when you came in.
BE HARD BUT FAIR. You must have MORAL COURAGE.
2. Training is just a word they can't spell.
Chief trainer means chief boot licker.
TICKET PUNCHERS.
3. "Moral courage" means telling your commander
what he wants to hear these days. I was condemned
by my peers, and superiors for speaking up, and
telling it like it was. I was called a relic from
the past that should be put in a glass case.
I was focused on training for war not peace.
Discipline was my watch word, and the soldiers
did not decide what punishment was right or wrong
where I served as CSM. I was the Chief Trainer.
The buck stopped with me. I participated in all
training and lead by example. I was told by a
Division CSM that I would never serve above BN level
because I was too intrusive. That means I scared
commanders with the truth. The next thing he asked
was why do you train with your soldiers? The question
was shocking, but the answer was simple. When I speak
everyone listens. That went over his head like a tent.
I carried a rifle not a pistol, and I damn well knew
how to use that weapon and my soldiers knew how to use
their weapons as well.
4. Combatives is important. Boxing, wrestling, and
bayonet fighting are not antiquated. CQB is just what
it means, Close Quarter Battle. MOUT, Trench systems,
and bunkers must be cleared, and you had better be
aggressive and prepared to do bayonet or hand to hand
fighting. When others were laughing at my unit for
doing this, my soldiers were prepared and understood
what fix bayonets meant. They were aggressive and
well disciplined. Sub standard performers were put out
immediately. My First Sergeants were not mail men
or chow deliverers they were the Chief Trainers of
their companies.
5. We trained for war not peace. Live fires were a
priority, and were not canned. Leaders, and soldiers
had to react. Maneuver elements maneuvered, and had
to rely on the SBF not to shoot them but only the
enemy. Bayonets were fixed and there were dummy
targets for the soldiers engage with those bayonets.
Resupply millions were planned and executed.
The battlefield had to be policed of casualties, and
equipment by any means available, even if it meant
driving vehicles cross country, or physically carrying
the wounded. Reload drills, dead gunner drills, and
crew drills were executed over, and over, and over again.
These were executed day and night. NODS went on your face
when the sun went down. They weren't hanging around your
neck. We executed live fires at night with NODS in the
woods, and the live fires were not canned. Raids,ambushes,
search and attack were all executed at night up to company
size. This took us over one year to get to that level.
Mortars could hit their targets. Units could move silently
day or night, and didn't get lost. We did no rely on the GPS.
WE USED MAPS AND COMPASSES. We lived out of our ruck sacks,
weather from the BN CMDR on down. Frost bite, and heat
casualties were not common because we trained to live
and fight in the same environment. We did not look like bums.
We shaved every day, wore our equipment properly, camouflaged
our face, and hands when necessary, soldiers new how to maintain
themselves and their equipment in the field, and uniformity was
important. Soldiers new what a cat hole was, and trash was
carried in there rucks not thrown on the ground or buried for
the hogs to dig up. Uniforms were worn properly. The companies
received one hot meal a day and understood how to conduct
tactical feeding. Our cooks knew how to function in the
environment. The combat trainers did not live in tents.
Their perimeter was secure, weapons were clean, noise and
light discipline was maintained. Cooks, clerks, and all
other support personnel knew how to use their weapons,
and were trained on basic Infantry skills. Misfires were
damn well rare, and punishment was swift when it did happen.
We suffered no live fire deaths because we trained properly,
and used good old fashioned common sense. We never had the
soldiers execute missions they were not properly trained for.
The NCOS trained the soldiers, the officers commanded.
Our motto was what ever you do, it right. Rate of sick call
in the field was almost zero. Morale was high because of good
hard leadership from the front, and realistic tough training.
We even executed a day of live fire training during support
cycles. You need a strong CSM who understands discipline and
training. He can talk it and walk it.
6. There is no such thing as a good field soldier.
You are either a soldier or not a soldier. Everything from
appearance to police call is important. This bull shit about
my space and my rights is just that BULL SHIT. Barracks are
not his or her home its a place for them to live. For saying
this I was told I had a mess kit mentality. This individuality
BS of "I need my own room" is garbage. We waste more money
building these Condos so soldiers can feel good, and not be
part of a team its sickening. They should live in fire team bays.
It builds cohesion. Key control alone is a nightmare. Of course
don't bother the poor soldier just let him live like a pig,
and when he gets sick or you find out he or she is a drug
dealer then blame it on the NCO Corp even though you the
illustrious BN CMDR, BDE CMDR said leave the soldiers alone
in there precious rooms. Soldiers are owed a place to sleep,
their pay, and the best leadership and training that can be
provided.
7. DISCIPLINE is the key. DRILL AND CEREMONY is the foundation
of discipline. When I say fall in I want to hear your heals
coming together. When I speak you jump. All ceremonies should
be executed with weapons so each unit can execute the 15 count
manual of arms. Carrying a card around in your pocket does not
develop good morals. Morals are developed through solid leadership
not gimmicks and head gear.
8. You want to be politically correct stay on the block. You
want to be different or an individual looking to be a victim;
stay on the block.
If you're a pervert and proud of it;
stay on the block.
You want to be a soldier then become part of a disciplined team.
This is not a job it's a profession. You're here to fight our
country's wars not to be a gut eating self-serving individual.
Senior Officers, and NCO, I am telling you right now
if things don't change, you will have the blood of soldiers on
your hands. There is an enemy out there who is determined,
and he is not concerned about individual feelings, or time out.
If you don't train them hard now, and demand from them now what
in the hell do you think the enemy is going to do to them.
If they can't take the heat in training how are they going to
take it on the battle-field. Technology my ass, soldiers win wars.
Be hard on them now or watch them die, or worse break and run.
Be HARD BUT FAIR! Being fair does not mean they dictate punishment
or babying them. A Russian General said "Hard on the training field,
easy on the battle field". General Patton said "Leading from the rear
is like trying to push spaghetti up hill." You want your soldiers to
respect you not love you. When they look at you they should see a
competent leader. The best compliment I ever received, was from a
soldier who was PCSing. I was a PLT Sergeant in the First Ranger BN.
He said " Sergeant Purdy I hated to hear you come in, in the morning,
and some times I just flat hated you, but I would follow you to hell
with gasoline drawers on"
CSM Don Purdy
Retired
U.S.A. Rangers
on this issue of the Army of one. I am a
retired CSM with 27 years of service.
Most of it in Ranger companies, and the
Ranger Regiment. I am a Vietnam veteran,
and a veteran of special operations.
I retired in 1995 but have done mostly
contract work at FT Benning involving
experimentation on MOUT ops. I got to
work around a lot of soldiers, and had
to keep up with current trends and tactics.
I am currently working in Saudi Arabia
training Saudi paratroopers and Rangers.
1. Some senior NCOs are nothing more than
boot lickers who sing the "Army of One"
song to their superior officers everyday.
Commanders need to hear the good, bad and
the ugly, and then be given good solid
recommendations. They need there senior
NCOs to be TRAINERS. LEAD by EXAMPLE.
DO as the troops do. LEAD FROM THE FRONT.
GET IN THE DIRT. This bull shit of
"I have done that" is garbage. What you are
doing now is what counts. Quit worrying
about your next assignment. Focus on your
mission now. Your mission is to train
soldiers for war, and it's damned hard work.
If you do it right you will leave the Army
in worse shape physically than when you came in.
BE HARD BUT FAIR. You must have MORAL COURAGE.
2. Training is just a word they can't spell.
Chief trainer means chief boot licker.
TICKET PUNCHERS.
3. "Moral courage" means telling your commander
what he wants to hear these days. I was condemned
by my peers, and superiors for speaking up, and
telling it like it was. I was called a relic from
the past that should be put in a glass case.
I was focused on training for war not peace.
Discipline was my watch word, and the soldiers
did not decide what punishment was right or wrong
where I served as CSM. I was the Chief Trainer.
The buck stopped with me. I participated in all
training and lead by example. I was told by a
Division CSM that I would never serve above BN level
because I was too intrusive. That means I scared
commanders with the truth. The next thing he asked
was why do you train with your soldiers? The question
was shocking, but the answer was simple. When I speak
everyone listens. That went over his head like a tent.
I carried a rifle not a pistol, and I damn well knew
how to use that weapon and my soldiers knew how to use
their weapons as well.
4. Combatives is important. Boxing, wrestling, and
bayonet fighting are not antiquated. CQB is just what
it means, Close Quarter Battle. MOUT, Trench systems,
and bunkers must be cleared, and you had better be
aggressive and prepared to do bayonet or hand to hand
fighting. When others were laughing at my unit for
doing this, my soldiers were prepared and understood
what fix bayonets meant. They were aggressive and
well disciplined. Sub standard performers were put out
immediately. My First Sergeants were not mail men
or chow deliverers they were the Chief Trainers of
their companies.
5. We trained for war not peace. Live fires were a
priority, and were not canned. Leaders, and soldiers
had to react. Maneuver elements maneuvered, and had
to rely on the SBF not to shoot them but only the
enemy. Bayonets were fixed and there were dummy
targets for the soldiers engage with those bayonets.
Resupply millions were planned and executed.
The battlefield had to be policed of casualties, and
equipment by any means available, even if it meant
driving vehicles cross country, or physically carrying
the wounded. Reload drills, dead gunner drills, and
crew drills were executed over, and over, and over again.
These were executed day and night. NODS went on your face
when the sun went down. They weren't hanging around your
neck. We executed live fires at night with NODS in the
woods, and the live fires were not canned. Raids,ambushes,
search and attack were all executed at night up to company
size. This took us over one year to get to that level.
Mortars could hit their targets. Units could move silently
day or night, and didn't get lost. We did no rely on the GPS.
WE USED MAPS AND COMPASSES. We lived out of our ruck sacks,
weather from the BN CMDR on down. Frost bite, and heat
casualties were not common because we trained to live
and fight in the same environment. We did not look like bums.
We shaved every day, wore our equipment properly, camouflaged
our face, and hands when necessary, soldiers new how to maintain
themselves and their equipment in the field, and uniformity was
important. Soldiers new what a cat hole was, and trash was
carried in there rucks not thrown on the ground or buried for
the hogs to dig up. Uniforms were worn properly. The companies
received one hot meal a day and understood how to conduct
tactical feeding. Our cooks knew how to function in the
environment. The combat trainers did not live in tents.
Their perimeter was secure, weapons were clean, noise and
light discipline was maintained. Cooks, clerks, and all
other support personnel knew how to use their weapons,
and were trained on basic Infantry skills. Misfires were
damn well rare, and punishment was swift when it did happen.
We suffered no live fire deaths because we trained properly,
and used good old fashioned common sense. We never had the
soldiers execute missions they were not properly trained for.
The NCOS trained the soldiers, the officers commanded.
Our motto was what ever you do, it right. Rate of sick call
in the field was almost zero. Morale was high because of good
hard leadership from the front, and realistic tough training.
We even executed a day of live fire training during support
cycles. You need a strong CSM who understands discipline and
training. He can talk it and walk it.
6. There is no such thing as a good field soldier.
You are either a soldier or not a soldier. Everything from
appearance to police call is important. This bull shit about
my space and my rights is just that BULL SHIT. Barracks are
not his or her home its a place for them to live. For saying
this I was told I had a mess kit mentality. This individuality
BS of "I need my own room" is garbage. We waste more money
building these Condos so soldiers can feel good, and not be
part of a team its sickening. They should live in fire team bays.
It builds cohesion. Key control alone is a nightmare. Of course
don't bother the poor soldier just let him live like a pig,
and when he gets sick or you find out he or she is a drug
dealer then blame it on the NCO Corp even though you the
illustrious BN CMDR, BDE CMDR said leave the soldiers alone
in there precious rooms. Soldiers are owed a place to sleep,
their pay, and the best leadership and training that can be
provided.
7. DISCIPLINE is the key. DRILL AND CEREMONY is the foundation
of discipline. When I say fall in I want to hear your heals
coming together. When I speak you jump. All ceremonies should
be executed with weapons so each unit can execute the 15 count
manual of arms. Carrying a card around in your pocket does not
develop good morals. Morals are developed through solid leadership
not gimmicks and head gear.
8. You want to be politically correct stay on the block. You
want to be different or an individual looking to be a victim;
stay on the block.
If you're a pervert and proud of it;
stay on the block.
You want to be a soldier then become part of a disciplined team.
This is not a job it's a profession. You're here to fight our
country's wars not to be a gut eating self-serving individual.
Senior Officers, and NCO, I am telling you right now
if things don't change, you will have the blood of soldiers on
your hands. There is an enemy out there who is determined,
and he is not concerned about individual feelings, or time out.
If you don't train them hard now, and demand from them now what
in the hell do you think the enemy is going to do to them.
If they can't take the heat in training how are they going to
take it on the battle-field. Technology my ass, soldiers win wars.
Be hard on them now or watch them die, or worse break and run.
Be HARD BUT FAIR! Being fair does not mean they dictate punishment
or babying them. A Russian General said "Hard on the training field,
easy on the battle field". General Patton said "Leading from the rear
is like trying to push spaghetti up hill." You want your soldiers to
respect you not love you. When they look at you they should see a
competent leader. The best compliment I ever received, was from a
soldier who was PCSing. I was a PLT Sergeant in the First Ranger BN.
He said " Sergeant Purdy I hated to hear you come in, in the morning,
and some times I just flat hated you, but I would follow you to hell
with gasoline drawers on"
CSM Don Purdy
Retired
U.S.A. Rangers
Gary "28"
Co C (RGR), 75 Inf (ABN) '70-'71
USMA 69; RGR 4-70; RHOF-2011
http://oftheirownaccord.com
"Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be." Douglas MacArthur
Co C (RGR), 75 Inf (ABN) '70-'71
USMA 69; RGR 4-70; RHOF-2011
http://oftheirownaccord.com
"Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be." Douglas MacArthur
Re: CSM Purdy
Great post!
B Co. FIST 3/75 Rgr Rgt.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993
For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993
For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
-
Speedracer
Re: CSM Purdy
Re: Purdy's Standards for the ArmyPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:31 am
That was .... THE MAN
That was .... THE MAN
Re: CSM Purdy
EODSpook, head over to the Vets, Rangers intro forum & give us the kindness of your intro.
RLTW
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
Re: CSM Purdy
EODspook: Bobby Lane and I were Squad Leader together in 2plt Bco 1/75 for about 6 months, I then took over 1Plt PSG slot, Sean Powers was a SL in 3rd plt. Both were outstanding leaders. Sean later worked for me at the Combat Leadership course (CLC) 7ID FT Ord(allot of good stories from that tour, 1st bat rangers in CA). I met CSM Purdy in the mid 70s(he was a SSG/E6) on my 1st tour with 1/75, I was a young E5 from 82d, he was/is sometimes crazy but a hard and fair leader and I would follow him anywhere,anytime.
RS 8-76
Bco 1/75
Aco/S2 2/75
Bco 1/75
Aco/S2 2/75
