Col. Hackworth and current military leaders

[AndrewR]

Interesting article I found today: Poster-boy losers. While the good colonel has some issues of his own in the past, I tend to agree with overall tone of his article. This paragraph sums up his thoughts:

The Somali debacle and now the recent major foul-up in Afghanistan prove in spades that our warrior class has lost out to a professional-management culture that's virtually destroyed our armed forces, less the Marine Corps -- which is slowly veering in that direction as well.

Now, the problem is not solely the military leadership as Congress and the Executive Branch share a good portion of the blame. Ticket punching is alive and well though, unfortunately. How can it be fixed?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It is a crime for you as a commissioned officer to criticize Congress to others. See Art 88, UCMJ, and please cease and desist.

 

[PrinceofWands]

<< It is a crime for you as a commissioned officer to criticize Congress to others. See Art 88, UCMJ, and please cease and desist. >>




Welcome to the REAL biggest problem, fart knockers who want blind faith and obedience. Strength lies in questioning and constant process improvement.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<<

<< It is a crime for you as a commissioned officer to criticize Congress to others. See Art 88, UCMJ, and please cease and desist. >>




Welcome to the REAL biggest problem, fart knockers who want blind faith and obedience. Strength lies in questioning and constant process improvement. >>



Not in the military it doesn't. Our strength lies in discipline and allegiance to a common goal.

We can each hold our own opinions, but it is a crime for a commissioned officer to criticize the president, the VP, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any state in which we are stationed. I take it you are not a military member, but AndrewR and I are both commissioned Air Force officers.

 

[Moonbeam]

Interesting article I was turned on to today: Poster-boy losers. While I hear the good colonel has some issues of his own in the past, I've ofter heard and have grown to suspect the overall tone of his article is correct. This paragraph sums up his thoughts:

The Somali debacle and now the recent major foul-up in Afghanistan prove in spades that our warrior class has lost out to a professional-management culture that's virtually destroyed our armed forces, less the Marine Corps -- which is slowly veering in that direction as well.

The poster went on to say:

"Now, the problem is not solely the military leadership as Congress and the Executive Branch share a good portion of the blame. Ticket punching is alive and well though, unfortunately. How can it be fixed?"

Some questions were brought up and then challenged as to whether an active duty military person should raise this kind of criticism. Since I'm under no such constraints, I would similarly like to ask. Do you think the diagnosis is correct, without maybe necessarily criticizing congress negatively, but constructively, and if so how can it be fixed?

 

[Moonbeam]

I fear that if PrinceofWands and some imaginary enemy could field two armies of such minded troups, they would not fight.

 

[PrinceofWands]

<< I take it you are not a military member, but AndrewR and I are both commissioned Air Force officers. >>



I beg to differ, you are a commissioned Air Force lemming if you are unwilling or incapable fo thinking for yourself and realizing that all progress comes from discrepancy and questioning. Yes, during military operations discipline and strict adherance to orders/chain of command is important, but the moment individual will/value is removed from the common soldier, you cease to be an effective tool of freedom and become nothing more than weapon laying about for any madman to utilize with indiscretion.

And for clarity, yes I was in the military, Navy, 2 yrs starting near the end of the gulf war, honorably discharged. And during that time I never once failed to voice my opinion in any matter of importance, nor listen to my inner values...despite causing large waves within my command. I frequently questioned policy and my superiors and openly and harshly criticized the corruption within the American government, as it was my duty to do...and the duty of every American to seek the truth for themselves and stand behind their beliefs.

You can object to my opinion all you want, in fact I encourage it. Because the more you object, the louder I proclaim, and the stronger our nation is because of it.

 

[Aceman]

Ticket punching is alive and well though, unfortunately. How can it be fixed?

Look in the mirror and ask thyself that question. The answers lie in you, the young officers and the future leadership of the military.

I didn't come into the army 16 years ago, take an oath and follow a creed to take care of my soldiers 14 years ago, only to now spend part of my time worrying if my actions of taking care of the real business will affect my rating and thus affect my future promotions and career progression in a system that you, the officers created.
Have you ever really read an officer evaluation?????? There's more laughs in those reports than there is in the Sunday comics. You'll find more BS and stretching of the truth in that one report than you will find in a book of folklore!

"CPT Doe accomplished his goal of blah blah blah" BS! CPT Doe's soldiers accomplished blah blah blah and CPT Doe shelfishly took all the credit while the NCO sat back shook his head and mumbled "At least the bastard won't gig me on my next eval for accomplishing the near impossible and making him look good."

 

[PrinceofWands]

<< I fear that if PrinceofWands and some imaginary enemy could field two armies of such minded troups, they would not fight >>




You gain wisdom beyond your years.

At that moment, for the first time ever, BOTH sides would win a war.

 

[Zebo]

Ticket punching? Is that when they give a good evaluation despite incompetence.

 

[Aceman]

CarbonyIXP, you're close. It's when you get a great eval in a position that even after 2 plus years in it you still don't know what your doing and you become a shoe in for the next higher job on the totem pole.

 

[SuperTool]

<< It is a crime for you as a commissioned officer to criticize Congress to others. See Art 88, UCMJ, and please cease and desist. >>


Looks like Andrew is going to Guantanamo Bay.

 

[Zebo]

<< CarbonyIXP, you're close. It's when you get a great eval in a position that even after 2 plus years in it you still don't know what your doing and you become a shoe in for the next higher job on the totem pole. >>




This is pervasive everywhere today. Unions, education and even in the private sector. Your also allowed to appeal evaluations several times which cuases a drain on resources. BS if you ask me. Who's a good officer or worker today? No one knows, becasue they're all equal on paper.

Hey, Like your sig about problems LOLs Fortunatly there are teenages here. They know everything you know.

 

[Moonbeam]

<<You gain wisdom beyond your years. P of W" Hehe, I guess you thought I was serious when I used the word fear. Anyway, you got the point.