11
11
0
A Message to Garcia- on almost every professional reading list from local commanders to The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, it's only a few pages long and worth every single moment of reading. I had all of my NCOs read this my first week as a 1SG, and every one of my Cadets in ROTC.
404 - File or directory not found.
Posted from benning.army.mil
Leadership
Platoon Leader
Fire Team Leader
Officer
Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
3
3
0
SMSgt,
I have read this a long time ago. But, it is good to re-read it. So, it is fresh on the brain housing group.
I can not remember if it was a SSG, or a GySgt that shortened this letter to one sentence. Too much time has past. It is as follows: "Don't wait for your Mommie to do it for you!"
Regards SMSgt,
I have read this a long time ago. But, it is good to re-read it. So, it is fresh on the brain housing group.
I can not remember if it was a SSG, or a GySgt that shortened this letter to one sentence. Too much time has past. It is as follows: "Don't wait for your Mommie to do it for you!"
Regards SMSgt,
(3)
(0)
2LT (Join to see)
I’ve always considered it a timeless bit of advice too! Useful to a young enlisted and a seasoned officer alike!
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Excellent post ,in a distant post I remember reading this, now all these years later I have a greater understanding, maybe life has taught me something after all,you don't have to be rich or poor educated or not,you just have to do!
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
Those pesky people being human, if they were just robots it would all be easy...
(1)
(0)
2LT (Join to see)
MSgt Gerald Orvis - I know, I was blown away the first time I learned that the inspiring story was not at all what it appeared! Thanks for sharing that part of it all. I still love the writing for what it is, but you are clearly correct in pointing out that it's not history at all.
(0)
(0)
SPC Kevin Ford
2LT (Join to see) - I also understand what you are saying. Though I would put forward that unless something changed in the military from when I was a your 18 year old enlisted man, I suspect that a lot of the similar age young soldiers likewise have a lot of growing to do. I know I did.
To be direct my problem with this piece has always been the message in the social context in which it was written. It was nearing the end of the gilded age when their was huge social inequality, horrendous working conditions and non living wages. It was also a time when workers were trying to collectively fight for better pay, safer working conditions and reasonable hours. The not so subtle message of this piece, knowing it's context is, "shut up, do what you're told, for the amount we want to pay you and you won't be the one fired. Just don't make waves and you'll get to keep your miserable job right up until your early death."
To be direct my problem with this piece has always been the message in the social context in which it was written. It was nearing the end of the gilded age when their was huge social inequality, horrendous working conditions and non living wages. It was also a time when workers were trying to collectively fight for better pay, safer working conditions and reasonable hours. The not so subtle message of this piece, knowing it's context is, "shut up, do what you're told, for the amount we want to pay you and you won't be the one fired. Just don't make waves and you'll get to keep your miserable job right up until your early death."
(1)
(0)
2LT (Join to see)
SPC Kevin Ford - Absolutely, I had incredible amounts to learn as an 18 year old, and I'd even say as a 28 year old. I don't agree with everything in his stance, but I 100% agree with the mentality as a personal virtue, rather than one to instantly hold others to.
I see your point about the social context, though I think you'd be interested by a lot of his other writings, he isn't at all who/what you'd expect from the time, and with the perspective of some of his contemporary writings, you might decided he intended something different than how we read it today. Even if you don't though, I still stand by the end state as a personal virtue and work ethic he was espousing, deciding to carry a message to Garcia (the one he wrote about, not the historic one that MSgt Orvis reminds us of!).
I see your point about the social context, though I think you'd be interested by a lot of his other writings, he isn't at all who/what you'd expect from the time, and with the perspective of some of his contemporary writings, you might decided he intended something different than how we read it today. Even if you don't though, I still stand by the end state as a personal virtue and work ethic he was espousing, deciding to carry a message to Garcia (the one he wrote about, not the historic one that MSgt Orvis reminds us of!).
(1)
(0)
SPC Kevin Ford
2LT (Join to see) - I am familiar with him but not overly so. I suspect he, like everyone, was still a man of his times. I just wish he had stuck to your version. ;)
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google