Posted on Nov 15, 2020
Why I'm Getting Out ... an Army Major - Mountain Tactical Institute
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Thoughts? There are some classic topics in this article:
- Challenges unique to female soldiers, especially mothers.
- Being overworked.
- The stereotypes of field grade work.
- Happiness Equation: This is something we all shoot for, I think it's only human, but it's not an end all be all equation for me.
- Challenges unique to female soldiers, especially mothers.
- Being overworked.
- The stereotypes of field grade work.
- Happiness Equation: This is something we all shoot for, I think it's only human, but it's not an end all be all equation for me.
Why I'm Getting Out ... an Army Major - Mountain Tactical Institute
Posted from mtntactical.com
Parenting
Military Career
Stress
Retirement
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 6
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Very good article about life in a Brigade Combat Team. Although there are some positions that are less strenuous for personal life (e.g. college ROTC cadre, Pentagon action officer, etc.), field grade officers are expected to PCS from those broadening jobs for necessary command and staff roles in order to be promoted. Military life has benefits, but it also requires sacrifices
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MAJ Byron Oyler
In the Nurse Corps, major is the 2LT of field grades and gets all the grunt work from the field grades. Is it the same in other branches?
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LTC Eugene Chu
MAJ Byron Oyler - It is, more or less. A book called "The Iron Major Survivor Guide" describes how O-4 is the busiest rank as a BDE / DIV staff officer or BN executive officer
https://mwi.usma.edu/book-review-iron-major-survivor-guide/
https://mwi.usma.edu/book-review-iron-major-survivor-guide/
Book Review: The Iron Major Survivor Guide - Modern War Institute
West Point's LTC Erik Kober reviews the new book "The Iron Major Survival Guide."
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The author makes some relevant points. It was troubling to hear her describe pregnancy in the Army as burdensome on the unit, and a reduction in combat readiness. She is also realistic of the financial ramifications of her decision; two MAJs are certainly bringing in a substantial amount of money, especially considering the tax advantages associated with BAH.
But I don’t agree with the idea that work-life balance is not possible in the Army. She seems to be projecting her issues upon others based on her own anecdotal evidence when she implies that Field Grade officers aren’t happy, or that they always hate their jobs. That has not been my experience with FG officers at all. Sure, I’ve seen some workaholics. But I have also known many that loved their jobs, and the contributions made toward the unit’s goals and mission. In addition, I have known many FG/CG officers that go home at the end of the day. Of course, there are times when working late is a necessity. But when people do it day-after-day, there is an underlying problem. It could be a cultural issue within the unit that may be driven by leadership. Or, the individual is unable to disconnect and find a stopping point at the end of the day. This is more of a self-regulation issue that needs to be addressed by the Soldier.
One of the greatest speeches I ever heard was from CSM David Davenport, former TRADOC CSM, when he was the Fort Bliss and 1st AD CSM. He led the speech by saying, “I love my family, which is why I go home every day around 1700-1800. I’ve been doing it for years.” I have found this to be the best career advice I ever received.
But I don’t agree with the idea that work-life balance is not possible in the Army. She seems to be projecting her issues upon others based on her own anecdotal evidence when she implies that Field Grade officers aren’t happy, or that they always hate their jobs. That has not been my experience with FG officers at all. Sure, I’ve seen some workaholics. But I have also known many that loved their jobs, and the contributions made toward the unit’s goals and mission. In addition, I have known many FG/CG officers that go home at the end of the day. Of course, there are times when working late is a necessity. But when people do it day-after-day, there is an underlying problem. It could be a cultural issue within the unit that may be driven by leadership. Or, the individual is unable to disconnect and find a stopping point at the end of the day. This is more of a self-regulation issue that needs to be addressed by the Soldier.
One of the greatest speeches I ever heard was from CSM David Davenport, former TRADOC CSM, when he was the Fort Bliss and 1st AD CSM. He led the speech by saying, “I love my family, which is why I go home every day around 1700-1800. I’ve been doing it for years.” I have found this to be the best career advice I ever received.
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1LT (Join to see)
I agree. While I appreciated her candor, her bias limited a well-rounded perspective.
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Interesting read. Most notably for me was the fact that it was coming from a field grade.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
I found being a major much the same as being a 2LT amongst company grades, and probably is the same for E5s as NCOs. It took me a while to learn understand field grade life.
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