Any thoughts on a senior leader sleeping at home while his Soldiers are in the field?

<p>Wrong answer, period.&nbsp; After 28 years wearing the uniform (most of it as a Combat Engineer), there is probably no one who hates 'roughing it' more than me.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When I was a SSG, I saw the right answer being demonstrated by my Company Commander.&nbsp; The two of us had to leave a field exercise for USR turn-in at BDE.&nbsp; He could have enjoyed a good meal while he was away but, instead, as we were leaving the TOC tent, he reached into a case of MREs, grabbed two and tossed me one.&nbsp; When I gave him a puzzled look he stated, "My guys are getting MREs for lunch, I eat MREs for lunch."&nbsp; I learned a great deal about leadership in that moment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As far as&nbsp;roughing it outside of the Army, when my wife said she really wanted to go camping, I went and bought a 20 foot travel trailer with every bell and whistle. :)</p>

I will be where my Soldiers are. &nbsp;I always hated it when my SR leaders would do things like this and say RHIP. &nbsp;Lead by example! &nbsp;If your Soldiers are chewing dirt, chew it with them, see how they will go the extra mile for you after that!

Your question is a bit vague so let me attempt to clarify. If the senior leader's (officer or NCO)OWN organization is in the field then the senior leader MUST be in the field (ie CO CDR/1SG whose company is in the field or BN CDR/CSM whose HHC is in the field) so as to share the unit's hardships and lead by example. If the senior leader's subordinate organization is in the field then the senior leader SHOULD be in the field for a portion of the field time (ie BN CDR/CSM who have a company (not HHC) in the field or a BDE CDR/CSM who have a BN in the field) so as to see first hand what is going on and to educate/inform leader decisions.