Posted on Dec 3, 2018
5 reasons why troops can't stand ring-knocking lieutenants
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Come on people, have we gotten like the politicians and lost the ability to have a chuckle at our own expense occasionally? I thought the writer made great a great effort to distinguish the "Ring Knockers" from the rest of the academy graduates, but I challenge all to say they haven't run into one of those of which he speaks over your career.
Of course "Ring Knockers" come in many colors and stripes. They include many who have deserved pride in something they accomplished during their time in the service, but can't seem to get beyond that accomplishment in the daily conduct of their responsibilities. They preface every discussion or planning session with the story of that accomplishment and are equivalent of the old WWII Marine sitting down to plan an operation in Vietnam starting the session out with "The way we did it back in the big one".
The fact is, even a lowly officer who gained his commission through another program who pays attention to his development generally overcomes the head start an academy graduate has by the time they become field grade officers. The ring knockers, unlike most of their classmates, are trying to present themselves as a cut above, when the man sitting next to him that graduated from Bloomberg College may be his equal in every trait that matters.
Of course "Ring Knockers" come in many colors and stripes. They include many who have deserved pride in something they accomplished during their time in the service, but can't seem to get beyond that accomplishment in the daily conduct of their responsibilities. They preface every discussion or planning session with the story of that accomplishment and are equivalent of the old WWII Marine sitting down to plan an operation in Vietnam starting the session out with "The way we did it back in the big one".
The fact is, even a lowly officer who gained his commission through another program who pays attention to his development generally overcomes the head start an academy graduate has by the time they become field grade officers. The ring knockers, unlike most of their classmates, are trying to present themselves as a cut above, when the man sitting next to him that graduated from Bloomberg College may be his equal in every trait that matters.
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Capt Bob Soldner
Had a "Ring Knocker" who lived next to me and was really upset that he, a Navy Pilot was billeted alongside someone w/' only a GED & who hadn't even been to "Knife & Fork" school. Felt it was beneath him. Always invited him to our BBQ gatherings at the house however he never would respond.
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What a complete pile of self-absorbed, lack-of-leadership BS. You're a leader or you're a liability.
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Speaking as a mustang, what utter BS. Westpointers planned & executed WWII. Ike, Patton, Mccaulife, MacArthur, Marshall, Stillwell. Grow up. If you don't like the way officers run the Army, get a degree, become a mustang and run your battalion your way when you get there.
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SCPO William Akin
"Now, let me preface this by saying that, during my career in the Army, I had the honor of serving under some outstanding leaders who came out of West Point. Clearly, there are many fantastic academy graduate officers out there. But there are some academy grads that give the rest of them a bad name."
Nothing to add SIR.
Nothing to add SIR.
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CPT Michael Murphy
George C. Marshall, CoS of the U.S. Army during WWII and the “architect of victory” in that war according to Winston Churchill Graduated fro the Virginia Military Institute, not West Point. Michael Kevin Murphy VMI, Class of 1964.
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LTC Russ Smith
CPT Michael Murphy My point had less to do with their commissioning source & more to the point, the fact that they were not enlisted men first, which the author thinks should be a prerequisite for a commission.
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