The “Entitlement Generation” - What are your thoughts on this article?

You ready for this CMSgt (Join to see)......we are raising this generation!

So, maybe we ought to look in the mirror and see for ourselves if we are contributing to the erosion of our country from within our own households!

Do we hold our own (children/young people) accountable - I know mine (my children) are held accountable to this day - none (of my four) live at home, they are all tax paying productive/hard working citizens - the youngest being a 21 year old Army Ranger.....so, are we part of the problem, or part of the solution?

So, we have to get it right at our homes first.

CMSgt (Join to see); CSM Michael J. Uhlig; CSM (Join to see); SFC Mark Merino; SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP'. Look at how we were raised. Whether it is comments here about the spoon, or how our parents would have handled us if we were caught rioting in the streets as part of an unruly mob of thugs, we all share that common bond of parents who weren't reluctant or remorseful about opening a can of Whoop-Ass on us if and when we crossed that line. And make no mistake; we all knew where that line was, 24/7.

Now look at us today. Each of us has enjoyed success in the professions we have chosen; three of you have attained the highest rank in your branch already. Though I wish I could continue to serve longer, I am proud of the fact that I will retire as a Major, which was my goal when I chose to pursue a Commission 21 years ago. I left it all on the field; I regret nothing. Through it all, I often find myself reflecting upon how much the values instilled in me through the way I was raised and the strength of character it instilled which ultimately forged the man and leader I am today are priceless.

When I look at this younger generation, with all of it's expectations of ease and instant gratification, I tremble at the thought of who shall defend us? Who among this brood has the strength of character to withstand the bureaucratic scrutiny of Military life, let alone combat? I envision nothing but wilting violets when faced with any kind of UCMJ action, from an Article 15 to an Article 32; just the shear unpleasantness of being accused is likely more than enough to buy a vacation home for a pschotherapist!

The only way to adjust-fire on this is to kill Political Correctness in it's vile, slimy tracks. Now.

I still think of the Mom who went and pulled her son out of the mob of rioters, and proceeded to go "old school" on him. I can't remember what network I heard it on, but the remark that bothered me was that on a normal day, this mother could expect to be arrested and charged for assaulting her son so violently; sadly, for him, this isn't a normal day; clearly implying that even though he was in the wrong for rioting, he was still a victim of violence at the hand of his mother. Everywhere we turn, these kids; our kids, are our victims it seems!

There are a few lessons I try to pass on to my kids through simple repetitive phrases, I figure it worked shaping young Soldiers and it seems to be doing OK with my kids.

"Remember son, the world owes you nothing!"
We all came in to this world the same, covered in goo and stinky. Someone took care of us. We owe the world, it doesn't owe us.

"How are you going to make your world better today?"
A direct challenge to make them take ownership

"Humble pie tastes better than a shit sandwich!"
Don't let bad new, a lie or gossip spiral out of control, deal with it early and try to be honest. Sometimes it hurts and it will humble you.

Mess with the bull and you'll get the horns.

By the way, I loved the article, I tasted the back of my mother's hand at full speed more than once. At about than five feet tall she still commanded authority. She bore nine children and by the time I came around she was a Zen Master of Asswhoopery, by the way that's an official title. She could smell a lie a mile away and I never heard "Wait till your father gets home." She handled business.