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Joint Service/Joint Environment---Leadership Differences/Observations
After serving on a Combined Joint Task Force Staff---I observed and acknowledged several differences pertaining to responsibility, leadership, and overall differences amongst my superiors, my peers, and subordinates. For the most part, it was just pure differences in the way business is carried out and the atmospheric changes related to having team members from different backgrounds, experiences, and levels of leadership/responsibility.
After serving on a Combined Joint Task Force Staff---I observed and acknowledged several differences pertaining to responsibility, leadership, and overall differences amongst my superiors, my peers, and subordinates. For the most part, it was just pure differences in the way business is carried out and the atmospheric changes related to having team members from different backgrounds, experiences, and levels of leadership/responsibility.
For example, I now know that most Commissioned Officers from the Navy do not acquire the same type of authority, responsibility, or leadership positions that equal to the Army until the rank of Commander (0-5) or Captain (O-6). That being said, there certainly seemed to be huge difference in the approach from my peers at the pay grade of (0-3) in that Army Captains tend to be highly experienced and possess a much higher critical eye/perspective for conducting business. Even some of the higher equivalent to Field Grade positions such as Lt. Commander (0-4) which are not really counted as Field Grade officers from what I have learned though we still tend to treat them as such due to our experience with working with Army Majors. (Keep in mind this is from the Logistics/Supply Corps located in the J-4).
Now, I state this not to be offensive or point out flaws, however due to the construct of the Navy they just simply are not placed in a position of responsibility or authority such as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, or Company Commander---therefore they haven't had true leadership experience in the field, responsible for the lives of large numbers of service members, or UCMJ authority (Command Authority).
Have you noticed other differences such as this in your Joint Experience?
Can you confirm my observation? If so, please share your thoughts and experiences so that we might be able to understand our other services and why they are not set up the same, etc.
Posted in these groups: 
Joint Service
Responsibility
Joint Service Responsibility
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 3
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Zackary,
I've worked at four different joint/combined commands: USCENTCOM, USNORTHCOM, USSOUTHCOM, and MNF-I. I observed that it's a strange and unique experience for many, as this is their first time interacting on a day-to-day basis with a member from a sister service. Cooperation - instead of authoritative leadership - is usually the way things work. Nobody really knows the specialities, experiences, or expertise of their co-worker wearing a different uniform, so it's more of a "are you able to" instead of a "you must" type of management atmosphere.
I've worked at four different joint/combined commands: USCENTCOM, USNORTHCOM, USSOUTHCOM, and MNF-I. I observed that it's a strange and unique experience for many, as this is their first time interacting on a day-to-day basis with a member from a sister service. Cooperation - instead of authoritative leadership - is usually the way things work. Nobody really knows the specialities, experiences, or expertise of their co-worker wearing a different uniform, so it's more of a "are you able to" instead of a "you must" type of management atmosphere.
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CPT M, respectfully, I'd like to present 1 difference of opinion as it relates to the Navy. In Iraq we had 2 LTCDRs (O-4) assigned to our staff - both excellent officers and very knowledgeable in unit leadership. I think they were more "land lubber" than they were "squid" but that was based on their previous assignments.
They both had small unit leadership assignments - very similar to our type of assignments that you elaborate on. The "field" where one displays "true leadership" for these men & women includes not only land assignment but ranges from an underwater sardine can to a 1/2 a mile of floating tarmac and every size "boat" (they hate it when you call them boats - just kidding folks) in between so their experience may be much different than ours but they do have it. Just don't want to see you get "inked" by one of these squids - and I use that term in the highest regard to my Navy brothers and sisters. I can't even begin to imagine living at sea, living where you work for months on end, but I'd be willing to bet these folks have more UCMJ action on one tour than I've dealt with in my career.
They both had small unit leadership assignments - very similar to our type of assignments that you elaborate on. The "field" where one displays "true leadership" for these men & women includes not only land assignment but ranges from an underwater sardine can to a 1/2 a mile of floating tarmac and every size "boat" (they hate it when you call them boats - just kidding folks) in between so their experience may be much different than ours but they do have it. Just don't want to see you get "inked" by one of these squids - and I use that term in the highest regard to my Navy brothers and sisters. I can't even begin to imagine living at sea, living where you work for months on end, but I'd be willing to bet these folks have more UCMJ action on one tour than I've dealt with in my career.
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I think this may be true in certain fields as it seems both you and I have experienced on staff at joint level. However, when I was working with Seabees (Navy Engineers) in Afghanistan their Ensign was like our Platoon Leader due to the structure of his field of engineering. This may be different then those who are on the ships. Hard to tell with Air Force as well as I only worked with their facility engineer teams with are all higher ranking officers and NCOs.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
In the comms arena the Air Force seems to have a slight edge, IMHO. I worked for an AF LTC J6, alongside an AF CPT and with AF enlisted in our section. Because of their mission, AF seems to think strategically all the time at lower levels where we tend to focus tactically. Also noticed the Army seems to be more compartmentalized in comms planning so unless you are assigned to a strategic Signal unit you're not focusing on the bigger picture. I've been tactical all my career so my focus has been prioritized to 1 up, 1 down, left & right.
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