What is your opinion on people dragging their feet?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:51:48 -0400

This has been and will continue to be one of my pet peeves. I hat when I see Soldiers in uniform walking around dragging their feet. To me it shows laziness and/or lack of motivation. Your thoughts? Just to be clear, I am talking about the literal act of people actually dragging their feet when they walk.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 16 at 2014 9:01 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:01:48 -0400

I don't remember seeing this prior to my retirement, at least not as a common sight. To me it seems unprofessional at best; lazy and unmotivated at worst. Is this really becoming common?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 16 at 2014 9:13 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:13:36 -0400

I had a Solider once tell me his boots were too heavy for him to pick up his feet and walk properly.  So one night while he and I were serving staff duty together, I had him strap those little leg-weight-sandbags to his ankles and walk around when he had to do his checks until his legs were strong enough to not drag his boots.  

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 9:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:24:26 -0400

I can not stand it when I see or hear soldiers dragging their feet. It drives me up a wall. SGT Keen thats a good idea to put angle weights on the soldier if they say their boots are to heavy. Myself I start calling cades to the soldier and do a little DnC.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 16 at 2014 2:39 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:39:33 -0400

This was taught to me in basic training in a marching cadence. So it must be ok. "Stomp your left and drag your right...boots cost money!"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 4:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:11:47 -0400

Very aggravating. The same Soldiers typically then either complain that nothing gets done or complains that they have to stay late. The worse ones though are the ones who do not care and walk off as they are "protected" by someone else who is dragging their feet that is higher than others. It is pointless to pay them if they are not doing their job. As the saying goes "s--t or get off the pot". Some better qualified Soldiers are looking at that slot and wondering why they cannot get promoted.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Apr 16 at 2014 9:57 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 21:57:41 -0400

I haven't noticed a significant number of people dragging their feet.

But it does drive me crazy when people have boots that squeak. There are two people in my shop that have squeaky boots, and if I had the $$$ to spare, I'd buy them both new boots just so I don't have to hear them walk around.