Where's the sense duty? I refuse to believe I am serving with an entitlement generation.

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:24:47 -0400

I typed/retyped a message here several times (anyone else do that?) and decided that my rant would probably offend some chicken shit.......Soldiers flagged for drugs& UCMJ & still using Tuition Assist for college; Sr NCO leaning on walls - I am wrong for fixing them; Sr leaders not at PRT or formation; Leaders not checking on anyone; how about holding a door for an elderly person?

Sound familiar?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 26 at 2016 1:35 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:35:17 -0400

Thanks for your honesty CSM Michael J. Uhlig.
I understand it must be disconcerting to be aware of so many violations by soldiers.
When I first came in many draftees from Vietnam were still in service. Most were honorable but some seemed vengeful. In the 1970's and 1980s we had racial strife, drug abuse, some gang activity as well as rape and murder periodically. the internet and email were not available back then so we were not bombarded with stories from around the globe we only had access to what was going on around us.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Mar 26 at 2016 1:35 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:35:55 -0400

You are being a leader and you are right to be frustrated, especially when the officer Corps is not walking the walk with you. It is not generational, it is the you doing your job and holding a mirror to other people to have them do their job. Caring is correcting subordinates and peers and showing what right looks like.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2016 1:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:44:39 -0400

csm i feel for you but yes todays soldiers are of the entitlement generation, i see it every day in the civi world, makes me want to puke,

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 26 at 2016 1:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:46:37 -0400

This reminds me that leadership is easier when you have motivated troops.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Mar 26 at 2016 2:03 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 14:03:50 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig I saw much of this prior to my retirement. The trend seems to be somewhat infectious. Instead of mature troops, NCO leaders, and officers stepping up and making the spot and or other corrections as you are, there was the beginnings of the entitled transferring their feelings of entitlement to others. Thank you CSM Michael J. Uhlig for doing the right thing.

Leaders at all levels are responsible for change and climate. If we fail as the newest NCO to make the correction, then we all fail, one entitled step at a time. What holds us together in the military, regardless of branch, is tradition, history, order, dedication to duty, selfless service, and honor.

I further witnessed this as a college professor teaching criminal justice classes. The entitled generation was offended when I established a standard and then held them accountable for meeting said standard.

We must help the entitled generation grasp and accept responsibility; moreover, begin to depict the values we hold dearest. Selfless service, honor, integrity, dedication to duty, and self motivation. PT doesn't do itself. I remember as a young Marine being impressed by a "mature" 1stSgt who was a Vietnam veteran. He ran the Marine Corps Physical Fitness test in combat boots and utilities or "boots and utes." One day one of the younger Marines asked him why. His priceless response, "because when I was fighting in Vietnam we didn't have no silk shorts and running shoes, be ready!"

Generations change. My Dad, who served in WWII, was part of the greatest generation. They were different from the next generation who is different from this generation. The values of the military mostly stay the same. Thanks to your leadership CSM Michael J. Uhlig young Soldiers and SNCOs who need additional motivation are receiving it.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 26 at 2016 6:26 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 18:26:05 -0400

No, you are not wrong for fixing them...kind of your job? Well, if it ever actually gets to you which it should not but of course does.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 26 at 2016 8:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 20:35:35 -0400

The pyramid seems to be broken. Leaders at the top must lead those below and it trickles down, but it must trickle down to the bottom.