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In various forms, this question has been asked all the time here on RallyPoint. Now that I have returned to active duty, this time around as an officer, I find myself asking it.
I can tell you that in my heart, the answer is never. Conversation over.
But it's not that simple, people are not that simple. Legal and ethical responsibilities are not that simple. The fact is that not everyone belongs in the military; they can't hack it for one reason or another. But I don't think I, as a leader, am always the one to decide that; the soldier usually is. I identify when a soldier is choosing to quit, i.e. be lazy, be unprepared, lack discipline and tenacity, act unethically, disregard standards and thus choosing to fail. I won't be the reason a soldier is failing, the only excuse they'll have is their own words and actions. So we work and we train until we meet standards. I will believe in them and I will train them, they have to do the rest. This means believing in themself and aligning with my plans with proportionate effort.
I know that puts a lot on each of our shoulders, but isn't that the job we signed up for? We don't have to be the best; I can tell you without a doubt I am far from it. However, we must give our best in working to achieve the standards of our profession, if we are failing to meet them.
Therefore, we almost never give up on each other. The exception is simply being incapable of meeting standards, which is certainly possible. But I feel like that's the rarity. Or perhaps, I feel like we should go forward assuming the best of our soldiers, and that incapability is the rarity.
Please let me know if I am off base with this. What do you think?
I can tell you that in my heart, the answer is never. Conversation over.
But it's not that simple, people are not that simple. Legal and ethical responsibilities are not that simple. The fact is that not everyone belongs in the military; they can't hack it for one reason or another. But I don't think I, as a leader, am always the one to decide that; the soldier usually is. I identify when a soldier is choosing to quit, i.e. be lazy, be unprepared, lack discipline and tenacity, act unethically, disregard standards and thus choosing to fail. I won't be the reason a soldier is failing, the only excuse they'll have is their own words and actions. So we work and we train until we meet standards. I will believe in them and I will train them, they have to do the rest. This means believing in themself and aligning with my plans with proportionate effort.
I know that puts a lot on each of our shoulders, but isn't that the job we signed up for? We don't have to be the best; I can tell you without a doubt I am far from it. However, we must give our best in working to achieve the standards of our profession, if we are failing to meet them.
Therefore, we almost never give up on each other. The exception is simply being incapable of meeting standards, which is certainly possible. But I feel like that's the rarity. Or perhaps, I feel like we should go forward assuming the best of our soldiers, and that incapability is the rarity.
Please let me know if I am off base with this. What do you think?
Training
PRT (Army)
Leadership
Platoon Leader
Motivation
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 29
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You don’t. But there’s nothing you can do when they give up on themselves.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
Sir,
Purpose, direction, and motivation. Someyimes when they "give up on themselves" it is a failure to properly provide motivation. Not always, but sometimes. I would encourage you, and all leaders, to look at what they can do even after the Soldier "gives up on themself."
(This is not to say that you do not. Just an observation of the artbof leadership as it applies to Soldiers "giving up.")
Purpose, direction, and motivation. Someyimes when they "give up on themselves" it is a failure to properly provide motivation. Not always, but sometimes. I would encourage you, and all leaders, to look at what they can do even after the Soldier "gives up on themself."
(This is not to say that you do not. Just an observation of the artbof leadership as it applies to Soldiers "giving up.")
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I never gave up on them. But that doesn't mean that I supported their continued presence in my Army, either. Even as they were being chaptered on my recommendation, I still supported them and worked to find them the best possible civilian path.
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1LT (Join to see)
They're great and most of them are working hard. I am getting some push back from them however as things change.
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