What is the most important character flaw that must be eliminated during basic training in order to create the best enlisted service member?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 22:40:25 -0500

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Dec 25 at 2017 10:51 PM

SGT Russell Wickham — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 22:51:40 -0500

That's tough to answer because each person is different. For some, it's back talking. For others, it's laziness. For others it's an inability to shoot straight. Still for others, it's physical weakness. However, across the board, I think self-centeredness is the most important character flaw that needs to be addressed. The military is a team effort. People that put themselves ahead of the team have the most detrimental affect on the mission. If you can get them to place the mission and their team mates ahead of themselves, all other flaws can be corrected.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Dec 25 at 2017 11:44 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 23:44:57 -0500

Get rid of self over team...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 12:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 00:34:28 -0500

I would say the high school mentality a lot of younger people have. Mom and Dad are no longer there to fix your problems or clean up after you.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 12:58 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 00:58:59 -0500

Having the right mental attitude is the most important aspect. Guts, determination, and a never quit attitude, along with the realization that you are a team, and can not let the team down.

Response by PO2 Scott Fahsbender made Dec 26 at 2017 3:21 AM

PO2 Scott Fahsbender — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 03:21:36 -0500

Selfishness. In the Navy we talked about the concept of ‘Ship, Shipmate, Self’. Each individual was the least important, while the ship was the most important. That being said, I really don’t think boot camp taught it very well. My boat was the place I really came to understand the concept, and some of my shipmates never did.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 26 at 2017 6:38 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 06:38:50 -0500

Stop relying on yourself, and work as a unit with others.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Dec 26 at 2017 7:48 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 07:48:49 -0500

The mental shift from self to team, and the primacy of mission.
Mission, men, myself.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Dec 26 at 2017 9:38 AM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 09:38:33 -0500

As already stated the "ME" mentality, I would also say that this obsession with being on Smart phones and playing games on them needs to be curbed big time when doing field duty. I can't even imagine what its like these days out in the woods with phones ringing, buzzing and lighting up the night.

Response by Capt Bob Soldner made Dec 26 at 2017 11:17 AM

Capt Bob Soldner — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 11:17:04 -0500

Not listening!

Response by PFC Adam Murray made Dec 26 at 2017 11:27 AM

PFC Adam Murray — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 11:27:56 -0500

Individuality.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 12:50 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:50:30 -0500

Rigidity of thought - the willingness or even desire to follow any orders without question - no matter how stupid, illogical, or illegal. The greatest generation was creative in analyzing and accomplishing the intentions, goals, and objectives of orders - in a sensible and carefully considered manner. The next greatest generation fragged poor leaders. All too often we try to use basic training to create robots - when we should be building thinking machines - or the AI's will take over the battlefield - because we neglect to train our people to think, organize, and overcome the barriers between their units and their objectives. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Dec 26 at 2017 1:48 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 13:48:28 -0500

Not sure it is a character flaw but the ability to be aware of your surroundings the second you wake up. I still remember the unfortunate time a soft voice asked me how I had slept. Without my glasses and not sure of where I was my stretch and comment about what a nice sleep I had did not go over well with my Drill Sergeant.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 1:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 13:52:55 -0500

Fear of the mind

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Dec 26 at 2017 2:38 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 14:38:07 -0500

Thinking of SELF First and being a member of the unit/Navy second. This is part of suppressing individualism at first and building team thinking. Once a person is a member of the team, then the individual is built back up but always as a member of the unit. We recognize the skills of the individual as part of the team.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Dec 26 at 2017 4:19 PM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 16:19:27 -0500

Lack of confidence. The self confidence I developed in boot camp not only served me well as a Marine, it has served me well my entire life.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 9:46 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 21:46:26 -0500

Entitlement

Response by CPL Michael Branigan made Dec 28 at 2017 8:44 AM

CPL Michael Branigan — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 08:44:17 -0500

Yup, the "me" thing.

Response by CPL Phillip Adams made Dec 29 at 2017 4:42 PM

CPL Phillip Adams — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 16:42:02 -0500

Selfishness

Response by SPC Jeremy Schaner made Jan 2 at 2018 11:34 PM

SPC Jeremy Schaner — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 23:34:46 -0500

The i joined just for college benefits. While yes they are important when you sign on the dotted line regardless of branch you have signed up to do the job you are paid for including going into battle and potentially making the ultimate sacrifice.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 3:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:59:31 -0500

Timing, it's not your timing anymore, it's the Military's Timing.

Response by LTC Edward Ledford made Feb 17 at 2018 8:05 AM

LTC Edward Ledford — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 08:05:52 -0500

Lying. I think. Without putting much thought into it. Selfishness would be a close second, but if you eradicate lying, then the selfishness would work itself out, I think, since lying is about being self-serving, self-preserving.

Response by Cpl Daniel Mercer made Mar 3 at 2018 8:17 PM

Cpl Daniel Mercer — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:17:59 -0500

I would agree with the individual over the group mentality, but also working in the school system I see a lot of kids that think the military is like "Call of Duty" video game. So snapping them into the realization that this is not a game , you know the old fashion "Reality Check."

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 5 at 2018 12:03 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:03:56 -0500

Destroy any sense on the part of the trainee that they are better than anyone else. This is first step in becoming a team player.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2018 10:53 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 22:53:59 -0400

The need for instant gratification & public praise

Response by SFC Clark Adams made Nov 29 at 2019 3:41 PM

SFC Clark Adams — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 15:41:40 -0500

Character Flaws cannot be eliminated as they are part of the personality. Basic can attempt to mold the individual to comply and function within the requirements of military service.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Dec 19 at 2020 12:48 AM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 00:48:52 -0500

You are part of a team you must work together. No individualists. Discipline is also very important. I was always told the unit is only as good as the worst person in it. Remember that and you will do okay. Semper Fi.