Posted on Jun 17, 2017
Do your Officers get to play "Soldier" (or equivalent term in other branches)?
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I am with a Civil Affairs unit and for those who may be unfamiliar with the make up of these units, there are a lot of officers. (usually 04-06). During my last range exercise, we were putting up tents and it seemed like every time an officer started to pitch in, an enlisted or NCO took over with "I've got that Sir/Ma'am"
It got me thinking. How often does this happen in units?
Officers. how do you feel when you are just kind of watching in the background as the troops do the labor. Often do you try to pitch in just to be gently put on the sidelines by well-meaning troops.
NCO's and Enlisted: Do you feel that you are somehow obligated, whether though pride or some sort of tradition, to take on the labor tasks from the officers? Do you welcome the help?
Personally, I enjoyed working side by side with the officers setting up the site. The teamwork was great and I think everyone learned from each other.
It got me thinking. How often does this happen in units?
Officers. how do you feel when you are just kind of watching in the background as the troops do the labor. Often do you try to pitch in just to be gently put on the sidelines by well-meaning troops.
NCO's and Enlisted: Do you feel that you are somehow obligated, whether though pride or some sort of tradition, to take on the labor tasks from the officers? Do you welcome the help?
Personally, I enjoyed working side by side with the officers setting up the site. The teamwork was great and I think everyone learned from each other.
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Maj John Bell
My father had a list of about a thousand phrases he dropped regularly. One was "If anyone is working, everyone is working." There was no such thing as watching someone else work. When I finished my duties, I was not above brushing a broom, swabbing a deck, polishing brass, or cleaning a crew-served weapon for armory check-in. Any Marine that tried to sideline me would instantly recognize that he was getting the "death glare" and back off.
The pay off (that was NOT expected, but occasionally happened) was when I rejoined the company in the field after a meeting at the Battalion CP and found that my fighting hole and alternate positions were already complete, or some similar sign that the Marines were taking care of me.
The pay off (that was NOT expected, but occasionally happened) was when I rejoined the company in the field after a meeting at the Battalion CP and found that my fighting hole and alternate positions were already complete, or some similar sign that the Marines were taking care of me.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Personally, I would rather be out working with my troops. Granted there are some officers that feel untitled or simply do not know how to do a task, like setting up a tent. I tell my Soldiers I will not send them to do anything I wouldn't do myself or haven't done (maybe that has to do with being prior enlisted?). If I'm struggling I appreciate someone offering to step in. If I got it, then I'd like to complete the task at hand - but yes, when NCOs see me doing a simple task like bringing out a mop bucket they usually send a junior Soldier to take over.
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Capt Elliot Hershik
There were definitely times I would help with set-up or a physical task if I wasn't off doing something else. If I was waved off by one of the enlisted/NCO Marines I took it as they felt it was part of their role to do this kind of work and I had shown my willingness to pitch in and not be above it.
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SMSgt Edmund Pokorski
SMSgt. Ret. USAF Ed Pokorski Oh yes. In the Air Force they do. Most don't like it though. It tough. It takes them out of their offices and away from families. Aaahhh! The ones that do like it make it miserable for everyone else.
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Best commander I ever had was a former ensiled Marine. When we first unloading our gear in AFG he was the first one up in the truck helping toss out bags. He was always willing to pitch in when possible. Initially people tried to step in and take his place, but he wouldn't have it. I always respected that.
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LtCol Bruce Janis
In combat everyone works together. Digging a foxhole was my radio operators job because I was up front with the rifle platoons setting up fields of fire or in consultation with the company commander. Other than that we shared watches and patrols equally withy my Asst FO.
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The most outstanding CO I encountered during my entire military career, CPT. Israel Reyes (D. Co. 547th ENG. BN., Darmstadt, FRG) used to love getting his hands dirty from time to time. He loved every one of the men he led and it showed in everything the unit did every day. He pushed hard and accepted nothing but complete success; he takes a lot of trash, as we all did, to other units, made a lot of challenges and never backed down from any.
Truth be told, CPT. Reyes wasn't well liked among certain circles higher up the food chain but it didn't seem to matter because we were the best; we knew it, and we made damn sure everybody else knew it too. If there is anyone reading this who happened to be part of D. Co at the time knows what I mean...
I remember CPT. Reyes even postponing staff college to stay with the his Delta Demons for just a while longer...
He also knew when to stay out of the way and demanded his lieutenants follow his example; in fact he left them no choice.
I can honestly say that my time under his command was personally the happiest and most rewarding of my military career.
Truth be told, CPT. Reyes wasn't well liked among certain circles higher up the food chain but it didn't seem to matter because we were the best; we knew it, and we made damn sure everybody else knew it too. If there is anyone reading this who happened to be part of D. Co at the time knows what I mean...
I remember CPT. Reyes even postponing staff college to stay with the his Delta Demons for just a while longer...
He also knew when to stay out of the way and demanded his lieutenants follow his example; in fact he left them no choice.
I can honestly say that my time under his command was personally the happiest and most rewarding of my military career.
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