https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/trust-and-newly-enlisted <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Poor choices and Privates go hand-in-hand much like the fish who wants to live on land. However, unlike the fish the Private can learn to adapt to new surroundings and create a positive learning experience from the bad choices. I was no different and lived as a Private in Army National Guard and then later as an active duty Marine. My poor choice of ARNG to Corps allowed me to enjoy boot camp twice. This greed for punishment probably stymied my independent growth which in turn made me very trusting. This false sense of trust allowed me to fall into the pitfalls of bad situations. What do leaders in today's military do to encourage junior enlisted independence without taking the importance of a top-down structure and teamwork out of the equation? Wed, 28 May 2014 12:30:09 -0400 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/trust-and-newly-enlisted <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Poor choices and Privates go hand-in-hand much like the fish who wants to live on land. However, unlike the fish the Private can learn to adapt to new surroundings and create a positive learning experience from the bad choices. I was no different and lived as a Private in Army National Guard and then later as an active duty Marine. My poor choice of ARNG to Corps allowed me to enjoy boot camp twice. This greed for punishment probably stymied my independent growth which in turn made me very trusting. This false sense of trust allowed me to fall into the pitfalls of bad situations. What do leaders in today's military do to encourage junior enlisted independence without taking the importance of a top-down structure and teamwork out of the equation? Cpl David Garcia Wed, 28 May 2014 12:30:09 -0400 2014-05-28T12:30:09-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/trust-and-newly-enlisted?n=136805&urlhash=136805 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think the most important thing that you can do is treat them as an adult. Know that they are going to make mistakes but that is what we all have done. Make sure that they learn from the mistakes but take care of them and mentor/guide them. Only use paperwork as a last reort or when it is absolutely necessary (IE DUI, DV, ETC). SSgt Gregory Guina Wed, 28 May 2014 12:36:20 -0400 2014-05-28T12:36:20-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/trust-and-newly-enlisted?n=4554547&urlhash=4554547 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As a pvt it gave me the discipline I lacked and it worked CW4 Craig Urban Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:22:51 -0400 2019-04-17T20:22:51-04:00 2014-05-28T12:30:09-04:00