What steps are you taking in your career to stay relevant during the drawdown without becoming a "backstabber"?

2014-07-28T08:28:00-04:00

As we all know, cuts to the force are under way. There are some in the ranks concerned that if cuts continue, the military will become a victim of its personnel "backstabbing" each other to get ahead and stay in the service. What are some ways you think you can build yourself without trying to tear down your peers? Can you work with your peers to build each other and increase each other's chances of surviving the cut together?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 1:26 AM

2014-10-17T01:26:39-04:00

Wish I would have seen this questions a couple years ago. Unfortunately, there are way too many backstabbers and ticket punchers. Even worse are those who enable the backstabbers and ticket punchers by sweeping their mistakes under the rug.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 9:03 AM

2014-10-17T09:03:01-04:00

Take care of my Soldiers and lead be example. If that ain't enough, then I did my best and will start my new career. I continually mentor young leaders on what they need to do to stay ahead of their peers without "backstabbing" them.

So many times we hear negative things about certain accomplishments like Audie Murphy, SGT Morales and the like. I encourage them! I encourage Soldiers to strive for honors in NCOES, IT MATTERS!! I encourage Soldiers to take the demanding assignments above their grade, it too matters.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 9:05 AM

2014-10-17T09:05:30-04:00

I've been working on additional certifications/ASIs. Picked up level 2 acquisitions certification in both STM and PM, plus the 8X and 8H ASIs. Made sure I had my hand up for deployments, and petitioned for command level or other leadership billets. Basically anything to make my ORB stand out at a glance from those of other MSC officers.

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Oct 17 at 2014 9:19 AM

2014-10-17T09:19:21-04:00

I just keep doing my job like I always have. To the worst of my ability.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 11:46 AM

2014-10-17T11:46:03-04:00

I don't see how backstabbing would help anyone; it's not like if you get selected for reduction you can give up another name to take your place.

I get that I am enumerated and compared against my peers on my evaluation. The best thing I can do, is the same thing I did before, do the VERY best job I can.

One of the lessons I think more senior Soldiers (officer and NCO) get that new ones don't is that "it's not about you". Do your best and improve yourself (APFT, schools, etc) but it's the success of your organization and your ability to bring your peers along with you.

If your squad/plt/Company/Battalion is doing awesome, but the other three around you are sucking eggs, YOU are failing as a leader...help your peers get to your level and you will be helping your boss a lot more, and he/she will notice it. (Not to mention "mission first, people always".

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2014 12:20 PM

2014-10-18T12:20:25-04:00

I think the point about backstabbing is more a reference to doing whatever it takes to get that ACOM OER at anyone else's expense than it is about trying to get someone kicked out instead of you getting the pink slip. That said, the best thing you can do is do the best job you can in whatever your assigned position is.

I agree 100% with MAJ Snyder in reference to building up those around you. In my first battery command, my initial instinct was to focus solely on my battery. A couple of good leaders helped me understand the importance of extending my influence and improving the larger organization/helping my brothers (see ADP 6-22). When you get your house in order, you should be focused on how you can support that larger organization and make those around you better. In the sense of being a leader in the Army, you're not winning by virtue of being the top scorer on the worst team.

I also think there is merit in trying to improve yourself whether it be to increase your value to the Army (ASIs, broadening opportunities/experience, etc.) or prepare for your future in the event that you aren't able to stay for as long a career as you like. In the latter event, it's time for people to consider what they would do if they weren't in the Army and factor that into their decision making process...that might mean college/grad school now or looking at functional areas.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 12:51 PM

2014-10-19T12:51:28-04:00

Continue to get certifications and specialized training. That way the military gets more bang for the buck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 2:02 PM

2014-12-18T14:02:36-05:00

There's an old African saying (you can probably ask 91st for the origins) that says "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." I think the way to get through this is to network, network, network. Working together is the key to success in any organization. You can develop relationships based on mutualism with others in your peer group and those who are also subordinate and superior to you. If you help people- what goes around comes around.

I was actually looked at for separation this time last year because working extremely long shifts in garrison left little time for anything but fast food and sleep. Where I was seeing some of my peers get breaks as a result of backroom deals, my command instantly put me on the Fat Boy Program when I was half a percent above the allowed weight. I lost the weight the next week, but that will be a blemish on my record for the rest of my career. It is what it is, but that encounter really showed me what the Army was about. It didnt care about me as a person and at the first chance they would kick me out if I wasnt on my Ps and Qs 24/7.

That realization led me to look for a back source of employment in case I found myself given the boot. (My unit is merciless on lower enlisted, where one is being separated almost every two months at a time.) This led me to look more into what can be done with my security clearance and how I can spin the skills and mentality I have gained through the Army. I found a lot of things that made me second think ever reenlisting. As of now, I am piling on classes during duty, after duty, and online to make myself more attractive to private employers. I'm looking into the technical certs that my MOS and CMF allow me to easily transition into and apply for. Lastly, networking.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 28 at 2014 6:15 PM

2014-12-28T18:15:56-05:00

Interesting and increasingly more relevant question being that the NCO Corps is evolving their evaluation to "mirror" the officer evaluation system.

The perception is that since there will be fewer "top blocks" to be given, that the natural tendency will be to limit sharing and helping in order to make oneself look better against their peers.

The only way to thwart this is through the rater/sr rater rating philosophy.

One component of the the definition of leadership is "while improving the organization". If raters and sr raters do not weigh this aspect heavily, then we may see selfishness and un-selfless service.

But, if we really focus on how much an individual improves the performance of their peers and the organization over individual competence, then we will be able to use the evaluation system as a shaping tool to get folks to do what is best for the organization.

So, raters and sr raters - reward the folks who are doing what's best for the organization and not only for individual performance/competence.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 6:46 PM

2014-12-29T18:46:14-05:00

At a time like this, I think it is extremely important to seek out what it is that the Army wants from my MOS, i.e. what is currently expected from me. This is a constantly moving target and we have to keep ourselves as far "ahead of the power curve" as possible. We have to look at our own careers to this point and re-evaluate what we've done so far, and look to where we need to go.

Using myself as an example; I have a lot of tactical MI time, but very little time in large MI units. As soon as I finish with my current assignment, I need to look for a position in an MI unit in order to fill out my profile. Everyone needs to understand that what was important 5 years ago, is not important now.

I believe that if we continue to improve ourselves, while putting ourselves in positions of increased responsibility, and performing well in those positions, we should have no reason to back-stab anyone. This type of action usually occurs when someone knows they are inadequate, and can only advance their careers by pulling others down.