Respect began when the Army began

Yeah, some profanity and non-PC jokes everyone should handle, but at the same time, leadership should try to oblige people's feelings if it isn't inconvenient and delegate strongly enough to have the time to make sure they can remind their subordinates that they care about and respect them and to listen to and heed their concerns. As a cadet (right now), I've been advised that LTs, at least, notoriously are excessively harsh because they feel insecure in their authority. If I'm being a dick or being stupid, I will need not just my nearest NCO, but lowest Airman/Private to tell me so (politely, if time allows), or else I'm being a detriment to the mission and their well-being. Feeling disrespected should never be a reason someone ops not to renew their contract.

A lot of good points to think on. Thanks for the post MSG.

People need to learn the difference between being an NCO and a Sergeant; A Sergeant gets paid, NCO's lead and are consistent with their soldiers and conduct himself/herself at all times to bring credit upon the corp of NCO's, Military Service as well as her or his Comrades, keeping consistency, loyalty, reliability at the home, front, and unit. But, on the other side of this, a soldier also has to be adult enough to resolve a conflict if using the chain of command does not work. We have all had piss poor leadership, and it's worse as a civilian, you cannot judge the entirety of the Military based on one piss poor douche bag. There are always going to be PCS's, different units, to judge the military based on your experience in one unit is like judging a church based on the mentality of a few people in the congregation.

Respect is a two way street. The men I led trusted me as they knew I would fight for their liberty and any promises made to them by those above me in the chain of command. I treated my superiors with respect, even when they did not deserve it, because that was the example I wanted my men to see. We learn to lead by men who lead by example. I respect all who have given up a part of their lives and their physical/mental well being in service to this country. I just wish our government showed the same sort of honor and integrity that our military has shown since its beginnings. Maybe if members of our government (all three branches) actually served in the military they would learn some strongly needed integrity that is much needed in Capitol Hill. Until we get some true leadership and integrity in all three branches I prefer to refer to Washington DC as "Crapitol Hill". If our government got paid for doing their job, they would actually owe the American taxpayer!

There are moments for reward as there are moments for punishment with that in mind, respect goes a long way. First we need to understand what is respect. Respect is an Army value that is required for everyone to lived up too. it is treating others as we will like to be treated, it is what allows us to see the best on others... it is important to respect because it builds trust. I will have to disagree with some of the comments, respect is not asking please to accomplish a mission, there are many situations that there is no room for please. I will not ask a Soldier to please place fires on the objective or to jump out of an aircraft in flight. Asking please is just a polite way to do things while respect is ensuring you care of others doing what is expected from you and not demanding what others can not accomplish. There are times to be polite and there is time to place a boot in someone behind, I guarantee that regardless which one, others will respect you for who you are and not for how polite you can be. "Suck it up and drive on and I will lead our way home"

I would say that today's military has developed a bad habit of recognizing someone's ability only after accomplishing feats and being recognized by higher echelon leadership above the Soldier's unit. An even bigger problem is that the expectation of the Soldier's ability to contribute is dependant upon their rank. I have seen the disrespect upon Soldiers of lower ranks despite their age. Today's military is different than 20 - 30 years ago. Separation of ability in case of education was very distinguishable between enlisted and officers. Not so much today. I have seen Sergeants with Master's persuing their Doctorate and certifications from previous civilian employments. The Army is employing these great assets and placing them but then sadly I think not being utilized as they should. From my perspective, I see the senior company grade to field grade officers being the most guilty of exposing their biases.

I always think of Respect and Cursing as a direct reflection on my Parents and, Grade schoo; teachers.

Many view foul language as a sign of ignorance. My experience suggests that when used correctly, it can leave a lasting impression. This is important because any lesson that sticks with you is a lesson learned. I don't remember one calm conversation that involved a leader explaining sweetly what I did wrong. I do, however, remember every time that I've been punched in the face. An effective use of colorful language lies somewhere in the middle.

I personally do my best to leave the four letter variety out of my pattern of speech, but I work hard to weave my verbal tapestry in such a way that it leaves a stamp on the lives of my Soldiers. Such a stamp helps them to retrieve my (hopefully) sage advice when necessary in life.

I remember my drill instructors using some such phrases, that are still with me 18 years later. I have the upmost respect for them, and don't believe for one second they were ignorant or stupid.

Sir, I agree with you 100 percent.The only problem is that we, as military members, tend to have potty mouths. If people dont approve of cussing or other small problems that are common in the work area, then it should be mentioned before you start working in that area to help alleviate any future problems that might be had between them and the rest of the work force. Respect goes a long way in the military and it is a two way street. We are professionals and we should respect each other's opinions, beliefs, and values.

As an NCO, I tried my best to observe the feelings of what the soldiers were. I tried not to yell and curse, but, there are times when things are not getting done, where it is necessary to raise your voice, yelling was always the last resort, and cursing only worked if it was something that was responded to, to get the mission accomplished. A Soldier not accomplishing, or shucking and jiving through the mission, is disrespecting that leader leading the mission. And, therefore, does not deserve the respect reciprocated.

Remove the word "Religion" from the title and replace with the word "RESPECT"

During my short 10 years in the military, okay Air Force, I remember three leaders who did not use swear words or vulgarity. I also remember several others that cussed that were great leaders as well and others who cussed or didn't cuss that were worthless leaders. But concerning the three I mentioned, I would consider all three extremely effective leaders and during my service probably the most influential. One of these leaders was an E-5 Training Instructor I had in basic. He never swore and very rarely raised his voice but I can tell you he was the "scariest" TI there. The other two were NCO's in my career field (Law Enforcement). These two were the best professionals I have worked for, both in the military and in the corporate world. They were very effective in communicating with subordinates, peers and with the "public" they policed. They led by example in every facet and I use them as an example to follow in my career today. None of these men were religious from what I knew, the were just professional plain and simple. I'm not going to say that I didn't learn or respect leaders who did cuss, I've learned from every good leader and even from some of the bad ones. But as I have climbed the corporate ladder from entry level to company executive I have found that being professional and using appropriate language has been the most successful. I have cussed, cussed a lot, however it has been my personal experience that professionalism wins out over the long run.

MSG,
Thanks for the post. IMO cursing is not a big issue and people need to soldier up. I have always had the image that the Army and Marines are "tough" due to movies like Full Metal Jacket and just the film industry in general. If the soldiers joining think the Army is the Boy scouts, they are dreaming. We are all adults and if you do not like something, speak up. Now if those curse words are being used to belittle a person, then that is when the Service Member should let the other person know what they are doing is inappropriate. I personally believe with the millions of Power Points videos, classes and just advertisement in general we are given annually, that if someone tells you what you are doing is inappropriate, that should scare the crap out of you. These days even if you are not found guilty for things like EO, IG, SHARP, it stays in your record and your career is over. We just need to use common sense and be mindful what we are saying. I would prefer a middle Army. By that I mean not as soft as we are becoming, but not as hard as the Army was in the 70s. I would say find the middle ground.

"I'm grown, I'm grown." What does that mean? What do I care? In either case, I don't care and it infuriates me to here it said. In my opinion, the soldiers that throw that phrase out as a defense to their poor actions and attitudes tend to be the least mature of all soldiers. Often their inability to follow orders or be respectful is what gets them a reminder of who the boss is via use of colorful metaphors. Respect is not something a soldier gets just for joining the military. You don’t magically become a respectable person just by putting on a uniform it is something you earn though your actions and discipline. If a soldier walks into the military and expects to be respected by his or her leaders, then they are in for some reality. If they want to continue a career in the military they had better get used to earning respect, continuously. They may rise in rank, and get the respect due to them by way of their rank, but that should not be confused with professional, tactical or technical respect. This is a rough a demanding profession and if a Soldier cannot take some stern direction and a few big boy words then they need to reexamine their career choice. When I tell soldier to have a thick skin, I'm not just saying it to hear myself talk. Unfortunately, we are faced with young soldiers who have a poor, or completely lacking understanding of respect. They make the mistake of thinking they can place themselves on the same level as those who are senior to them in rank and service time because they feel like they are "grown." No 18, 19, 20 year old Private is "grown" no matter how mush he or she thinks otherwise and unfortunately some only respond to stern direction with some choice words thrown in so that they understand the gravity of situation.
All that being said, I do not believe that insulting or demeaning soldiers is acceptable either. Also, a Leader that only curses and yells to get their subordinates to follow orders is usually the sign of a poor leader. Unfortunately, subordinate soldiers have to deal with these types of leaders and must do so with respect, whether they like it or not. The structure of the military and the maintenance of good order and discipline does not allow for a clause that says you can disrespect a senior leader because they are poor at leading. Most good soldiers will perceiver, adapt and over come, or chalk it up to a lesson learned in how NOT to be when they are in a leadership position.
As far as curse words go...well, they come with the territory of the military. It is a fact that along with our demanding and harsh professions comes vernacular that can be just as demanding and harsh. None of this was an issue when I joined the military and I had and continue to have a great experience. Not until we allowed this pervasive civilian attitude of Political Correctness to poison our culture has it become an issue. If there are a few young soldiers who can’t deal with the demands of the military, whether it be verbiage or taking orders, or whatever, then I am all for them choosing a new line of work. There will always be someone else right behind them who enter’s the service, adapts, and contributes to take their place.

I suppose you haven't met some of the airborne chaplains I have known that can out cuss a sailor, in their private offices of course!

Don't be a hippocrate,
Either be a bible thumper or be a soldier, not both!!
Do us both a favor and get out and practice your hobby!