LESSON PLAN ADVANCE SHEET 

 

TITLE: DISCIPLINE

 

 

HOURS: 1 HOUR EXPANDABLE

 

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Assist in identifying the value of discipline, and how it pertains to the individual soldier and to the Army.

 

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 

1. Communicate to the soldier the value of embracing and learning personal discipline.

2. Challenge the soldier to define and adopt a disciplined life style.

3. See the unit as a disciplined extended family.

4. Design and use personal improvement action plan.

 

CONDITION: Given a classroom setting with an overhead projector, chalkboard, or easel with butcher paper.

 

STANDARD: Participate in an interactive discussion on discipline and decide upon a personal improvement action plan.

 

REFERENCES:  FM 22-100 Leadership, DA PAM 165-16 Moral Leadership Values: Stage of the Family Life Cycle.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES: Conference, overhead slides, practical procedures, exercises.

 

TRAINER NOTES:  This class is designed to be a discussion type class. The role of the trainer will be to: 1) impart information from the lesson plan; 2) elicit information and ideas from class participants; 3) affirm the input of the class participants; and 4) call the class members to action, both for themselves and for the unit.

 

The lesson plan is written in a positive way and needs to be presented in that manner as well. It is an opportunity for you, as the trainer, to help the participants examine their beliefs and begin to develop more healthy values.

 

This lesson plan may "open the door" for further ministry within your unit. At the end of the session, you might ask those who may have concerns about areas of personal growth or value conflicts in their lives to speak with you privately .

 

NOTE: The trainer will want to make sure the classroom is set-up with all necessary equipment at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the class. Good lighting and ventilation of the classroom are important for a good class.

 

 

Some ideas to keep in mind during you presentation of the class are:

 

- When you ask a question, allow time for discussion.

- Write down all the responses given without making judgments about the input.

- Encourage class participation. You may want to call on a class member for input who you              

         observe as either being disruptive or withdrawn from the class.

- Your slides may be upgraded with color, graphics or unit symbols.

 

At the end of each lesson plan is a "Personal Action Plan." Use this to measure the effectiveness of the session. The top portion of the page is to be kept by the class participant as a guide for his/her future personal development. The bottom portion of the page should be turned in to you at the end of the class. These should not be signed. You may use this information as you advise the commander on the "climate" of the unit. It can also be used as a "bottom up review" of the unit in regard to the particular value. In this way, the information can be used as a means to support Total Army Quality (TAQ) in the unit.

 

You will need to reproduce the number of personal action plans to correspond with the number of class participants. this will enable you to have a response from all class participants. After response forms are completed, insure the "climate" information is shared with the chain of command. This will assist in improving the quality of life for soldiers.

 

PRE-SESSION PREPARATION:

 

SLIDES VU1-VU5 ARE THE SAME FOR ALL 12 LESSON PLANS AND THEREFORE DO NOT HAVE A CHAPTER INDICATOR. THEY ARE FOUND IN LESSON ONE.

 

THE WORDS IN “QUOTES” ARE FOR YOU TO SAY. WORDS IN {PARENTHESES} ARE FOR YOUR HELP OR INFORMATION.

 

+  Review the material contained in this lesson thoroughly. A poorly prepared class is no better than no class at all.

 

+  Make overhead slides of the paper slides located at the back of this lesson as well as slides VU1-VU5 found at the end of Lesson One.

 

+  Make sufficient copies of the Personal Action Plan sheet found at the end of this lesson so that all class members will have one.

 

+  Ensure that the classroom is designated and all needed equipment is set up prior to class time.

 

+  Be sure that units have sufficient time to schedule the class and that soldiers are available to attend. Conflicting with other requirements of a training schedule will make the lesson ineffective.

 

 

INSTRUCTOR NOTES AND SLIDES

 

SHOW:  VU1 "America's Army Core Values"

 

{This slide can be shown on the overhead as the class begins to arrive. It is your "title slide" which sets the stage for the material to be presented in the session.}

 

{Put the introduction and form the questions in your own words. Use the "words in quotations" as a guide.}

 

“Good morning/afternoon. My name is _________. Today’s class is one of a series of classes on America’s Army Core Values.”

 

SHOW:  VU2 & VU3 "List of Values"

 

“Some of our Core Values are listed on this slide.”

 

{It is helpful to briefly go over the list of values as presented on VU2 & VU3. However, each of these values will be presented as a separate lesson.}

 

“Some Other Core Values are listed on this slide (VU3).”

 

SHOW:   VU4 "Purpose of Training." Allow time for the class to read the slide.

 

“The purpose of our training is found on this slide (VU4).”

 

“Why do you think it is important for us to study values?”  {Allow time for discussion.}

 

Some responses might be:

 

- Increase of violence in the nation.

- There seems to be less attention given to affirming each other's value systems.

- To help build citizenship.

- To help build personal

- responsibility within the community.

 

“Service members of the Army, (NCOs and officers) are evaluated annually on this list of America's Army Core Values in the NCOER and the OER. Many things have been written about all these values and they are all important. The things that shape our individual values are what we have read, what we have heard from parents, pastors, teachers and other significant individuals to us.”

 

SHOW:  VU5 "Values, Ethics, Morals"

 

{It is to be demonstrated through discussion that discipline is a vital characteristic of a successful individual, family, unit, military, and society in general. Since our society honors both "community" and "individuality" it is sometimes difficult to understand how discipline contributes to both the success of the person, the group, and the whole society. However, the goal of this lesson is to challenge soldiers to understand that self discipline does result in a more satisfying life personally and in whatever group the person is a part of. It would be a beneficial goal for the soldiers in your class to place a serious emphasis in their lives upon self discipline. It will result in better soldiers, better families, and better units.}

 

“The primary focus of today's class will be on the value of discipline.”

 

“Would someone tell me why you believe the Army would be placing emphasis on providing classes on Values at this time?”

 

{Allow time for responses. Record responses on overhead, chalkboard, or butcher paper.}

 

“Perhaps it would be good for us to see how these values, ethics and morals are defined. This slide shows these definitions.”

 

“Are there any questions so far?”

 

{Field any questions the class members may have at this point. Ask the class to hold questions about specific values until later in the class.}

 

SHOW:  VU3-6 Definition "What is discipline?"

 

“When your commander or 1ST Sergeant states that he/she wants a disciplined unit, What is the first thought that comes into your mind?”

 

{Allow time for responses. Record responses on overhead, chalkboard, or butcher paper.}

 

“Usually we think of discipline in a negative way or distracting light. Today let's look at it as a positive value that protects each of us from danger and destruction. Freedom and responsibility go together. How can one lead these two powerful forces to make them work in one's life? It is self discipline that allows the individual to value himself as a person.”

 

“The American Heritage Dictionary defines discipline as "training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement;" it also says it is a systematic method to obtain obedience.”

 

“Discipline starts from within so it gives stability in time of rapid change. What would you say discipline is?”

 

{Record responses on overhead,  chalkboard, or butcher paper.}

 

SHOW:  VU3-7 "Avoid Destructive Behavior"

 

“Discipline starts from within so it gives stability in time of rapid change. Part of the result of a disciplined life is that discipline helps persons avoid destructive behavior.”

 

{Record responses on overhead, chalkboard, or butcher paper.}

 

“What destructive behaviors will a disciplined life help us avoid?”

 

SHOW:  VU3-8 "Discipline & Responsibility"

 

“Disciplined soldiers avoid self destructive behavior like:”

 

- Excessive use of alcohol.

- Drug abuse.

- Sexual promiscuity.

 

“Disciplined soldiers have a sharper sense of responsibility. They do not struggle against legitimate authority. They do not find ways to avoid facing problems or difficulties.”

 

SHOW:  VU3-9 "Why discipline?"

 

“Discipline is one of America's Army Values. Every soldier is evaluated on discipline. Mental discipline to make good and sound decisions. Physical discipline to endure the strain of long hours of hard work. Spiritual discipline to develop an awareness of a Creator who is greater than mankind. Social discipline to live and behave within the cultural norms.”

 

SHOW:  VU3-10 "We have the Capacity to Think & Reason"

 

“Each person comes into life with the capacity to think and reason. Making the tough decisions takes a  disciplined mind. Being willing and able to make tough decisions is built upon maturity and sound judgment. Discipline of the body to score 300 on the Annual Physical Readiness Test is a similar discipline required to make tough decisions utilizing our life given abilities to think and reason.”

 

SHOW:  VU3-11 "Body & Spirit are Integrated"

 

“Our body, mind and spirit are integrated and each impacts the other. Physical endurance comes by disciplining the body. Mental toughness comes from disciplining the mind. Sound judgment comes from using our skills just as physical strength comes from physical training. But our bodies, minds, and spirits do not work independently from one another. As one is developed so the other becomes strengthened.”

 

SHOW:  VU3-12 "How do we become disciplined?"

 

“Can you think of some ways in which the body, the mind and the spirit can be disciplined? “

 

{Record responses on the overhead, chalkboard or butcher paper.}

 

“When discipline is missing the soldier has sloppy thinking, he takes the line of least resistance, and he could end up dead, weak or killing other people. The team doesn't do well, looses games, looks defeated.”

 

SHOW:  VU3-13 "What happens if discipline in a unit or individual soldier is missing?"

 

{Record responses on overhead, chalkboard or butcher paper.}

 

“I’ve tried to establish that discipline is a helpful characteristic for both individuals and units to have. That self discipline translates into unit cohesion and discipline. Self discipline results in enhanced unit readiness. But its greatest contribution is the positive returns in one’s own life.”

 

“However, let’s entertain for a few minutes what would happen to a unit or individual soldier who does not maintain good, sound discipline.”

 

SHOW:  VU3-14 "Personal Action Plan"

 

“If each of us took a little time to look closely at our lives and our units, it is likely that we would discover areas in which discipline is needed. Always striving to improve is also an element of that discipline characteristic in some other part of our lives.”

 

“To assist you in identifying and working on those areas which are in need of an improvement in discipline we have created this form called Personal Action Plan.”

 

{Hand out the Personal Action Plans. The sample which follows this lesson, was to have been copied prior to the class session. Give them time to fill it out.}

 

“The Personal Action Plan comes in two parts. The top portion is for you. Please fill it out now. Now consider the bottom portion. Please write your comments and do not sign your name. When completed, tear off the bottom portion and pass it to me.”

 

{Collect the Personal Action Plans}

 

 

PERSONAL ACTION PLAN

 

 

Regarding the value of DISCIPLINE, I am doing well in the following ways:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding the value of DISCIPLINE, I would like to improve my life in the following ways:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

----------------------------- (Tear this half off and give to instructor)------------------------------

 

 

Regarding the value of DISCIPLINE, my unit is doing well in the following ways:

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Regarding the value of DISCIPLINE, some ways in which my unit could improve are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLIDES

 

VU 3-6  DEFINITION:  DISCIPLINE

 

         Training that develops self control, character, or orderliness

         and efficiency; acceptance of or submission to authority and control.

 

 

VU3-7:  AVOID DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

 

 

VU3-8:  DISCIPLINE AND RESPONSIBILITY

 

 

VU3-9:  ?  WHY DISCIPLINE  ?

 

 

VU3-10:  WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO THINK AND REASON

 

 

VU3-11:  BODY AND SPIRIT ARE INTEGRATED

 

 

VU3-12:  ?  HOW DO WE BECOME DISCIPLINED ?

 

 

VU3-13:  WHAT HAPPENS IF DISCIPLINE IN A UNIT OR INDIVIDUAL SOLDIER IS MISSING?

 

 

VU 3-14:  PERSONAL ACTION PLAN