posted by tommie on Feb 25
So I think that I have found seome of the biggest things that aggravate me about the Army. The first would have to be incompetent leaderships and/or over confident leadership. So you’re a higher rank then me, way to go! You still can’t read basic documentation on how to properly execute the duties that your position fully entails. I don’t know everything about being an instructor operator; however, I can say without any doubt that not a single soldier will be recommended to fly, by me, unless I have faith that they can perform their duties safely and with confidence.
My platoon seargent seems to think that simply because he is a higher rank then me he cannot be wrong. It’s quite irritating. Not to mention that most of his rank was attained as an infantrymen and not an actual UAV operator. He simply overlooksthe fact that I am doing most of the paperwork and actually tracking the hours. When an O6 asks a question and I’m the one answering there might just be a reason to listen to what I have to say.
That brings me to my second most irritating thing about the Army: incompetent and/or over confident lower enlisted. A certain PFC in my platoon is convinced that he is ready for a check ride to be progressed; however, not more than two days ago he was completely confused with the first few steps in the checklist. If he can’t even understand a checklist by himself how can I safely trust him with an aircraft when nobody is around to double check him. Said PFC still has the nerve to ask why he isn’t ready – and yet again the platoon seargent steps in saying not to worry about what I have to say.
Both individuals are the perfect examples of why our military, at least the Army, is so jacked up. Ranking system not based on experience on your job but “basic soldiering” tasks which predominately consist of infantry knowledge, conceit and unwarranted confidence, and inability to listen to outside sources. Then leaders wonde why unit morale crashes and burns. It’s rediculous.
But that’s just my rant, Tommie
(a.k.a. Pup)
posted by tommie on Feb 21
So here I am less than a year and a half from when my term should rightfully come to it’s end, the closing to yet another chapter in this story of my life. Friends, family, and coworkers are all telling me to just wait it out and that everything will be fine; however, as each day passes I am considering more and more the ability to get an honarable discharge early.
The way it seems I am stuck in a mediocre position with basically no possibility for advancement due to my inability to stay in because of certain personal issues. It is true that I was raised with the mentality to never quit; however, I was also taught to never settle. Settling is what the Army feels like to me ~ the ability to succeed and actually accomplish something more has seemingly been taken from my options only to settle for just getting by.
With no chance of advancement but a relatively high chance of being extended to a full term (I don’t care about current policy, alot can change in the course o a year) to Afghanistan I am struggling to see any benefit to being stuck in a repetitive life of mediocracy. If you are going to do something aim for the best you can achieve.
In the end there are very few friends and even fewer coworkers that I actually trust enough to discuss these issues but it all leads to the same result: change. It is the only constant in life and sometimes has a greater effect then at other times. In any case I’m praying that everything will turn out the way that He would have me lead this life. It is, afterall, by his grace that I am still here to share my thoughts and beliefs with the world.
At the end of each day the only thing that can be known for sure – I am who I am based on several factors: nature, nurture, and by His will. No matter what may happen, no matter who accepts or rejects me, for better or for worse I will do what I feel is right. Our feelings are what guide us and are His messages to let us know how we are doing. Joy for doing right, sorrow for causing pain or not accepting his will, guilt for going against his will… So many human emotions that guide us each and every day, who am I to deny His messages to me?
With much love and thought, Tommie
(a.k.a. Pup)