Read on Twitter
Ok this isn't meant to be a rude subtweet of the FGO & GO community but there are some clear divisions of opinion on this issue and I think it might be helpful to talk about them https://twitter.com/TheWTFNation/status/1287397965057990656
Let's talk specifics real quick. This LT is in Korea. Online classes are usually flexible on most stuff EXCEPT exams. Due to the time zone, s/he'd likely be doing this exam during PT hours without any sort of wiggle room. Maybe they could have requested a different exam time
From their professor to accommodate the PT calendar. Maybe they did and were unsuccessful. I don't know what, if any, steps this LT took to try not to miss PT. But from the sound of this email, it doesn't appear there was much interest in gaining any context on the matter.
Something else. There are many units where there are queues that LTs wait in until a platoon opens up. I've seen it in every BCT I've been in. If an LT is told they're going to take a platoon in 8 months, decide to spend their time on staff getting after a class or two,
And a platoon unexpectedly opens up, what would YOU recommend they do? Drop the class? Turn down the PL position? Or do you recommend they finish up the class and make every effort to ensure the two don't conflict? As mentioned in the email, this missed session was a one time
Occurrence for an exam--it doesn't appear that this LT made it a habit to blow off their PL duties to work on their classes. We empower and entrust subordinate leaders to make timely and logical decisions all the time--should this not then extend to trusting that this LT made
Every effort to mitigate this conflict at their level?
Another thing I keep seeing around #miltwitter is this idea that your PL time is critical to being a good leader & is key to an officer's development. Yes. I agree.
But we don't stop being leaders of Soldiers when we
Another thing I keep seeing around #miltwitter is this idea that your PL time is critical to being a good leader & is key to an officer's development. Yes. I agree.
But we don't stop being leaders of Soldiers when we
Hold down staff positions.
This binary thinking contributes to the culture that staff life sucks and you should try to do your best to get out of it. That creates a climate of leaders who are not committed to being good staff officers and not committed to improving operations.
This binary thinking contributes to the culture that staff life sucks and you should try to do your best to get out of it. That creates a climate of leaders who are not committed to being good staff officers and not committed to improving operations.
Is it any wonder that we have to drag good leaders kicking and screaming into staff primary positions when we consistently contribute to a culture that devalues the role & mission of staff personnel?
Staff certainly isn't sexy but it's CRITICAL to unit operations & success.
Staff certainly isn't sexy but it's CRITICAL to unit operations & success.
Pivoting to another talking point because I've got TIME time today.
One of the number one reasons given by the junior Soldiers I talk to who are ETSing is their opportunity to pursue their education. Soldiers by and large (especially in the sustainment community where there is
One of the number one reasons given by the junior Soldiers I talk to who are ETSing is their opportunity to pursue their education. Soldiers by and large (especially in the sustainment community where there is
No real "down time" between exercises or deployments) don't feel they have the time to get after work, take care of their families, and pursue civilian education. If a SPC sees that not even an LT or junior officer has the support of their command to pursue higher education,
They might assume that the likelihood of them getting support to do the same would be even lower, and possibly make a decision to ETS and pursue it that way. Now multiply that exponentially across the formation and we've lost some true talent.
Another thing to consider that might be uncomfortable for the GOs & FGOs to admit. Career development and likelihood of promotion to MAJ is different right now than it was during the surge of the war, pre-budget cuts and drawdown of the force.
There is much more emphasis on our evals when being considered for promotion than there was when we were promoting everyone who didn't have a GOMOR. That's an exaggeration but you know what I mean. Senior CPTs and baby MAJs are the SMEs on what it takes to be selected for MAJ
, and let's be perfectly frank for a second, we have the most to lose. We're at the uncomfortable window where we can't retire if we get passed over, and we've already committed at least a decade toward this profession. If pursuing a master's degree is going to distract
Or take away from getting a top block as a CPT or MAJ, then WHY NOT do it as an LT? You're not going to get any less busy. Your impact on Soldiers is only going to increase.
Bottom line of this whole thing is this:
Don't preach about education if you're going to punish Soldiers for using it.
The Army saw fit to make these lieutenants leaders of Soldiers, so maybe it isn't safe to assume they're shirking their responsibilities to "selfishly" improve
Don't preach about education if you're going to punish Soldiers for using it.
The Army saw fit to make these lieutenants leaders of Soldiers, so maybe it isn't safe to assume they're shirking their responsibilities to "selfishly" improve
Themselves.
Jumping into any situation half-cocked without bothering to gather information or context is not what senior leaders should do.
My 1SG and I occasionally talk about whether we want a compliant formation or a committed formation.
I think providing our Soldiers
Jumping into any situation half-cocked without bothering to gather information or context is not what senior leaders should do.
My 1SG and I occasionally talk about whether we want a compliant formation or a committed formation.
I think providing our Soldiers
The opportunity to fit their school around the mission serves to show Soldiers they have a chain of command that truly gives a fuck about their development. That can build commitment.
Telling Soldiers they can't pursue development except when they're on staff, and punishing
Telling Soldiers they can't pursue development except when they're on staff, and punishing
Those who do anyways, will build an organization that is compliant but probably full of people looking for ETS/PCS orders quick fast & in a hurry.
I don't know. That's just my two cents. Feel free to argue with me in the comments!
I don't know. That's just my two cents. Feel free to argue with me in the comments!
