Are we supposed to care about Big Army?

2020-10-06T22:37:47-04:00

I've been in for over 4 years, soon to get my stripes (hopefully). Been on overseas rotations, slept many nights in the field, served time in a battalion staff section, reenlisted and PCS'd between duty stations, made friends and... not friends, and seen soldiers of all ranks come and go.

At some point, I think I've 'bought in' to the military mindset. No, I'm not gonna lie to myself and say I love every day of my life, but I do have a sense of pride in my service and the army culture.

Point of the question is this; is it 'healthy' to think that I should serve for the sake of benefiting my fellow servicemen and women? Like, is there a point to 'being a good soldier', anymore? Or should I just look out for number one and do what's most beneficial for me?

I don't really know if it's some sense of naïve sense of camaraderie or ego that influencing my view on this, or is there actually something honorable about actually caring about being a good soldier in the hopes of... something. Anything that's bigger than the individual, I guess.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2020 10:42 PM

2020-10-06T22:42:49-04:00

Key word is SERVICE. Yes, you have to take care of yourself, but that comes secondary to your subordinates, your peers, the mission, the unit, and in a broader sense, the country. From your post, it sounds like you know this, you're just looking for confirmation that you're not the only one that feels that way.

Response by MGySgt Rick Tyrrell made Oct 6 at 2020 10:54 PM

2020-10-06T22:54:32-04:00

Let’s be clear on this. You serve God, Country and service! If you do not care about your fellow soldier; Get Out! If your only in it to benefit yourself; Get Out! The Army is your life, take pride in yourself and your service. To often most people only care about themselves and forget there are other people that have it much worse. Demote Fi!!!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 6 at 2020 11:02 PM

2020-10-06T23:02:58-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member The Big Green Machine - - Some days the Bear eats you, some days you eat it! Love it or leave it!

Response by PO3 Patricia Miner made Oct 6 at 2020 11:22 PM

2020-10-06T23:22:08-04:00

The oath I took when I enlist is still a part of my soul. I will never forget swearing to "support and defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic." I served 8 1/2 years active duty and 6 active reserves.
I was closer to those I served with than I was to my family. They WERE my family. It was harder adjusting to civilian life after discharge than adjusting to military life. Then there is love of country. Do you feel you are blessed to live here and want to give back? There is nothing naive about it and it isn't brainwashing. If you don't feel that sense of family with those you serve with and profound love of country get out. If you do then you are one of the lucky few who can say they are honored to serve.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2020 11:57 PM

2020-10-06T23:57:47-04:00

The main reason why I stay in, is to take care of my Soldiers. Doesn't matter if they work for me or with me, I'm going to look out for them. If that ever changes, I'll drop my separation request the same day.

I think that the very fact that you're asking the question shows you've got the heart of a leader. I want more people like you in every unit I'm in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 12:15 AM

2020-10-07T00:15:01-04:00

People serve for different reasons and those reasons will change over time. Five years from now it may be the career or your family that is the reason you serve. In the end we all leave the Army so get what you can out of it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 7 at 2020 5:31 AM

2020-10-07T05:31:22-04:00

Before you put on those stripes you need to decide. Serving yourself is not in line with Duty, Honor, Country or Service. You Serve your Soldiers they don’t Serve you.

Find the NCO Creed, read it, disect it, and talk to some good Senior NCO’s about it. If after that you are still thinking about yourself (only), get out and go to school.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 7:15 AM

2020-10-07T07:15:59-04:00

I feel like it always pays to be a good solider maybe my spirit hasn't been too crushed yet but I feel like you also gotta remember to care about yourself where your going and take your time for your own self cause a lot of people put on faces about giving a shit about you but when it comes to it they only care about going home or if they be on high speed shit it be all about points and whatever else and not the actual job but im tracking plenty of times being the new guy already on teams and I end up taking a leading role and being left behind cause I actually feel like doing my job...long rant short care about what you doing but try not to let it get to you people are easily replaced and some should be...remember how you feel and motivate those around you or don't leave them alone cause I know personally dealing with this shit on your own sucks ass

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Oct 7 at 2020 8:29 AM

2020-10-07T08:29:42-04:00

The primary purpose of the NCO is to look out for the welfare of his subordinates. I don't care if you do it out of a deeply ingrained love for your fellow serviceman or because you want that next rocker; if you take care of your troops, you're OK in my book.

Response by LCDR Keith Trepanier made Oct 7 at 2020 8:35 AM

2020-10-07T08:35:36-04:00

Why does being a good soldier and doing what is most beneficial for you have to be counter points. As an example, if you are a soldier in finance and want to work to be a sergeant, you are doing what is most beneficial to you by helping your fellow soldiers to the best of your abilities because that is what will get you promoted.

I need to put it into perspective though. If you are taking things from others for the sake of yourself or if you hurt those around you because you are being selfish then it is time to depart. But it is very possible to look out for yourself and improve the organization as well.

I truly despise service members who berate others because they have this opinion that if you didn't join because you wanted to be a part of something bigger you are somehow less of a soldier. The only way you are a lesser soldier is if you don't do you job to the best of your ability.

To your point, it is not a bad thing to have a sense of pride or to make a decision to serve because of those around you. It is a good thing. Being a good soldier is what you should always strive for and serving those around you makes you a good soldier. Again, you can look out for yourself and serve those around you simultaneously.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 7 at 2020 9:54 AM

2020-10-07T09:54:14-04:00

If there is one thing all of us have in common, from Private to General, from the best of us to the worst of us, in time, inevitably the Army will get rid of us.
Whether it's ETS, RCP, QMP, Chapter, QSP or Retirement, eventually we will all be replaced with a younger model. When we are inevitably shown the door, it will be our family and personal relationships that we have for the rest of our lives. It's up to each of us to ensure that we haven't allowed the mission/military to destroy those relationships so that they are available to us as we leave the service.
Do your job well, take pride in your performance and service, take care of your fellow Soldiers and your unit, but don't lose sight of the fact that you (all of us) are a replaceable widget in a giant machine that barely knows you exist.
I can't think of anything more depressing than being alone with nothing more than a shadow box on the wall to provide cold comfort on lonely nights...

Response by SPC Adrian LaPene made Oct 7 at 2020 9:59 AM

2020-10-07T09:59:28-04:00

First, what’s over four years? Maybe that’s the source of your dilemma. Do you feel you should have been promoted sooner? That others were promoted ahead of you that should not have? If this is the case take a hard look in the mirror and be honest with yourself, did you the best you could have and how did you help the overall mission? It’s very easy to become complacent in what we do. There are those that happen to be in the right place at the right time and they’re a shooting star. Some bust their ass day in and out and get nothing. What matters is are you doing the best you can? If not do more. Your job is to be part of the TEAM that ensures the ability for people to live freely because the best military on the planet makes sure they can. If you can’t see that or think it’s all about you then ETS and move to Portland and not give a damn about anything or anyone

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 10:07 AM

2020-10-07T10:07:05-04:00

I personally aim to join the Military to hopefully one day contribute to a movement that can actually make me proud of my country. I love the Military's structure and the hardship it takes to join and get through every day. Call me crazy, but I love it. I, however, can't say I love the country, but I want to work towards making it something I can love. I'm simply a realist and this is the best way I saw fit to do that.

I often see the Military as separate from patriotism. It's a job, a job that I will be doing by choice and for the men and women to my left and right. Rarely do I ever think I'm joining out of pride (alone), it was a logical decision.

Don't get me wrong, I recognize the greatness of America, but it's only great because other countries are horrible. We gotta do better.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 10:14 AM

2020-10-07T10:14:02-04:00

Reasons for serving are as varied as the number of people in uniform. You have ask yourself why you signed up, and then re-enlisted. There has to be at least one reason that you did what you did. For me, the Army is a family business that goes back to 1775 in the person of Timothy Matlack, the Penman of the Declaration of Independence. My dad is a Vietnam Veteran, and my brother was a DA Civilian in charge of the DefenseLink website (his office was the impact point of the "plane" that hit the Pentagon) I felt the need to serve our country when I turned 16. For me, serving comes naturally, and I take pride in doing so.

The Military, like anything else in Life, has it's ups and it's downs. I did not love every minute of my Active Duty career, but I look back on it with a better and more mature perspective on it all, with the benefit of time and the freedom to see it from more than one angle.

As a NCO, I enjoy helping others, solving problems, and mentoring younger Soldiers. If I help just one Soldier to accomplish something positive in his or her career, then I consider myself a successful leader. I have given my own time on weekends to help Soldiers, and I was happy to do so.

Big Army is a cumbersome giant that is akin to a civilian corporation. They pay you for your time and your service, but you still need to take care of your own career while giving back at the same time. The Army won't take care of your career, but will give you the opportunities to do so. Big Army won't hold your hand and tell you all the possibilities; you have to be proactive and find them. Good leaders will then turn around and make it a little easier for their Soldiers to navigate the maze of an Army career. Take care of your Soldiers and they will take care of you. It's not just a trite phrase. You can be a good caring leader, and your Soldiers will appreciate you and get things done, which will reflect well on you too. Or you can be a toxic leader who leads by fear and intimidation. Your Soldiers will resent you, and only do the minimum, making you look like a mediocre leader at best, or utter failure at worst.

A good book I read may give some perspective. It's called "The Mission, the Men, and Me" by Pete Blaber, a former Delta Force commander. Give it a read; hopefully it opens your eyes like it did for me. Good Luck!

https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Men-Me-Lessons-Commander/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+mission%2C+the+men%2C+and+me&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1

Amazon.com: The Mission, the Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander...

Amazon.com: The Mission, the Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander (9780425236574): Blaber, Pete: Books

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 7 at 2020 12:16 PM

2020-10-07T12:16:12-04:00

If you no longer care about those you serve with you should stop re-enlisting. When you first mentioned "Big Army" I thought it was a reference to Brass in DC but if you have no desire to serve and better those immediately around you I think you may have lost the point behind service. It is selfless. That is part of leadership and if you don't grasp that you may not do well when you pin on.

I enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps and excelled because I cared about my fellow Marines. Blemishes and all.

If you have already devolved down to where you don't enjoy it, or want to only care about number one you may want to get out and pursue something else.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 12:22 PM

2020-10-07T12:22:04-04:00

When I first joined, I joined because I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. As soon as I entered the realm of NCO...I discovered something. The world is much bigger than originally though.

When you get promoted to SGT, you are normally given charge of other Junior Soldiers. Granted, as a SPC you have probably already been on charge of folks, but it becomes all that much more real and bigger once you have Stripes on. As a Leader, you have to instill and earn trust. From above AND below. You are given the responsibility of the lives of other Soldiers. Your Commander and the parents of those Soldiers have placed those lives in your hands. If you can't instill trust nor earn trust, then you have literally made yourself and your team combat ineffective. And that is when people get killed.

If you have doubts about this, or feel you can't do it because you only want to look out for yourself, then you need to turn around and depart from the Army and seek life elsewhere.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Oct 7 at 2020 12:51 PM

2020-10-07T12:51:06-04:00

To answer the question, yes it sis healthy to serve for others, Yes their is a point to living up to your oath and responsibilities, The moment anyone only thinks about themselves and what benefits them only is the day they should get out. We have far to many in uniform that think that way and are Toxic to be around. Each Soldier should always try to be better and always take care of each other. If they don't they are part of the problem and not the solution. As an NCO there really is importance to Mission and Troops. There are plant examples of piss poor Soldiers and NCO's that nobody should emulate.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Oct 8 at 2020 11:54 AM

2020-10-08T11:54:37-04:00

If your going to look out for #1: you have the wrong job my friend, being in the military is about looking after your buddy first. If everyone does that then everyone’s protected. It’s not hard to understand, so don’t be that guy.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 9 at 2020 9:03 AM

2020-10-09T09:03:40-04:00

There is no others more valuable than the Soldiers you serve with in the little army. I am talking about the unit level, squad, platoon and company. Big Army is what feeds, controls and set standatrds. You will not realize that the people you served with were far better than the human pupulation once you leave the service.

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Nov 9 at 2020 2:53 PM

2020-11-09T14:53:29-05:00

I served US ARMY from Marc 1967 December 1977. My primary MOS was 11B secondary MOS 95B. I elected to ETS in December 1n 1977 to save my Marriage as my wife no longer wanted me deployed. . in March 1978 I enlisted in the Navy reserve. Served as a master at Arms First Class. Retired June 1989. I was proud to have served in the Army. I served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam with the finest soldiers.