What is one thing that disappointed you the most in the military?

2014-08-06T11:23:42-04:00

I see alot of stories that reflect on the good and the funny and motivating. I'd like to know from the masses whats the most disappointing thing you've experienced while in boots.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 6 at 2014 11:44 AM

2014-08-06T11:44:08-04:00

The lack of expectation. As a whole, we expect far too little from our people at all levels. On average, it feels like Army leaders operate one level lower than their sister service peers (for example, an Army Sergeant generally has the same responsibilites as a Marine CPL or Navy PO3).

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 12:18 PM

2014-08-06T12:18:26-04:00

Within the scope of my experience the heightened celebration of appearance above skill.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 6 at 2014 6:48 PM

2014-08-06T18:48:06-04:00

Seeing how SMs are treated by the civilians appointed over us. Watching leadership worry more about the strategic importance of the next deployment rather than the toll that multiple deployments are taking on SMs and their families. Watching the chronically ill VA system perpetuate itself as DoD creates more veterans than the VA is prepared to handle.

Response by PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner made Aug 6 at 2014 8:56 PM

2014-08-06T20:56:29-04:00

How it has become a Kinder Gentler Military!! And that's all I have to say about that!!

Response by Sgt Andrew Pouliot made Aug 7 at 2014 1:50 AM

2014-08-07T01:50:43-04:00

I found that terrible leadership was the worst thing in the military. I was disappointed to see that some men and women seemed to be given their rank, like they hadn't earned it and certainly didn't deserve it, and these people were in charge of us. Seeing incompetence thrive in such a great organization as our armed forces drove me up the wall, especially on my deployment to Afghanistan, when most of our sergeants in our platoon (of 44 marines, 8 of them were sergeants) were like that. They stayed out of trouble by covering for each other, and even throwing the blame on their corporals and lance corporals sometimes. I was incredibly disappointed further when people like this were the ones getting achievement medals and writing our proficiency and conduct marks and any awards they thought we deserved. Might I add, none of us got anything.
I had always looked at people in the military with such high regard before I joined, but since joining and deploying I know that not everyone in the military is an upstanding citizen with anyone else's interests but their own in mind. That was my biggest disappointment, and it continues to this day.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 7 at 2014 11:32 AM

2014-08-07T11:32:11-04:00

The single thing that disappointed me the most was seeing the military used as political pawns. It's happened throughout history (and with both major political parties I might add) and I'm sure it will continue far into the future but it always gets deep into my crawl.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Aug 7 at 2014 12:40 PM

2014-08-07T12:40:09-04:00

^&*% up and move up, seen it over and over for 27 years now!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 2:17 PM

2014-08-07T14:17:13-04:00

I really don't like to see a Soldier with outstanding leadership potential and competency decide the Army is non conducive to their future plans and decide to get out. It really burns me to see intelligent, hard working Soldiers lose motivation due to a policy, to doubt in their leadership to back them up, or the realization that the Army cannot support them the way they need to be supported. I realize it is a volunteer force and not everyone can be happy and the reason for policies, but that being said, it hurts when I see the light go out in a great Soldier.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 11:30 PM

2014-08-07T23:30:33-04:00

For me it's how soft senior leadership has become. There was a time when you would never see a CPO unless it was to pass the word, and even then it was to the PO1's and they put it out. PO1's were able to take charge and get their troops moving, now they're micro managed and second guessed so much they are not be coming strong leaders.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 2:42 PM

2014-08-11T14:42:19-04:00

Well...my disappointment with the military is that we promoted soldiers to the NCO too fast and then expect them to know everything and thus get thrown under the bus. I see very few NCOPDs conducted and little esprit de corps events among some units..mine being one of them. Its sad to see how the all the S-shops and special staff are segreagated from one another. Hell, I cant even remember the last time we had a company run.

Response by SGT Alan Sledge made Aug 11 at 2014 3:35 PM

2014-08-11T15:35:18-04:00

The lack of knowledge concerning depression and its signs. Throughout the time I've been in, I've seen a lot of people disregard it and not take it as serious as they should. You would think with the agencies we have in place to aid in recovery and medical assistance they would give a second thought about it.

Response by PV2 Louise De Simone made Aug 12 at 2014 4:20 AM

2014-08-12T04:20:21-04:00

From the always late pay to the line up where Privates were forced to give part of our pay to the Sgt . on duty, to the usual drunken Sgt. who voiced his hatred of his job, this country, and most of us, who just happened to be white. To the forced marches, we were not trainee's we were permanent party, but since there was little or no barracks suited for women we were housed in same barracks as some training, and under the authority of these horrid failures for "leadership".
Many Sgt.s were pro Muslim and hated us we were persucuted because we were christian and church was highly frowned upon. I was called a blue eyed devil daughter of Satan meaning American; yes, all this happened right in USA. I would say everything, at that time was bad. The 1970"s were terrible, and yes it happened, just look at what was done in Ft.Hood, because he was an officer, and black he was ignored, many times his actions were brought to the attension of his superiors, and it still was not addressed and even got promoted. Sex discrimination exists, and reverse discrimin. also exists. just want you to know this whether you believe it or not.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2014 10:08 AM

2014-08-12T10:08:28-04:00

Leadership at all levels not being held accountable for piss poor leadership ability, MOS/duty-related knowledge, failure to demonstrate the Army values on a continual basis. Dealing with terrible or incompetent leaders at the squad level is one of the biggest reasons I left AD.

For example: I don't care if you are a SFC with 17 years... If you suck at your job and have no idea what you are doing the 1SG needs to have the balls and integrity to snatch you up right out of your PSG position if you cannot make progress/changes. I don't care about your shitty career, because you are ruining the Army for a whole platoon of soldiers. The same goes for all levels of commissioned or non-commissioned officers. The only reason we see terrible leaders get promoted is because those appointed over them failed to mentor, develop, or force out the door if need be. It's a cancer that demands excision.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2014 5:07 PM

2014-08-12T17:07:11-04:00

Honestly, I'm going to say it even though it's unpopular:

The sheer amount of stupid people I have to work with/for over the course of my career.

Generally that is the brass tacks of a lot of issues in the Army. Stupid people making stupid decisions and refusing to hear other opinions or ideas.

Response by PFC Alan Moore made Aug 13 at 2014 12:53 PM

2014-08-13T12:53:15-04:00

The lack of response to the act of war when our embassy was invaded in Tehran. I enlisted during the hostage crises, fully expecting to go to war once the hostages were secure. If we would have brought the full might and fury of the U.S. war machine down on Iran then I highly doubt that terrorists today would be as emboldened.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Aug 13 at 2014 5:05 PM

2014-08-13T17:05:10-04:00

Toxic leadership across the military (all branches). The way I was being treated downrange was unacceptable, I went through my chain of command with no results. Than I went through EO with no results and finally went to IG who told me I had a personal problem. Needless to say the lack of action from the military on the treatment by our leadership resulted in one of my team members committing suicide.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 14 at 2014 6:45 AM

2014-08-14T06:45:35-04:00

I'm bitter from how we were treated when we got hurt and forced to retire against our will but that came from higher.....just me being pissy I guess.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 14 at 2014 8:45 AM

2014-08-14T08:45:24-04:00

I would say there is a tie for first place:
1: Screw up move up.....no, should be screw up get punished, not pawned off on the next duty assignment to deal with!
2: How much the NON-military player impacts EVERYTHING that we do....in this case, I am talking about politics, political figures, elected officials..... they need to provide us an objective, then step back and let us accomplish that mission....not stop us mid-way and say "ok, we will hamstring you now while we try to fix the political atmosphere".......

There are others, but those 2 things really toast my twinkies!

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Aug 14 at 2014 10:00 AM

2014-08-14T10:00:52-04:00

Honestly? It was the politics that pissed me off. It didn't matter whether you were good or not at your job it was whether you were in the club or not. If you weren't in good with the PLT SGT then you were SOL. I saw some of the dumbest people get promoted all because they kissed ass and were in the club. It was one of the reasons that I got out after 4.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 11:03 AM

2014-08-14T11:03:35-04:00

The amount of time and resources required to seperate a bad Soldier from the Army. All the paperwork, red tape and legal reviews involved just drag the process out slowly and painfully. Sometimes it really seems like the best option for the unit is to just expeditiously move the Soldier rather than invest the effort to remove them from the Army all together. It can be a truly tedious and disappointing process to go through.

Response by SFC Scott Carroll made Aug 14 at 2014 11:20 AM

2014-08-14T11:20:52-04:00

Soldiers (to include NCO and officers) who think the job ends at 1700.

Response by SFC Scott Carroll made Aug 14 at 2014 11:24 AM

2014-08-14T11:24:12-04:00

All the non-airborne personel (we used to be able to call the them LEGS, but that's not PC now) LOL

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 1:24 PM

2014-08-14T13:24:28-04:00

For me, it was folks "brown nosing" to get rank. I did it the old fashion way, I earned it.

Response by PV2 Louise De Simone made Aug 15 at 2014 4:24 AM

2014-08-15T04:24:03-04:00

RIGHT ON!!!! THISIS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT TOXIC "LEADERSHIP" THE WHOLE COMMAND HORRIBLE!!!!

Response by SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau made Aug 15 at 2014 12:50 PM

2014-08-15T12:50:38-04:00

The lack of physical fitness. No, I'm not taking about PT. I am talking about how I was expecting a culture of holistic fitness including motivated people who ate right, lifted heavy, ran far, and trained hard. Instead out of 25 people 4 can do more then three pull-ups, no one utilizes resistance training, believing calisthenics is all they need, and people eat like garbage even though healthy options are everywhere. And I am not just talking about junior enlisted here. I understand not everyone wants to put on loads of muscle or become ripped or whatnot, but it actually makes me angry to see so many people that just do not take care of themselves.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 8:32 PM

2014-08-15T20:32:34-04:00

PV2 Louise,

I see by your "years of experience", as a PV2, that you have "seen it all". I personally know CPT Hoza, served with her, and have been serving proudly for 25 years. CPT Hoza hit the nail on the head with her comments. To whit:

You "next generation" soldiers are so soft, you could be a bean bag chair. Most of you are from the "everyone gets a participation trophy" so you won't feel bad about yourself. Well, tough shit. The Army is supposed to be hard. "If it was easy, everyone would do it". I'll review your comments when you have 25 years and multiple deployments as a leader of Soldiers. Until then, "at ease".

Top

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2014 4:04 PM

2014-08-16T16:04:22-04:00

Admittedly 3 years is a short time, and 1 duty station aside from training does not make for a large pool of experiences for me to use. I don't really feel I have the right to make complaints without experiencing more so I can make comparisons, nor would I feel comfortable complaining about the issues between personnel and leadership and each other. Unfortunately, as the rest of the Air Force is still foreign to me, the latter is all I can really be disappointed about. It felt like the camaraderie vanished. Still does, technically. The team is gone, and you have to be willing to step on someone else to get to the top. You have to be the best or there is nothing for you. It hasn't been bad enough to scare me off yet, but I hope in the year I have until I sew on SSgt (E-5), I'll figure out a way to at least curb that cycle.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Aug 18 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-08-18T11:31:02-04:00

Biggest disappointment for me would have to be the promotion system for Sr NCOs...at the end of my career, I saw far too many deserving (yes my self included) NCOs passed over due to them being, well let's say more "mature" in their chronological age or too many years in, for individuals that were less qualified/experienced. Some of the best NCOs I had the pleasure of working with were passed over for the sake of "more bang for the buck", IMHO.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2014 5:35 PM

2014-08-23T17:35:35-04:00

What has disappointed me the most has been the lack of willingness to change things when change is needed, because that's how "The Army has done it for forever." How ignorant and close-minded that response is!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2014 8:01 PM

2014-08-23T20:01:43-04:00

that soldiers who volunteered and served honorably in a time of war are being discarded like tools that are no longer needed.
that politicians are more interested in cutting our jobs and salaries than protecting them
that after more than a trillion dollars spent sending us to war a few billion cant be spent caring for us in an efficient VA system

it should not be about a nation saying thank you but acting grateful and caring for its warriors

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 19 at 2014 9:37 PM

2014-11-19T21:37:36-05:00

The failed award system. Awards should be given because of accomplishments, not because of rank.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 12:31 PM

2014-11-22T12:31:12-05:00

Getting bogged down by the alphabet soup instead of getting to train for war. EO, SHARP, TMS etc. I understand the importance of some of these, but when combined they are a horrible time-bandit

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 2:03 PM

2014-11-28T14:03:23-05:00

I thought the Army was going to be a well oiled machine.

Response by SGT Victoria Wolff made May 6 at 2015 6:24 PM

2015-05-06T18:24:12-04:00

the fact that if you where not part of the "group" then no one would back you up. leadership in my last unit would take full credit of what the soldiers did and would reprimand them when they tried to stick up for their self. the military turned south on how i grew up seeing the military, i am sad that i am no longer part of the military. but i am also thankful that i do not have to deal with two faced NCOs who refused to send great potential soldiers to the promotion board because they knew they would eventually get out ranked by that soldier.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 29 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-09-29T11:59:51-04:00

My greatest disappointment was being treated like dog shit by the Ft Riley WTU when I was MED Boarding. Retiring was supposed to be a highlight in my life. Instead, I was treated like dog shit, and I could not leave the Army fast enough.