Are military members less motivated in this era? Are they too smart for their own good?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:18:18 -0400

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 11 at 2014 3:44 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:44:26 -0400

"Too smart"? That may be a stretch.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 3:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:50:23 -0400

I don't think they are less motivated so much as they require a different type of motivation. I am more amazed by the leaders that think that older leadership styles are still relevant now.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2014 12:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 00:53:23 -0400

This is a very common logical fallacy -- see http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Good_old_days

"No era has a monopoly on virtue". The only constant is, human beings are more malleable and susceptible to influence when they are younger compared to when they are older. Most of our recruits enter the military between the ages of 17 and 25 -- their most impressionable years. Whatever methodology is impressed upon that clay will stick for the rest of their career.

For a humorous but no less cogent take, see http://xkcd.com/1227/

Good old days - RationalWiki

"Good old days" is a term that is often used in when engaging in nostalgia, remembering only the positive aspects of times past while sweeping concomitant negatives under the rug. It has also been called the Golden Age Fallacy.[2]

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Feb 18 at 2015 8:47 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 20:47:37 -0500

I came in 1984, and we were the stew generation, we transformed under fire of leadership and you adapted quickly. Granted we had garrison time, and E-1, was responsible for cleaning, and shining brass.

To much is give much is required, we took the cleaning jobs away and took on contractors. This took away motivation and humility. This generation is documented and has all of the advantages. I noticed many do not take correction well, or handle set-backs.

We are living in an age of over analyze and Politically correctness.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 9:20 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:20:27 -0500

What is your perfect Sailor, Soldier, Airman, or Marine? Do you want someone that is fantastic at fogging mirrors on command? Do you want someone that questions what is going on but is ? Or do you want someone capable of hacking the enemy's defense department without trying, but can't remember to keep themselves clean?

Is this a personal motivational or intelligence problem or is this a leadership problem?