So what does it mean to be a well seasoned citizen soldier?

The early American Minutemen knew what kind of men they were. They were a cadre force selected from ranks of the regular militia who had fought in the French & Indian Wars, trained up and ready to move on a minute’s notice. They knew what they could do and they knew how to do it. The NEODF is keeping that tradition alive with the PIP; the Personnel Incentive Program.

Why the hatchet?  The hatchet was an integral piece of equipment for the Colonial Minuteman. The hatchet is listed twice in Roger’s Rangers Standing Orders:

"2.  Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute's warning."

“19.  Let the enemy come till he's almost close enough to touch.  Then let him have it and jump out and finish him with your hatchet.”

The PIP is a two sheet program that breaks down basic skills and tasks necessary to be considered well seasoned. The different areas include; infantry skills, hand signals, close quarter battle drills, scout skills, wilderness survival, communication, navigation, weapons, and first aid. Each member wishing to get their PIP is given a PIP sheet that they should bring to every training session. During the training they can then request that a member of the officer staff sign off on a completed task to state that the member has shown proficiency in this skill set. Once the entire skill sheet is checked off the member will be issued the PIP Hatchet Patch (see above) to be displayed on their uniform. The member then has permission to carry a hatchet as part of their regular equipment (NEODF members are not permitted to do so unless they have completed the first PIP). Getting your hatchet shows that you know what you are about.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can you send me a PIP Sheet?   Nope sorry, you have to come out and get it.

2. Can I get past credit for what I have done in the unit? Yes. We will take each member selectively on a case per case basis. We're looking for past skills that are documented (i.e. use of field phones in Super Squad or a documented qualification score). Though some of the officer staff has elected to go through the entire PIP without using past credit.

3. Can I knock out the entirety of the PIP sheet in an entire weekend? Maybe if you have years of experience/ training and you are committed to putting in a long 3 day weekend. It will probably take longer than that for most people.

4. Why would I want to carry a hatchet? Well for starters it’s a useful tool. And in close it makes for a pretty wicked hand-to-hand weapon. Though just because you have the hatchet doesn’t mean you are required to carry a hatchet. Its just an option.

5. Can we do some of the PIP at a Supplementary training? Yes. But you have to have an officer present to sign off on it.   

6. What if I lose my PIP sheet half way through? Go back to Question number 1.

 

Go get your PIP Hatchet!