Is humor missing and not appreciated in the profession of arms?

2016-10-14T13:14:32-04:00

Colonel Eric Zimmerman points out that we used to have humor in doctrine. The leadership doctrine of the U.S. Army actually addressed the appropriate use of humor in leadership situations. I have always found that using humor brings things down a notch when the proverbial fecal matter hits the spinning blades. In an age where everyone seems offended, is this even more of a problem?
https://www.ausa.org/articles/seriously-let%E2%80%99s-inject-humor-leadership

Seriously, Let’s Inject Humor Into Leadership | Association of the United States Army

If you happen to be a professional academic, a stoic or just generally cantankerous, please promise you won’t stop reading after the next sentence.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 14 at 2016 1:23 PM

2016-10-14T13:23:42-04:00

I can't speak for those currently serving, but it seems that those in harm's way have long relied on humor, albeit gallows humor, to see them through the turmoil of emotions that assaulted them as surely as blades, bombs, and bullets. I've read of it in correspondence and diaries, especially written during the American Civil War. I heard it in hootches in Vietnam. I can't imagine how anyone could survive war without it.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 14 at 2016 1:28 PM

2016-10-14T13:28:29-04:00

We have our iwn, unique, black humor

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 14 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-10-14T14:07:32-04:00

In my opinion, humor is not missing in the profession of arms, but to your 2nd question, yes humor is a problem in an age where everyone is offended.

Humor can be used to boost morale or even build camaraderie. But if you are constantly walking on eggshells worried you might offend someone, you are actually getting the opposite result of humor. Morale drops because everyone is overly serious and camaraderie splits because people aren't opening up to each other.

If I can share a joke with you and both of us laugh, we have just become closer simply from the shared experience. Even if you and I never talk again, you'll remember me with fond memories simply because I made you laugh.

Laughter also has the ability to boost our own confidence. We could be on a mission in a no win situation. Our leader knows it, the troops are feeling it. The leader tells us a joke. We get a good laugh. The troops feel more relaxed and confident. The troops turn a no-win situation into a mission accomplished.

I understand that we live in a society where everyone is becoming sensitive over every little thing. But we are in a profession where we can be called upon to take a life and we have to make peace with that. I'd rather be in a foxhole with a guy who can make me smile when the going gets tough than a guy who reports me for a choice of language.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2016 2:10 PM

2016-10-14T14:10:20-04:00

A little humor can help relieve a little stress in a shitty situation. You have to consider all options sometimes to complete a task, even if it is humor! A laugh or smile never hurt anyone!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2016 3:04 PM

2016-10-14T15:04:25-04:00

I work in government and I have had similar observations Sir. I think it is a problem. Sometimes humor is needed to break tension and ease frustration. It's difficult for those of us who have served or worked at a high stress jobs such as law enforcement, EMS, and ER. I wished many a times recently that I had the grace and poise of our own 1LT Sandy Annala, but it is something I'm personally working on as I try to advance into leadership. I have found as others have commented here that after a period of getting to know folks and having a drink off-hours has helped, because many people have a different persona outside of duty hours.

For what it's worth, don't change COL Private RallyPoint Member, because you are one of the cool people on here in my opinion, which was why I was bugging you to come to a meetup when you were in DC. lol

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 14 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-10-14T15:43:14-04:00

I believe that we have begun to loose humor in the vein effort to not offend anyone in our current overly sensitive environment.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 14 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-10-14T20:46:00-04:00

I've been out since 1987 but it's still there Sir, go look at the new "10 Layout" video from the Sabulski AAS at Ft. Campbell and listen to the background music.....lol. If you don't at least crack a smirk at that, something is wrong with your sense of humor. That video went out across FB in the 101st Airborne feed about 2 days ago to lots of folks, I still snicker about it when it comes to mind. Also, my view of 11 Series still serving all the way up to SFC is they have a robust sense of humor as they did in 1986. Because of ridiculous and over broad interpretations of SHARP and EO they are sometimes careful of where they express it BUT it is definitely still there. That's not to say they do not support SHARP and EO only that sometimes joking conversations about wives or girlfriends are overheard and misinterpreted.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Oct 15 at 2016 12:08 AM

2016-10-15T00:08:00-04:00

Humor if in good taste is VERY therapeutic ! Know to ease tensions and decrease stress. Laughter is the best medicine. Especially if one can laugh at themselves

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2016 11:06 AM

2016-10-15T11:06:41-04:00

I think this is like the "personal vs public" opinions of all politicians. Our form of humor changes if we're in a team room, in a stressful situation, or talking to Sr. leadership. Even Patton was known to use more vulgarity when talking to certain crowds IOT connect with them and motivate them.
There is a place for a well dropped "F Bomb"; just gotta know how to coordinate fires.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Oct 16 at 2016 7:37 PM

2016-10-16T19:37:11-04:00

Just be sure it is currently considered PC and no one is offended when you speak.

Response by PO1 Harry Albright made Oct 31 at 2016 8:50 AM

2016-10-31T08:50:56-04:00

The so called liberals, have puhed political correctness down our throats and our senior leaders are to busy kissing their asses, to stop it.