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In various forms, this question has been asked all the time here on RallyPoint. Now that I have returned to active duty, this time around as an officer, I find myself asking it.
I can tell you that in my heart, the answer is never. Conversation over.
But it's not that simple, people are not that simple. Legal and ethical responsibilities are not that simple. The fact is that not everyone belongs in the military; they can't hack it for one reason or another. But I don't think I, as a leader, am always the one to decide that; the soldier usually is. I identify when a soldier is choosing to quit, i.e. be lazy, be unprepared, lack discipline and tenacity, act unethically, disregard standards and thus choosing to fail. I won't be the reason a soldier is failing, the only excuse they'll have is their own words and actions. So we work and we train until we meet standards. I will believe in them and I will train them, they have to do the rest. This means believing in themself and aligning with my plans with proportionate effort.
I know that puts a lot on each of our shoulders, but isn't that the job we signed up for? We don't have to be the best; I can tell you without a doubt I am far from it. However, we must give our best in working to achieve the standards of our profession, if we are failing to meet them.
Therefore, we almost never give up on each other. The exception is simply being incapable of meeting standards, which is certainly possible. But I feel like that's the rarity. Or perhaps, I feel like we should go forward assuming the best of our soldiers, and that incapability is the rarity.
Please let me know if I am off base with this. What do you think?
I can tell you that in my heart, the answer is never. Conversation over.
But it's not that simple, people are not that simple. Legal and ethical responsibilities are not that simple. The fact is that not everyone belongs in the military; they can't hack it for one reason or another. But I don't think I, as a leader, am always the one to decide that; the soldier usually is. I identify when a soldier is choosing to quit, i.e. be lazy, be unprepared, lack discipline and tenacity, act unethically, disregard standards and thus choosing to fail. I won't be the reason a soldier is failing, the only excuse they'll have is their own words and actions. So we work and we train until we meet standards. I will believe in them and I will train them, they have to do the rest. This means believing in themself and aligning with my plans with proportionate effort.
I know that puts a lot on each of our shoulders, but isn't that the job we signed up for? We don't have to be the best; I can tell you without a doubt I am far from it. However, we must give our best in working to achieve the standards of our profession, if we are failing to meet them.
Therefore, we almost never give up on each other. The exception is simply being incapable of meeting standards, which is certainly possible. But I feel like that's the rarity. Or perhaps, I feel like we should go forward assuming the best of our soldiers, and that incapability is the rarity.
Please let me know if I am off base with this. What do you think?
Training
PRT (Army)
Leadership
Platoon Leader
Motivation
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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When you find that one single soldier is monopolizing so much of your time that you lose focus on the others, they are at or near the cutoff point. The old adage "90% of your time focusing on the 10%" comes to mind.
If you have established your expectation with your NCOs and team leaders let them work with the problem children to bring them up to standard. If that doesn't work let the deficient SM know that they are at a point of making a life changing decision;get your shit straight or get tossed.
I had a few young Marines give up on me. I was able to salvage some of them but not all. Like many have said here, not all who chose military service are actually cut out for it.
If you have established your expectation with your NCOs and team leaders let them work with the problem children to bring them up to standard. If that doesn't work let the deficient SM know that they are at a point of making a life changing decision;get your shit straight or get tossed.
I had a few young Marines give up on me. I was able to salvage some of them but not all. Like many have said here, not all who chose military service are actually cut out for it.
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To some, it may seem like wasted energy, but as long as they are my Soldier, I will never give up on them. I will do everything I can to help them succeed. I will always give them the tools and knowledge to propel themselves higher. If they choose NOT to take the knowledge and tools, that's on them. It'll probably drive me crazy, but that doesn't mean I stop trying. The only moment I will stop is the day AFTER they ETS....and even then I won't give up on them. I still maintain contact with former Soldiers that have ETSd to see how they're doing, provide advice and guidance where and when I can.
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The military is not a democracy, neither has room for social experimentation. As leaders, we have to try our hardest in get the personnel to adjust and abide to the life they choose as military. It is a volunteer force. We have an obligation to be tactical and technical proficient as well as keep our force collectively lethal. If an individual decide to disrupt the morale of the troops and doesn’t adjust, then we show them the door. It is not for everyone and not all will get a participation trophy. The Armed Forces didn’t joint us, we joint the Armed Forces. Is all written, all we do is our part to facilitate the possible environment with fairness and equality.
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Some soldiers lack the willingness, and sometimes the ability to be an asset to the Army. If they have potential and are willing to work to improve themselves - do what you can to help them succeed. If they lack motivation, have serious character flaws or simply can't do their job - help them get out of the Army ASAP - its best for both the solider and the Army.
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Often leaders attribute the definition of giving up as when a Soldier leaves the service or fails to meet the standard. This is only part of the truth. Not all Soldiers who leave the service have given up, and not all service members have who fail to meet a standard have given up. The definition of giving up carries with it degrees of the lack of hope. When does a Soldier truly give up? When a Soldier believes there is absolutely no hope.
A leader’s duty and responsibility is to provide Hope via options to Soldiers. A leader should never give the impression that hope is lost. By this logic, a leader may say he/she has given up on a Soldier on a single item. However, by definition of the word, the leader cannot completely given up on a Soldier. By definition the leader implies he/she has given up on the total life of the Soldier. Therefore, the term “give up” on a Soldier should never be used.
A leader’s duty and responsibility is to provide Hope via options to Soldiers. A leader should never give the impression that hope is lost. By this logic, a leader may say he/she has given up on a Soldier on a single item. However, by definition of the word, the leader cannot completely given up on a Soldier. By definition the leader implies he/she has given up on the total life of the Soldier. Therefore, the term “give up” on a Soldier should never be used.
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The easy answer? Never. But it’s like a double sided sword. Never easy to actually continuously do so. The best thing I can tell an NCO seeing a soldier give up is sit down and talk to your soldiers one on one. Understand their side and where they are coming from. Sometimes it’s simply by encouraging them on an off day that can change a lot and sometimes you can’t help them all if they have given up. All you can do is continue to try your best as an NCO and be a good example and listen to your soldiers. Best of luck!
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This is why we have regulations and the chain of command. As you already know well... your NCOs enable/enforce standards; you're accountable for standards being met. Additionally, most punitive measures are "progressive"... meaning the member has numerous chances to correct their performance. Ideally, your NCOs manage this process... occasionally, you will be afforded the opportunity to contribute via your example, or how you exercise your own authority as platoon leader. Many JOs make the mistake of circumventing their NCOs' authority, which ultimately undermines any efforts on their part to bring a "problem child" up to par. My suggestion would be that you talk with your NCOs... ask their advice; learn what they think is really going on (there's almost always two or more sides to every story), and what they think should be done about it. If those ideas conform to regulations and are directed in a positive direction... support them. If, on the other hand, you sense that a desire to avoid conflict or complication is resulting in tolerance of sub-standard performance... you're every bit within your rights to demand a change. Just make DEAD CERTAIN you earn the buy-in of those NCOs, and let THEM spearhead the effort. If you are one of those relatively few officers finding themselves in the unenviable position of having NCOs who do not support regulations or standards... you're destined for a difficult road. My advice? You rarely put down a "mutiny" from within. Be fair, be consistent, insist on what the Commander (and/or the Army) demands. Always respect their experience and position...even when ensuring they live up to it. Oh... one more thing: Remember that even your NCOs have superiors... as do you.
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1LT (Join to see)
You hit it on the nail I think. A lot of what you said is extremely relevant and insightful. Thank you for your response. I'd give you a better reply but I'm wiped for the week! Did all I could to support my NCOs this week and keep myself accountable to new changes.
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1LT (Join to see), remember, never give up on your Teammates, drag them along if required. Punishment is in your hands, but use this tool wisely only after proper counseling and opportunities to repair. Once your Team can trust you to stand behind them, the Team will make you a success story. Make the best with what you get and training is not your only responsibility as a leader; know your Teammates and become part of their journeys. Thanks.
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When the rest of your Soldiers are suffering because you're focused on just the one.
All Soldiers are entitled to leadership, mentoring, training and guidance. If they aren't getting it because a problem child is eating up all of their leaderships time, then the leadership OWES those Soldiers their efforts to chapter that Soldier.
You can't sink a unit for one Soldier. That's my line.
All Soldiers are entitled to leadership, mentoring, training and guidance. If they aren't getting it because a problem child is eating up all of their leaderships time, then the leadership OWES those Soldiers their efforts to chapter that Soldier.
You can't sink a unit for one Soldier. That's my line.
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1LT (Join to see)
It's a good line, and something easy to forget when you come into a new leadership position, fresh and confident you can do anything.
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