WINTERS & NIXON - Oh Brother [BOB]

Well unfortunately, one doesn't necessarily get to pick and choose off a large selection of people, you don't get to dictate where you're stationed at either. It's as my former MTI told me, "It will be a 50% chance whether or not you like the military based off of your chain of command." He wasn't wrong either.

CMSgt Virgil Horsley - For sure, I really liked my supervisor at my first duty station.

Why aren't there more good leaders, mentors, friends in the United States Military? The reason why I ask is because no one cares more about the veterans, then the veterans, who do you think funds all these veteran shelters or HUDVASH, etc? The same thing could be said for service members but sadly that culture has shifted. For most, it's all about getting the highest rank and stepping over others to get there, to abuse authority, to make the other person go through something similar that you once did as a right of passage. It's a failing social construct. Now I'm not saying that this is a one size fits all but it's much worse than you think.

A1C Jordan Brenner - I had some good mentors during my career who were diligent in mentoring me. When I took leadership roles I championed the soldiers professionally and personally to include their families. I rolled up my sleeves and got in the mud with them. That was the culture I created, and I loved my soldiers. If I ordered them to hell and back I wanted them to know I was going with them. I went a step further by incorporating fun into their lives like arranging helicopter rides to the soldiers. However, I believe the true litmus test for a leader is when the bullets fly.

I might be biased but I think combat arms makes some good leaders. At least those who are willing experience the arduous nature of their craft with the soldiers and really want to take care of them. Combat arms can be tough, dirty, and risky. It can’t be replicated in an office setting. Soldiers know which leaders really care about them. Leadership has dynamics to It. Sometimes they are trainers, mentors, motivators, parents, and facilitators.A1C Jordan Brenner

I was also keen on morale. I arranged helicopter flights for all of them. Every time I ate dinner out I would get dinner gift certificates and pass them down to the soldiers. I grilled once a week for them. We played football every Friday. Every birthday soldier got a cake and the day off. We were well funded so Christmas party door prizes started with TVs and boom boxes. One prize would be a framed picture of me, signed of course, but it would have a dinner certificate in the back. One time we ran 4 miles at Ft Riley and had hot chow and transportations at the end. Like I said, morale was very important to me and during my command time, every qualified soldier re-enlisted. MAJ Ken Landgren