Where has the sense of duty gone?

2014-02-22T14:50:32-05:00

I've heard the arguments that the new generation is very self-focused and that their sense of entitlement is the cause for the shift from serving the services to serving the individual but what about the legacy servicemembers? More and more, I encounter those individuals (who have been in too long to be considered part of the new generation) whose only driving force is advancement or recognition. Is this the state to which we are reduced? To where the collective is no longer as important as how far "I" can get? Why is that?

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Feb 22 at 2014 2:56 PM

2014-02-22T14:56:37-05:00

I don't know that there is a simple answer to your question. Society has evolved down a path where many are opting to obtain anything they can from the 'system' without a penalty for less-than-truthful reasons. When you look at the social media of today, the majority of young people (sadly to me that is anyone in the under 25 crowd) are fully immersed in it. They've grown up with almost immediate results for anything they participate in and expect that will continue based on their experience. For me, a sense of duty was a learned trait over time and grew with continued service. I hope, as time goes, our younger generation will begin to see this "sense of duty" and rise to the occasion.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Feb 22 at 2014 3:04 PM

2014-02-22T15:04:33-05:00

MSgt Johnson,

This issue did not start just now or even a few years ago, I think its just a microcosm of our society as a whole, since less than 1% serve in the Armed Forces. Now I will say this the military as a whole has always been looked at as a second or third option. So all of those attitudes from the different service members that have been chaptered out, retired, MEB'd out, etc etc. With me being in the recruiting environment for over 12 years now I have seen and heard it all however not as much with this being on the healthcare side, but still the same type of "ME" attitude. Guess what its getting worse. It sort-of reminds me of the Roman Empire, slowly destroyed itself from within. So the people goes then the nation as well. Just my thoughts.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 7:58 AM

2014-03-31T07:58:11-04:00

Sir,

That is a very valid question. One of the reasons why I love what I do is because it is a job that serves the branches. I get up every night and go to work so that every one else can go home and go to sleep. Do be encouraged that the duty concept is not lost in all of the new generation. That being said being a young airman I am on the "other side of the fence" so to speak. From what I have noticed NCO's push their individual airmen to outshine the others. When young airmen ask the SNCO's how they got to be so successful they don't hear any tales of working hard at their jobs for the betterment of the service and country. We are told tales of how that SNCO rose above the rest. How their own off duty accomplishments rose them to "glory". The whole race for BTZ is all focused on how much better an airman can be than his peers. That forces most young people to see everyone around them as a rival rather than an asset. I cannot pretend that all the blame is on the system but it certainly does not take into account that the majority of new airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines are not quite mature enough to handle such competition on their own and still have the whole team concept down.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 31 at 2014 8:26 AM

2014-03-31T08:26:02-04:00

Well, when you start massive cuts to our population, and loudly encourage everyone to set themselves ahead of their peers to avoid the cuts, you're going to foster a cut throat "me vs them" mentality.

Welcome to The Purge.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 28 at 2014 10:27 AM

2014-06-28T10:27:33-04:00

`Good Question. Every TV show is a competition, about being the best, about winning, about individuality - which is why I so hated the "Army of One" campaign. Entitlement - too many people feel they are entitled to too much. Gone are the "pay it forward" and "freedom isn't free" mentalities. Sad, very sad.