CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 JOHN R. ASHLEY
Army Aviation Support Facility #1
Grand Ledge, Michigan

From the first day of flight training and throughout our careers, aviators are taught that indiscipline and flying are incompatible. Every year, though, accident reports prove the consequences of indisciplined behavior, whether showboating in an aircraft or willfully violating regulations and/or other standards. There’s probably a statistic somewhere to reflect that most Army aircrew members have demonstrated indiscipline at one time or another in their careers. This is my story.

As a young warrant officer UH-60A co-pilot on my first assignment, I was flying with a well-respected chief warrant officer pilot in command. The mission was to conduct an air assault, inserting combat troops with rucksacks into a landing zone. En route to the LZ, the PC wanted to give our passengers a “ride” by executing a negative G.

I had previously flown with this PC and he had done the same maneuver under similar conditions. Although I was a bit apprehensive about his performing zero or negative Gs in the aircraft, I said I was OK with him doing another one. The PC maneuvered the aircraft, pushing over and lowering the collective to achieve the desired outcome. Everything within the aircraft that wasn’t tied down was flung through the air, including the dirt on the floor.

The master caution light unexpectedly illuminated and the oil pressure gauges on the central display unit flashed yellow. I promptly scanned the caution advisory panel, noting all the oil pressure lights had illuminated. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement in the cabin. I turned to see a flying rucksack coming forward between the gunners’ seats. I quickly raised my hand to block the rucksack’s path, simultaneously shouting, “Stop! Stop! Stop!” into the integrated communications system.

The PC, unaware of the hazard, increased the collective and the rucksack dropped to the floor behind the center console. I communicated to the PC what had happened and the prospect of what could have happened had the rucksack actually made it into the cockpit. Regardless of rank, I told the PC this was the last “ride” we would be doing.

Several years ago, a UH-60 aircraft crashed while performing a similar low-G flight maneuver when the wheel chocks entered the cockpit and jammed the collective. One crewmember suffered a fatal injury, three received serious injuries, 11 others experienced minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. When I reflect on my incident, I realize how lucky I was.

Even today, Soldiers exhibit confidence beyond their experience level and are willing to reason away the necessity to comply with whatever regulation or standard applies to their situation. Indiscipline is prevalent in the cockpit and behind the wheel of private motor vehicles. Leaders at every echelon — unit commanders, platoon leaders, warrant officers or NCOs — should impose strict standards and discipline and remain vigilant about safety in all daily activities, both on and off duty.

Don’t tolerate indiscipline. Make consequences known if Soldiers disobey orders. Those who tolerate indiscipline unwittingly breed an environment ripe for more of the same. Take a proactive approach to accident prevention and preserve our Band of Brothers and Sisters in combat and back home. Demonstrate to peers and subordinates the same type of disciplined behavior you want them to emulate. Don’t let the enemy win.