Avatar feed
Responses: 6
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
SSgt Gerald Davis Jr
1
1
0
Up or out was the wrong thing at the wrong time. Career privates were a resource that could no be replaced by new recruits.
(1)
Comment
(0)
PFC Elijah Rose
PFC Elijah Rose
7 y
Here's the thing; why is careerism mandatory? Some people would be quite content ascending the ranks slowly if at all and their experience would still be valuable, especially to raw recruits.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SGT Eric Knutson
SGT Eric Knutson
6 y
I agree SSgt Davis, I had a guy who was an E4 who was just as happy as a clam, and one of the best parts clerks you could ever ask for. If they still had the Specialist ranks he would have taken his promotion, but he wanted nothing to do with any leadership position. Reading W.E.B. Griffen and talking to a couple of OLD Marines (one was even a China Marine) there were some guys who were total mess, but SOLID and generally just got the jobs done with little to no fuss. but the point was that they were HAPPY were they were at. Also, I think we can all agree (and even put some names to this point) there are some guys who are stellar at 1 rank, (Officers included) but they get promoted and they loose their minds, and seem to not have a clue about the duties at the new position. I had a CSM who had been offered the CSM position from Bde all the way up to the top and refused to leave the Bn level because he was a "Field Soldier" and did not play politics (his words) but I have known a few who were great Squad Leaders, but as a Plt Sgt, it was like they forgot everything they learned before.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CWO3 Gene A.
1
1
0
Believe his thought process is alluding to tough standards create tougher Marines. If our service members are representative of our current demographics than I can understand his concern. Standards have been lowered over the years for all of our services. With less than 1% of our youth serving, recruiting an all volunteer force capable of meeting any standard, becomes a challenge. Of course some of us older career types think as follows: The older we get, the better we were.
(1)
Comment
(0)
PFC Elijah Rose
PFC Elijah Rose
7 y
Uh, no. Standards have not been getting lower constantly, that myth was created in 2003 when recruitment was so problematic that even felons could join. In 2008-16 the force got progressively smaller to the point that MEPS will throw you out for literally anything.

Although, I see the other thing you're getting at. Older recruits (mid to late 20's) and longer average career spans would be a great help all around.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Sean Rogers
0
0
0
I was in the Navy from 2004-2015, getting out as a PO1 (E-6 for the uninitiated). One of the things I saw too much of as I went up the ranks was people sending their guys to CO's mast (NJP), rather than handle their people in-house. I think this was a consequence of top brass slowly emasculating leaders over the years, to the point where our only option to correct patterns of subpar behavior, is to throw the full extent of the book at them, rather than try and reach them early on and fix the issue before bad habits are clearly established.

Those who are in the direct leadership roles need to have their power returned to them, not have their E-7 or above tell them "you can't do that." It's absurd.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.