Is the Military wasting too much time in meetings?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:34:35 -0400

I believe that he meetings I attend seem to take too long. I mean what should be a simple training meeting lasts close to three hours on average. That is NUTS. My Day is shot after that.

Here is a recent article What do you Leaders think?

http://www.ncosupport.com/military-training/military-meeting-waste-of-time.html

Too Much Time Wasted in Military Meetings

One of the most precious commodities a Soldier has is time, and a lot of time is wasted in person-to-person exchanges and group meetings, Gen. David C. Perkins said.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Apr 7 at 2015 11:56 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 23:56:24 -0400

Isn't the entire purpose of the military daily routine is to hurry up and wait?

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 8 at 2015 9:56 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 09:56:59 -0400

Don't know about todays military, but in general the world spends too much time in meeting.

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, have a meeting.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 8 at 2015 10:09 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:09:44 -0400

In the Navy it was less time wasted in meetings, and more time wasted painting. Everything got painted. When painting was finished, the color was changed so paint it again in the new color. Then when painting is complete, give it another coat just to make sure. Six months after commissioning the ship displaces an extra two tons just from all the painting that has taken place.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:15:27 -0400

Be brief, Be brilliant, Be gone....

Response by CPT Bob Moore made Apr 8 at 2015 10:15 AM

CPT Bob Moore — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:15:30 -0400

Successful meetings require a few things:

1. Clear Purpose and Agenda
2. Recommendations for further action (research, etc.)
3. Decisions (If you have a meeting and don't make decisions, what is the point?)

If you aren't getting those things done, the meetings aren't going to be effective. I think a lot of people have meetings just to appear productive. People should come ready for the topic or reason for the meeting and ready to make recommendations to the decision maker.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 12:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:16:54 -0400

Unless I'm missing something, I think it's kind of funny.........

They had a meeting about meetings and determined there are too many meetings.

Army Strong or something.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 8 at 2015 1:40 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:40:18 -0400

Meetings, just to have meetings, serve no useful purpose. Meetings should be have an agenda and be short and to the point.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 1:40 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:40:57 -0400

I have had days where I had to go to 2-3 meetings in one day. For the officers and senior enlisted in my unit it is even worse. They are constantly at a meeting and never have the chance to get anything done. Most of them have to stay at work until 2000-2200 just to get their normal duties done. My unit also likes to schedule meetings early in the morning 0500-0700. This means that a lot of leadership misses out on PT and ends up spending literally all their time at meetings.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 1:44 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:44:04 -0400

I spend much of my UTAs in meetings. It's a necessary evil sometimes, but it's frustrating. There is minimal time for actual training.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 2:04 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:04:49 -0400

I'll have to answer later I am in a meeting. It has been a long one (I retired from the military in July 1986.)

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 8 at 2015 2:07 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:07:28 -0400

Way to much time spent. If you want a meeting fine. Out out what needs to be put out, then ask for questions. If it is going to be a long question, see me off line! Easy peasy!