Hello! We are almost to the half way point of the winter quarter, and training is continuing at it’s typical, frantic pace. With 43 guys in 2nd Phase, we have to split most of their classes in half, so it becomes quite a busy training schedule. Add in deployments and guest instructors, and 2nd Phase is keeping Lt. Whitaker on his toes. I wanted to give you all an update on where the music conversation ended. Thanks again to everyone who gave me their thoughts on the subject, it was very helpful as we wrestled through what sort of changes we should make. Part of the issue we were facing when looking at the music standards is that we did not create the old rules, we inherited them. That is true for the entire ALERT program, not just the music standards. Colonel Boulden, Major Hawley, Lt. Whitaker and I all started with ALERT sometime between Unit 40 and 46, fifteen years after the program was started. So as we have risen up the ranks and been given more authority over the program, we routinely face issues or complications or systems that we did not create. Our job is to either make sure we are behind what we have been given, and continue carrying it into the next generation, or update and change things as needed. That requires a lot of wisdom and counsel, and is part of why we created the Sergeants Club in the first place. After input from you all, and further conversations internally, we finalized the regulations for music and entertainment in January, and released the following to the men upon their return to training. The relevant regulations manual sections are copied below. Section 1.2 is a new section that was added into this edition of the reg manual, and Section 1.9 is an updated section from the previous version of the reg manual. Please feel free to let me know if you have additional thoughts or concerns about the changes; we continually review and edit the reg manual to try and create the best and healthiest training environment for the men. | 1.2 MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE As a Christian, you are responsible before God for how you conduct yourself. The Bible is clear on the need for a Christian to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through His influence on your conscience. At no point in your training should you knowingly act contrary to your conscience. If faced with a situation where you are directed or expected to act against your conscience, it is your responsibility to make a respectful appeal and seek to resolve the situation with your authorities. In matters of Christian liberty, you must be willing to show deference regarding your own desires and opinions in order to live well in community with others. Many things in life are matters of personal conviction and Christian liberty, and Godly men will often arrive at different decisions on the appropriateness of any given item. Please see Romans 13:8-15:7 for the Biblical framework for living in community with those who hold different convictions. 1.9 ENTERTAINMENT When considering entertainment choices (reading materials, music, movies, etc.), the following questions can be a helpful framework to evaluate each option: Does the content call me to excellence—personally, spiritually, or morally? Is there objectionable content (lewd/explicit content, inappropriate language, etc.)? Does the content celebrate or excuse evil? Does the content devalue things that should be valued (human worth, Biblical sexuality, morality, etc.)? Could the content have a negative impact on me or those around me? Is this a good use of my time?
Entertainment choices are a matter of personal conviction and Christian liberty. See also 1.2 – Matters of Conscience. Reading Material The SMaj. Department and/or Unit Leader must approve reading materials. Fictional works must be submitted to the Sergeant Major for approval. Music Only music that is on the Battalion music devices may be played. No music may be stored on your computer, MP3 player, or other such devices. You must ensure that everyone in the room is comfortable with the music being played, and may not pressure someone to listen to music they do not want to listen to, no matter the reason. You must ensure that the music you are playing is not audible to anyone outside the room you are listening in. You may not play music in the bedrooms. The use of headphones/ear buds is not allowed for non-ERU men in training. This holds true in any vehicle and on deployment. Headphones should be turned in to the SMaj. Department as contraband. RFCs and higher may request up to two albums and two songs to get added to the Battalion music devices per quarter. Responders may not request any additional music to add to the devices. Men in a leadership position in ALERT are not allowed to play music for men in training, even from the Battalion music devices. When singing/playing music (piano, guitar, etc.) ensure that songs follow the same guidelines that recorded music is subject to.
The following guidelines are the standards for music on the Battalion music devices: If there are lyrics, they must be explicitly Christian, theologically sound, and Gospel centered. Instrumental covers of music with non-Christian lyrics are not approved. Soundtracks are approved, provided the movie is not objectionable. No song or album with inappropriate album artwork will be approved. The SMaj. Department reserves the right to not approve any song or album at their discretion.
| Finally, I just want to remind you all of the upcoming ALERT reunion next weekend, February 7-9. We will be hosting the annual Sergeants Club Breakfast on Sunday at 10 am in the formal dining room in the Fieldhouse, and you and your families are invited to join us there. As always, there is no additional cost for the breakfast, but I do need RSVPs so I can let the kitchen know a headcount for that breakfast. Also, if you have any dietary restrictions, please let me know those as well and I will do my best to accommodate them.
I am continually grateful for your support and prayers. Posteritatis commodis servientes, |
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