Posted on Oct 4, 2015
I went to the Chow Hall this morning, left pretty pissed off. Would you do the same thing I did?
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My spouse and I went to the gym this morning and had a great workout. After my shower, I went to the DFAC for Sunday morning brunch. spending time with the Soldiers as well as chow was great.
We noticed a couple (probably in early-mid forties) sitting at the next table with three young children (ages estimated at 6, 8, 9)....the children were running all over the place - not being watched or corrected by the either parent....looked like they had been there for quite some time as well because there was food, wrappers, plates all over the place.
I noticed the children playing around the area fallen hero table so I approached the father, I thought I was very restrained - here's what happened:
Me: Sir, do you know what this table is here for?
His reply: "roger, I know the meaning".
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
(the children were still running around.....now the youngest was pulling at the fallen hero table cloth)
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
Me: Sir, do you truly understand the importance of this display, and understand what it exactly means to all of us within this community?
Reply: Yes
Me: Sir, please get your children under control!
At that point, he grabbed his son and put the child over his shoulder and walked with him back to the table and then turned him lose & let him go back to "roaming" all around the DFAC....next to the stoves and all the other appliances (in the back) which are not so kid friendly!
How would you have handled the situation? Directly? Indirectly (thru the DFAC manager? Ignored the situation completely, (it aint my business).
We noticed a couple (probably in early-mid forties) sitting at the next table with three young children (ages estimated at 6, 8, 9)....the children were running all over the place - not being watched or corrected by the either parent....looked like they had been there for quite some time as well because there was food, wrappers, plates all over the place.
I noticed the children playing around the area fallen hero table so I approached the father, I thought I was very restrained - here's what happened:
Me: Sir, do you know what this table is here for?
His reply: "roger, I know the meaning".
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
(the children were still running around.....now the youngest was pulling at the fallen hero table cloth)
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
Me: Sir, do you truly understand the importance of this display, and understand what it exactly means to all of us within this community?
Reply: Yes
Me: Sir, please get your children under control!
At that point, he grabbed his son and put the child over his shoulder and walked with him back to the table and then turned him lose & let him go back to "roaming" all around the DFAC....next to the stoves and all the other appliances (in the back) which are not so kid friendly!
How would you have handled the situation? Directly? Indirectly (thru the DFAC manager? Ignored the situation completely, (it aint my business).
Fallen Soldiers
Respect
Disrespect
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 100
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As a father of four I can understand how this situation could easily happen. Kids are kids, and some days you want to just let them be kids. But on the other hand, in a public place, especially when there could be safety hazards and things like the table for the fallen Soldier, you do not just let them be kids. I would have drop the hammer on my kids, let them know whats up and rolled out if they continued not to listen.
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SSG (Join to see)
If you actually read my post you would see that I stated "But on the other hand, in a public place, especially when there could be safety hazards and things like the table for the fallen Soldier, you do not just let them be kids. I would have drop the hammer on my kids, let them know whats up and rolled out if they continued not to listen" I never condoned the parents for letting their children run around like hooligans. My point was that kids are kids, they are not just going to sit down and not move and act like robots. But when the situation gets out of hand, it is the parents responsibility to discipline and keep them in line.
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PO1 Frank Vielbaum
I second that emotion, SSG Hill. As a Navy E-6 living on post overseas, I frequently enjoyed Sunday brunch with my wife and 2 young children. They were respectful and behaved well, even the toddler, because that is what was EXPECTED of them. Even at the dinner table at home, let alone out in public. Now I am retired and have six, the two youngest a pair of hooligan boys. LOL. We don't frequently have the funds to go out for a meal as a family, and if I lived closer to a base I would probably still be enjoying those Sunday brunches, whether they are at a DFAC, galley, or mess hall. But I would ABSOLUTELY take my children directly outside for a stern talk, and possibly some targeted PT, so they can get the wiggles out and sit still long enough to eat. It works wonders on boys especially. I look forward to being a grandparent someday, but my licence to sugar them up and turn them back over to their parents (oh, sweet revenge) comes with the responsibility to help them behave appropriately in public, or lose the privilege of Sunday brunch - they can eat a bowl of cereal and color while the well behaved ones get a trip to the base with Grandpa.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
I believe you handled that in a very professional manner and with grace. The only other course of action I see would have been bringing the DFAC manager into the equation. It always bothers me when parents do not control their children in public places.
I believe you handled that in a very professional manner and with grace. The only other course of action I see would have been bringing the DFAC manager into the equation. It always bothers me when parents do not control their children in public places.
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You showed more patience than I would have! Good story for learning points.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig direct action is always the best course. Quick and professional corrections.
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Make a correction; in a military installation; we all have the duties to correct deficiencies or problem
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I am old school. Real simple. Your children are your responsibility, get them under control or get them out of the DFAC.
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Every dinning facility has dress code including on the behavior of all guests. This must be I forced by the DFM or his next present NCO in charge,.! But if your a CSM! That means Command and that is what a CSM does!!
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1stSgt (Join to see)
There ya go! Someone gets it right here! Big HOOAH! You SSG are a rare breed in this comment section!
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CSM,
I have been asking the question to my chain as what has happened to the army? Why are the NCO's not taking it back and making things right. When I was a lower enlisted soldier in Hawaii. I was scared to even go in my PSG'S office let alone get on his computer at all. I don't remember one time even talking to him unless he ask me a direct question. As a PSG I can't even go to the Motor Pool for a bit and come back to my office and I have soldiers hanging out, soldiers on my computer, soldiers texting and the list goes on and on. When I am harsh to them I get a negative counseling from my LT which he is almost half my age. Never been to combat and he has the right to rate me. My point is what happened to the NCO putting the foot down and getting the army at least back to what it was in the 90's. That guy should have never let that happened. It is horrible that soldiers have no ideal. Really bothers me.
I have been asking the question to my chain as what has happened to the army? Why are the NCO's not taking it back and making things right. When I was a lower enlisted soldier in Hawaii. I was scared to even go in my PSG'S office let alone get on his computer at all. I don't remember one time even talking to him unless he ask me a direct question. As a PSG I can't even go to the Motor Pool for a bit and come back to my office and I have soldiers hanging out, soldiers on my computer, soldiers texting and the list goes on and on. When I am harsh to them I get a negative counseling from my LT which he is almost half my age. Never been to combat and he has the right to rate me. My point is what happened to the NCO putting the foot down and getting the army at least back to what it was in the 90's. That guy should have never let that happened. It is horrible that soldiers have no ideal. Really bothers me.
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1stSgt (Join to see)
You SFC are going to have a hard road to hoe! Your belief in the traditional NCO and old school Army is a flawed course of action, I totally agree with you on this point however! I did six years in the Army, joined in 1987, finished up in the Air Force as a First Sergeant. This is not isolated, the lack of leadership, and in my opinion, undue interference by Officers, on the enlisted corps is having its desired effect on the Military service as a whole, which is to bring civilian business tactics to the military. Removing the leadership element from the NCO ranks and making them just managers and not leaders of the enlisted corps. Even as a First Sergeant, which is a bit different in the AF than the Army, I was hair lipped by my Commander when trying to influence Airman and make a difference, and trying to take back the NCO corps. I preached it to every senior NCO in my squadron, but they are afraid to step up as not to get a low rating on their NCO evals(EPRs). I feel for you SFC. You have an up hill battle. I remember as a young E4, kicking out a 2lt out of the shop office for demanding I do all this crap to his M1 tank, and making him come back in and start over a bit more respectfully. Ah those were the good ole days when your years of service and knowledge were respected by new Lts. Not any more sad to say! Best of luck to you Sarge!
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SFC (Join to see)
1stSgt (Join to see) - 1SG,
Thanks for your reply. Your right I can't get any Seniors to step up with me and take the NCO corp back to what it was. They only care about the rating they will recieve. It is crazy. Wow it has changed so much in the 18 years I have been in. You hit the nail on the head 1SG and I am very glad to see that some one with your caliber agrees with me. Again thanks 1SG for the support
Thanks for your reply. Your right I can't get any Seniors to step up with me and take the NCO corp back to what it was. They only care about the rating they will recieve. It is crazy. Wow it has changed so much in the 18 years I have been in. You hit the nail on the head 1SG and I am very glad to see that some one with your caliber agrees with me. Again thanks 1SG for the support
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