Responsibility & Accountability
I have no doubt that in the future, people will do a Google search and end up reading this post and immediately say, “who does this guy thinks he is?” Or, “I expected more from a First Sergeant or NCO.” To those who leave this post with such thoughts in your mind, I really don’t care what you think about me. My actions speak volumes. Keep in mind that when you read something on the internet or in an email or in a letter, you lack a fundamental element necessary to gain true meaning: intonation and intent. With that said, let’s kick this baby in high gear and offend some people.
In the DA Form 2166-8, NCO Evaluation Report (NCOER), there is a block we are rated on called “Responsibility and Accountability”. Underneath the main heading of this block are a few simple explanations about what the NCO will be rated on in this category:
o Care and Maintenance of equipment/facilities
o Soldier and equipment safety
o Conservation of supplies and funds
o Encouraging soldiers to learn and grow
o Responsible for good, bad, right & wrong
Those last two bullets are what I’m going to focus on here. How do we encourage Soldiers to learn and grow? As a First Sergeant, I have the sacred responsibility to lead, guide and mentor my junior NCOs in the company. As the most senior enlisted member in the company, I must set a tough and consistent standard. What I don’t do is give my Soldiers EVERYTHING they want just because they want it or they have a sense of entitlement.
That sense of entitlement seems to be pervasive throughout our nation. There is a belief that Soldiers (and civilians) who have been to combat deserve to be coddled and have everything handed to them on a silver spoon. That belief is held by Soldier supporters as well as some Soldiers and spouses themselves. The fact is that they do not. Soldiers deserve to be treated with respect, honored for their service, and appreciated for their sacrifice. It is great that there are so many patriotic American businesses out there that offer free or reduced goods and services to our troops and veterans. It drives me nuts when Soldiers, family members, and others complain that they don’t do more.
This is a difficult post for me because some may take it to believe I’m not appreciative of all the support I or my troops have gotten. I’m extremely thankful and humbled. But, I don’t expect it. Real Soldiers join the military because they want to further themselves personally. They want to serve their country and protect those who can’t protect themselves. Sure, there are bonuses and benefits, but to be a real Soldier that all has to be an added benefit, not a primary purpose.
Soldiers who use their combat service as a way to get sympathy, attention, relationship points, and other similar nonsense should rethink their priorities and their service. They need to stop being victims and empower themselves to get back on their feet. The military and this country has an obligation to take care of combat veterans’ mental, emotional, and physical health but it doesn’t owe us a free ride. If you want something in life, you have to work for it. We are entitled to a country that lives up to its promises and acknowledges our lifetime of service by providing us with opportunities to succeed and excel. After all, no one joins the military to get rich and by making the military a career we set aside many goals and aspirations while our peers earn much more money and gain influence along the corporate ladder. The new G.I. Bill achieved that.
Bottom line is that we need to remember that we here to provide a service to this country. I probably got a little off track from my original line of thought, but I want to take an opportunity to recenter our focus. NCOs are responsible for encouraging Soldiers to learn and grow. It’s up to each individual Soldier to take that encouragement and make the most of it. We don’t learn and grow by having things handed to us everywhere we go. Now, let the criticism fly so I can clear up any confusion about my intent here.
John of Argghhh!
September 6th, 2008 at 8:50 pmHeh.
1. I wonder why I would be annoyed with you.
2. I wonder what prompted the post!
But, in regard to number two… you probably *shouldn’t* tell me here.
Or at all, for that matter.
MissBirdlegs in AL
September 6th, 2008 at 8:55 pmI realize Soldiers are your concern here, CJ, but the attitude is pervasive throughout our society. I’m sorry to say that in general, we have it so good in this country that a lot of people expect to always get most everything they want, without much or any effort on their part. If they don’t get what they expect, as you said, they become victims instead of working to make life better for themselves and others. Pet peeve of mine – sorry.
Miss Ladybug
September 6th, 2008 at 8:56 pmI can’t say I am offended, CJ. All any of us should expect in life is some semblance of equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. Too often in today’s society, people expect things that in previous generations had to be hard-earned, and it would only be natural for some of that attitude to seep into our military. After all, our soldiers come from society at large. Show the soldiers the opportunities they have: it’s up to them to pursue them…
Terri
September 6th, 2008 at 10:25 pmI have to agree with you CJ. Unfortunately I see the same type of attitude every day in my job, from the Soldiers and more often from their spouses. It’s amazing how many of them join the military or marry a Soldier with the belief that everyone should just hand things to them. As you said, it’s the individual Soldier’s responsibility to work hard to achieve the opportunities that are available to him or her. Great post!
sue
September 6th, 2008 at 10:59 pmNo disagreement here CJ. This has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. The me me me attitude came in during the 90s and it has not only remained, but festered and grown. As a supporter though, I can’t say that I have seen it from my guys. Not one has asked for anything with out me absolutely telling them that I want to know, and then its some small food item they are craving and can’t get at the PX, or foot powder or something. I’m sorry that you felt it necessary to write this. As John said, I don’t know if we want to really know what the reason was and certainly not here. But take it slow CJ.
Mary in VA
September 7th, 2008 at 9:40 amAs a supporter and board member of a troop support organization I have come accross both attitudes you describe, unfortunately. Good for you for putting out the reminder to our troops and their families that support is an added bonus. You sound like you set a great example as a Sr. NCO.
As for deployed troops I see more of “like pulling teeth” to find out what we can send to show our support. The being “owed” attitude comes more from SOME of the spouses of the ones who have spent time back home in hospitals than the troops themselves, in my experience visiting them and making deliveries.
Sharon M
September 7th, 2008 at 5:52 pmI am neither annoyed nor pissed. Although, I must admit that I am extremely curious as to what prompted this post. And, as a matter of fact, I’ve come across this attitude more in my own family than soldiers. I’ve been a supporter w/adoptaplatoon for quite a while. I have never had this problem with any of my troops. Spouses? That is a rare but more likely event.
Sharon M