Folks Who Want To Serve But Don't Want The Responsibility?

2015-09-09T16:43:38-04:00

Do you have folks under you who act like this? I am trying to understand the generational differences.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 9 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-09-09T16:46:36-04:00

Yes

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 9 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-09-09T17:20:49-04:00

MAJ Ken Landgren Can you provide an example or article?, I have not really run into this.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 9 at 2015 9:21 PM

2015-09-09T21:21:53-04:00

With service comes responsibility

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 9:43 PM

2015-09-09T21:43:52-04:00

If they loved this country and supported it 100% they would. If they don't want it 100% I don't want them in our military to be honest. Just my opinion though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 9:59 PM

2015-09-09T21:59:53-04:00

The sad thing is that there are a lot of the younger generation (no offense) that wants all of the glory and perks, but want nothing at all to do with responsibility.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 9 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-09-09T22:23:28-04:00

For the ones who don't want to work, is it the result of never really working hard, or not having the maturity to understand systems, organizations, hierarchy, and teams. Could it be a combination of both?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 9 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-09-09T22:57:50-04:00

If it were easy, they would call it bowling and everyone would do it.

There has always been that minority of career PFCs that like playing Army but never want to be responsible for it.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Sep 9 at 2015 11:34 PM

2015-09-09T23:34:38-04:00

Understanding responsibility and accountability, in my view, is not understood nor embraced by many...

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 10 at 2015 6:45 AM

2015-09-10T06:45:06-04:00

There have been people like this going back to the caveman days. I don't think laziness and avoiding responsibility is something the current generation invented. Seems worse maybe but not new.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-09-10T08:33:45-04:00

I was thinking hard on a related issue last night.

Perhaps we "overgeneralize", but it does seem that the "Meh" attitude is a prevalent one. A couple of things I've observed that "differ" from how I recall my own immaturity at 17-25, and those of contemporary age today:

1. A trained sense of cynicism rather than optimism: It seems that being committed or dedicated to anything is viewed as being less than wise.

2. A belief that technology has replaced experience: We all felt we "knew it all" at some point...usually corrected with a few years of "real life"...However, it does seem that younger people actually discount experience believing that true competency isn't about skill development, but mastery of operating the technology that "gives" the answer.

3. A rejection of permanence or stability as a "ruse": Young people seem convinced that the "normal" way of living is a kind of self-imposed prison. In their defense, "we" have not done much to convince them otherwise. Why own a home (if you can) when you spend most of your life away from it? Why drive a large vehicle if you don't need it for work? Why wear "business attire" to sit in a cubicle? Maybe they have been convinced that the "traditional" models of existence are largely hollow?

At the end of the day, I think we all mature a great deal between twenty to thirty...marriage and children change so much of your perception of "value". I believe and hope that our young military professionals will go through much of that maturation as they become more involved in the operation and administration of their duties.

Response by SMSgt Dan Lucero made Sep 10 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-09-10T16:51:07-04:00

Major,
Having been a T.I. for 4 years in the Air Force, I find most recruits come out of basic training having been stripped of their pop-culture civilian identity and thoroughly indoctrinated into the military way of life. Once at their first duty station, if the bad apples are influencing the new recruit before their supervisor or in place of their supervisor, they will have a tough time keeping the new recruit squared away. Additionally, there should be very little adjustment for the recruit at his first duty station if the supervisor is doing his job. After 24 years active duty, I learned that when an Airmen/Soldier/Marine/Sailor under your supervision is screwing up by the numbers the first thing you do is find the closest mirror, look at yourself with honesty and integrity and ask, "Am I fulfilling my role as an affective supervisor?" I have found the majority of the problems with my subordinates stemmed from either my lack of experience communicating my expectations or procrastination in engaging with the new recruit. Bottom line is, unless a supervisor firmly engages with his subordinate early and often, much like a child with a parent, the subordinate will do what the supervisor allows them to do. My advise is to put the question to your SNCOs and CGOs while handing out mirrors.

Dan Lucero
SMSgt, USAF, Ret

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Sep 11 at 2015 6:07 PM

2015-09-11T18:07:13-04:00

Serving this country requires a responsibility to the Constitution we swore to defend---the American People ----and the leaders appointed over us---If they don't want responsibility---get a job at McDonalds and forget the military.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-09-11T19:31:27-04:00

Everything in life follows a bell curve. Take example grades. The ones who work the hardest generally get the A's. The ones who don't give a crap will get the low grades if they don't drop out. It appears we have a large C group who think they deserve more.