Is the Army too much "stick" and not enough "carrot"?

1SG Michael Blount — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 10:34:16 -0500

My personal perspective is the Army is trying to make individuals more responsible for their careers, gear, physical fitness, etc. However progressive this idea, my sense is Soldiers are not responding as planned. Accordingly, the Army creates penalties for non compliance to the point where there seem to be more punishments than rewards.

Is this just my imagination running away with me or am I on to something?

Response by SSG Jeremy Siebenaller made Nov 9 at 2014 10:49 AM

SSG Jeremy Siebenaller — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 10:49:21 -0500

We were all trained one way for so long! So you think its possible to "turn the tide"

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 11:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 11:01:26 -0500

I wonder if this is part of the downsizing. Weed out the self-motivated from those who require constant oversight/incentives. For me, promotion is about the only incentive I need to take control of my own career.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 11:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 11:14:12 -0500

1SG Michael Blount, I believe I understand what you are referring to, and if I am correct, then I agree with you. An example of what I am assuming you mean is SSD-1. If a Soldier does not complete this course, he will not go to WLC, the promotion board, and will eventually be discharged for Failure to Progress/RCP.

However, the fault is not with the Soldier, but with the leadership. They are not mentoring the Soldiers, stressing the importance of these aspects of development, or working alongside the Soldier to ensure said aspects are being met. Whether PT, Professional Development, etc., leadership needs to coach, mentor, etc. There are many ways to have this happen, such as charging with responsibility, counseling, or setting the example by completing these yourself. It is not a difficult task to accomplish, and if the Soldier is failing, than it is the fault of the leadership for not leading properly.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 9 at 2014 11:32 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 11:32:31 -0500

The problem is most of us aren't vegetarians. We don't want carrots, we want steak. Put a steak out there and you'll see amazing results.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 7:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 19:35:03 -0500

It is becoming that way because of the drawdown and further eroded by politics. If you take away the incentive then you are in trouble from the smart. The payoff comes in many forms and one of those is the belief in the military and as the best the world. That kind of mindset pushes us to do all we can to ensure that.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 9:03 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:03:07 -0500

1SG Blount...I suppose that depends on which end of the Green Machine Shaft we are on....I do believe the kick to pat ratio is often out of balance, mainly because of weak leaders who tend to resort to authority they know they have, rather than respect they know they don't have. Enlightened leaders do not lack will, nor must they often impose it.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 9:17 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:17:13 -0500

1SG Blount, it's also a lot easier to "act" Army Strong than it is to actually be Army Compassionate. Many people think Compassionate is weak. The time to be more compassionate is when the bullets aren't flying--when we can turn our attention toward taking care of our wounded, our widows, and orphans. We'll still get the mission done, we'll still maintain order and discipline, and might earn more loyalty and respect in the process.

Response by COL Timothy S. made Nov 12 at 2014 2:17 PM

COL Timothy S. — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:17:07 -0500

This kind of reminds me of a new program that my daughter's school initiated as a pilot. The idea was to improve the security of the campus by issuing the students picture ID's that were to be worn around the neck. Initial intent was to make identifying someone who didn't belong there easier. What they didn't count on was a distinct lack of willingness on the part of students to be "leashed" and simply refused to wear them. With non-compliance came admonishment, thencalls to parents, and finally punishment for the 3rd strike. What was intended as an increased level of security, became perceived as an arbitrary tool for punishment...a "gotcha".

I've seen far too many incentive/entitlement programs get rushed into FOC without proper staffing and consideration of the 2nd and 3rd order effects (RAP for example) that can have disastrous PR consequences.