What mind set of a Soldier do you find to be detrimental to professional development?

2014-06-12T12:01:06-04:00

I am currently an Instructor for IET Soldiers and this obstacle is always a challenge. I find that one of the worse mind sets that I see is, “That Soldier/NCO is doing the wrong thing so I am just going follow suit. If they can do it why can’t I.” As a leader I have had to have many conversations with our Soldiers letting them know that wrong is wrong. Sometimes the lesson you are suppose to learn from someone is what NOT to do. Do not fall victim to what everyone else is doing if it is not morally or professionally correct. At the same time we as professionals need to police up our battle buddies and make sure they are setting the right example.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 12:05 PM

2014-06-12T12:05:57-04:00

Wish I could vote your actions up more than once SSG Plato

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 12:08 PM

2014-06-12T12:08:21-04:00

Response by CSM James Winslow made Jun 13 at 2014 12:07 PM

2014-06-13T12:07:33-04:00

SSG Plato, you are the tip of the spear, expected to mold a bunch of "off-the -block" civilians into a semblence of Soldiers prepared to live and die for their country and to live, breathe and sleep the Army values and ethic. I think you (and we) expect too much from the IET and AIT indoctrinators. There is no way in hell you can be expected to produce fully formed career minded Soldiers in 12 weeks. The process of educating the Army values starts with you, certainly, and I am sure you and your comrades do their best to bring these youngsters along, but It cannot be done, followed up and enforced at your level alone. It takes a culture of professionalism to teach and reinforce the process you start in IET. When I have to say a word about attitudes to senior SFCs and MSGs (those who should at least know when to keep their attitudes to themselves), then we are not at the point where we can stop talking about values and ethics. I can understand blowing off steam, and the process of dealing with unfortuneate circumstances, but NEVER let a junior see your potential lack of satisfaction show through. I may say that a situation distrubs me, but I will never let that statement affect my bearing. It is those who think that just because they are off duty they can act all 17 different kinds of F.U. that ruin it for our newer recruits. Just today I have had to correct several Soldiers, not about appearance (thought that was the reason I stopped them) but more importantly, about attitudes. Your attitude towards your job, whatever it is, colors your entire pallet of actions that is visible to the outside world, and actions, especially those that contradict your established or stated norms, are what impress others the most- and bad attitudes are the longest remembered.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 7:29 PM

2015-07-03T19:29:24-04:00

The "I got mine" mentality is one I see often. This idea is damaging to the mission and morale of a unit, and runs in complete opposition to the Army Values.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-07-19T13:31:54-04:00

I find that lower enlisted Soldiers who are stronger in one area than their section feel that they do not need humility. For instance; a soldier who is stronger, faster, and overall a PT stud feels he doesnt need to listen to or take orders from people above him because they are on profile (permanent) or female (because how he was raised). He has great potential but can not see past "the line" mentality because he came from an Inf unit. Another thinks because he is good at PT and has it good with Senior NCOs that he can get out of big trouble because the NCO doesn't like paperwork. Enough counseling's don't fix the issues if leaders don't action it and it sets a bad tone in the section or unit because soldiers and NCO's see that and get complacent.