Has political correctness actually stalled progress?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:13:55 -0400

From the 'Say it isn't so' department.... this just in, really:

MTF (Medical Treatment Facility) is now officially HRP (Health Readiness Platform).

Also, the term 'meeting' is now highly discouraged. The more accurate terms are 'briefing' and 'huddle.'

Friday night, while observing a large group of Soldiers competing to see who the best group was at drill competition, I heard the senior NCO announce to them (following his training) "You are all winners, you all are the most talented....but only one can get the trophy."

I will change my terminology in communications as directed, but I can never honestly tell a group of competitors "you are all winners, all the most this or the best that." There are winners and losers. Losing always motivated me to work harder at something I wanted to win. And even after multiple losses, my character developed as I kept at it until I won. Political correctness reaches a point to where it actually hinders progress rather than help it. But what do I know? I am not the most chronologically seasoned of the species and I have not worn the official designated attire for the uniformed services by which I am employed for the properly determined period of time.

Ironically, I actually have told a group that they were all losers at their competition, except for one who scored the best that day and took home the trophy. Thanked them for doing their best and encouraged them to work harder the next time if they wanted to win. I added "Now, go get a milkshake and enjoy the rest of your day." Honesty produces character.

What say you? Has it simply gone too far to the point where it hinders progress?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 11:14 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:14:59 -0400

Have fun with all that. I remember when they tried to change the chowhall to dining facility and HQMC came out and said stick with Chow Hall.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 19 at 2015 11:15 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:15:15 -0400

Yes CH (MAJ) William Beaver changing the names and acronyms for bureaucratic or more nefarious reasons has been going on for some time in this country from OSS becoming CIA in middle of last century :-)
The Naziu's and Soviets were masters at devisongh innocuous names for evil programs.
I sued tor spread the hypothesis that once 75% of a population clearly understood what an acronym stood for it was time to change the name and the associated acronym. While I never discovered a smoking gun the concept rang true to most of those I mentioned it to :-)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 11:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:18:01 -0400

Honesty produces character? More likely, reveals it.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 19 at 2015 11:27 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:27:28 -0400

I can see what you mean, but in some cases, the fact that a child tried and tried hard, means they are winners even though only one team can "win" (special Olympics as an example). Not sure who came with the rest. Meetings > Huddles? MTF > HRP? Does this fall inline with the US Army's Center of Excellence in Excellence in Excellent Studies, of Excellence for Excellent times, and giving Excellence in all the Excellence provided?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 19 at 2015 11:57 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:57:57 -0400

I think there may be some confusion here as to what is Political Correctness and that which Orwell referred to as Newspeak. Political correctness is a limit on free speech which forbids the telling of the truth IF he may cause someone embarrassment or discomfort. In other words, lying. Changing definitions is simply a form of mental masturbation which may or may not cause harm. It too is lying if used to cover up (camouflage) something, but not necessarily so. For example, when I worked as a civil servant my job name changed from Claims Examiner to Post Entitlement Adjudicator (in lieu of a raise in pay). No harm, no foul.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 19 at 2015 12:12 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:12:53 -0400

There is no greater dishonesty than PC; it shields a person from the truth and prevents effective corrective action from being undertaken. PC and reality are mutually exclusive concepts.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 12:58 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:58:40 -0400

I had a discussion with another contractor recently and he was telling me about the PC environment he works in. No more white board or black board. Flip chart is out too.

WTF

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 19 at 2015 1:03 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:03:18 -0400

I'm really not sure if PC has stalled anything. However, I would suggest that we have a bi-partisan, Congressional Investigation to the impact of Political Correctness in its direct impact on the military. We'll need several hearings. I'd like to subpoena service-members, veterans, their families, and all people directly (and indirectly) associated with AAFES and MWR activities as well. If there's anyone who feels "left out," please add yourself to the list. I want this investigation to be inclusive.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 20 at 2015 6:31 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 06:31:05 -0400

So far nothing has shown that respect for others and consideration are bad things...

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Response by GySgt David Thompson made Oct 20 at 2015 7:07 AM

GySgt David Thompson — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 07:07:30 -0400

Marines have never been one for Political Correctness! Even Elinor Roosevelt knew this fact!