How do we get away from this "Screw over your peers" mentality we have developed in the Army?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:36:10 -0400

In recent years I have noticed that support for peers as all but disappeared. It is more about kicking them in the face to progress yourself. I understand being competitive, but it has gotten downright dirty. How can we turn this around?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2023 1:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:27:34 -0400

I have to agree with you, I met so many above-rank peers who never wanted to share experiences of their NCOES, certifications, etc. That selfishness is so normal nowdays that it is shameful if you go by the NCO Creed...

Response by CSM William Everroad made Sep 28 at 2023 1:53 PM

CSM William Everroad — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:53:25 -0400

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member, I think any instances of "Screw over your peers" and lack of information sharing as SFC Private RallyPoint Member has pointed out is related to the now more competitive nature of promotions in general. That an information availability, everyone now knows what the base line of their cohort is for promoting so they have to find a way to set themselves apart. I don't think the majority of cases is malicious, just a Soldier knowing what they need to succeed in their career.

For example, every SSG knows almost everyone of their peers has a degree (in some MOS) and certain awards, schools, or badges can set them apart. But if everyone else knows, it makes the cutoff score go higher. To me, this is a terrible mindset considering we will eventually bottleneck if we don't get our recruiting up, but here we are.

Honestly, I am of the school of thought that I have accrued a ton of advice and information over my career that will not benefit me, but may change the career trajectory of a junior enlisted or officer so it behooves me, for the health of the force, to give it out whenever I am out and about. It is also one of the reasons why I participate in this forum.

At the end of the day, it is up to us senior leaders to set unit culture to encourage discussions around es spirit de corps, unit cohesion, and team development so that is one succeeds, we all succeed and benefit.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Sep 28 at 2023 5:47 PM

SFC Marc W. — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:47:32 -0400

/s stop sending people to west point.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2023 8:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:01:35 -0400

I can't say that I have seen this. How are people screwing over their peers. Are they stealing their property so they get in trouble or reporting a false claim?

Response by COL Dan Ruder made Sep 28 at 2023 11:36 PM

COL Dan Ruder — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 23:36:37 -0400

I didn't see this mentality in my cohort but I can understand that situations of people living in their own little space of self-regard do exist. Where these situations exist, the local culture of 'I am my own project' needs to break.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 29 at 2023 9:25 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:25:07 -0400

This goes back to engaged leadership and servant leadership. Younger service members emulate and mimic senior service members. Always have, always will. If you don't like what's coming out of the kitchen you need to check the quality of ingredients and you also have to check the people cooking. With that said there also has to be a line of troop welfare/covering for your people and holding the standard of yesterday so tomorrow comes. There are always going to be scammers, skaters and shammers but you'll also have the extreme opposite in the form of the scorched Earth leaders who will burn anyone who they thinks dishonored themselves or the service. We have to focus on the middle and hold the standards while also being able to show grace when appropriate.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 30 at 2023 3:38 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 15:38:21 -0400

First I would end the "Up or Out" mentality that the Army has had forever. If a Soldier is really good at what he or she is doing and doesn't want to or is not suited to get promoted, but is happy and fully competent in the position they are in, then let them stay in that position. May or the backstabbers are individuals that can not look good without making someone else look bad.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 10 at 2023 8:57 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 08:57:42 -0400

While this appears to be true of todays force I believe it is not out of reach to real it in.

NCODP, round table discussion, senior leaders walking the ranks, participating in training, grab a broom at the motor pool, go to the break area, eat lunch with junior Soldiers, we're in my daily routine, even at Nominative levels. Bottom line is that until our ear is to the troops we cannot discern where the problem lays.

The NCO Creed is as valid today as the day it was implemented, all Soldiers benefit when knowledge is shared and development is the key component of a units culture. .