Posted on Dec 24, 2014
Is the Army unintentionally creating a culture of self interest over teamwork?
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The Army does preach teamwork, being there for a battle buddy, etc.
Down range this is usually the case. In garrison, it's not. If a Soldier has career intentions he must build a resume for future boards or gain promotion points to see the next ranks. While this system certainly pushes a Soldier to accomplish more it also seems to isolate their focus on themselves. I see it all the time. Joes left to their own devices because their NCO is busy doing ACCP or resident courses that aren't even necessary. Why? Promotion points or resume building for senior boards.
It seems like Soldiers are more willing to step on a few people on their way to the top. There's not enough teamwork an mentoring. And too much me-first attitude in the ranks.
Do you think this is an issue? Is there anything that should be done to rectify it? Can it be fixed or is the Army just too big and necessitate this type of incentive based system?
Down range this is usually the case. In garrison, it's not. If a Soldier has career intentions he must build a resume for future boards or gain promotion points to see the next ranks. While this system certainly pushes a Soldier to accomplish more it also seems to isolate their focus on themselves. I see it all the time. Joes left to their own devices because their NCO is busy doing ACCP or resident courses that aren't even necessary. Why? Promotion points or resume building for senior boards.
It seems like Soldiers are more willing to step on a few people on their way to the top. There's not enough teamwork an mentoring. And too much me-first attitude in the ranks.
Do you think this is an issue? Is there anything that should be done to rectify it? Can it be fixed or is the Army just too big and necessitate this type of incentive based system?
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I'd say it is an issue organizationally. We are expected to do a large amount of annual online training and meet other asinine suspenses that prevent many NCOs from doing their jobs, and sometimes makes it difficult for senior NCOs to ensure their subordinate NCOs are doing the right thing. Having worked in an S-3, I can't count how many times I worked a troop to task list over and over trying to find one NCO to complete a tasking, often just asking division if an E-4 could fill the spot. How about an E-3? I have an E-3..., I think. It's a bit worse in FORSCOM than in many other units in this respect. The hospital I work at now allows me more autonomy, but I still manage additional duties that are expected at my level. Even here, we recently switched to DTMS to manage training. Keep in mind we had another program called APEQS that did a wonderful job of tracking our myriad training requirements. MEDCOM has over 500 mandatory training requirements, which are not well delineated. This makes it impossible to track all of them for over 400 Soldiers. Now we're just back to quarterly training requirements, which is what we did before computers. Imagine that.
That said, those who would step on others to get ahead were here before the current culture of overtasking and excessive online training. As a young private, I had many NCOs that worked harder to prevent me from getting an opportunity than they ever worked to get the opportunity themselves. Why? I suspect jealousy, because I wasn't too lazy to get off my ass and jump for that not so low hanging fruit. Who really knows. Maybe I'm just a jerk & piss off those around me. I'm good with it.
Remember, nobody cares more about your career than you do, which works two ways. First, if you have crap leadership, but seek opportunity wherever you go, you'll find success. Be awesome, and don't let others tell you otherwise. Remember that when you deal with young Soldiers. Ensure they get the opportunities they work for, and ensure they actually want to work for it. Don't hand it to them because it seems well timed or they haven't gotten to yet. If a Soldier doesn't want it, they just don't want it. Second, if you are a great leader, and seek out each opportunity for your Soldiers in accordance with their desire and ability, yet they don't have the motivation and drive to succeed, then you are hurting the Army by forcing them into a role they don't want and haven't earned. If they don't want to Soldier, thank them for their time and send them on to the next life challenge outside of the military. Trust me, they'll be ok.
I hope this wasn't too long. If you made it this far, thanks.
That said, those who would step on others to get ahead were here before the current culture of overtasking and excessive online training. As a young private, I had many NCOs that worked harder to prevent me from getting an opportunity than they ever worked to get the opportunity themselves. Why? I suspect jealousy, because I wasn't too lazy to get off my ass and jump for that not so low hanging fruit. Who really knows. Maybe I'm just a jerk & piss off those around me. I'm good with it.
Remember, nobody cares more about your career than you do, which works two ways. First, if you have crap leadership, but seek opportunity wherever you go, you'll find success. Be awesome, and don't let others tell you otherwise. Remember that when you deal with young Soldiers. Ensure they get the opportunities they work for, and ensure they actually want to work for it. Don't hand it to them because it seems well timed or they haven't gotten to yet. If a Soldier doesn't want it, they just don't want it. Second, if you are a great leader, and seek out each opportunity for your Soldiers in accordance with their desire and ability, yet they don't have the motivation and drive to succeed, then you are hurting the Army by forcing them into a role they don't want and haven't earned. If they don't want to Soldier, thank them for their time and send them on to the next life challenge outside of the military. Trust me, they'll be ok.
I hope this wasn't too long. If you made it this far, thanks.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
This was a fantastic post. Thank you. Great advice and some affirmation that I'm not going crazy and these issues are real.
When you mentioned the online courses something struck me... Is the big Army micro managing? Are they too into the front line leaders business? Is this making it more difficult for front line leaders to... Lead? An NCO is there to teach, train, and lead his Soldiers. With this current environment is an NCO TRULY able to do this in between all the courses and online train that keep their career on course?
When you mentioned the online courses something struck me... Is the big Army micro managing? Are they too into the front line leaders business? Is this making it more difficult for front line leaders to... Lead? An NCO is there to teach, train, and lead his Soldiers. With this current environment is an NCO TRULY able to do this in between all the courses and online train that keep their career on course?
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SFC Walter Mack
They are micro managing, but not to micro-manage. They are simply reacting to our current information sharing environment. Your mom gets upset that we do something stupid. She calls her congressman, or goes to the local chamber of commerce dinner at TGIFridays (yes, I've been to one), then corners the aide to your congressman/senator that was silly enough to show up. Now the congressman/woman gets their focus on the random screw up of one fool that bashes a Soldier in the chest with a mallet because he's a damned idiot. BOOM! One more online class. We, of course, hire plenty of fools, and create others along the way. Our fear of firing these idiots or identifying them when their troops kick and scream causes problems.
Understand, this is really important. If we don't choose to solve our own problems within the Army, our leaders assume two things. First, we can't or won't make an effort to solve these problems, especially when we didn't get ahead of the issue and kick the moron in the crotch waaaaaaaaay before it got to Congress and the whole damn internet. Second, that they must, of course, come up with a solution for us, since we're too stupid. The government can't go down to an individual level, so systemic training is their only option.
If we want our strategic level leaders out of troop level business, then we have to deal with it and stop trying to spare the feelings of Soldiers.
Understand, this is really important. If we don't choose to solve our own problems within the Army, our leaders assume two things. First, we can't or won't make an effort to solve these problems, especially when we didn't get ahead of the issue and kick the moron in the crotch waaaaaaaaay before it got to Congress and the whole damn internet. Second, that they must, of course, come up with a solution for us, since we're too stupid. The government can't go down to an individual level, so systemic training is their only option.
If we want our strategic level leaders out of troop level business, then we have to deal with it and stop trying to spare the feelings of Soldiers.
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SFC Walter Mack
To answer your last question, you can still lead Soldiers in our current environment. Sadly, you have to do all the SSD, SHARP, EO, Resilience and proper parking policy courses that educate your poor ignorant mind. You have to do them often, and if you fail, it can't possibly be your fault.
You must gain an understanding of the requirements that will get you to each next rank, and your Soldiers to the next rank, then ensure you are concentrating on the requirements that will push you to E-7. Points are great, but if you are stuck at E-6, and can't understand why you're passed over, then life sucks. This is a big topic that is best discussed with your SFC or 1SG though. Just ensure that when someone tells you how to get what you want, you're talking to someone that already has it.
You must gain an understanding of the requirements that will get you to each next rank, and your Soldiers to the next rank, then ensure you are concentrating on the requirements that will push you to E-7. Points are great, but if you are stuck at E-6, and can't understand why you're passed over, then life sucks. This is a big topic that is best discussed with your SFC or 1SG though. Just ensure that when someone tells you how to get what you want, you're talking to someone that already has it.
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I will say that there is a lot of rumblings in the Air Force over this. Starting this September, members will compete with their peers (same rank) within the unit regardless of AFSC. The fear is that this will cause a cutthroat environment where NCOs will step over/on each other without regard to the unit's mission to jockey for position to get the highest rating on their EPR and the substantial promotion points that go with it.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
Our new NCOER is going to highlight this as well. I understand the thinking. Competition will improve performance, but it comes at a price. If you have a family and you want the best for them over any one else, are you going to be a great teammate? Or are you going to protect your career and increase the odds of being promoted over peers by do what "ya gotta do"? Scary senario... Not the service most thought they were joining I presume.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
If they want high performing individuals it might work. If they want high performing teams, I would put money on this failing. It does not incentivize teamwork.
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