Why are the small things important in the military (i.e. haircuts, making beds, correct uniforms)??

2016-02-20T03:04:41-05:00

I read a discussion a few months back taken from an Army scout article. In a nutshell, there was a large grievance about how a Command Sergeant Major focused only on haircuts. Here is an Admiral's take on why the mundane tasks in the military are important. I found it as a fresh perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jflUvxQLkgs

Admiral McRaven's Life Lesson #1: Make Your Bed

Full speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaQZFhrW0fU Naval Adm. William H. McRaven, B.J. '77, ninth commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, Te...

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Feb 20 at 2016 3:07 AM

2016-02-20T03:07:12-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member The link does not work.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 3:34 AM

2016-02-20T03:34:25-05:00

For me, details are important. However, it always seems that CSMs are lazy in regards to what they focus on. Every CSM I've met will have a pet peeve that they focus on and let other things go. For instance, this one CSM I was very recently deployed with was all about Eye Pro and mustaches. He wasn't really big on a proper salute or the proper salutation to a Warrant Officer. I'm all about CSMs running around ensuing the standard is upheld, however, every standard is important, not just the ones he cares about.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 20 at 2016 3:57 AM

2016-02-20T03:57:05-05:00

Agreed. Attention to detail is an important trait if one is to achieve success.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Feb 20 at 2016 6:42 AM

2016-02-20T06:42:10-05:00

Small parts make up larger wholes. Attention to detail is king.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 20 at 2016 7:10 AM

2016-02-20T07:10:43-05:00

Vigilance.

The little tasks/things are what get you killed, or save your life. Doing them correctly builds a mentality through repetition which will benefit you in the long run.

Unfortunately, we don't adequately convey this concept to our juniors. The video does a great job of conveying the Philosophy of doing little things. Why it's important. I've always focused on the safety aspect myself, because my tuckas is pretty valuable, and I believe others hold their own in equally high regard.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Feb 20 at 2016 7:20 AM

2016-02-20T07:20:49-05:00

They are important to keep good order and discipline in a military unit. We tried to compete for being the most Squared Away Marine....And our officers took notice of anyone who was really squared away and who was not. I think it helped when they determined our overall Cutting Score

Response by SFC Frank Hartley made Feb 20 at 2016 9:14 AM

2016-02-20T09:14:02-05:00

Discipline, discipline, discipline.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 11:29 AM

2016-02-20T11:29:54-05:00

This will be a repeat: but attention to detail matters. A culture that inculcates, that sets itself up for success. in the military context it saves lives.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 20 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-02-20T12:02:15-05:00

Some good comments about not paying attention to the little things that get you killed. The mechanism is that humans are trained and conditioned to perform a duty. Problem is to recognize it early enough to act/react and that's what keeps you alive. Looking at the big picture and seeing how all the pieces should fit and something out of place is an indicator. So we do it because it's a brain recognition and processing thing that requires repetition lest we get stale. A better solution hasn't been developed yet. Sometime in the future when we're plugged into the Matrix?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 20 at 2016 12:29 PM

2016-02-20T12:29:33-05:00

'Attention to detail' is the first slogan/concept they taught us in Boot Camp. Small things can get you killed on ships. Lazily tighten xx valve and suddenly a pipe bursts somewhere. Improperly tie down an object and suddenly it shifts and kills you. Etc. The small things are important because they engender within you that attention to detail that you need for big things.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-02-20T23:04:33-05:00

It's about being disciplined and paying attention to detail.

Response by SFC Dave Wynn made Feb 22 at 2016 10:59 AM

2016-02-22T10:59:58-05:00

I was always told you take care of the little things and the big things fall into place.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2016 3:02 PM

2016-05-13T15:02:20-04:00

Little things make up the big things. It is also the indicator of one's level of discipline.

I once asked a BN CSM why all CSMs yell about walking on the grass. This is the answer I got:
There are sidewalks for a reason. If you cut the corner and walk on the grass, what other corners will you cut?

Short and to the point. If you are willing to cut corners on the little stuff, where/when do you stop? How many corners will you cut? How big of a corner will you cut?