The military has changed significantly recently. Do you feel its getting better or worse for our nation?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 15:34:54 -0400

Don't Ask Don't Tell, women in combat MOS', tattoo policies, uniform changes, overall changes to how you may behave. (No more smokings, "Yelling" is considered harsh)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 4:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:25:47 -0400

Some programs have gotten better. The ACAP program, the availability of schools, the recognition of the importance of civilian education and the emphasis on attaining it, the assistance from ACS on most posts, and the training to make Soldiers better prepared to accomplish their jobs have all improved I believe. The changes you have mentioned in addition to the improvements I have noted may or may not make the Army better in the long run. Ultimately, the Army is what you make it by how you get up and face it every day.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 4:48 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:48:30 -0400

SPC,
I feel that many people fall into the trap of thinking because something is old it is good. I respect the traditions of the military and think much it what was done in the past was done for very good reason. That being said we live in an evolving world and thus must have an equally evolving military.

There is a reason why we are allowing women to access more jobs and homosexuals to operate without fear of castigation.

These reasons are parallel to the reasons we no longer use line infantries or trench warfare.

Some policies I don't understand personally (such as tattoos) but the kinks will work out in time I'm sure.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 4:50 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:50:41 -0400

Tradition is good. Change is good. Modernization helps. But, Survival is paramount!!!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 4:54 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:54:55 -0400

I think something to consider is what kind of Military will we see in let say 10 years. Looking back 10 years the military has dramatically changed due to requirements in the field. Some of these issues though they are important now, may not be important 10 years from now. As well there is no permanency in the military. Everything is fluid, dynamic and subject to change. As well, some the regulations you see come down the pipe today, are re-evaluated and rescinded or at least modified as the military members in the field begin to have their say. Case in point, the somewhat recent ban on sleeves up for Marines. Met with allot of resistance. My Understanding is that a review was done and a modification to the order was made. As well, our entire military will start a dramatic transition to garrison, which will see many more changes coming down. Change is life, without change we would all still be bacteria. I think military members should think more in terms of how can I make effective decisions with the changes that have been made or how do I effectively solicit change that is needed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 5:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:14:51 -0400

Depending on the actual situation; it can be a yes or no. I am most concerned with strategic leadership and apathy of the people.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Aug 7 at 2014 7:14 PM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 19:14:02 -0400

I think the first part has no bearing at all (DADT, Women ect...) The No Yelling No Smoking is of detriment.)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 7:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 19:53:32 -0400

The military has changed a lot over the past decade. Some changes are for the better and some changes just don’t make sense.

Doing away with Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is one of the best things the Military has done for its troops in a long time. Now service members are able to serve their country and truly be their selves. They do not have to hide who they are because someone that has now connection to them once so ever like the idea of same sex couples.

A woman in a Combat MOS’ is another big step towards a more modern Military. Women deploy like men and some are more fit and stronger then men. My opinion is that if a woman can pass all the requirements to hold a combat MOS then she deserves it hands down.

This new tattoo policy is one of the worst things that the Army has ever put into play. Yes I understand not letting in any new personnel with unauthorized tattoos, but for the ones that have been in for a while it is like a slap in a face. It is like they are saying I was good enough to join when they needed me and wanted me to deploy for them, but now that everything is dying down we are going to limit what you can do. They say that we are grandfathered in and that we can stay in the Army, but on the other hand we are not able to Commission or go Warrant. If I am grandfathered in it should be around the board but just for what they see fit.

Don’t get me wrong change is a great thing, but not all change is for the better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 6:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 06:59:59 -0400

You have several things going on in your survey. Traditionally the military has led the way when it comes to opening doors/busting the proverbial glass ceiling/opportunity/advancement. President Truman began the integration of the Armed Forces two decades before the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's. The military should never be a social experiment however it provides a good bellwether indicator on how to lead the nation.

The repeal of DADT was supposed to dissolve the fabric of military life according to some. The repeal came and what happened. Absolutely nothing. We should never use someone's sexual preference to determine if they are fit to serve.

Women in combat MOS's is a good thing as well. I know plenty of female Soldiers that can carry their weight and outperform their male counterparts. If physically and mentally they can't do it - put them in a MOS where the can. We do the same with males already.

Tattoo policies. I disagree with portions of the tattoo policy however until senior leadership says otherwise it is what it is. How professional do you want to look with tat's of stars or a snake curling around your neck? There is an extreme to everything and good taste should be the rule of thumb. Is it something you would want your grandmother to see...but then again grandma may the tattoo queen.

The military is ridiculous on the uniforms. BDU's for everyone worked in the 80's and 90's. What is the navy trying to hide from on the open ocean? Marines are too protective of a pattern that is effective.

Smokings. I have always considered smokings as counter productive. There are times when you have to yell but what is the educational benefit of smoking someone other than to physically melt them into submission?

Response by TSgt Terry Hudson made Aug 8 at 2014 7:14 AM

TSgt Terry Hudson — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 07:14:17 -0400

Its Kind of hard to say. I'm on the fence with this one. I can't speak for the sister branches put the Air Force in my opinion is becoming confused. People are forgetting the Air Force is a MILITARIZED Organization. There are a lot things changing that I personally think will become problems in the future.

Response by Cpl James White made Aug 8 at 2014 7:27 AM

Cpl James White — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 07:27:09 -0400

I feel they next generation is going to be not set up to handle war worse than my generation has. Military needs to train these young men and women to be warriors of their generation. Teach them to be hard but understanding. Not just understanding.

Response by TSgt Mark Vaughn made Aug 8 at 2014 4:10 PM

TSgt Mark Vaughn — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 16:10:04 -0400

I had 3 years left on my enlistment when I retired from the Air Force Medical Corps in 2009. I left because in my mind Tradition had given way to progressivism, kids were coming into the military more belligerent, and less open to taking orders, more verbally combative but less willing to do the crap jobs we had to do as young airmen. I left because the Air Force was becoming more of a company than an institution. The focus changed from preparing for war to preparing more paperwork to justify our existence. While we were busy entertaining more meetings and seeing less patients, outsourcing our veterans and retiree's to see civilian doctors and dentists we were busy cleaning every nook and cranny for the next civilian inspection. There was more emphasis put on being politically correct, hiding from civilians in our civilian clothes than wearing our uniforms in public and through it all they cut our war readiness budgets, our training for wartime situations and yet doubled our deployment rates. We had more unprepared individuals going to war than ever in our history. We slacked off in basic training letting individuals pass basic and enter the ranks who were out of shape, unable to take direction or be directed without backtalk or arguments. So yes I think at least speaking for the Air Force our ranks have gotten worse over the years. I could write a book but given the Politically correct society and the fear of speaking the truth w/o sugar coating things I would probably get sued. How bout the other services represented here, how has your branch changed?

Response by SFC James Escobedo made Aug 8 at 2014 6:02 PM

SFC James Escobedo — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 18:02:46 -0400

When I joined back in 2000, the mere thought of being in the same proximity as the Drill Sergeant's scared the crap out of me. They were "the cream of the crop," disciplined, looked sharp, had a loud bark, led from the front. After OSUT I travelled to my first duty station and did not let my customs and courtesies falter, even for SPC Team Leader's. As an MP, we were taught to be an example for the other Soldiers so we had to know our regs, our post laws, outside community laws, and look sharp, be tactful while still being respectful when issuing a COL a speeding citation. No matter what maintained my military bearing and same when I earned my CID Special Agent badge and became a federal agent. Those that outranked me were treated with dignity and respect. Sometime after 2006, the Army started changing from the bottom and the top. The NCO's in between were forced to bite their lips in the presence of derogatory comments and withhold their urges to "smoke" a Soldier who was in dire need of a smoking. Once we,as leaders, started allowing things to slide, then the offenses became more frequent and worse. Soldiers not acknowledging Officer's/NCO's presence when entering a room, talking to senior leaders while leaning up against a wall, chillin; being late/tardy knowing or thinking there will be no consequences because they can pull a stress card, start an IG complaint, etc. In order to fix what we as a whole has in some way contributed to we must start anew. When we observe something that is not within good character, not in good standing with Army, not legal, not moral, and not ethical, then we must act and not ignore. We need to stop creating new standards. With time I hope the Army I once joined can go back to our glory days.

Response by SGM William Burger made Aug 9 at 2014 12:05 AM

SGM William Burger — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 00:05:58 -0400

Some things should be kept quiet

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Aug 9 at 2014 5:36 AM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 05:36:30 -0400

Many of the changes are good. However the overall effect is tearing away the core discipline of the service (perhaps I only see the Army side). I have been out for a while but have continued as a civilian contractor until about a year or two ago. I can see a lot changes in behavior and I have kept up on the trends. The first thing we need to remove in the PC thing and the feeling of entitlement. Yes we all volunteered, but now it's time to do whatever job you enlisted for. If it's that bad get out, you'll find it can be much worse on the civilian side (depending on your job of course).

Response by LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) made Aug 9 at 2014 12:35 PM

LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 12:35:12 -0400

Without a doubt-----

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 10:29 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 22:29:25 -0400

Worse. WAY worse.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 11:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:02:26 -0400

I think it's too soon to tell, right now. I guess we will know in time, based on performance.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 1:11 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 13:11:07 -0400

It's a hard question to answer in a big picture sense. I think that the newer culture of no should should ever have hurt feelings is killing us in terms of training and discipline. It's the military. Not a day care.

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 13 at 2014 12:48 AM

Cpl Chris Rice — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:48:56 -0400

DADT repeal I feel was a good thing, I knew gay Marines before, and after the repeal; the only difference is now they are allowed to be who they are. The women in the Combat MOS is alright as long as they maintain the standards to be effective, it is not like women have not been serving in combat, and it is dumb that the same people on this site who seem to want to live in Starship Troopers, but get upset about women serving in that role. I would happily support the branch that does not have women in combat MOS, because none of them have met the standard. At the same time I sat in a recruiters office like the rest of us, and I did not want a combat specific MOS, if somebody does they should be allowed to have it.

On the Tattoo policy, I always felt that if you are allowed to be covered in ink, I should be able to show to formation in body paint, or dolled up like a crossdresser. Honestly Tattoos are an expression of individuality, and the military has much longer history of quashing that, then they do for getting tattoos.

I do not advertise this very much, but after I got out of the Marine Corps I was in the ANG for a little bit, and I had to go to Tech School. The USAF does not do much yelling, but they can make your life suck just as much as the Marine Corps, and often times I found out that my methods were not welcome, but they could be calm as they told you that your weekend was canceled, and that you will need to do some menial task. Your Fuck ups also had long term consequences, which made you think about your conduct differently, because everything had paperwork.

I would put my final answer in these terms; We will see, I think the military will always choose to be effective, and in the end they will undo the things that make them ineffective. Though it has to be mentioned that after all that has changed; the new kids are still pretty damn effective.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 13 at 2014 1:46 AM

SPC David S. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:46:28 -0400

As the way threats have shifted away from large standing forces to smaller fragmented forces the military needs to adapt to address these new emerging treats. The military is mush leaner and more mobile due to the self contained brigade approach in the Army. The new Brigade Combat Teams can have specialized training as it pertains to a particular region. Also due to advances in technology the braches are better able to engage in an integrated fashion. As the military evolves into this more flexible structure I feel it does expose a particular risk in regards to China's and Russia's military strategies as of late with the Ukraine and Taiwan being possibly areas of conflict.

Response by SSgt Trenton Losh made Oct 29 at 2014 3:27 PM

SSgt Trenton Losh — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:27:57 -0400

While many of the changes that are proposed/executed are monotonous and absurd, I do agree on most of the changes. Pertaining to the acceptance policies and the uniform standards, in my eyes, as long as you are capable of doing your job, and doing it well then you should be allowed to perform w/e job you are best at for the mission. The whole "harsh yelling" thing is just dumb though haha.