How do we keep our talented Army leaders?

2014-01-25T23:31:51-05:00

I just read an interesting article that suggests that the Army currently does a poor job of managing our careers as leaders and goes on to offer some solutions. I'd like to hear the opinions of other RallyPoint members. We are told that we are our best career managers, but this is one area of the Army where I personally would like to see some reform. Should officers be allowed to pick their subordinates? Are you happy with the current assignment selection process? Are there changes you would like to see? Check out the article. What are your thoughts?

How to lose great leaders? Ask the Army

The U.S. military is one of America’s premier leadership factories. But its product is in decline.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 26 at 2014 12:18 AM

2014-01-26T00:18:08-05:00

Sir,

I read the article and the issue I have is that sometimes the leaders are not knowledgeable nor experienced enough to be able to pick their own subordinates, if anything it should be the other way around the Subordinate senior NCO should be the one picking the officer so that they can assist in training and mentoring them to progress in their knowledge and career. It is known that the NCOs prime job is to train their officer and prepare them for their upward movement through their own knowledge of the higher levels and experience of years within the military over the junior officers (CPT/1LT/2LT), and even the same for LTC/MAJ at the BN/BDE levels.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 1:29 AM

2014-01-26T01:29:36-05:00

Bribery would be a great place to start and if you think I believe that you do not know me. As a veteran I know that what I do affects you in the future and what you do secures that legacy. It is funny how veterans and SM actually help each other and if I do anything else in my life it is to help others who served.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 1:34 AM

2014-01-26T01:34:52-05:00

I am sorry but to your point in specific, I got out because I was jaded due to the Vietnam War. It didn't help that my father the recruiter was referred to as a baby killer or that Abby Hoffman and his ilk demonized us. As a capable younger NCO I failed to comprehend the totality of the fighting man but I was young. It took a long time to fully digest 'the big picture'. President Reagan was a great man and his ideologies while not perfect were very good for military morale.

But many of us were lost due to immaturity, frustration and being in a job that others in the civilian world did not embrace.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Dec 18 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-12-18T16:56:46-05:00

Don’t play stupid games like fun runs at o dark 30 in the morning ...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2018 5:54 PM

2018-12-18T17:54:29-05:00

So it's quite simple take care of your people and they will take care of you. Yes it's easier said than done because the mission doesn't stop. Be innovative instead of political. The battle of this conflict starts with the soldier. Will you win and churn out great leaders to fill your place when you get out? Or will you lose and be known as that hardass that makes life with the unit shitty? You decide that.