Posted on Aug 6, 2015
SCPO David Lockwood
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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Yes & no. It can help & hinder.

Think about all the stupid things that are just institutionalized into us. Sometimes it takes a "Civilian" to go "Why the $^%&$&$ are you doing that? That's just stupid." Sometimes it takes someone with no military service to look at all the asinine things we do, and go "we can change that."

As an example, Hon. Ray Mabus (SecNav) has started making A LOT of positive changes in the Department of the Navy. He's never been in the military. Had that been a prerequisite, we would have missed out on him. We may have still got those changes... but when?
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SCPO David Lockwood
SCPO David Lockwood
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Thanks for your input.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
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SCPO David Lockwood - While I agree with what Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS said, I think that, as a general rule, experience is better than no experience. There are exceptions, like the one SGT Kennedy mentioned, however, I think that is rare. I would bet that he is getting a lot of advice from Navy personnel and, to his credit, he is listening. Imagine if he had no experience and was not listening...
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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Sir, 100% concur.

This is one of those "diversity" enhances us deals. I don't think we should ever have a prerequisite of Service (or type of service), because it eliminates options. I used one example, because he is modern and I believe apt to the discussion.

The flip side of that is that "they can't understand because they've never been there" however that creates special challenges as well. In a lot of cases, we are our own worst enemy with that kind of thinking.
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SCPO David Lockwood
SCPO David Lockwood
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Good points Col, all except taking advice from Navy personnel that stung a little! LOL!
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
COL Jean (John) F. B.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - I agree, as long as the people without experience recognize that and seek advice from those with experience.
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SSG Warren Swan
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No. I say this because of what Sgt Aaron Kennedy said below and the fact that some politicians use their military service as a stepping stone, (or a check the box for office deal) and litmus test against others. It doesn't take into account if they were any good or not, and you can have a Sh*tbag troop get out and still be a Sh*tbag person.
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SCPO David Lockwood
SCPO David Lockwood
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Thanks for your input SSG.
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