Millennials and Mission Command

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:34:08 -0400

The generation of Soldiers who were born after 1982 have been termed "Mellennials." The oldest are 32 with the youngest being about 14. The vast majority of our E6 and below (with some E7s in there) and CPTs and below are Millennials. This generation was raised in a cultural milieu of team work, helicopter parents, and everyone is a winner. Replace 'helicopter parents' with 'NCOs' and these are, frankly, great candidates for service, and I think that the Army's Mission Command doctrine is perfect for them. In fact, I think that if we want to tap into their full potential, then MC is a must.

Do you agree? Disagree?

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 25 at 2014 1:13 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:13:20 -0400

My problems with the ones that have had the helicopter parents is that they are often unable to make decisions themselves. I need Marines that can think on their feet and make decisions without being told what to do or what the answer is. Additionally the group of everybody's a winner has trouble with not everything being fair.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 6:57 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 06:57:13 -0500

I think that you are partially on the right track, but there are a vast number of us that are in the seam between generations that have a great disdain for "everyone is a winner" type attitudes. Everyone isn't a winner at everything, there are things that I am good at, there are things that I am not, I would rather be told straight up what I am not good at. That is what I will do for my subordinate leaders.
If you wanted to take this in a different direction, I think the question should be how is the mutual trust and understanding developed between the two or three generations that are now in the Army?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 7:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 07:01:48 -0500

Thank god I was born in very early 1982, because all of that annoys me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 12:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 12:51:08 -0400

I humbly disagree MAJ Private RallyPoint Member. I have seen timelines for Millenials go as far back as 1980, which disappoints me because I was born in 1980 and I do not identify with the Millenial generation at all. What a lot of people have a problem with is the perceived lackadaisical mindset of the millenial and there are "millenials" without the "I don't care" attitude. I also think there is a difference between being a "helicopter parent" and being invested in your child or Soldier's lives. You can teach, coach, and mentor people without giving them all trophies. Great question!