Constant Complaining

MSG Martinis Butler — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 17:54:27 -0500

I am always in aww when I here Soldiers of many ranks speak about all the things that are wrong with the military and what they expect to see. The military seems to be soooo great on the 1st and the 15th when its time to get paid but people feel that everything else the military is doing it so wrong. From, not enough pay, NCOER, Regs, Pt, promotion selection, orders and the list goes on and on. We have been the one of the greatest military for years, before we joined and perhaps after we have joined so what makes us feel that the system is so broken and needs our input? What do you think?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2013 6:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:04:19 -0500

Well, I believe it starts at square one: Basic Combat Training. Ever since the Army took a (in my humble opinion) 'lighter' approach to the training of soldiers, we have breeded a new monster of soldiers who think everything gets handed to them, no respect for NCOs and no emphasis on the role that they play in the bigger scheme of things. Give the Drill Sergeants back the power to train individuals and weed out the ones who wont cut the mustard....thats how I came up. On the flip side of things, senior leaders need to be held more accountable for the mentorship and training of their junior leaders and soldiers. Soldiers are only as good as their leaders train them to be. Lets be honest, some complaints however trivial may have some truth behind it....especially if its the same complaint heard on more than one occasion and of course there are your BS complaints for that lazy troop.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2013 6:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:19:17 -0500

Lets get those that complain out and place people like myself in their positions. I been wanting to go active duty for years now, however I was lied to by some recruiters and ended up in reserves.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 8:52 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 08:52:45 -0500

It's human nature to complain - Military or Civilian. I'm coming up on 17 years of service and I can't imagine a day without hearing at least one gripe/complaint - it wouldn't feel right.

That being said - I complain too...but I'm odd, I try to think of better resolutions to my complaints.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2013 9:04 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 09:04:22 -0500

General Powell or SEC Powell, whichever is correct, once said that "just because something is not broke doesn't mean it can't be improved on", or something similar to that. There is no perfect system in the military or anywhere for that matter. There is always room for improvement. Most instances the decisions were made for the "greater good" and not each individual. Soldiers always complain. We all have at one time or another. I have been told not to fret over a Soldier who is "B*#chin", start to worry when they stop.

You will never be able to please everyone all the time. Why try. As leaders, we at times have to make the best of bad situations. The decision you make will not be "liked" by all it affects. If these are your Soldiers complaining all the time as you say, I would suggest you look past the complaints and fine the true issue. I would also suggest that if they are complaining to you all the time, they see you as an approachable leader who addresses issues for their welfare. Many leaders are clueless as to their Soldiers true issues because troops simply do not speak openly with them. Let them complain. Those complaints you can affect or improve on, take on as a new task for your Soldiers. Those issues you can't affect, as long as it does not violate Good Order and Discipline, let them vent. Exercise those "Listening" skills we talk about in all the NCOES courses on leadership and counseling.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 9:10 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 21:10:58 -0500

I believe that things could stay the same and soldiers will still find something to complain about. My problem is there are changes that are been made higher that seem to be effecting the NCO corp only. There was no need to change the NCOER process that changed. Promotions system was fine that changed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 9:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:19:58 -0500

"Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."
Colin Powell

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 10:29 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:29:34 -0500

I believe the US has had one of the greatest militaries for years because it has constantly changed and grown. We need to keep growing or we become stagnant and decay. I agree that my generation complains excessively about trivial inconvienences. However it is dangerous to ignore a complaint just because "soldiers always complain." The system only works if it has our input. We have the best vantage point for seeing where it is broken. Our military cannot improve if there is nobody to say, "Hey we have a problem with..." Granted as an NCO I'm sure it is wearisome for you to sort through the petulant complaints and finding real fixable problems.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 10:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:38:42 -0500

Complaining doesn't really bother me, at least at my level. When guys come at you with issues or complaints, that means they trust your leadership, when they stop coming to you is when you should worry. Do I complain to my fellow SSGs about certain higher ranking individuals.....all the time, if its something legit, I'll bring it up to them, if its something about their leadership or tasking, I may not agree with it, and I may slip a word or two to my peers while I'm getting it done, but its getting done.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 5:33 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 05:33:02 -0500

It is inherently and wonderfully American for us to believe we can be better than we are today, and that we can do things better than the current guy in charge. Baron Von Steuben also lamented at the American soldiers unwillingness to obey orders without protesting.

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Feb 21 at 2014 5:57 AM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 05:57:14 -0500

I will keep it simple.... People like to whine....

Response by MSG Martinis Butler made May 4 at 2014 2:42 AM

MSG Martinis Butler — Sun, 04 May 2014 02:42:50 -0400

Many times we complain and even vent to others about how much we like and dislike things within the military. When you start to allow your complaining to affect your job performance now that's when you have a problem.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 21 at 2015 7:43 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:43:41 -0400

There are SMs always complaining about something; sometimes its legit and sometimes it pathetic that is deserving a hard slap across the face. I'm over here having some beers.