As a leader, what is the single thing you can do while in uniform to help bridge the gap between the civilian and military realm?

CPT Benjamin Faw — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 19:16:25 -0500

With a small minority (less than .5%) serving in the military today, few civilians have a large amount of interactions or relationships with those that serve. As a result rifts build, misunderstandings and misperceptions thrive, and trust is lost. Every person with a uniform on leads in solving this problem - what has worked for you?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 7:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 19:37:25 -0500

Sir,
One of my soldiers has done a great job reaching out to his local community by coordinating with teachers at elementary schools where the students have written letters to soldiers overseas. As many schools that do this, I feel not enough of these young student feel like they get answers to the letters they write. It is nice that a "representative" of the armed forces stops by just to say "thank you" back.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Feb 28 at 2014 3:38 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 15:38:44 -0500

First thing is when you are in the public view while i uniform is to conduct yourself as a professional Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or Coast Guardsman.  So many times I am in public in civilian attire and see service members acting a fool, disgracing our profession.  Cussing and carrying on.  The public see this and automatically assume the worst of us.  Be a good steward of the uniform, conduct yourselves as gentlemen and ladies , you are ALWAYS watched.  If you see servicemembers acting out in public, correct them.  Civilians take notice of us, thier children watch us especially because whether you like it or not, you ARE arole model.  This alone will do a world of wonder for the civilain population looking up to the uniformed services!

Response by SGT Michael Little made Feb 28 at 2014 9:31 PM

SGT Michael Little — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 21:31:04 -0500

You know Captain, if you'd asked this question two days ago, I'd have been able to give you the stories of how the Guard and Active duty members have been involved in the local community with fundraisers and community outreach. It is a great thing the way the armed forces I was a part of being involved. But sir, with the advent of the budget "crisis" as Congress states, my brothers needing treatment in VA, me needing treatment for that matter. I have a hard time wanting to be integrated in the civilian life. I have been retired since 2009 after my last tour in OIF in 06-07 and the attitude of civilians have changed toward us. I'm not going to turn this thing into a bitch session like some. I just wanted to use the previous as pretext to this statement. I would like to know what the civilians have done to bridge the gap to us. I apologize since this really doesn't answer your question but just felt with recent events it was appropriate.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Mar 1 at 2014 12:21 PM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:21:56 -0500

I feel that all service members can conduct them self in a professional manner..

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2014 10:08 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 10:08:20 -0400

BLUF. Check your ego at the door. More often than naught civilian employees bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. They are there for a reason and that reason is because the majority (not all) are considered to be very good at their jobs. To often military members have drank their own Kool-Aid for so long that they think their's is the best and forget that there are other flavors in the world. The civilians have not been pigeon holed into one way of thinking and therefore can make valuable outside the box contributions to any command if they are allowed to do so.

Response by Sgt John Henry made Mar 28 at 2014 3:43 PM

Sgt John Henry — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:43:29 -0400

Set a positive example and interact often with the civilian community.

USMCR Toys for Tots program is a great example.

Response by SGT David Dodge made Apr 19 at 2014 4:32 AM

SGT David Dodge — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 04:32:46 -0400

I would say that communication is the key to closing the gap. Many civilians do not know how to behave around people who have voluntarily signed up to put our very lives on the line for what may seem to be a very unforgiving country. I try my best to answer any questions forthrightly (yeah even the "dumb" ones like "How many people have you killed?"). I have found that civilians are genuinely curious and would like to know more about this thin line that keeps them comfortable in knowledge that there are people like us who do volunteer.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 20 at 2014 4:28 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Tue, 20 May 2014 16:28:21 -0400

Personal Leadership building: be human and be real, don't be for fake or a clone of somebody you are not...be yourself and enjoy the interpersonal relationship building.

Check your habits and ask for a mirror image of how you relate to civilians. Ask them...Be readable just like to your troops/subordinates.

Working with civilians, they will see the uniform rather than the person behind it. Demonstrate that you are a human being with social and emotional skills.

Active listening; Change from GI language to a more compatible and doable language setting. For example, talking in acronyms and using famous 4 letter words can be observed as disrespectful.

Demonstrate sensitivity, caring, nurturing side of personality. Demonstrate that you can function with mutual respect for others while upholding personal dignity.

Attitude check: Take that chip of your shoulder, the world doesn't owe you anything.

Put yourself in their shoes and ask for help. Be ready for a change...a different working relationship versus a military formation/environment.