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Is the army getting “softer”?
Is the army going soft? I’ve noticed that the soldiers coming out of AIT now are less likely to work, more likely to complain and less likely to meet and maintain the standard. I’ve also noticed that they are more likely to talk back or argue with NCOs and Senior Specialists, not to be a “back in my day warrior” because I haven’t been in as long as some but I would never have spoken to NCOs the way some of these soldiers do now. I also noticed on our most recent rotation to NTC a pfc that was under me and my squad leader (seeing as I’m the only Spc in my squad) was constantly talking back about doing tasks (not only to me but to my squad leader as well) and he couldnt administrator corrective training because of the temperature (100 plus degrees everyday) so he felt untouchable. I’m just curious if anyone has noticed a lack of discipline on their ranks?
Is the army going soft? I’ve noticed that the soldiers coming out of AIT now are less likely to work, more likely to complain and less likely to meet and maintain the standard. I’ve also noticed that they are more likely to talk back or argue with NCOs and Senior Specialists, not to be a “back in my day warrior” because I haven’t been in as long as some but I would never have spoken to NCOs the way some of these soldiers do now. I also noticed on our most recent rotation to NTC a pfc that was under me and my squad leader (seeing as I’m the only Spc in my squad) was constantly talking back about doing tasks (not only to me but to my squad leader as well) and he couldnt administrator corrective training because of the temperature (100 plus degrees everyday) so he felt untouchable. I’m just curious if anyone has noticed a lack of discipline on their ranks?
Posted in these groups: 
Discipline
Values
Discipline Values
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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No. It's just the definition of "what is a Soldier" has been evolving since 1775, and still isn't finished. As warfare and technology changes, the kind of people we need in uniform will change along with it. The barely literate, unquestioning Neanderthals of yesteryear are obsolete. Paradigm shifts are necessary to stay relevant.
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CPL (Join to see)
Roger sfc I just think the lack of discipline could be detrimental to the mission.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
CPL (Join to see) - A lack of discipline certainly can be. But does the 80's definition of discipline apply to 2020 warfare? Are Soldiers "too undisciplined" for the Army, or are leaders failing to adapt their leadership approaches to a new generation of Soldier? Either, or, both, neither.... Anyone could argue any point.
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CSM Charles Hayden
SFC Michael Hasbun Are you speaking of my Philosophy Professor? He enjoyed representing either, opposite side!
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SFC Michael Hasbun
CSM Charles Hayden - I think it's an important mental exercise to be able to entertain a position from either side... Keeps us from getting tunnel vision.
Plus I'm sincere in that leadership is an equation that only works when the variables on both sides of the equal sign are functioning as intended.
Plus I'm sincere in that leadership is an equation that only works when the variables on both sides of the equal sign are functioning as intended.
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I used to think this too but as I've gotten older I've realized people are a product of their environment.
Times change, "that guy", "soup sandwich", "can't get right" has been around forever.
As I've bounced around in assignments I've seen rockstars in one group seen as dirtbags in another.
As a first-line leader it's important to recognize talent within your sphere and put people in positions they can succeed in.
It's also important to establish buy-in with positive org. culture without squashing creative thought. Part of that means taking time to explain the "why" of the task at hand and how it affects the unit and beyond. Ideally this happens before the mission; sometimes its during or after the fact. Establishing and maintaining this trust is important if you want guys to follow, and more importantly, believe in what you're all working towards.
As far as the discipline piece: be creative, and administer corrective action appropriately. Physical correction has its place but it shouldn't be your knee-jerk reaction. The worst thing you can do is punish a guy and have him walk away without understanding what he did wrong.
Times change, "that guy", "soup sandwich", "can't get right" has been around forever.
As I've bounced around in assignments I've seen rockstars in one group seen as dirtbags in another.
As a first-line leader it's important to recognize talent within your sphere and put people in positions they can succeed in.
It's also important to establish buy-in with positive org. culture without squashing creative thought. Part of that means taking time to explain the "why" of the task at hand and how it affects the unit and beyond. Ideally this happens before the mission; sometimes its during or after the fact. Establishing and maintaining this trust is important if you want guys to follow, and more importantly, believe in what you're all working towards.
As far as the discipline piece: be creative, and administer corrective action appropriately. Physical correction has its place but it shouldn't be your knee-jerk reaction. The worst thing you can do is punish a guy and have him walk away without understanding what he did wrong.
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It was my job Togo to training posts to watch the process of the recruit from arriving at reception throughout inprocessing and ha fed over to the company at shark attack. I visited Leonard Wood, Knox (when they were running their last ones through, Jackson, and Sill. I never made it to Benning. The Army over is as soft as butter. I was so taken aback. Shark attack is nothing anymore. As a matter of fact i think they were getting rifle of shark attack. Regardless, if the recruit was going into a combat arms MOS such as 31B, 12B, 13 series, they had it tougher than those going in a less density MOS. But, all kept phones in their lockers. Some had iPads or computers. Drills were more of their buddy than a drill used to be. Very little discipline... sad really sad. A
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