Posted on May 11, 2016
What will it take for people to be upfront about stress in the military?
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Seems as though people put on a show for the stars.
Posted in these groups: 
Stress
Stress
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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People have always done this in EVERY military. Also, most senior leaders don't WANT to hear the truth, they want to think they are great leaders and everything in their fief is wonderful - and too few junior leaders are willing to jeopardize their careers to tell the generals/admirals the truth.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I think that's what bothers me the most about people in the military. They are afraid to tell the truth. I think its fear of retaliation. I have been in situations where coworkers were beyond stressed and I stood up for them only for them to keep their mouths shut in front of the CO when I started explaining everyone's frustration. It made it seem like I was the only one complaining but in the end I was heard and things got better.
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Well I think the main issue is convincing people that seeking help is not a sign of weakness and ensure people won't be punished for seeking help. We all have our good days and bad days in the military, but we all put up a tough front because we've convinced ourselves talking about feelings and showing emotions are a sign of weakness.
I remember one time I was getting chewed out by an NCO for "using the broom wrong". Here I am a grown man with an NCO who was younger than I getting screamed at because "I don't know how to sweep the floor". This wasn't a drill instructor chewing me out either, so it was really off-putting. Despite how much it bothered me, I did the good little Marine thing. I took a deep breath. Swept the floor exactly as he wanted it to be swept.
Sure I was upset, but I was also a Marine. If that's what I have to put up with to be a Marine, then so be it. I wanted to be a Marine.
I remember one time I was getting chewed out by an NCO for "using the broom wrong". Here I am a grown man with an NCO who was younger than I getting screamed at because "I don't know how to sweep the floor". This wasn't a drill instructor chewing me out either, so it was really off-putting. Despite how much it bothered me, I did the good little Marine thing. I took a deep breath. Swept the floor exactly as he wanted it to be swept.
Sure I was upset, but I was also a Marine. If that's what I have to put up with to be a Marine, then so be it. I wanted to be a Marine.
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It would take soldiers getting over their own egos and admit to the problem whether its personal or chain of command related. There is a lot of denial going around and admitting that there is a problem will go a long way to finding a solution to it.
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MSgt (Join to see)
The crazy thing is that people will complain in a survey but not in a face to face conversation.
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