The 5th Platoon Bay

Just A Quick Update

After two months of silence SSG Cotton addresses where he's been, how he's handled his “fame”, why he's been silent on LPDs, how NCOs can connect to their subordinates, hating gate guards, have a better mentality while serving in the Military, how the Infantry and other MOSs can work better together, how to deal with Toxic Leadership, Infantry-Tank Conflicts, Worst Aspect(s) of the Army, Broadening/ Force Generating Assignments, why Conventional Forces aren't ready to fight, MOS he believes are obsolete, gaining Self Confidence, and Ukraine / ACFT.

In this episode of the 5th Platoon Bay Podcast, DS Cotton has his good friend, mentor, and fellow Meme Lord @MDMP_memes_for_staff_teens on to discuss questions that the Enlisted had to a long serving Officer. DS Cotton and MDMP "MAJ Shaggy" make a lot of in depth discussion regarding the questions of "Why are the Officers hated on by the NCO", "Why do Officers go by the book rather than asking the Soldiers around them", "Why does the Army prioritize bullshit "check-in-the-box" tasks over quality training", "What makes an amazing Officer / how to be as a brand new Officer", and "How to excel in a Staff position". Both DS Cotton and MDMP address these questions from a Senior Officer's perspective and a season NCOs perspective to come to both varying view points and commonalities on how to address these situations. TO NOTE: there are some situations of technically difficulties, but DS Cotton would like everyone to know he very honored to have MDMP on as a distinguished guest, mentor, and educator to help all of you in your own careers. Until next time 5th PLT, I wish you the best, and I hope you enjoy this episode.

In this very special episode, DS Cotton covers his up and coming post about the destabilization of American Society thru Soviet influences. In this episode DS Cotton references Soviet Spies, the tactic of “Ideological Subversion”, how it affected the Korean and Vietnam War, the progression of Socialist / Communist ideologies thru American educational systems known as “The March Through Institutions”, his personal experience being raised as Socialist / Liberal in America, how he escaped the indoctrination, and how it is ultimately being played out in its final stages. DS Cotton would like to remind his followers that he is neither Left, nor Right. He considers himself a Logical Centrist meaning he is devoid of beliefs, and uses academic journals, papers, statistics to form a middle ground ideology of his own. This episode / post is not to attack anyone. It is merely to educate and expand your mind. If you agree, you agree. If you don't, that's okay. That's perfectly fine. It is now on you to do your own independent research to find the truth. “Everything is a lie until you find the real truth”. - DS Cotton Hill

In this episode DS Cotton Hill talks about the complexities of Military Manuals, Officer vs. NCO relations, Recruiters / Prior Service rights as a Trainee, Training Videos on YouTube, Badges and Medals, SJW Commercials, the castration of the NCO Corps, prepping for BCT / OSUT, (the 11M / 11H / 19C / Sniper MOS), tips for prior Service / how there's no effective way to be a quickly great NCO, Marriages / Relationships, Careers after the Military, Male NCOs interactions with subordinate or peer Female Soldiers, Allied Nations, lack of discretion for Combat MOSs in recruting, simple mistakes done during BD1, Recon a skill for Infantry OSUT, War with Russia / China, and how to go to Ranger / SFAS. DS Cotton closes his Podcast out with referencing Military OneSource and how it ever need help we are always here for you in 5th PLT.

In this episode, DS Cotton is fresh from work 15 hours straight so prepare for a lot of rambling. He talks about Optics (especially his favorites, the CCO / PAS-13), covers over the importance of Thermal Optics and technology in today's modern Army, addresses his LPDs he's been pushing out to the PLT, knowing his place as an Enlisted Soldier and why they're second class citizens, talks about the Drill Academy and his future Handbook, how to buy a Car / getting Married to the RIGHT! person, what to bring to your 1st unit, how to handle the Holidays (especially if you have a bad family, the meaning of Selfless Service, types of people in the Army, talks about TikTok, how toxic leaders will use the phase “not knowing is not the answer”, Old School NCOs, Knowing your profession (CW, UW, and Eastern tactics), Doomsday preppers, address what The Nasty Guard Podcast covered on Empathetic Leaders, the ACFT, Medals / Badges don't mean proficiency, the Total Infantry Soldier Program (TISP), and closes out with his Mental Health Awareness of utilizing Military OneSource.

In this episode DS Cotton talks about PMI for Soft Skills, RM, MMTC, his unprofessional WO paper, Cold Weather Gear, the 1600 release time / COB Board, Different types of Infantry, why NCOs should become Officers, Eastern vs. Conventional vs. Unconventional Warfare, why there's lack of public “common sense”, people being shot down for being ambitious, quick fundamentals of being a Leader, getting to your first Unit, Company complacency, why Soft Skills should be proficient in their 10 level tasks, and closes out with Military OneSource and the MFLC. Lots and Lots of rambling.

DS Cotton has his longest and most important discussion with the Platoon. In this episode he discusses PCS moves, the New Qualification / EPR Rounds and the way to become an Expert Marksman, how to apply to any Army school, how ATTRS work, and how it's not a normal profession. DS Cotton also talks about Enlisting into the Infantry / the military in general. He talks about how to watch out for Toxic Leaders [HUGE!!! HUGE!!! Starts at 53 minutes, if anything else HEAR THIS PART!!! Covers False Counseling Statements, your rights as a Soldier (Miranda Rights / Article 31), and how they can record you against your will] and how to build Mental Strength (DS Hill harps on happiness and gives the Platoon an existential crisis in Part 5) and to live life to the fullest. Wrapping it up with his discussion of the “perfect joke” and why he takes the Infantry Proficiency Exam so seriously, how EIB has become perverted from its original standard, and why the military is falling behind / failing its Soldiers (Last 14 minutes).

In this episode DS Hill tackles everything under the fucking sun except the PCS move like he said he would haha. DS Hill talks about prior service trainees, why the 14-week OSUT went to the 22-week, tips to giving classes, negatives of being a Drill Sergeant, keeping spiders of your face, favorite duty station, the “Purge” years, if he'll do 20 years, wildest moments in his career, Mortars on Sand Hill, suicide prevention, how to pass / study for the NCO board, relationships, strippers, not having a joint bank account, Veteran's Day, and Misogynists / Racists and closing out with the 5th PLT “Christmas in November” as well as Military OneSource.

This week DS Cotton Hill discusses what it means to be a Leader and how to be a Leader, what the DS Academy is like (plus his book), what it means to be an Infantry Drill Sergeant on Sand Hill, best and worst types of Privates, New NCOs vs Old NCOs, Hot Medics, and the “never-gonna-happen” war with China.

DS Cotton Hill addresses his time in service, why he made his Instagram page and how much his followers mean to him, why he is creating this Podcast, what future episodes will contain such as (emailed questions, comments, concerns, guests, and topics to be discussed. His sponsors are all fake at this point and again, please utilize OneSource if you need help and donate to the 5th PLT “Christmas in November”