Posted on Jun 17, 2017
Do you believe our senior ranks are political? If so, should it be that way?
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I've noticed that many senior ranks are political. Sergeant Major and above are extremely political ranks as are the ranks of Major and above. Why do we need politics in our ranks? What are your thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
New Politics
Senior Leaders
New Politics Senior Leaders
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Depends on what you mean by political. All soldiers, regardless of rank, should be a-political, subordinated to the president and the constitution by our respective oaths.
There is a role for your reputation, past performance, temperament, and ability to interact with people in the selection and promotion of senior leaders. It is magnified when you are in command positions at the O5 level and above and their Command Sergeants Major. As a Garrison Commander I was expected to be the Army's Ambassador to that region. I routinely had to respond to a member of Congress, a state senator, about 11 mayors, 13 Native American tribes, about 12 mutual aid agreements, other federal agencies, and numerous civic organizations to tend fences and set conditions for partnerships for mutual benefit and conflict resolution to,protect the Army's interests in the region. Missteps can set your entire command back. Successes can improve things for soldiers, their families, and the Army. Creating a shit storm in the press because you can't function in public doesn't help the Army Mission, and sets the Army back. I spent a lot of time thinking about how other people would perceive our actions, who had to be worked off line, and external communication that was required to make my command's objectives happen. Sometimes people just expect you to show up and shake hands. Other times they want something. Sometimes they want nothing but to be acknowledged.
Line Command teams assist in those functions in supporting enegagememts and partnerships as part of the community.
There is a role for your reputation, past performance, temperament, and ability to interact with people in the selection and promotion of senior leaders. It is magnified when you are in command positions at the O5 level and above and their Command Sergeants Major. As a Garrison Commander I was expected to be the Army's Ambassador to that region. I routinely had to respond to a member of Congress, a state senator, about 11 mayors, 13 Native American tribes, about 12 mutual aid agreements, other federal agencies, and numerous civic organizations to tend fences and set conditions for partnerships for mutual benefit and conflict resolution to,protect the Army's interests in the region. Missteps can set your entire command back. Successes can improve things for soldiers, their families, and the Army. Creating a shit storm in the press because you can't function in public doesn't help the Army Mission, and sets the Army back. I spent a lot of time thinking about how other people would perceive our actions, who had to be worked off line, and external communication that was required to make my command's objectives happen. Sometimes people just expect you to show up and shake hands. Other times they want something. Sometimes they want nothing but to be acknowledged.
Line Command teams assist in those functions in supporting enegagememts and partnerships as part of the community.
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What are the "politics" you are referring to? What senior ranks are political? What makes you say that CSM is a very political rank?
There are no politics in rank. Military are not allowed to endorse any politics in uniform, or use their rank to proselytize to subordinates.
There are no politics in rank. Military are not allowed to endorse any politics in uniform, or use their rank to proselytize to subordinates.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Like when a CSM has to testify before Congress… I've never heard of a Specialist having to do that.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG(P) (Join to see) - That's not political or politics, those E9s from the various branches are testifying on the state of the military, programs, and readiness. They are being questioned, not lobbying for more money or different programs.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SSG(P) (Join to see) - A CSM represents years of experience that a specialist has not yet acquired and will often have oversight over many programs. They are in a better position to understand requirements and specific needs and be comfortable before and with an audience of those of higher rank be they Military or Civilian. If You going to bother having anyone speak or make a presentation You pick the one with the most knowledge and a person that can answer the questions that may be asked.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SSG(P) (Join to see) - the service senior enlisted advisors are callable by congress for the appropriate programs they are advising their GO in administering.
When congressional committees and staffs travel to visit military installations or in the case of the Army Family Action plan, soldiers and even families participate in those forums. Department of the Army committee of women in the services (DACOWITS) is another one. Soldiers are routinely asked to eat lunch with these delegations at the DFAC for a round table discussion. These delegations tour and even conduct some training led by soldiers. I have had to arrange scores of these as a Commander and a staff officer. Happens fairly frequently on the AD side.
When congressional committees and staffs travel to visit military installations or in the case of the Army Family Action plan, soldiers and even families participate in those forums. Department of the Army committee of women in the services (DACOWITS) is another one. Soldiers are routinely asked to eat lunch with these delegations at the DFAC for a round table discussion. These delegations tour and even conduct some training led by soldiers. I have had to arrange scores of these as a Commander and a staff officer. Happens fairly frequently on the AD side.
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