Writing a book about the Army.......

Always remember, CPL, that if you ask a question, expect some honest, hard hitting answers that you might not want to hear. Any JO or junior NCO will tell you that some of the best advise they have ever been given was the advise they didn't want to hear.

I wish you all the best as far as the book is concerned.

You asked for help, as far as I can see, you received that help, then you didn't like the response. If you set the tone of your story any way like your responses above, you may not get very far with it. Good luck with it.

You have to know everyone else experiences also. I was an Army Paralegal for 8 years. I have dealt with rape cases, helped assist victims and I helped Soldiers from being chapter out and risked my career in doing that... But the biggest thing I learned is that it's the people, not the Army. The Army does not say hey, go give people a hard time and do bad things. You need to read the UCMJ and Army Policies. Am I saying the Army is a perfect organization, no... but look at how much good it has done. If it is a problem, get promoted and push out your views on fair and balanced leadership. The Army has paid for my entire college upto an MBA using nothing but TA, my wife received $6000 mycaa money and achieved her 4 year degree with my GI Bill and my GI Bill paid for half of my doctorate. At the 53 school, the Army had paid for over $6000 worth of IT certifications. I received free eye laser surgery, paid for my child care, has allowed me to see the world, paid for my wife's weight loss surgery and you know what can never be replaced? All of the great Soldiers and Leaders that I have come across. I would have never met such a fantastic group of people anywhere ... Period. Have I overcome some hard situations, yes... But that is the only reason where I am today. Go work at a mall or fast food place and you can write endless books on dysfunctional leadership. Best of luck.

CPL (Join to see), it is my most sincere hope for you that you come back in a better frame of mind and take these many comments to heart. I have read this entire thread, from LTC (Join to see)'s opening comment all the way down to what I am now sharing, and by and large, I see nothing but the comments of fellow Soldiers, regardless of rank, who are sincere in answering the question you have posted.

As a Corporal, it is obvious that you have enjoyed a certain degree of professional success during the relatively brief time you have been in the Army. Excellent! This gives you credibility; it is obvious that you are not your Unit's S-bag Soldier, the one who can't seem to do anything right and now has an axe to grind after years of frustration. Yes, the experiences you speak of - racism, sexism, rape, being passed over, making tough choices based on family issues - those are all too real; a few of them unfortunately needlessly so, but real nevertheless. If these in fact are a part of your Army story, it is indeed your right too tell it.

But is now the right time? Your response to MAJ Oberg gives me the impression that perhaps these wounds are still too fresh, too painful, too personal for you to consider sharing with the outside world at this time. Remember, once it's out in the public realm, you're subject to book critics, and societal critics at large; people with an agenda who may not like what it is you have to say and target you for it. Are you up for that?
Bear in mind, there is no time limit saying you must do this ASAP. It's a great idea! But do it when it's right for you!

Another factor to consider is that all books and publications dealing with the Army or any other military subject matter must be reviewed by the Department of Defense Office of Public Relations and Publications before any publisher will touch your book. This is done largely for OPSEC purposes, but also to prevent the services from being blind-sided by an embarrassing publication. Anything you put into your book as it relates to the Army, you had better be prepared to substantiate!

If indeed sexual harassment and/or sexual assault have been a part of your Army experience, I am truly sorry. As a VA/SHARP, if that is the case, I can only hope that you have reported your incident so that the perpetrator(s) may be held accountable, or at the minimum, you are provided with the medical and counseling services that you deserve. Remember, even if you file a Restricted Report, meaning it is kept extremely confidential, you will at least have the documentation you need for future care and VA claim purposes in the future.

Best of luck to you, CPL. I just hope you can open your eyes to see how much support you have here now that you have asked for it.

I agree with you. Thank you, my book is worth it and you will enjoy every word in it from the beginning til the end.

2LT Elifson, one of the most valuable lessons that I learned as a new Army nurse was to recognize who the experts were because I was not and am not an expert soldier. When I was in the Reserves, our unit changed from a General to a Field Hospital. I did not want to stay in because the field didn't interest me. I was educated and trained to work in ICU by the U.S. Army. However, my SGT was the one who kept me from leaving with that change.

I was in charge of the Dolly Team for DEPMEDS. I had no idea what I was doing so I turned to the SGT who was an experienced mechanic and asked him to teach me. Together, we trained many soldiers but I could not have done it without his knowledge.

I also am well aware that my Officer Basic Course was much different than it is today and it is not similar to how enlisted personnel are trained. I do not believe I would have made it through a basic enlisted course because I am highly independent and yes, somewhat stubborn. Good for you!

CPT Michael Barden Sir, while I completely understand your viewpoint if her concept was to author a definitive academic treatise on the Army's internal systems and institutions, that did not sound like her intention. (This is not intended as a slight on her academic/intellectual acumen whatsoever, just my understanding of her proposed project.) I am completely tracking that hard-won, extensive experience is required for true expertise in any field.

However, when it comes to articulating a viewpoint on one's own personal experiences in the Army and what one personally thinks about the Army's systems and institutions, there is inherent worth in understanding a wide range of perspectives with various levels of experience and expertise. Furthermore, it is clearly possible (and worth-while) to understand and sympathize with a viewpoint without necessarily agreeing with it. Sir, to use an extreme example, I enjoy reading personal diary accounts of Basic Training and Marines boot camp. Despite the fact that those authors have no military expertise or experience, it is still valuable to absorb their viewpoints as they endure the culture shock of transitioning to military life. I believe reading such accounts promotes empathy and awareness in a leader (as well as just being flat out entertaining).

And just because the Army fails a particular Soldier in any given way, that clearly does not mean that the Army as a whole is necessarily dysfunctional. Nevertheless, it is still critical for a leader to be aware of what can go wrong for a Soldier and to ensure that one's own subordinates are treated justly (insofar as one has the prudence to make such a judgment and the moral courage to enforce it).

Oh yeah, CPL (Join to see) Good luck!

Thank you so much

I agree with you Sgt. Kennedy. All organizational systems have flaws. I recently experienced other aspects of local and federal governments, and I believe the military is the best organizational system within the federal government. I asked this question yesterday, Sir, why do you believe the VA and SS offices are not as efficient as the U.S. military? The conversation was interesting and enjoyable!

CPT Barbara Smith Simply put, because the VA & SS offices have to treat People as Individuals with Individual Problems, not "Line Items" that can be replaced with other similar items.

Bureaucracies function best when all the "beans" are the same for the "bean counters." In the military, we make them all the same. When we shift people to the VA, they are no longer the same.

Very interesting perspective, Sgt. Kennedy. I will definitely have to spend more time in reflection. My concern is that humans should be treated humanely regardless of organizational system. With the evidence from the veterans who have reached out to me, I believe that the lack of compassion heads the list.

One veteran shared a story with me recently. He stated that he was blind and couldn't gain anyone's attention or assistance. His strategy was to yell at the top of his lungs. We laughed because I told him that he was lucky that they didn't send him to the behavioral health unit. The bottom line was that he was frightened and felt helpless and uncared for at that very moment. His story is told within my book because it is was a dramatic strategy and decision that he had to take to make a difference in healthcare at this one VA. I gave him my card to call me because it was an honor meeting him.

Lack of compassion is a "symptom" of what I mention.

It's not that people within the organization don't want to help. Many do. Most of my interactions with the PEOPLE of the VA have been positive. Almost all of my interactions with the VA as an organization (medical side) have not.

You're a number to the system. Not a person. And numbers can't be treated "humanely." They just go in a queue, and are dealt with in sequence, or ignored completely.

Thank you so much!!!! Once I finish my book ill send you a copy and you let me know how you like it. I promise you it will be the best book you have ever read.