Placing subordinates needs above our own?

2013-11-26T11:11:16-05:00

As the holidays approach regardless of creed or religion are we continually focusing on the overall mission? As we do are we also focusing on the needs of subordinate members of our military? Are we offering additional time for families and not wasting assets to keep subordinates at work unecessarily? Are we directing subordinate members in the right direction to save money? i.e.) Black friday auto sales; u.s. patriotactical.com for uniforms; usstandardissue.com for oakley's; etc? Free trees on installations or operation homefront for those subordinates financially or fiscally weak??? During the holiday season focusing even more on soldier's needs become apparent and in the long run it will pay off to our benefit for most I believe...THOUGHTS??????

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Nov 26 at 2013 11:27 AM

2013-11-26T11:27:47-05:00

" I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own."

http://www.army.mil/yearofthenco/creed.html

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 26 at 2013 12:35 PM

2013-11-26T12:35:55-05:00

As Ops Boss at my last unit, I (and the other department heads, section chiefs, and team leaders) did what we could to distribute the workload around the holidays. If it meant rearranging the duty rotation to accommodate individual needs, or even volunteering to stand somebody's watch so they could enjoy some quality family time, we did it; particularly for our junior people with small children. It was just a given that if there was a way to ease their burden and help them enjoy the holidays, we did it. That's just part of leading.

Response by SFC James Baber made Nov 26 at 2013 1:10 PM

2013-11-26T13:10:59-05:00

Many times during my career, my family opened our home to many of my single and barracks Soldiers during the holidays for Thanksgiving/xmas meals and spending xmas with us. It was a small thing to us, but a major show of care and concern to many of those Soldiers over the years. I had many of them that once they had their own families and had moved up in their careers, did similar things and even told me it was because of the care and concern my family had shown them.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 22 at 2014 11:03 PM

2014-11-22T23:03:47-05:00

There must be a balance; mission comes first but most units slow down during the holiday season and it would be a smart thing to do. The holidays can be a rough time for us all who can not leave for whatever reason. I will do whatever I need to do to keep my Soldier's morale high with in reason but as you know, there will always be duties like staff duty, CQ, law enforcement operations, service related jobs, etc.