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In today's Army, how do you feel and think about the word "why" in the Army vocabulary texts?
Posted in these groups: 
Training
Discipline
Training Discipline
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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Soldiers need to do what they are told but it isn't wrong to ask why if they don't understand something. It helps to do your job effectively if you know what its for. If they are whining and asking Whyyyyyyuh? Then they aren't doing anyone and good. If they just want to know why it is important to finish the project by 1300, it doesn't hurt to explain it to them.
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I always consider it part of my job to make sure those under me understood the why. I don't want robots I want thinking Soldiers that can adapt as the situation changes. If they don't understand why we're doing something, and I don't mean on the geopolitical or some abstract line of thinking, then I've failed them as a leader.
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A good leader should always be able to answer Why! There are situations that arrise in an emergency or crisis that don't warant an answer at the moment. That was drilled into me in every leadership course I ever took. Of course there are always Smart Asses that abuse the word and as a Leader you should be able to figure out how to deal with them too. Also because of the Nature of what we do sometimes it is classified and we don't really have the need to know but if you can at all possible you put the why out there.
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<span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);">Soldiers have a right to know why most of the time. Task and purpose go hand in hand. Maybe painting a better picture of the overarching mission can help Soldiers better understand their purpose and figure out the why for themselves.</span><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#4d4d4d"><span style="font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);">Sometimes subordinates overuse the "why" challenge to minor tasks, but I believe that if your Soldiers consistently ask why they are told to do a thing then it points to a leadership failure. Leaders create a vision and paint that vision to their subordinates. Subordinates should interpret their duties in light of that vision. If they do not understand the the vision then they may feel disenfranchised and be more likely to challenge you when you ask them to sweep the motor pool or whatever. That vision may be as simple as having the best, cleanest, and most squared away company area - to the shame of all other companies. You come up with the vision...</span></font></div><div><font color="#4d4d4d"><span style="font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#4d4d4d"><span style="font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);">Soldiers who trust their leaders and understand their vision seldom challenge their leaders. Next time you get asked why, take a breath, answer the question, and figure out how you can prevent the next why by being a better leader and painting a better vision.</span></font></div>
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I hate it! I don't ask my superiors that question it’s
either yes/no/I don’t know but I will find out/I do not understand. The younger guys/gals always want to know “WHY”. Sometimes in mission briefs totally legit
question. However when you tell them
that they need to perform a simple task and they ask why really ticks me
off. The old days it was just hooah,
roger, moving etc. I think a lot of this
all starts with Basic and AIT it has been coddling these Soldiers.
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SSG (Join to see)
Explain sir, I know in the Officer district the word WHY always come about how do you and your peers deal with it?
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CPT (Join to see)
The big issue is if Soldiers continue to ask why, they aren’t
going to figure things out on their own.
My PSG and I had a discussion about this a great length and he also
hates the word. When I was talking about
missing briefs…anything that has to do with a mission etc I want the Soldiers
to ask why so they get the total concept and I’m all about learning. When they are asking about tactics or
techniques we use and ask why I’ll gladly go into the reasons. On the other hand when we are going to PMCS
the Vehicles, Dispatch them on Mondays, going to the range in the middle of the
week, monthly counseling, ruck marching etc that kind of stuff grinds my gears
when younger soldiers always ask why are we doing this, what is the point. I guess when I was at the Academy the word “Why”
was something you never used and I still don’t to this day.
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CPT (Join to see)
I completely agree with SGT Levin. When you explain why something should be done you give a person purpose and you respect them. How can you expect them to learn if they aren't taught or to respect you if you make them afraid to ask a question? You certainly didn't know everything once, nor do you now. Someone has to teach you and you have to ask why too. Do you thing your superiors get pissed when you ask why? I certainly hope not. I hope they view it as part of your development.<div><br></div><div>I certainly hope my boss doesn't get pissed at me when I need a little clarification or understanding. I have plenty to learn too and the best way is by asking questions and paying attention to the answers.</div>
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SSG (ret) William Martin
I don't ask my superiors why for changes in plans and usually its in reference to a very simple task.
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I think asking "why" is a good thing. It allows the Soldier to buy into the mission. It also ensures understanding of the mission and the final end state. In garrison, it can be both a blessing- the Soldiers want to know more of what is going on, and a curse as I didn't fully explain the situation as well as I had hoped.
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Depends. If I believe my superiors are giving assassine and useless orders, then I ask why. Probably why I never re-enlisted. I have to fully understand everything.
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In my day there was no why.. just do it..and as a former NCO... I told my Soldiers... Those that ask why get killed by gun fire... If I say get down and you ask why then you're already dead.
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I think there is a time and place for why. In training and during teaching there is nothing wrong with questioning to gain a better understanding. As leaders we are suppose to train subordinates to take are job and if we don't take time out during appropriate times to explain why we do things they can't learn. That being said in real time there should be no whys just execution and subordinates must understand the difference.
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Outside of my kids when they were young, I have never had a high tolerance for that word.
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