Gen Dempsey shows off his not-so-serious side. Does the public need to see more of this side of us?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 10:37:57 -0400

At a recent TAPS seminar, Gen Dempsey melted away the usual serious facade he typically shows the world & "got on ground level" with kids who lost a parent/loved one while in service.

I think this is something that the public needs to see more of. The public sees us as a serious group almost incapable of having fun. What are your thoughts?

Dempsey Offers Humor, Song to Children at Annual TAPS Seminar

Gen. Martin Dempsey on Friday sang and joked with children who are in Washington as part of a program to heal from the loss of a service member.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 26 at 2015 10:38 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Tue, 26 May 2015 10:38:52 -0400

Humor has its uses!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 11:01 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 11:01:05 -0400

I think people forget that under all the uniforms and titles, leaders are people too. This "automotozation" grows as you advance through the ranks and titles, and not in just the military, but in all things.

While these individuals definitely deserve and command respect, we shouldn't regard them as some other-worldly being. Give your respect to them, yes. But don't forget that they are human too. Even leaders have to wash in the same water we do. I believe that what GEN Dempsey did here was very tasteful and heartwarming.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 11:07 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 11:07:17 -0400

Yes, absolutely. Especially for this audience, but at other times as well. Kudos to GEN Dempsey for letting his hair down a bit!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 11:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 11:15:55 -0400

I think we could all benefit from letting our hair down a little bit. Sure we have a serious job and a serious mission. But we could all stand to take some time to become more human and stop taking ourselves so seriously. All work and no play....
You should also take the time to learn your audience. Sometimes we have to adjust and make the topic more interesting and easy to understand.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made May 26 at 2015 11:52 AM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Tue, 26 May 2015 11:52:30 -0400

What are you talking about? Dempsey has always been a joke. A joke of a CJCoS for a joke of a president... a perfect team! We really lucked out with his short tenure as Army Chief of Staff.

Response by SFC Norman G. Mayers made May 26 at 2015 12:44 PM

SFC Norman G. Mayers — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:44:38 -0400

There is a time and place for everything and an audience with that respect. As Servicemembers we are expected to conduct our self with dignity and honor all other Servicemembers before us by setting the example and conducting our self in an honorable manner. There are many stories of individuals who have brought shame on all of us; because, they let their hair down and completely forgot who their were. We are looked upon with a different set of standards. The decisions we make and the actions we take makes us different and what was acceptable before we joined the military is no more. I applaud GEN Dempsey and wish we had more Servicemembers like him.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 1:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 13:14:05 -0400

Have no issues with this, or the selfie SMA Dailey took with the Soldier. It's a nice show of a "human side" for those who's responsibilities are significantly greater than our own.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made May 26 at 2015 1:37 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Tue, 26 May 2015 13:37:31 -0400

It is time for him to retire and get someone with BALLS to lead the military

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 6:48 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 06:48:09 -0400

I think while in uniform one must be respectful and tasteful if you follow these guidelines I think you can behave like your part of the human race