Does the military follow a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset?

2016-05-05T14:31:09-04:00

Does the Army, or really that military in general, follow this mindset? Because it seems like the Army fixes what is NOT broken, and ignores what is. Is my perception skewed here, or am I right?

Response by MSgt Rena Schmidt made May 5 at 2016 2:35 PM

2016-05-05T14:35:42-04:00

you bet and usually it's a program that is working fine prior to the Fix

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-05-05T14:37:00-04:00

Think it's bad now, just wait til you get higher in rank....

Response by SPC Kelly MacLeod made May 5 at 2016 2:42 PM

2016-05-05T14:42:50-04:00

Here's my non-answer: its hard telling without any kind of measures. How does the Army define "broken"? How does the Army define "functioning?" Do they have some kind of metric to measure what is working and what isn't, and what is their cut-off before they start changing things?
Perhaps what is perceived the Army "ignoring" issues isn't really them ignoring it, but not prioritizing it.
I'm sure that sometimes there is a need for fixing, we just can't see what that need is because that information is "above our pay grade." Of course there is "just following orders/ it came down from higher"
Perception is always skewed. :-\ Just roll with the punches, you aren't paid enough to worry about it (at least, that's what I always told myself)

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made May 5 at 2016 2:52 PM

2016-05-05T14:52:12-04:00

I'd say you're right. "If it's not broke, we'll fix it until it is". It's pretty much universal. Saw it a lot in the contractor world also. Actually saw that quote on a KBR site manager's desk while in Iraq. KBR was good at that.

Response by SGT William Howell made May 5 at 2016 3:00 PM

2016-05-05T15:00:44-04:00

Do you really need to ask the question? Take a look at the 670-1. Now close it. Now open it up again. It has already changed in the 3 seconds it took open it again. Also your out of uniform, smoke yourself!

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made May 5 at 2016 4:39 PM

2016-05-05T16:39:00-04:00

The Army has been breaking itself for years, the people who would traditionally populate the military are no longer welcome due to the behaviors those who have always thrived in warrior cultures exhibit.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 4:50 PM

2016-05-05T16:50:02-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member You will find this in the civilian world also. It does seem like it is change just for the sake of change. Some of the changes are good and some bad.

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made May 5 at 2016 6:58 PM

2016-05-05T18:58:31-04:00

I am pretty sure the military follows a "Shut up, that's how we have always done it" mindset, and if something is broken is rarely considered. (unless forced to act from an outside agency)

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 11 at 2016 1:37 PM

2016-05-11T13:37:04-04:00

No, it definitely doesn't. There have been plenty of times where I've had to revise and redo a process because "someone thought it was better this way". Yet the things that genuinely need to be fixed like working computers or office equipment get put on a backlog until an angry officer calls. I think it's a common thing in the military, especially among those who are either trying to get promoted or look good among their peers. Why fix something when you can look like you fixed something...