Posted on Dec 8, 2015
Hail and Farewell Stupidity (At least in my opinion)
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So, here I am today looking at my emails and I get the Unit SOP for Hail and Farewells and calendar for those events. First I open the calendar with the names of personnel for the next event and I see someone missing (SPC), so at first I think that it was just a oversight in the S1 part. Then, I open the SOP and realized that someone decided that the only personnel that will get H+F in this unit are SM in the grade of E7 and above. Immediately after I went to my 1SG and voiced my concern regarding this, to me at least it tells junior enlisted and junior NCO's that your contribution does not really matter and you do not deserve to be welcomed or waved goodbye. This is a pretty small unit, in my last unit as a AIT PSG there were times that I had more Soldiers than this whole company. So, the reason for my rant, is that I would like for someone maybe in command or higher rank than me explain why would someone would make a decision like this. This unit is pretty top heavy, so by adding a few PFC's or SGT's would not extend the event that much more if that was their concern.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Looks like elitism to me. Same way every E-7 and above gets a Bronze Star on deployment even if they were fobbits and spent more time getting out of work than doing any. I put one of my PFC's in for a Bronze Star during my last deployment, and look what do you know...downgraded lol. Admittedly, I did that on purpose with the hopes that if they gave it to him (he deserved it) great or if not he would at least get an ARCOM (which he did).
But as far as your specific situation, you could organize something on your own after duty hours.
But as far as your specific situation, you could organize something on your own after duty hours.
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In my experience, Hail and Farewell's were only for PSG level and above. They usually consisted of going to a more pricey restaurant and had no childcare provided (because the events were planned out by single, brand new 2LT's).
Is this necessarily right? No, but the Hail and Farewell shouldn't be a symbol that the unit doesn't care about them. How comfortable would your Soldiers really feel hanging out with the Senior Leadership anyways?
Maybe you or task one of the Junior Soldiers to organize a Junior Hail and Farewell. It can be used as not only a celebration of their accomplishments, but as a teaching tool on how to organize an event or ceremony, especially if they plan to make this a career. You all could decide who is invited (Suggest that the BN Command Team is invited). This idea might become so successful that it could be implemented into your all calendar. Worst case scenario, nothing happens but it sounds like to me your Soldiers already know that their acomplishments matter to at least one person, You. That alone will keep your Soldiers moving forward. Good Luck Battle
Is this necessarily right? No, but the Hail and Farewell shouldn't be a symbol that the unit doesn't care about them. How comfortable would your Soldiers really feel hanging out with the Senior Leadership anyways?
Maybe you or task one of the Junior Soldiers to organize a Junior Hail and Farewell. It can be used as not only a celebration of their accomplishments, but as a teaching tool on how to organize an event or ceremony, especially if they plan to make this a career. You all could decide who is invited (Suggest that the BN Command Team is invited). This idea might become so successful that it could be implemented into your all calendar. Worst case scenario, nothing happens but it sounds like to me your Soldiers already know that their acomplishments matter to at least one person, You. That alone will keep your Soldiers moving forward. Good Luck Battle
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SFC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) Back in CONUS I could see like that, but we are in a small base in Qatar, where everyone knows everyone basically, and the event will be held here on post, on the place where those junior enlisted would go anyway to listen to some music, have a beer or play some pool.
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CW5 (Join to see)
Do it anyway. People will see that you are doing it and that you are all trying to become a cohesive team. In the end, both events might get merged together but if not, the purpose is still served.
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Including those Junior Enlisted/NCO's in those H+W might, just might, show that the unit actually cared about them and valued them and possibly boost their morale of the unit and Army as a whole. But that is just me.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) I've been in the Right Arm Nights with my NCO and the experiences has been great. You get to know the Garrison CDR and CSM, take pictures with them, they have raffles, music and everything goes really entertaining. Never being in a H+W for obvious reasons...
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