Have you suffered from Headquartersitis? Do you have it, or know someone who does?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 09:00:18 -0400

Someone recently asked for my definition. Here it is:

Headquartersitis is a disease that may be unique to Washington DC. The virus-like illness tends to exist in clusters. It is believed to spread from person to person by breathing lofty air in offices and subways. The illness is first presented by a smug appearance and an air of pseudo-authority. Symptoms randomly manifest via repetitive streams of self-fulfilling prophesies, paternalistic approaches, and reckless disregard for the welfare of less fortunate workers in the field who tend to be naturally immune. Clusters are identified by cliques who tend to reward one another. Left untreated, the disease reaches a critical point marked by delusions. Diagnosis can be confirmed by a patient’s steadfast belief that people who work in the beltway are elite Savants. Such delusions often spiral into a thick morass of uncontrolled feelings of self-importance, criminal acts, and epidemics of extremely low morale centered around the patient. Treatments are few. They include repeated exposures to media headlines, banishment, incarcerations, resignations, or retirement. The first recorded case of H-disease was in 400 BC, among politicians during the sack of Rome.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 9:48 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 09:48:57 -0400

I haven't yet suffered from this malady, but I should have, at least according to the definition. I served in the Pentagon (as a DA civilian) from 2008 to 2013. I guess I'm too junior a guy to have this. Either that, or I learned during my active duty career to not take myself too seriously.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 10:08 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:08:16 -0400

I was exposed to that virus for 12-months @ McNamara Headquarters Complex. Luckily I was inoculated early in my career.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 7 at 2014 10:11 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:11:49 -0400

I would have to say that, based on your definition, this disease has reached epidemic proportions world-wide. Perhaps we should involve the WHO.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 11:10 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:10:23 -0400

Yeah...not sure you're describing the DC area properly. For the majority of those assigned, the "HQ'itis" you are describing is nigh impopssible to achieve. More often than not, for the majority of people there, it is the opposite. A feeling of powerlessness and being "one man on the oar." Hard to feel superior when you are chained to an oar with the drum beat in the background, and those around you are sweating and grunting away on their own oars. I've seen this in other places, but not DC. Smaller HQ...big fish in a small pond scenario...that's where it comes into play. Maybe at the GO level in DC, but even then...unless you are a 3 or 4 star, you don't have a "corner office."

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 7 at 2014 11:18 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:18:02 -0400

Love it .... !! Although I would argue with your premise that the disease is unique to Washington, DC, though that certainly appears to be the pinnacle of the disease. I think it certainly exists at all major headquarters and, depending on your perspective (location in the pecking order), maybe at all headquarters, from company on up.

Also, just so there is no mistake, it also exists within the corporate world; possibly to a larger and more destructive amount than in the military.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 11:33 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:33:46 -0400

I cannot speak at all to DC; closest I got was a year of school at Quantico. What I have seen is that we (at least the "we" I am part of) continually blame "higher" for many problems throughout our careers. The problem I have is the recent realization that I am "higher" compared to where I was 15 years ago, 10 or even 5.

In my case, I now wonder how much of the problem is the leader, and how much is the LED?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 13 at 2014 7:41 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:41:11 -0400

Luckily I received my annual shots against it but worked for many seniors who had unhealthy doses of it that periodically reoccurred.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 5:07 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 17:07:15 -0400

Actually, I am surprised that more people didn't comment on this one! Perhaps Headquarteritis is spreading faster than we thought...