How do we encourage new troops to embrace a 'sense of duty'?

CPT Richard Riley — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 15:28:31 -0500

To piggy-back on to MSgt's question - if we (more seasoned troops) already know that new troops have a lack of 'sense of duty' what ways can we come up with to repair or fix the issue? There should certainly be a multitude of ways we can encourage young troops to embrace and foster that sense of duty. Pride in yourself and your performance can go a long way in growing that sense of duty. With all the knowledge here, there must be opinions and suggestions available to combat this issue and correct it.<br>

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 22 at 2014 5:24 PM

SFC James Baber — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 17:24:58 -0500

Sir,

I do still fall back to the problem mainly being part of the current "me" generation and even the 1 just before them, allow me to elaborate, sometime during the late 80s/early 90s the changes started coming about from the PC and legal changes, parents were starting to get in trouble for disciplining their children because the establishment claimed it was child abuse for any type of punishment, parents were having the police called on them for taking away their children's video games, toys, etc., this led to more issues, so parents became afraid to punish or even correct their children when they were doing something wrong. Then the next problem was started by the Clinton administration and their "leave no child behind" program, students who otherwise would fail because of lack of effort or unable to accomplish proper learning skills, started receiving passing grades for substandard work and becoming entitled, then you toss in the concept of everyone getting a trophy for being on the team whether they participated or not, no one being cut because it would damage their psyche, teams not counting scores, etc., etc.

It is and was this increasing PC mentality that started the issue that have escalated over the past 2 decades that have made it a problem and have worsened the issues to where we are seeing the mentality in the Soldiers that have been recruited or have come in over the past decade +, it won't change over night, but we need to get the politicians out of the military atmosphere and allow the leaders to go back to what worked for generations prior to the PC mentality. The military has been forced to remove many traditions and systems that were working and not physically or mentally damaging SMs when utilized. When they came out with "stress cards", removing certain exercises from corrective training, continually reducing the amounts of repetitions from corrective training (currently no more than 5 allowed), etc., etc., we have been downplayed by our own politicians and made soft, which is not what you desire from a defender of your nation against the non-soft enemies of the world.

The only way to change it and restore a sense of duty is to be able to re-instill it via enforcing standards and implementing traditional ways of teaching, training, disciplining, etc., without PC interruption or disruption.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 2 at 2019 8:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 20:29:33 -0500

I told the Finance Unit I was commanding to give world class support because not all of them will come home.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 11:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 23:58:40 -0500

I suggest that what some refer to the "me" generation throughout different posts, isn't solely based on their receiving participation trophies.
I believe the "me" attitude, lack of ethics and integrity, and little focus on community and public service of the leadership of this nation, corporations, and professional sports, raises questions as to what or whom, do they have a duty.
They heard the claims that Clinton dodged the draft, and that Bush avoided Vietnam in the Guard because of wealth and influence. They saw banks fail, taxpayers bail them out and lose their homes, while the failed CEOs walked away with millions.
On the other hand, many schools began requiring community service as a graduation requirement, which should have begun to develop a sense of duty, but wasn't focused on.
I do believe there was a surge of duty after 9-11, but it wasn't capitalized on.
Interesting question, and I'm sure there are other reasons. For all I know, maybe the lack of Pledge of Allegiance is part of the problem.