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As I sit here and think of the issue plauging our Soldiers these days and some of the tragic outcomes such as the Ft. Hood shooting from earlier this year and the most recent death of the Soldier at Ft. Lee; I want to know are we as leaders numb as to whats going on within the ranks? I understand that multiple deployments make it difficult (not impossible) to really get a handle on whats going on with our Soldiers. I have heard and seen first hand how some leaders cannot and in some cases will not connect with a Soldier and find out whats really ticking. What say the masses?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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SSG (Join to see) Lord I hope not. When we can't be concerned about our troops, it is time for us to step down from our leadership positions and get help.
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SSG (Join to see)
I hope not either. Colin Powell said it best when he said that when soldiers stop coming to you with their problems you've stopped leading.
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SFC (Join to see)
The harsh truth of the matter. I say some of us are desensitized. When i was at FT Gordon, the power when off for the county i stayed in. I stayed off post with my family. My NCO still made me come in to work instead of letting me things straight with my family. When i got to work, there was still nothing for me to do.
No matter the event before a tragedy happen. I have to believe that before we were soldiers we are always humans. When the military life is over, this is what you are going back to. How you treat the human and soldier while in uniform will have a lasting impression on what they say about you and the military when out of uniform.
No matter the event before a tragedy happen. I have to believe that before we were soldiers we are always humans. When the military life is over, this is what you are going back to. How you treat the human and soldier while in uniform will have a lasting impression on what they say about you and the military when out of uniform.
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Three words: "Mission, Men and Me". If leaders across the board would apply that consistently, it would resolve many of our issues. (Men in this case inclusive of Women).
Obviously, we have a mission to accomplish. We all understand that. The part that seems to be left out is actually "knowing" your Soldiers. Encourage your front line leaders by asking them to tell you about their Soldiers. Not just where they stand on SSD or Medpros, but who they are..
What makes them tick? Are they married? do they have kids? Where are they from? I could go on.
Many leaders are overly caught up in the multitude of tasks that need to be accomplished and looking good on a matrix report that we forget that we need to take care of our Soldiers. We can best do that by knowing our Soldiers.
The "Me" part means simply take care of yourself. Not only with NCOES and PT but also spiritually (to each their own). If you lose contact with yourself, you cannot connect with others.
Obviously, we have a mission to accomplish. We all understand that. The part that seems to be left out is actually "knowing" your Soldiers. Encourage your front line leaders by asking them to tell you about their Soldiers. Not just where they stand on SSD or Medpros, but who they are..
What makes them tick? Are they married? do they have kids? Where are they from? I could go on.
Many leaders are overly caught up in the multitude of tasks that need to be accomplished and looking good on a matrix report that we forget that we need to take care of our Soldiers. We can best do that by knowing our Soldiers.
The "Me" part means simply take care of yourself. Not only with NCOES and PT but also spiritually (to each their own). If you lose contact with yourself, you cannot connect with others.
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In my experience, I can count on one hand the leaders who have had an interest in the lives of their subordinates. I remember, in the span of a decade, their names.
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SMSgt Antony Laudicina
That has been my experience as well, both in and outside of the military. They have the most impact on us and we should return the favor to others who cross our paths.
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