What are everyones thoughts on TDA vs MTOE units?

I can see why you may view that discipline varies greatly between MTOE and TDA units however you have to look at the mission. The mission of an MTOE unit is usually to deploy within so many hours in support of a plethora of missions. Strict discipline in an MTOE unit is a must! When the order comes down to deploy on a moments notice everyone in the unit must act as they were trained. There is no time to train on the go in this environment. Readiness is key!

TDA units on the other hand are usually home based non-deployable units that prescribe the mission, personnel, and equipment for the MTOE units. This is the unit that will likely write the initial order for the MTOE unit to deploy on a moments notice. TDA units also usually have an inflated rank structure with fewer junior Soldiers and Officers than an MTOE unit. With an inflated rank structure NCOs cannot use the same leadership tactics as they did in an MTOE unit. You will likely alienate yourself and feel like you are being shunned as you stated above.

I am just leaving a TDA environment and our NCOs were highly valued members of the team! They still enforced the standards with mid-senior grade NCOs and Officers, but did so in a more tactful less directive way. In an MTOE unit NCOs are very directive and soldiers tend to listen as this is what we are trained to do.

I have now worked in a Special Forces Group, 82nd ABN DIV, an Army Service Component Command, and will soon work in a strictly Intelligence unit. Throughout the last 10+ years I have learned how unique each of unit was and how leadership styles differed between each due to many factors.

You must remain adaptive!

MTOE and TDA units make up the Army. Both types of units have different missions, but are equally important. MTOE(faster paced) vs TDA(slower paced). I looked at TDA's as 'sustainers' and MTOE's as 'go getters'.

I would say no matter where you get assigned you do your best for the organization. You can still go the extra mile and make a difference, just remember the environment you're in.

We had an SGM that came from a line unit. As a TDA unit we didn't have basic CIF items unless they remained with you after a deployment. SGM wanted to do all this 'hooah hooah' stuff and finally someone had to sit him down and explain this unit doesn't operate this way. It took him awhile, but he finally fit in and did some great things for the benefits of the organization.

TDA and mTOE are two different worlds. They operate in different ways because they have to. The issue is not that the NCO (or officer for that matter) wants to make a difference, as it is that they have to understand that the methods used in an mTOE may not necessarily work in a TDA environment. The leader needs to be able to adapt to be successful. My guess is those who are "looked down on" haven't tried to adapt their methods.