What is your story of directions flowing down the chain wrong?

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 20:53:13 -0400

I think we've all been at the end of the chain at one point, trying to figure out how things got so backwards.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 21 at 2017 9:06 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 21:06:36 -0400

My "favorite" is when the commander sets up a time to meet as a unit and each level of the chain sets an earlier time to be in formation. This a great...especially when the senior leader pushes the time back last minute ;)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2017 9:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 21:13:11 -0400

When I came back into the Army as an O last fall I was designated as the battalion's "student CSM" for the first 2 weeks of our initial officer training. For accountability purposes I was also a member of a squad. I was amazed to hear the very same order and instructions I gave out as the CSM get absolutely twisted by the time I heard them from my squad leader. It was a bizarre and eye opening experience.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 21 at 2017 10:55 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 22:55:56 -0400

This is why I always remember the adage, "Someone out there hasn't gotten the word. Go find him"

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 21 at 2017 11:00 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 23:00:20 -0400

It was not always misinformation. Sometimes a higher directive was being followed under one set of conditions, instead of command decisions or recommendations to "modify" the directive for the given conditions.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Mar 22 at 2017 2:10 AM

SPC Kevin Ford — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 02:10:51 -0400

It's not just being wrong, what I see often is just information just plain forgotten. I tell them once, tell them again and perhaps by the third time things start registering.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 22 at 2017 9:24 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 09:24:57 -0400

Just about every single order that I have ever received lol. Each link in the chain puts their own spin on it so by the time it gets to the bottom it isn't even the close to the same as when it started. A good example is a senior leader asking "why isn't it like this?". A seemingly simple question just trying to get information that would take all of 5 seconds to answer. Several weeks later and several OPORDs later, the working level gets it, it then becomes "DO IT NOW IT'S TOP PRIORITY!!!"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2017 3:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 03:43:34 -0400

In the beginning was the plan.
And then came the assumptions.
And the assumptions were without form.
And the plan was without substance.
And darkness was upon the face of the Enlisted Soldiers.

And they spoke among themselves saying,
"It is a crock of shit and it stinketh."

And the Enlisted Soldiers went unto their NCOs and said,
"It is a pale of dung and none may abide the odor thereof."

And the NCOs went unto their Sr. NCOs and said,
"It is a container of excrement and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it."

And the Sr. NCOs went unto their Company Commanders, saying,
"It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength."

And the Company Commanders spoke among themselves, saying to one another,
"It contains that which aids plant growth and it is very strong."

And the Company commanders went unto their Battalion Commanders, saying unto them,
"It promotes growth and is very powerful."

And the Battalion Commanders went unto the Post Commander, saying unto him,
"The new plan will promote the growth and vigor of the units, with powerful effects."

And the Post Commander looked upon the plan and saw that it was good.
And the plan became policy.

This is how shit happens.

MORAL OF THE STORY:
Say what you mean and don't leave room for misinterpretations.

Response by SSG Matthew Koehler made Dec 30 at 2019 11:19 AM

SSG Matthew Koehler — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 11:19:44 -0500

Wait till you hit civilian employment!