Wednesday, March 4, 2009
So the other day...My 1SG send me an email telling me that I need to watch my back. And that it is no blows goes time. All I did was ask a simple question to someone at the MEPS. Then I get the third degree. Being told that I could not be trusted and such. The only thing I was doing was looking out for the applicant and myself and my recruiters. What I don't understand is this. This guy is nothing like what the leadership manual says we should be as leaders. All he knows how to do is jump to conclusions, raise hell, lead by fear, in other words he is not a leader. I would never follow someone like that jackhole into combat. He gives his subornates no leeway to think for themselves, he wants to have total control. It makes no fucking sense to me. It makes no sense to me. I thought as leaders we are supposed to grow one another in a positive environment. He don't even know how to do that. I have to vent about this somewhere. I don't trust my fellow station commanders within this company. I don't trust my 1SG anymore, not after that email. I am going to look into this and see what can be done about it.
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I've been reading your blog this morning with great interest and equally great dismay. I retired from recruiting about 10 years ago—spent about 17 years in the business, but not all that "on the bag."
ReplyDeleteYour comments sound all too familiar, sad to say. I've heard too many similar tales of woe, but I can honestly say I've never read anything written with this much honesty and graphic detail. I must tell you up front that I work for HQ USAREC. I assure you that no one at this level promotes, endorses, or fosters the "leadership" techniques you describe in your blog. It's hard to understand why some recruiting leaders behave the way they do. Believe me when I say the senior leaders have no respect for the leader behaviors you describe.
Leaders who treat their people they way you describe will certainly not brag about it to their superiors. They're not going to stand up at a QTB and confess to the CG or anyone else that they do the things you describe. Maybe they know what they're doing is wrong, but they don't know what else to do. When the top leaders do learn about these things, they will do what needs to be done to correct the situation. Trouble is, they typically get the bad poop from the news media or from people like yourself. Sometimes they get the word only after something truly tragic has happened—a Soldier suicide, for example.
We'd like to help—honest! I fully understand why you're reluctant to step out of the shadows and identify yourself. It appears you've been around this command for a good long while, and you know full well how things really work. I don't want to bring smoke on you. I want to bring smoke on toxic leadership. For now, I'll just say I'd like to hear from you in your blog if you're comfortable replying to my comment.
What would you like to know?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to speak with you. I fully understand that you don't want to identify yourself in this public forum, and I have no desire to "out" you. How's this: We agree on a date and time, and I'll change my profile temporarily to reveal my private e-mail address long enough for you to snag it. Then I'll go back and shut it off. I'll watch for your response here.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you can find out how to edit by clicking on Help on the home page of e-Blogger. They give you good instructions for editing after you've posted.
As a recruiter's spouse, I'd say that many of the things he says are definitely widespread. I talk with other spouses all over the country and we have similar concerns. Frankly, it would be easier to take if we didn't hear "we're VERY concerned about the family" all the time from the leadership. I feel embarrassed that the command obviously sees us as stupid or naive. I'm an Army wife and I understand that mission is important, but what's the point of squeezing all the life out of a recruiter? How does that help in the long term?
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't have a lot of answers and I also feel there are problems with both the leadership and with the recruiters. Lots of bad attitudes out there. Also, sometimes it seems like you have to be in the CSM's and 1SG's clique or your life is a little harder than others (but maybe that's just how it looks to a spouse on the outside).
Recruiting duty seems to change Soldiers. I was told once that "When you're told you're a POS enough times, you start to believe it." I think that's one of the saddest things I've ever heard.
I appreciate recruiters blogging. Somehow, reading makes this life easier to take. Maybe because we feel less alone. I certainly hope no adverse action is directed at this blogger for venting his feelings in a very stressful and unappreciated job.