Posted on Jan 24, 2015
Why don't we see more former Infantrymen (or any from what I know of) in executive ranks in civilian organizations?
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Checking CEO bios I always check for military service (just out of curiosity). Don't see much, but also don't see really any prior combat arms individuals in top roles in civilian organizations...
Leadership
Infantry
Office of the President (POTUS)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 4
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There are rules and their are exceptions. Just as you provide anecdotal evidence that former infantrymen are rarely found among the ranks of CEO's, someone else provides anecdotal evidence that they're there. So, which is it? The rule or the exception?
I once had a client whose company was purchased and I went to the new owner to see if I could continue my contractual relationship with him. I wasn't able to schedule an appointment until he had sat with all of his new employees, managers, and executives. I suppose he was feeling down on the day I met him and he was strangely open in discussing things with me.
"I have lots of managers," he complained, "but no leaders. None of my mangers or executives have any leadership experience, not as military officers or even Boy Scouts."
I was quick to point out that I had been both and retained my client's business.
Now, if I were to guess at a reason for the dearth of former Infantrymen at the places you investigated, I would hazard to guess that it's not by conscious choice. American corporations, especially the largest ones, have mutated into pale images of the bureaucracies that regulate them. Having worked at local and federal government agencies, I recognize a bureaucracy and a bureaucrat when I see one. Those people simply aren't mission-oriented. They adhere to rules and regulations without regard to any profit motive. Letting an infantryman run loose among them would be much like releasing a polecat at a picnic.
But, that's just a guess...
I once had a client whose company was purchased and I went to the new owner to see if I could continue my contractual relationship with him. I wasn't able to schedule an appointment until he had sat with all of his new employees, managers, and executives. I suppose he was feeling down on the day I met him and he was strangely open in discussing things with me.
"I have lots of managers," he complained, "but no leaders. None of my mangers or executives have any leadership experience, not as military officers or even Boy Scouts."
I was quick to point out that I had been both and retained my client's business.
Now, if I were to guess at a reason for the dearth of former Infantrymen at the places you investigated, I would hazard to guess that it's not by conscious choice. American corporations, especially the largest ones, have mutated into pale images of the bureaucracies that regulate them. Having worked at local and federal government agencies, I recognize a bureaucracy and a bureaucrat when I see one. Those people simply aren't mission-oriented. They adhere to rules and regulations without regard to any profit motive. Letting an infantryman run loose among them would be much like releasing a polecat at a picnic.
But, that's just a guess...
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The ability to compromise or set aside personal convictions when making "big decisions" for the sake of the company is (in my experience) a prerequisite to advancing past a certain point in the corporate food chain.
Long-term military types are certainly adept at "operational" pragmatism, but I think they have trouble slipping through the obstacle course of high-level corporate ethical ambiguity.
In short, holding fast to personal convictions is a potential handicap in big business.
My two cents.
Long-term military types are certainly adept at "operational" pragmatism, but I think they have trouble slipping through the obstacle course of high-level corporate ethical ambiguity.
In short, holding fast to personal convictions is a potential handicap in big business.
My two cents.
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SFC Nikhil Kumra
That does make sense to an extent. But not sure if that would be the why.
A few things I've noticed is opportunities with meshing personalities (there is definitely a political correctness and "charm" you need that is generally lacking in the infantry), and the difficulty of perhaps defying the system- rather than following orders with a high level of discipline.
I still struggle with this. My boss, my.bosses boss, I still tend to see sometimes as a commander or Bn cmdr. You just don't question them all that much if you're enlisted. Not to the extent to which my peers do. Just lately after years of the civilian world, am I breaking out of that shell if I know I'm right. The world needs change agents. And I think it's difficult for these guys (me included) to get past this.
A few things I've noticed is opportunities with meshing personalities (there is definitely a political correctness and "charm" you need that is generally lacking in the infantry), and the difficulty of perhaps defying the system- rather than following orders with a high level of discipline.
I still struggle with this. My boss, my.bosses boss, I still tend to see sometimes as a commander or Bn cmdr. You just don't question them all that much if you're enlisted. Not to the extent to which my peers do. Just lately after years of the civilian world, am I breaking out of that shell if I know I'm right. The world needs change agents. And I think it's difficult for these guys (me included) to get past this.
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