Posted on Oct 31, 2016
Leadership Scenario. You have had a great career and now you're retired or ETS'd. You maintained the standard. Do you stop now?
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The next President of the US will be known by next Monday. It doesn't matter who. You never spoke of politics in a harsh manner before, but feel that now that you're out, you can voice your opinion (which you should), but you now do it in front of subordinates who can be easily misled by your opinions or statements. Should you refrain from making them, or the hell with them, they have a COC.
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Retirement
Leadership Retirement
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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If the question is once you've left active/reserve service and are working in the private sector (or even in a government job) do you talk politics and your distrust or dislike of someone openly I would say be careful.
I have liberal friends I made at work that I talk politics with and have for 20+ years. I also have conservatives I do the same thing with. The key is to be professional and polite. If you go off on political rants at work and you have a team of folks working for you, you may alienate some of them. Sometimes people want to know what you think. They may value your opinion or perspective. Just try to be professional about it.
I have liberal friends I made at work that I talk politics with and have for 20+ years. I also have conservatives I do the same thing with. The key is to be professional and polite. If you go off on political rants at work and you have a team of folks working for you, you may alienate some of them. Sometimes people want to know what you think. They may value your opinion or perspective. Just try to be professional about it.
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Suspended Profile
SSG Warren Swan - That is an issue that folks on RP will have to address. I think it speaks to their level of maturity when they blast people for their beliefs from the safety of their computer. It's not becoming, positive or helpful. Like Cpl Jeff N. said, you alienate people rather than having a discussion.
Cpl Jeff N.
MAJ Charles Blake I am at a point in my life where I don't worry about hurting people's feelings much and since I have long since left the Marine Corps there is not bloc back from that perspective. I like to think I say think many SM's would like to say but do not to avoid any issues (real or perceived). I don't try to be an ass, just very direct, to the point, no beating around the bush.
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SSG Warren Swan
That would be great except we're not. We're going after folks with Steel Rain for disagreeing with the "popular" opinion. Otherwise, I agree with you,
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"Never say anything you wouldn't say to that person's face." The relative anonymity of the internet (either hidden or crowd-based) has allowed LOTS of vitriol to spew forth that would not normally be acceptable in polite conversation.
It's find to disagree about policy, decisions, or almost anything really, but we see A LOT of direct attacks on PEOPLE. Normally that would be out of bounds. That's the "standard" we are fighting for.
If someone heard "us" talking about ANYONE ELSE, behind their backs, in such elevated ways they would not nothing to do with us. We would be %#^&%**%. So why are political candidates any different?
It's find to disagree about policy, decisions, or almost anything really, but we see A LOT of direct attacks on PEOPLE. Normally that would be out of bounds. That's the "standard" we are fighting for.
If someone heard "us" talking about ANYONE ELSE, behind their backs, in such elevated ways they would not nothing to do with us. We would be %#^&%**%. So why are political candidates any different?
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SSG Michael Hartsfield
If I understand your question, I think that we feel politicians should be different due in large part of the position(s) they hold and because that is the "image" portrayed by politicians in the past. I feel that it's hypocritical of us to think of them in those terms and for them to put up that false front because in the end, they put their pants on one leg at time like everyone else.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSG Michael Hartsfield - Is that any different than a Commander? Whether LT or GEN? Their outward displays in front of the troops is very tailored compared to how they are in front of their peers.
Just because WE "feel" a specific way, doesn't give us the right to attack someone else.
Just because WE "feel" a specific way, doesn't give us the right to attack someone else.
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SSG Warren Swan
SSG Michael Hartsfield - I hold us (the military) to a much higher standard than almost any other profession on earth. What we are charged with all the way to where we have the ability to take lives, land, and governments out. In this case, I wonder (I'm not excluding myself), do we take our "freedom" for granted, and run the gums in unprofessional means that are openly seen by junior troops who we might've mentored at one point, and now they see Big Sarge speaking his mind, not fully realizing the ramifications of following Big Sarge? Should we pull back to a limited point when speaking on the military COC, and their civilian leadership?
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSG Warren Swan - "Limited" not so much, "Professional" definitely. "Tactful" most definitely.
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