In the civilian world you only deal with your boss for a portion of day and you could find another job. In the military leadership control’s your life.
Always hated the “back in my day” type of leaders. Like just because something sucked for you, why does it need to suck for everyone else? Never understood that
I truly believe there shouldn’t be surprise took inspections. Those things kill your soul, a morrale killer because we’re all human. Sometimes things get dirty. There should be a rule for a 1 week notice unless it’s an emergency for a strong smell or if you can’t get in contact with your soldier. A surprise room inspection, then forcing your soldier to take items out, then back in is ridiculous. It’s really stupid.
I was fined for a messy room. I had an apple core in a trash can. That was it. Don't tell me about how that'd attract flies, stink up the place, it was a freaking apple core in a trash can, exactly where it should be! Until the trash can is at least half-full, that was them choosing to be nasty.
The problem is when leadership doesn't live by the same standards that is expected out of the lower ranks and they get away with it or leadership retaliates on the person who filed the complaint. It's weak a.f.
Basic training, pockets must be buttoned shut. Fine, only it's a bit much when NCOS have unbuttoned pockets, or don't even have buttons on back pockets.
Appreciate this SSgt! I got out in 2018 just cause my unit (2nd tracks) definitely sucked the joy out of my life. I had a great platoon towards the end with great leadership but that wasn’t enough to keep me in. But then I had other people say their units were awesome. Your first contract definitely is the most impactful
Active Duty here. I recommend most young people to do one contract. If you are single, no kids and debt free you can save/invest a LOT of money. The GI Bill and VA Loan are both incredibly valuable in today's economy. Good work experience for your resume too. Once your contract is up, go home entirely or go to the reserves. Toxic work environments that you can't quit on is draining for your mental health. On the flipside, I think it's a good eye opener. My mentality is I had to put up with these assholes for four years, I don't have to put up with an asshole boss in the civilian world.
A big issue with today's military, is most 'leaders' joined during OEF/OIF. They have a leadership style that was created in wartime. Now, we are currently moving away from urban warfare to CAW, the leaders who entrusted to train the junior leaders, do not know how. Toxic leaders are the ones who harp on what they are comfortable with and are unwilling to adapt to better enhance the combat power of what our military now needs. "There are 2 types of leaders: effective and ineffective" Jocko. If you are, esp as an NCO are not actively trying to train and lead them, you are toxic, and hurting our military.
So many of today's military's probelms stem from Vietnam, the expansion of the active duty military resulted in career opportunities and accelerated promotions for all sorts marginal, inadequate and incompetent individuals, both enlisted and commissioned, one Army general said "Too many brigade and battalion commanders were simply trying to punch their tickets instead of actually lead." And remember the words of Norman Schwarzkopf-"THe Army lost its integrity in Vietnam."
It may not be toxic, but it's unprofessional. People hide behind their rank. Everyone that ever yelled at me when I was in the military, I could put in a coma or a coffin in real life. Unfortunately, consequences don't hit these people like it needs to.
They'll eventually get out of the military, and reality will hit em like a train. Most of em usually reenlist because they are afraid theyll be a nobody and no one will take crap from them.
We do not have a professional military, we have a CAREER military. A professional seeks to DO. A careerist seeks to BE. The people who make it to the top in today's military do so by making a career out of their own careers instead of a career out of leading their units to quote a 2-term Vietnam veterans and retired BG-USA.
Wow don’t understand what’s going on in todays corps but when I was in and a young marine there were older or more seasoned marines that I could go talk to if I needed to!!
Ur "NO" BS, I'm sure u'll find a way to take ur every day situation n find a way to laugh about it, that's what I do every day, I laugh at the situation, so I'm looking forward to see how u'll take recruiting n show the funny side of it. Looking forward to ur new "skits". Have a great day SSGT Patterson.👍💯🎯
Hey Ssgt, i wanted to ask you if you've ever delt with Junior marines who gave you attitude? Not having discipline and good order. How did you handle it? Im in a predicament and need some guidance.
When I say nationalist, what I mean is (me and a group of other sailors used this word as code for....) kiss up, hypocrite, down with the fuckery, or throw you under the bus type of people even if they know you didn't do something. Because like this man said no matter what your petty officer's or leadership do, you had to be repectfuly (not say anything about it) . I'll give you and example; the was this sailor at our command that in order to get good evolutions and promoted, would get a good ass clapping from one or more of the leader onboard. We all knew why she was getting promoted (and she abused her rank too) and couldn't say anything about, because their was nationalist among us ( who would tell all the higher up what we were talking about to make rank) As for other companies and civilian jobs. If I don't like my boss, I can quit, not being around him after work, or get another job with a better boss. In the military you can't do that. Because according the that contract you signed your there property/slave. So they can do or say whatever they want to you and you can't leave. Explain why suicide attempts are so high in the military?
