The “Entitlement Generation” - What are your thoughts on this article?

2015-05-03T12:17:56-04:00

As older (aka, "old school") leaders, we are learning how to interact and mentor the new generation of service member. There certainly is a ravine in the mindset between the older and the newer. I am curious to see what my RP brethren think of this.

((I will eventually come up with a Distro List to tag people. Forgive me for missing people in my tags.))

The “Entitlement Generation”

"If your parents had to use a wooden spoon on you, then they clearly didn't know how to parent you." Yep. I got that email last night after I posted my blog.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made May 3 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-05-03T12:23:47-04:00

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I think that there is more of a shallow slope than any singular ravine.

A lot of folks do not realize that the upheaval of the 1960s started in motion an incredible number of long-term cultural changes which are now reaching points which were predicted only by the farthest-looking minds a half-century ago.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-05-03T12:24:24-04:00

As parents we need to teach our children how to survive and succeed in the world.

No two people can be taught in the same fashion.

As long as there is not physical abuse, we need to shut up and let the parent parent.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made May 3 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-05-03T12:27:26-04:00

You ready for this CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member......we are raising this generation!

So, maybe we ought to look in the mirror and see for ourselves if we are contributing to the erosion of our country from within our own households!

Do we hold our own (children/young people) accountable - I know mine (my children) are held accountable to this day - none (of my four) live at home, they are all tax paying productive/hard working citizens - the youngest being a 21 year old Army Ranger.....so, are we part of the problem, or part of the solution?

So, we have to get it right at our homes first.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-05-03T12:29:06-04:00

To me it isn't a matter of changing how you interact with them. It just means their learning curve is going to be a lot steeper. In regards to the article, when I stepped out of line my Mom broke out the wooden spoon to realign me and I think I turned out ok.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 3 at 2015 12:30 PM

2015-05-03T12:30:46-04:00

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I guess I'm glad that I am retired. I like to think that I was a good leader, mentor and counselor, but that didn't mean I was everyone's buddy. Life is hard, the military has rules and regulations, and that's the way it is. Deal with it, or get out of the service. I'm definitely old school.

Response by SMSgt James Williams made May 3 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-05-03T12:31:54-04:00

We were having a discussion like this a while back. I thought it was just me getting old and not being able to connect with the youth of today, which is probably true. But you could replace "kid" with the first 5 ranks of any service and the article would sound like it was written by, in my case, a Chief. It speaks volumes to me. I'm not perfect but I do know how I was raised in the military and I think turned out ok. I want that for all of my people too. It helped prepare me for everything I have experienced over the last 15 years.

Response by SPC Carl K. made May 3 at 2015 12:58 PM

2015-05-03T12:58:50-04:00

The journalist hit the nail on the head. The problem today is that parents do not want to do the job of a parent. In my opinion, parents look at parenting more as a hobby than a full time job. They want to be their kids' best friend, and not the disciplinarian or even the one to teach morals and right from wrong. When their kids act up, they think it is cute, or their kids are just "expressing themselves." They do not want their kids disciplined at all and this is why schools have a hard time with kids these days, and the parents want to go screaming at the principal when Johnny does something wrong. They feel their kids should get whatever they want, whenever they want it, and rarely tell the kids no. They have been indoctrinated into thinking that any form of punishment is abuse. Also, they allow their kids to stay inside and play video games all day and night, and even encourage it, as opposed to going outside where they could possibly be kidnapped, in their minds.

As a result, we have kids entering adulthood unprepared to face the challenges that life has in store for them. They are not used to being told no, so when they don't get the job, or are disciplined on the job for infractions, they automatically blame the employer. They do reckless things then blame the cops when they get ticketed or arrested. They are quick to think they have no responsibility whatsoever for their lives or actions. Someone else will pick up after them or come to their rescue when they get in trouble. They are coddled during their entire childhood and expect the coddling to continue when they enter the workforce or the military. When things do not go their way, they are the VICTIM of oppression.

It makes me sick seeing how the kids are these days. However, it is our generation that created these monsters. I cannot put my finger on exactly what went wrong to make my generation so unwilling to be proper parents.

All of this could have been prevented if parents took an active role and smacked little Johnny when he needed it, or at least told him no more often. The scary thing to me, is that these kids are the future leaders of the country. Our country already has enough problems, but imagine when we get these entitled brats become Congressmen or President. The country will go to hell faster, I believe.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 3 at 2015 1:05 PM

2015-05-03T13:05:42-04:00

Much the same was said about my generation
The only thing that makes "new school" into "old school" is time

Response by 1SG Joe Messier made May 3 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-05-03T13:28:54-04:00

There are a few lessons I try to pass on to my kids through simple repetitive phrases, I figure it worked shaping young Soldiers and it seems to be doing OK with my kids.

"Remember son, the world owes you nothing!"
We all came in to this world the same, covered in goo and stinky. Someone took care of us. We owe the world, it doesn't owe us.

"How are you going to make your world better today?"
A direct challenge to make them take ownership

"Humble pie tastes better than a shit sandwich!"
Don't let bad new, a lie or gossip spiral out of control, deal with it early and try to be honest. Sometimes it hurts and it will humble you.

Mess with the bull and you'll get the horns.

By the way, I loved the article, I tasted the back of my mother's hand at full speed more than once. At about than five feet tall she still commanded authority. She bore nine children and by the time I came around she was a Zen Master of Asswhoopery, by the way that's an official title. She could smell a lie a mile away and I never heard "Wait till your father gets home." She handled business.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-05-03T13:35:24-04:00

Very interesting article and she does have some very valid points. As most in my generation I was raised to respect my parents and those older then me. That I had to take responsibility for my own actions and had to earn what ever I wanted because it would not be handed to me. Had to learn respect was not just given. I ruled my house with a strong hand and some times maybe a little to strong. I was a little rough on my first son being he was the first and I was learning to be a father. Not as easy a task as I thought it would be. But I think I did a good job instilling manners, respect, integrity and pride in my sons. I feel like I'm a pretty lucky parent to have raised two fine young men.

I agree with CSM Michael J. Uhlig "So, maybe we ought to look in the mirror and see for ourselves if we are contributing to the erosion of our country from within our own households!"

Self assessment might be one of the most difficult things to have to think about ourselves. But we are part of the problem and can be part of the answer. Of course we also need administrations that do not encourage this self entitlement mentality. That responsibility is on the individual not society.

"We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions." ---- Ronald Reagan

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 3 at 2015 1:51 PM

2015-05-03T13:51:10-04:00

Wooden spoon? Child's play. When you join the infantry in 1989 for a break......we call that a little too hard core, but it made me follow orders like my live depended on every one of them and give 100% until the day I retired. I wanted to find a happy median encouraging more independent creative thought instead of blind obedience, but all I ever got told was that if you ever touch a child, you will have a very short military career. In 2001-ish, I saw a mother get arrested and taken away by the MP's for swatting her kid on the butt. 2/3 of us actually cheered when she swatted her out of control kid.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made May 3 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-05-03T14:12:53-04:00

I had friends whose parents wanted to be their friends and they resented them for it. They wanted their parents to be their parents, not their friends.

My brother and I were lucky that our parents were our parents and not our friends.

We were taught to respect those older than you and eventually, those in a higher position than you to get us ready for the adult world.

We were taught the values of hard work and an honest days work for an honest day's pay.

We were given allowances for doing work around the house. We didn't do our chores, we didn't get our allowance and we got grounded. If we ran out of allowance money, then we ran out until the next time we got your allowance. In fact, it was allowance money I had earned along with a summer time job in high school that allowed me to get a Nintendo (the original; yes I'm that old); my parents didn't buy one for me. But then, I didn't play unless the weather was bad or it was already dark outside.

I played soccer for the YMCA little league. I have a ribbon for most improved from my second year and a team trophy from my third and last year I played because we came in second place. I have absolutely no "participation" awards of any kind from soccer.

But that wasn't all....

I was in the choir and band from 6th grade through my senior year in high school. I have all sorts of ribbons and medals from both from all those years and absolutely none are from simply participating. I also lettered in both in high school. Oh.... and if you didn't come to practice, you didn't participate and you were given a F because those grades were all about participation; that simple.

The entitlement generation is just so frustrating to me and I'm sure those like me who aren't a part of all that. These people who want something for nothing or want to get paid a boat load of money to do as little as they possibly can get away with are like fingernails on the chalkboard to me (yes again... showing my age). People who think the world owes them something irritate me.

Sorry, but Robert J. Burdette was right when he wrote the following...

"No, my son, the world does not owe you a living. The world does not need you, just yet; you need the world…

But don’t fall into the common error of supposing that the world owes you a living. It doesn’t owe you anything of the kind. The world isn’t responsible for your being. It didn’t send for you; it never asked you to come here, and in no sense is it obliged to support you now that you are here…

When you hear a man say that the world owes him a living, and he is going to have it, make up your mind that he is just making himself a good excuse for stealing a living. The world doesn’t owe any men anything son. It will give you anything you earn…"

Unfortunately, by the time they get to us (leadership), we end up having to be the ones who attempt to mold them into something other than a person who believes they are owed something simply because they exist. We end up having to be the parents they obviously didn't have. Harsh? You bet it is. Sometimes the naked truth hurts like a pop in the mouth or a swat on the butt.

All in all, I don't think I turned out that bad. I've had one successful career and I'm on the right path for a second one all thanks to my parents who taught me that the world owes me nothing that I haven't earned on my own.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-05-03T14:16:40-04:00

I can agree with that. I was talking to another soldier today about something very similar to this. I can't stand this we are all winners mind set. I see it in the military. We are all Infantry or we are all important. That is not the case. Some soldiers are more valuable than others. But as it says we all want to be friends. Every gets butt hurt and now it is your fault. I am sick of this. I am raising my daughter to be a productive member of society. I have dealt with this when I was a manager as a civilian. I didn't owe them anything. If you work for a company you are there to work. The company will take care of you but if you are there are to make for the company. If you don't the company doesn't need them.

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made May 3 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-05-03T14:20:43-04:00

I have to say that I am also proud to have been raised that way. I did not come from a privileged life although I am a white male, aka white privilege). I joined the military out of out of high school, mostly because there were not a lot of other opportunities for me. I had to struggle for everything that I have in life. I married my wife who also grew up in a similar manner, she also developed the same work ethic for the same reason; because no one was going to give you anything for nothing. My wife is Filipino, and yet her cultures expectations are the same, you are to expected to treat your elders with respect, meaning "yes sir, no mam", if you didn't, then you surely would feel the pain for your poor manners, yet here we are today both very blessed and successful beyond what we had ever imagined we would be.

We have a son who grew up in very different situation, with more than either of us ever had, but we did not spare him from the same types of lessons that we had growing up. Today I'm proud to say that my son at an early age is far better off than I was at his age, and yet he has the same work ethic and understanding that he is not entitled to anything that he has not worked for. He shows respect so that he will receive respect, he does not push others down to pull himself up; but rather he helps others up to lift himself up. The point to my long rant is that parents who raise their children properly do not spare the rod or their children's feelings because those lessons are necessary. The world is indeed a hard place, without those hard lessons your children surely will need them to succeed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-05-03T14:43:28-04:00

I had a Soldier that just didn't understand that PFCs and CPTs are seen as different, one having the decision making power for a section and one being someone who takes orders and executes.
He told me flat out "I am entitled to have a say in how this shop runs." So I did the only thing I could think of, I saddled him with the work load of a squared away SGT. I told him, if you can execute this workload to 95% accuracy, execute the battle rhythm, and prove that you are ready for increased responsibility and the rights, privilege, and respect that goes with that, then your suggestions will carry a heavier weight when I am making a decision. I consider suggestions of all my Soldiers when planning, but in the end it is my decision.
Turns out the kid didn't want the extra work, he just wanted to run the show.
To this day, I am still not sure how to effect change in this mindset.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 3 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-05-03T14:43:29-04:00

The kids at risk are those who can't make the link from hard work to success. They live today, tomorrow, and the following days as capsules of time instead of a timeline. They have the unrealistic expectation things will just work out without hard work, and can not see, it is the older generation with the power and the wealth.

My parents were proponents of education and sports, thus I was good in school and on the field of play. It did not take much prompting because I just internalized the prioritizes enumerated by my parents. I worked hard, but I did not see it that way, I saw it as the normal journey of growing up, and just being me. The at risk children are those who don't try hard at anything or care much about nothing. They are living on borrowed and subsidized time from the parents. It is a shame that most of the at risk kids will be relegated to low paying and menial jobs, all because they did not want to try.

You have to win the close fight in order to win the deep fight.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 4:00 PM

2015-05-03T16:00:21-04:00

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member; CSM Michael J. Uhlig; CSM Private RallyPoint Member; SFC Mark Merino; SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP'. Look at how we were raised. Whether it is comments here about the spoon, or how our parents would have handled us if we were caught rioting in the streets as part of an unruly mob of thugs, we all share that common bond of parents who weren't reluctant or remorseful about opening a can of Whoop-Ass on us if and when we crossed that line. And make no mistake; we all knew where that line was, 24/7.

Now look at us today. Each of us has enjoyed success in the professions we have chosen; three of you have attained the highest rank in your branch already. Though I wish I could continue to serve longer, I am proud of the fact that I will retire as a Major, which was my goal when I chose to pursue a Commission 21 years ago. I left it all on the field; I regret nothing. Through it all, I often find myself reflecting upon how much the values instilled in me through the way I was raised and the strength of character it instilled which ultimately forged the man and leader I am today are priceless.

When I look at this younger generation, with all of it's expectations of ease and instant gratification, I tremble at the thought of who shall defend us? Who among this brood has the strength of character to withstand the bureaucratic scrutiny of Military life, let alone combat? I envision nothing but wilting violets when faced with any kind of UCMJ action, from an Article 15 to an Article 32; just the shear unpleasantness of being accused is likely more than enough to buy a vacation home for a pschotherapist!

The only way to adjust-fire on this is to kill Political Correctness in it's vile, slimy tracks. Now.

I still think of the Mom who went and pulled her son out of the mob of rioters, and proceeded to go "old school" on him. I can't remember what network I heard it on, but the remark that bothered me was that on a normal day, this mother could expect to be arrested and charged for assaulting her son so violently; sadly, for him, this isn't a normal day; clearly implying that even though he was in the wrong for rioting, he was still a victim of violence at the hand of his mother. Everywhere we turn, these kids; our kids, are our victims it seems!

Response by PO2 Kevin LaCroix made May 3 at 2015 4:30 PM

2015-05-03T16:30:57-04:00

Her mom and my mom were very similar, and also very good friends.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 3 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-05-03T17:11:51-04:00

I began service in '95...in just the short 20 years that have passed, the individuals out there are a night and day difference. I have no clue what the root of it is, but damn do I hope I do the right things to ensure my two children are set beyond this garbage.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 3 at 2015 5:18 PM

2015-05-03T17:18:19-04:00

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member the author gets a standing ovation from me.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 3 at 2015 5:33 PM

2015-05-03T17:33:15-04:00

Each generation does appear to be more entitled than it's predecessor. I remember hearing MSgts saying it when I came in, I remember Gunny's saying it as kid. That said, the culture as changed. as a young Amn, I was scared of SCNOs any Officers (outside of butterbars). In the last decade, I have seen Amn have no problem going to the Commander about small issues.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 2:37 AM

2015-05-04T02:37:24-04:00

I have gotten into some "hot water" the past couple of years as a 1SG-CSM because of the increased support for the entitlement generation in the Army.

The Infantry is a rough business. We are expected to do bad things to bad people, I do not have the time or patience to baby Soldiers or watch my language. I am not talking about empathy, I will use empathy when appropriate. I am talking about coddling, it is rampant throughout the Army and in the civilian world as stated in the article.

When I was in school if you mouthed off to a teacher they didn't call your parents, they took you out in the hallway and whooped your ass with a paddle that had holes drilled in it for velocity. When I got home if my parents asked why I was walking funny and I told them I got paddled, I got a couple from them to drive home the point.

The mother that beat her kid's ass for rioting in Baltimore was the best thing I have seen in a long while. I actually thought it was pretty mild compared to what I would of received had I been that kid.

We are getting soft as Americans. I am not supporting child abuse by any means but there is an appropriate time and place for corporal punishment. How do we fix it in the Army? Stop being so drastic on what is considered hazing. Just like getting "beat" by my parents, getting my bawls smoked off by my NCOs had the same muscle memory effect...yes fire is hot, thou shall not touch.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-05-04T10:32:35-04:00

My first comment CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member is who are you calling old? ;)
My second comment is related to your question...
I have a really hard time understanding the thought process of the "entitled generation". I was instilled with the work hard and good things will happen attitude. My mother, like yours had no hesitation to whoop my butt when I did something wrong and I thank her every day for that. How can you feel satisfaction when you achieve something and you didn't work for it?
I initially signed up in the mid eighties and most of my platoon sergeants where from the Vietnam era. When they told me to do something, I just did it because I knew they had to have a reason or they would just kick my @ss if I questioned them. Now, the soldiers want to know why and why I am picking on them when I ask for something. YOU do not need to know my reasons, maybe you are the only one not doing something, maybe you are the best person for this particular mission, maybe you just need to shut up and do what I asked you...
I totally disagree with the participation trophies, the no scoring games, etc... If you get something for just showing up, what's my incentive to actually do something?

Response by MAJ Chris Ballard made May 4 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-05-04T12:17:05-04:00

I don't have kids (and therefore I have an unblemished parenting record!), but from what I've seen, the peer/societal pressure is tremendous even on parents who are trying to raise their kids to be resilient and self-sufficient.

You let your kids walk to the school bus on their own? I'm calling 911 (as opposed to, say, talking to you like an actual person). You hold your kids accountable for their actions - dare I say 'punish' them when they screw up? You're killing their spirit!

Parents who try to do things the way our parents did them are met with a tremendous amount of pressure from their peers to lighten up on their kids. Even better when social media gets involved and thousands of total strangers from around the world suddenly have all the answers as to why you're a terrible parent and person.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-05-04T13:22:26-04:00

I think it less an old school new school issue and more of a "holding people accountable" issue. No one is held accountable for shit these days...its always someone elses fault... Soldiers signs an 8 year obligation to the Army "the Army failed me" so now i dont have to show to battle assembly everyweekend and why? Because what actual recourse happens besides months of attenpted separation only to be told to attempt to recover them "more aggressively". Just a small example but its a snap shot of a larger issue with this country...kid fails out of school, well then the federal govt must pull funding from that school district because clearly there was a child left behind. Well no shit they cant all be winners now can they? Some thrive, some get by and some go no where.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-05-04T13:31:03-04:00

I feel very much torn by what this article states. I grew up with my bottom black and blue when I misbehaved, or even if they thought I misbehaved. I have many Soldiers of this new generation who are 10-12 years younger than I who have never been physically disciplined. With them, words seem to cut like a knife. I've quickly learned that a common respect and treating them like professionals is more motivational than the way I was brought up as a junior Soldier in 2004-2006. While I've learned that much of what is different from my generation to this generation, I have an abundance of faith in our abilities as leaders to motivate them to carry our torch and be stewards of the profession.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-05-04T14:34:35-04:00

That she is spot on! What I think the cause is, tho, and y'all can correct me, is that babies are having babies. Immaturity is raising the immature. I waited till I was in my 30's to have my kiddo, for good reasons. I was just not ready. I had to get all my partying and stuff out before I could be a good moms. Now she is well-mannered (the teacher says she wishes she had 15 of my kiddo), she works hard, she tries her best in everything that she does. I told her as long as she tried her very best in everything that she did, I would never be disappointed and neither should she.

What happened to acting up in school and getting a good paddling? I wish that was still an option.

But entitlement has led to murders. Little kiddos getting told no by potential prom dates and instead of dealing with it the sane way, they are killing them. Or instead of a good fist fight, it's easier to get a gun or knife... I really worry about the latest generation.

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Payne made May 4 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-05-04T15:04:50-04:00

I have 2 kids 11-13 year old girls and any behavior that is disrespectful is not tolerated to anyone else. I don't get back talk, sass or whatever else you want to call it. I was firm and consistent when they were little and continue to be now. I did not tolerate "no" from them when they were told to do something like I see so many parents do and I never gave a false threat. If I said that "A" would happen if you do "B", if they did B, A happened. I am complemented often on the behavior of my children, they are well rounded, behaved, respectful and responsible kids. I understand they are still young and more challenges will come but they know that I am their Dad, not their friend. I can count on one hand how many times they were "spanked" so no, I did not beat them into submission. Consistency, doing what you say your are going to and respect are the keys in my opinion.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made May 4 at 2015 4:17 PM

2015-05-04T16:17:21-04:00

Young people today grew up in a different world than most of us did. Their world is filled with technology that some of us couldn't even imagine growing up.

Most of these young folks have mastered that technology .

These young people have been exposed to different norms as society has changed in many different areas and most are more accepting of those changes.

I hear criticism of the younger generation all the time but I remember how our parents howled in the 50s with Elvis and rock and roll and in the 60s with hippies, the Beatles and all. We turned out just fine.

If you want a real view of today's young folks, look at how they fought in Iraq and the Stan.

How could you be anything but proud.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 5:10 PM

2015-05-04T17:10:39-04:00

I think it is high time NCOs stop being scared to correct their troops and we SNCOs need to let/make NCOs deal with problems. I've witnessed so many situations over the past 10 years where NCOs were afraid to do/say anything because they either feared confrontation, didn't want to hurt feelings, were afraid of retaliation, etc.

If we allow the behavior, that will be the behavior of tomorrow's leaders. Think about that.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-05-06T11:54:06-04:00

Pretty much every generation old enough to be grandparents has complained about their grandkids generation. And they always view their own youth as some sort of perfect societal model the world should currently conform to (hence the joke: "even nostalgia was better in the old days"). Don't believe me? Well, there's plenty of corroboration. Read one of the following, and compare it to what you hear today:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/52209/15-historical-complaints-about-young-people-ruining-everything
http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/05/me-generation-time/65054/

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 6 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-05-06T14:17:13-04:00

Large organizations tend to have an auto-correct button as the younger generation, matures, and understands the organizational culture and expectations. They need total immersion into the military.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 9 at 2015 7:57 PM

2015-05-09T19:57:58-04:00

The entitled kids live the luxury of their parents house and cars. They don't see the future, so they don't have plans. They don't work hard which means the don't get their High School diploma. Many of these kids will realize they wished they worked harder so as to not handicap themselves. They lack the ability to work hard.

Response by SSG Sean Thoman made Jun 5 at 2015 7:08 AM

2015-06-05T07:08:19-04:00

I was the Poster Child for Corporal Punishment for many years, and contributed to significantly to a Marine Corp Gunnery Sergeants painful tendonitis prior to his death (RIP Coach Leskovich) as a Wrestling Coach and American History Teacher while going to school. Then I got it when I got home, he made a point to speak directly to my Dad. Fast forward 30 some years later in Domestic Court, Divorce, spanking my kids, making them do dishes, pull weeds, and do push ups as well as some non-swearing comments I made (one of my sons had a bad habit of pulling his male member out and chasing girls at school-I ended it with one comment) were considered "Child Abuse" by the Magistrate. When the schools and parents are powerless to correct behavior today, you get what you get today.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 6 at 2015 4:52 PM

2015-06-06T16:52:11-04:00

I have told numerous teens who have an illusion of grandeur without spending a calorie to attain it, that they will start from the bottom, that is how society works.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 9 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-06-09T15:34:37-04:00

I don't understand many young folks. Graduating from High School and College was a given, to include playing sports. I graduated from College not as an idealist but as a realist. Some of the kids have lowered the expectations and standards. They don't make the connection with how much money is spent on schools and dedicated teachers, nor do they make the connection that education is a bridge to future endeavors.

It is as some of these kids live vicariously through the success of the parents, and magically their lives will be the same without elbow grease and studious diligence. I just don't understand the rebellion against authority when they have not accomplished much.

Response by Sgt Mike Aydelotte made Jun 10 at 2015 10:12 PM

2015-06-10T22:12:24-04:00

I am 31, I straddle the entitlement generation line with pride. I think the keep em quiet appeasement generation is a better description. (Hey it worked with Hitler). So here is the issue. There is a big difference between guilt and shame. Modern parents of these so called brats lack the ability to call a young person an S head, my dad didn't. He made it very clear that I was awesome but did S head things. S head actions get S head treatment and S results. Separating who I am from what I'm doing at the time and grinding home the following concept into me is what makes me not an entitled brat. Your actions determine your outcome, you determine your actions, who you are means nothing if you do nothing with it, thanks dad, I'm sorry I hated your guts till 19 years old, and uh thanks.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 24 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-06-24T14:37:09-04:00

I have my theory that teens who are sedentary tend to be consumed by multi-media. They are in their little world that they control. Now I am going to extrapolate to HS graduation, much of the youth do not understand working let alone working hard, thus being egocentric and narcissistic.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 24 at 2015 9:01 PM

2015-06-24T21:01:12-04:00

I believe kids of single parents and dual parents are at risk. They create a domain or universe predominantly comprised of multi-media and games. They become boss of the domain, and being a boss is pretty easy stuff according to their perception. The kids who work hard to get good grades perceive their niche in the educational system. The kids playing sports see that it requires hard work, dedication, teamwork, and feel the winning spirit. These kids know the teachers and coaches are in charge. The first batch of kids espouse the unrealistic experience of king of their domain do not understand authority figures and the concept for them.

Deep thoughts by........................... Ken

Response by SSG Sean Thoman made Jun 26 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-06-26T10:33:21-04:00

This is a repeated response: Today's schools have gone from teaching to indoctrination and political correctness. Those old Army NCO's and USMC Gunny Sergeants I had when I went to school would get fired by today's standards of teaching. Like I stated previously, I was the Poster Child for Corporal Punishment, they set me straight and did not let me get away with the crap I see kids get away with because; their sensitive and we do not want to hurt their feelings. I say TS and suck it up, school is for learning, not socializing as Gunny Sergeant John Leskovich used to say before that paddle would hit my rear side and echo throughout the entire school.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 27 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-06-27T14:49:11-04:00

There people who are not afraid of hard work, their are those who feel like master's of their domain without lifting a finger? Did I get this right?

Response by MSgt Dwyane Watson made Jul 7 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-07-07T13:28:20-04:00

I think this article is spot on, but I think if you look to different parts of the country it also makes a difference, we are stationed at BAFB in northwest Louisiana and they teach the kids in school to say yes and no sir (ma,am). Go to a liberal part of the country and a teacher would be accused of oppressing that child. This new generation is narcissistic and don't care about anything, selfie sticks...really??? The liberal indoctrination of this generation is destroying our culture from within, next it will be ok for incest to be legal...and their words will be " We aren't hurting anyone" and the ACLU will be all about protecting their rights.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 8 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-07-08T16:33:13-04:00

Many younger folks think they are our equal which convolutes the relationship.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 21 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-08-21T13:25:07-04:00

I think I stared that revolution as an only child :D