Posted on Apr 9, 2017
MAJ Telecommunications Systems Engineer
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Some officers are meant to command and lead, and others probably should never be allowed the opportunity. I'm a witness to the case of an ousted ex-commander now working as a staff-O "leading" a highly technical department - his lack of technical competence and inability to mentor and lead others is obvious. Should such an officer be "encouraged" to separate or retire early to make room?
Posted in these groups: 200210106b CommandGeneral of the army rank insignia OfficerDod color DoD
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SFC David Pope, MBA
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I have seen NCO's and Officers who were completely different people when not in a command situation. However when they are removed from command, they are outstanding in their jobs. They just don't know how to handle the pressure of leadership. I feel the military puts too much emphasis on everyone being a leader, and if they can't lead then they are no good. However there are thousands of military personnel that are outstanding in their job, and do it better than anyone else. The Marine Corp has a program for enlisted. After they become a Gunnery Sergeant they have the option of going command route, or staff route in their career. The Army is a little different where they are not restricted to one or the other. The answer to the initial question would be no.
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SSgt Bryan Keller
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In AT Leadership School, I won the debate on whether leaders were born or made. By the end of the debate, only one other Airman still believed they were made, not born. So I asked him if he thought Pee Wee Herman would make a fine wing commander.
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Sgt Frank Staples
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Years ago there was a book that businessmen passed around that said that people will get promoted to one level higher than where they are competent and I have found personally that this is true quite often. I believe the book was called The Peter Principle. Leadership then frequently leaves them in that position and everybody suffers.
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SSgt Daniel d'Errico
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Officers removed from their command position, are often put somewhere out of sight. I had a squadron commander relived for conduct unbecoming an officer. He was send to a aircraft maintenance shop, where he was put under the supervisorary watch of a E9 Chief Master Sgt. This officer had no say about any of thhe day to day happenings of that shop.
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SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM
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I think they should be retained.We learn more from failure, than from self perceived glory!
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SPC Rodney Kittle
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As long as he has not done anything unlawfully, just not able to handle the commission,then he let him serve
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SGM Harvey Boone
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NO
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CAPT Hiram Patterson
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Yes, unless that officer is a detriment to their service or just not competent. Most have a lot of expertise to contribute to their services.
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Maj Walter Kilar
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Line officers should be expected to lead. In a perfect world, a line officer who is relieved of command should be removed from the line. Whether that means the officer should be placed into a non-line position or reduced in rank depends on what rank structure exists in this perfect world.
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MSG Gene Nichols
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i recall working for a very intelligent Captain. He didn't make the cut for Major, so he was forced out. I encouraged him to take an enlisted rank, because his knowledge was valuable He choose not to, Army's loss.
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Lt Col John Culley
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Edited 7 y ago
Bill Halsey was allowed to continue to serve after running his fleet into a hurricane.
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Lt Col John Culley
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Chester Nimitz was allowed to continue to serve after grounding a warship while it was under his command.
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SSgt George Plunkett
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There is room in the military for officers of many different strengths.............viet62
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1SG Patrick Holmes
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There are subtle ways of making that Officer think his exit was his idea.
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SSG Greg Beyer
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Not all are cut out for command.
Leadership is gifted more than learned.
However Almost everyone has a spot they can fill
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Cpl James Hess
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I personally think it should be evaluated on a case by case basis... some things are out of the control of command and they are looking for a head to roll.. and in other situations it is direct fault of Individual...
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SSG Pmo Ops Sgt
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I don't know how to fix the officer side of the house but the enlisted side would do well to bring back the Speciaist 5 through 7.
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CSM Guy R. Niles
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Why is this question coming up now? This is a 40+ year old problem!!!
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
6 y
csm I was in over 40 yrs ago it was a problem then. My dad was in ww11 and he said it was a problem then. I think it may have even been around much longer than that
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SSG Edward Tilton
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Why is the one with no leadership ability a commissioned Officer
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SMSgt Kevin Bishop
SMSgt Kevin Bishop
3 y
Because all branches seem to believe that you can teach someone to lead. I believe that leadership capabilities are a talent. Either you have it or you don't. You can teach the skills to better use those talents but you can't make leaders out folks who are only are followers. I had a commander once who missed her calling as a kindergarten teacher. Still it is questionable if she had the leadership abilities that were even up to that task. Folks like that tend to be extreme rule followers because that is all they have to rely upon. God help you if you have to go to war beside one.
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SSG Edward Tilton
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Incompetence is no excuse
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