Has military leadership become too risk adverse?

Capt Richard Desmond — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:27:16 -0400

This is an old article but I believe it is still pertinent in today's military. At least in the Air Force I have seen top tiers of leadership being promoted on both the enlisted and officer side with the standard of having a flawless record. That means you don't take risks or stick your neck out to provide top cover in fear of rocking the boat or the fear of the perception of getting on your superior's bad side, both critical failures in leadership in my book. What are your thoughts?

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/01/why-our-best-officers-are-leaving/308346/

Why Our Best Officers Are Leaving

Why are so many of the most talented officers now abandoning military life for the private sector? An exclusive survey of West Point graduates shows that it’s not just money. Increasingly, the military is creating a command structure that rewards conformism and ignores merit. As a result, it’s losing its vaunted ability to cultivate entrepreneurs in uniform.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 11:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:33:30 -0400

We have to be able to take riskbir we won't get anywhere when it really matters. But we have to also know when to take a risk and welhen to just let it go that's what makes a good leader

Response by Maj Jeremy R. made Jul 30 at 2014 12:07 PM

Maj Jeremy R. — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:07:58 -0400

I read this article a while back and I thought it was spot on about how at the company grade level you're more of an innovator, risk taker and you shed that as you move up the chain. I think there are many reasons for this and depending on where you are, when you are, and what you are doing there is going to be variance in the amount/type of risk adverseness you see.

Many of us can recall flying combat missions in theater, being shot at only to return and be verbally treated like a child when we didn't have on our reflective belt at night while walking to the DFAC.

Some of this is our culture, our political climate, financial constraints, box checking promotion system, individual personalities, civilian oversight and so on influencing this perception of risk adverseness - which I agree that we do have and often times it is misplaced (and sometimes it is in the right place at the right time).

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 9:21 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 09:21:24 -0500

I certainly can't speak to the other brnches, but the majority of field grade officers in the Air Force are startingly risk averse...in my opinion of course.

Response by PO1 John Pokrzywa made Nov 7 at 2014 10:18 AM

PO1 John Pokrzywa — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:18:14 -0500

Excellent topic. I was once told by a senior person on checking into a new command "We heard about [the thing I'd been disciplined for] you know..." It was something I'd been in trouble for 8 years previously.
I've seen others denied recommendations for advancement, simply because when doing the record review, the absolute first thing the people in charge did, was rule out everyone who'd made a mistake in their careers, *ever*.
Based on observation and friends who've also been rising up the officer tanks, it's a mentality that's gotten into their ranks also.
So nobody takes risks, because apparently these days, sneezing in the wing context is enough to get one of those "lost faith in his ability to command" dismissals. Seems the Navy is one of the worst offenders, their so called "heroes" like John Paul Jones, Adm Farragut, Chester Nimitz, etc would never have even made past ensign in today's world.
Just my thoughts.

Response by PO1 John Pokrzywa made Nov 7 at 2014 10:22 AM

PO1 John Pokrzywa — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:22:02 -0500

I should also say, I really hate smartphone auto correct...