Is there really just one standard?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 12:45:45 -0500

Given some articles I have seen posted here from punishment for higher ranking officers to those of a younger officer and treatment based on skin color or sexual orientation is there truly just one standard in the military? I am not talking about being fair, as we all know life is not fair. I am talking about double, triple, etc. standards. Or is it that "commander's discretion" has turned into politics and there is just one standard but not enforced as such?

What are your thoughts? Is there? Should there be one? Should we change regulations?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 1:27 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:27:38 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, even with the understanding that life's not fair, I think there are double standards for some things in the military. Especially when people screw up. It seems that lower ranking personnel get the book thrown at them and higher ranking personnel are invited to retire. At least that's my impression of how things often turn out.

The outcome is not pleasant for either recipient, but I think there's a big difference between quietly fading into retirement and having your career cut short. It almost seems backwards: lower ranking personnel should be allowed to screw up (in some areas) more and more often. They should be allowed to learn. They should be able bounce back. But, especially in the days of drawdown, that's probably not going to happen.

Bottom line, I think there is double standard, rank-wise, and I think that's unfortunate.

Response by MSG Willard Hunter made Nov 23 at 2014 3:39 PM

MSG Willard Hunter — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 15:39:38 -0500

I agree that there are double standards and that they are needed and should be left up to the person that is in charge to make that decision. Lets say that you have two junior enlisted personnel that you have found with a small amount of weed, pot or what ever. One a model soldier, the other a dirt bag. Two different personalities require two separate outcomes.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 23 at 2014 4:04 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 16:04:19 -0500

There is only one standard however, the enforcement of that standard varies based on many things - PRIMARILY THE INDIVIDUALS PERFORMANCE PRIOR TO (AND AFTER THE INCIDENT), hopefully not decided based solely on the bias of the individual enforcing that standard. Additionally, the commander typically relies on a seasoned senior enlisted advisor to help steer him/her in the right direction when they start to go down the path of discriminatory behaviors.

We have fluid regulations and often change them as our norms in society change, we will continue to evolve as an organization....no matter how difficult it is to accept it, change is often good for our organization.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 4:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 16:57:32 -0500

CPT Brian Maurelli....I think there is one standard when it comes to punishment, that is given against a wide range of considerations. Past performance, quality to Soldier, number of previous incidents, and circumstances surrounding the incident. If a commander takes in considerations such as these, then it would appear that there are different standards, however I believe they are just applying good leadership. That is what my 1SG and I tried to do when we were a command team!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 23 at 2014 10:30 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 22:30:05 -0500

Different spanks for different ranks. I have seen Sr Officers get virtually nothing for a far worse variation of the same crime. DUI is the most common example.