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I've heard the arguments that the new generation is very self-focused and that their sense of entitlement is the cause for the shift from serving the services to serving the individual but what about the legacy servicemembers? More and more, I encounter those individuals (who have been in too long to be considered part of the new generation) whose only driving force is advancement or recognition. Is this the state to which we are reduced? To where the collective is no longer as important as how far "I" can get? Why is that?
Duty
Selfless Service
Mentorship
Posted >1 y ago
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Well, when you start massive cuts to our population, and loudly encourage everyone to set themselves ahead of their peers to avoid the cuts, you're going to foster a cut throat "me vs them" mentality.
Welcome to The Purge.
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MSgt Johnson,
This issue did not start just now or even a few years ago, I think its just a microcosm of our society as a whole, since less than 1% serve in the Armed Forces. Now I will say this the military as a whole has always been looked at as a second or third option. So all of those attitudes from the different service members that have been chaptered out, retired, MEB'd out, etc etc. With me being in the recruiting environment for over 12 years now I have seen and heard it all however not as much with this being on the healthcare side, but still the same type of "ME" attitude. Guess what its getting worse. It sort-of reminds me of the Roman Empire, slowly destroyed itself from within. So the people goes then the nation as well. Just my thoughts.
This issue did not start just now or even a few years ago, I think its just a microcosm of our society as a whole, since less than 1% serve in the Armed Forces. Now I will say this the military as a whole has always been looked at as a second or third option. So all of those attitudes from the different service members that have been chaptered out, retired, MEB'd out, etc etc. With me being in the recruiting environment for over 12 years now I have seen and heard it all however not as much with this being on the healthcare side, but still the same type of "ME" attitude. Guess what its getting worse. It sort-of reminds me of the Roman Empire, slowly destroyed itself from within. So the people goes then the nation as well. Just my thoughts.
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I don't know that there is a simple answer to your question. Society has evolved down a path where many are opting to obtain anything they can from the 'system' without a penalty for less-than-truthful reasons. When you look at the social media of today, the majority of young people (sadly to me that is anyone in the under 25 crowd) are fully immersed in it. They've grown up with almost immediate results for anything they participate in and expect that will continue based on their experience. For me, a sense of duty was a learned trait over time and grew with continued service. I hope, as time goes, our younger generation will begin to see this "sense of duty" and rise to the occasion.
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CPT Richard Riley
SSG perception can be a fleeting thing. If there are 'peers' in the old group actually outwardly showing a non-caring attitude that may very well be a different symptom entirely. If I'm honest, at one point in my career I may have veered into that expression for a brief period of time, but was corrected and moved forward from there. The original question alluded to newer troops and their 'lack of' a sense of duty. I think once you've had a sense of duty it's much easier to get back on track if you happen to stray then it is trying to obtain it for the first time.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC Drake, most are pretty obvious. Not making obvious on the spot corrections, writing NCOERs, holding service-members accountable through UCMJ.
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SPC (Join to see)
SSG Redondo, allow me to expand upon your statement.
SFC Drake, On a daily basis on Fort Carson I see and hear NCO's openly say they do not care. They say this amongst their subordinates. They openly mock their seniors peers and subordinates alike. "No one is more professional than I.", "I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike.".
NCO's who will openly mock their subordinates when the SM asks a question because they are bored or do not know the answer and are attempting to attain a laugh from their peers. "I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety.".
NCO's who get hemmed up for allowing a barracks residing SM to live in squalor and then get pissed at that SM. Where was the NCO to do random room inspections? "My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind-accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers.".
NCO's who willingly flaunt orders because it suits them to and NCO's who are unwilling to make on the spot corrections. Case in point. I was walking from the motor-pool to my pov one very cold day. I was wearing my pc outside the mp as per post policy. I witness a SGT from another battalion walk from his pov to the mp wearing the fleece pt cap. To his left was a SPC doing the same. They passed a SSG who clearly saw them and that SSG did nothing. It was a cold day, close to sub zero temperature, that however does not take away from the fact that both NCO's and the SPC were in the wrong and not a single word was said. Both NCO's are especially wrong as they set a precedent for that SPC. "I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role.".
NCO's who get pissed when their subordinate shows up to work in the wrong uniform or wrong place because that NCO could not be bothered to to pass down notes from NCO huddles or spend 30 seconds to send their SM a text over the phone. "I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave then uninformed.".
NCO's who will be perfectly content with just sitting around shooting the breeze because they are not willing to go out on a limb and make something happen lest they get hemmed up for doing something. "I will exercise initiative by taking the appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity no my moral courage.".
Gentlemen, No Soldier is perfect. This applies to the newest Private all the way up to General Odierno himself. What matters is that there is a culture in the Army that extends up the ranks. A culture that seemingly holds the belief that so long as I get mine, the hell with you. The OP mentioned the age group of 25 and below. I disagree based on the above, I do however agree based again on the above. How can a young Soldier be expected to have a sense of duty when his NCO's who are older and more experienced are unwilling or unable to follow the NCO creed, the very credo which outlines that sense of duty.
SFC Drake, On a daily basis on Fort Carson I see and hear NCO's openly say they do not care. They say this amongst their subordinates. They openly mock their seniors peers and subordinates alike. "No one is more professional than I.", "I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike.".
NCO's who will openly mock their subordinates when the SM asks a question because they are bored or do not know the answer and are attempting to attain a laugh from their peers. "I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety.".
NCO's who get hemmed up for allowing a barracks residing SM to live in squalor and then get pissed at that SM. Where was the NCO to do random room inspections? "My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind-accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers.".
NCO's who willingly flaunt orders because it suits them to and NCO's who are unwilling to make on the spot corrections. Case in point. I was walking from the motor-pool to my pov one very cold day. I was wearing my pc outside the mp as per post policy. I witness a SGT from another battalion walk from his pov to the mp wearing the fleece pt cap. To his left was a SPC doing the same. They passed a SSG who clearly saw them and that SSG did nothing. It was a cold day, close to sub zero temperature, that however does not take away from the fact that both NCO's and the SPC were in the wrong and not a single word was said. Both NCO's are especially wrong as they set a precedent for that SPC. "I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role.".
NCO's who get pissed when their subordinate shows up to work in the wrong uniform or wrong place because that NCO could not be bothered to to pass down notes from NCO huddles or spend 30 seconds to send their SM a text over the phone. "I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave then uninformed.".
NCO's who will be perfectly content with just sitting around shooting the breeze because they are not willing to go out on a limb and make something happen lest they get hemmed up for doing something. "I will exercise initiative by taking the appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity no my moral courage.".
Gentlemen, No Soldier is perfect. This applies to the newest Private all the way up to General Odierno himself. What matters is that there is a culture in the Army that extends up the ranks. A culture that seemingly holds the belief that so long as I get mine, the hell with you. The OP mentioned the age group of 25 and below. I disagree based on the above, I do however agree based again on the above. How can a young Soldier be expected to have a sense of duty when his NCO's who are older and more experienced are unwilling or unable to follow the NCO creed, the very credo which outlines that sense of duty.
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SFC A.M. Drake
SPC Maddy,
Your comments are very disturbing to hear. All I can say is really? Has our Army gone that far away from the basics? I have been in recruiting for over 12yrs and we have our own issues, but you bring a new light on the situation and validate what I said earlier about the "me" syndrome. good comments Spc Maddy
Your comments are very disturbing to hear. All I can say is really? Has our Army gone that far away from the basics? I have been in recruiting for over 12yrs and we have our own issues, but you bring a new light on the situation and validate what I said earlier about the "me" syndrome. good comments Spc Maddy
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