Integrity getting lost in favor of efficiency?

2015-05-15T20:36:25-04:00

I recently read an article in the Army Times referencing this study about our officers and senior leaders regarding paperwork, mandatory training requirements, and other stuff and it seems we werent meeting the standard.

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB1250.pdf

While this is really disheartening, I can definitely see the merits in NOT following the integrity portion. "Commander's Discretion" takes on a whole new meaning. The article in the Army Times made a line that was VERY clear and evident, and something worth noting. In that article, it mentioned that the Big Ole Army was really good at ensuring new requirements were being added in addition to the ones that were already in place. The Army comes rolling along with little or no care that this places a lot of responsibility of the officer, with little or no leeway when things that could be categorized as "more critical or important" come up. As such, it creates an interesting dynamic and role on the officer that could have career ending consequences.

I d like to see some of this mandatory training go away. SMA Dailey has already made a great stride forward for a lot of us in the sense that worrying about tattoos when there are a lot more important issues to tackle. I d also like to think some of this other " mandatory training", trivial policies, and other things like a 40 page leave packet go by the wayside.

It can free up some time for us to be able to do less busy work and more important things such as maintaining equipment, aircraft, weapons, and more training and team building events. I d rather be getting the snot kicked out of me in a battalion dodgeball tournament than sitting in a class room watching PowerPoint slides on the same thing that gets covered monthly.

Thoughts?

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made May 15 at 2015 8:44 PM

2015-05-15T20:44:08-04:00

In the AF we had our PowerPoint Rangers... those were the ones that jumped out of a plane to give earth shattering presentations on the message of the day.

There always was a lot of time spend filling-all-the-squares of what ever was the lip-service new initiative of the day. Generally, the intent was well meant, just devised by someone far removed from how things really worked. Commanders could have used discretion but that would have meant a death sentence. So we jumped through hoops. But you know, looking back we all knew the game, and I'd jump through those hoops without complaint for a good commander.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 15 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-05-15T20:45:06-04:00

Its worse when a Corps, Division, Brigade add their layers of more crap to accomplish. It is especially hard for the REMF unit like my Finance unit to conduct red cycle and funeral detail. Often we had one Finance person working in the Finance office, while the rest of us were scattered. I told this to the Brigade commander, but I am sure he looked at me like a non team player.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 3:24 AM

2015-05-18T03:24:56-04:00

For those that have responded, please tag as many officers as you know to get this one rolling. I truly want to get their opinions.