Posted on Jul 10, 2017
Decorated colonel battles Arizona National Guard effort to oust him
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Interesting. Anyone know anymore here? Think there ia something's on both sides. Sure the boss doesn't like letters of criticism.
Decorated colonel battles Arizona National Guard effort to oust him
Posted from azc.cc
Command
COL
Cavalry
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Maj Marty Hogan Thanks for posting this and let's see what kind of feedback we get from the community. I'm going to reserve mine for acouple of days to see what others have to say. PO1 Robert Chalmers it looks like Marty got this posted today, so let's follow it here.
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LTC Stephen B.
Ready to post your take yet?
Task and Purpose has a review, much of the beginning appears identical to the news article, but then adds some thoughts along the lines of my own.
http://taskandpurpose.com/hardass-army-officer-toxic-leader-or-top-trainer/
Task and Purpose has a review, much of the beginning appears identical to the news article, but then adds some thoughts along the lines of my own.
http://taskandpurpose.com/hardass-army-officer-toxic-leader-or-top-trainer/
"I'm Not A Toxic Leader, I'm An Ass Who Expects You To Do Your Job"
Where's the line between a razor-sharp leader of soldiers and a complete tool of an officer? That's the key in the case of a colonel they call "Big Nasty."
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Stephen B. - I guess I will provide my 2 cents. Leadership can be tough, but professional. If he was finding areas that needed to be cleaned up and then he could have gone down to the Commander Level and worked with them to clean up any discrepancies instead of being unprofessional (and I base my facts on what has been written and not on being there to actually witness any of his actions or character as a leader). There are always two sides to the story, but to be run out of town by the Adjutant General is either proof or a huge cover up. My BLUF is you can be a tough leader and you can lead from the front, but you can do it with a sense of class and professionalism. It's not a personality contest, but you have to earn the respect of your team and subordinates, not demand it! In the 37 year of service and numerous Company Commands, Battalion Command and three different Brigade Commands I was tough, but fair, showed respect for everyone, and earned their respect through my actions and deeds, not by shouting or demeaning tactics. That sums up my position on what I've read, yet can't verify! Thanks for asking Stephen!
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LTC Stephen B.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Same here. I retired from the Arizona Army guard, but was either on T10 AGR duty at NGB or down-range since 9-11. I never met the man but believe the 'toxic' attitude based on the quote "I believe the institution of the Army is at risk." Apparently (according to the T&P article) even those that support him acknowledge he did himself in. Acting professional and earning respect - I think you hit the nail on the head with those. Thanks, COL!
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My initial take is he is an AC officer that doesn't understand the Guard and was unable to successfully transition. A bit of immaturity on both sides (COL and TAG) that caused this to end up in the papers.
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While I can't speak to current training and readiness, I do know that when I transitioned from active duty to a combat support hospital in the Reserves, (also in Arizona, but Reserve, not National Guard), in 1987, I was really surprised how lax it really was. Military discipline was extremely lax, and physical fitness was almost nonexistent: there was rarely any organized PT, and PT tests were often winked at, with individual results often exaggerated to insure that everyone passed, even the 55 year old RN, who was at least 60 lbs overweight.
So, it wouldn't surprise me that he might encounter quite a few situations that would be offensive to a professional active duty officer.
On the other hand, it's very difficult to expect the same level of military professionalism in ALL areas from people who, except when mobilized, only get together one weekend a month.
But yet, on the OTHER hand, I don't blame him for expecting professionalism from the FULL-TIME soldiers.
So, it wouldn't surprise me that he might encounter quite a few situations that would be offensive to a professional active duty officer.
On the other hand, it's very difficult to expect the same level of military professionalism in ALL areas from people who, except when mobilized, only get together one weekend a month.
But yet, on the OTHER hand, I don't blame him for expecting professionalism from the FULL-TIME soldiers.
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