Management Military Style

[Batman]

Aetc

Let's not forget that Altus is an AETC base. I know for a fact that there has been an increased focus on stopping alcohol incidents in the training command in response to what happened at one of the UPT bases this past year. I would bet that the other AETC bases have had their own incidents. However, our last incident received so much attention from the top that I am not surprised that you are getting the full "diaper" effect that has already been mentioned. Whenever $hit happens at one base, the ramifications can be felt at all the others.

Just be a good wingman and help prevent future incidents, if you are in a position to.

 

[LJDRVR]

Hang in there man...

Wasn't it Napoleon who once said: "There are no bad regiments, only bad Colonels."

I feel your pain man. I was TDY to Offutt once along with 90% of our squadron. Friday rolled around and some of us (not me) went to the club. (Imagine a dozen intoxicated junior enlisted USAF Honor Guard troops, most cops by training.) Our troops started dancing with what the local folks viewed as "their" girls. Drunken debauchery and fisticuffs ensued, culminated in one of our NCO's driving the bus they assigned us over to the dormitories so the younger troops could fight some more of the locals.

Really bad behavior. A real leader would have investigated, punished those responsible, and counseled those not present that such behavior is unnacceptable in a presidential support unit. (Most of us wern't there.) Instead, this jacka$$ O-3 running the show assembles the entire unit and gives us a public reaming, begining with "You guys are just a bunch off a$$holes!" Needless to say this joker lost all respect and was never an effective leader again.

As a civilian who is no longer subject to the UCMJ, I can honestly say this: By the time they pin on O-6, most officers have become politically oriented mangers, with visions of stars dancing in their head and no guts for doing the right thing if it will put their career in the least bit of jeopardy or harm. I can honestly remember only two O-6's who were worth anything at all from an ability to lead standpoint. On the other hand, I met some O-5's that I'd follow anywhere. Most of them had seen their last promotion board

So, what can you do about it? Like others have suggested, seek out the qualities you wish to emulate in your superiors. It's obvious who the real leaders are, latch onto those folks as much as possible and pick their brains. When you get the chance to be in a position of responsibility, LEAD. Remember what used to upset you and avoid at all costs those types of behavior.

They key though, I think is this: BE YOURSELF! Treat others EXACTLY the way you would like to be treated. I saw too many people (E-4's to O-6's) who felt that they had to put on some sort of "leader personality" in order to be taken seriously. Bull! Take a geniune interest in your troops, don't fake it. (Even a 19 Y/O Crew Chief with an IQ of 90 can spot a fake instantly.) Communicate with an Airman Basic the same way you would with somebody in your paygrade. (I don't mean undue familiarity, just be YOURSELF.)

Good luck man, don't let it get to you. They can question your integrity and professionalism, but they sure as heck can't take them away.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
I had the pleasure of serving under some fine officers and commanders when I was in the Navy. Conversly, I also worked for some that would be lucky if they could manage a good fart. It was rare that the best pilot in the squadron was also the C.O. or X.O. but I did have that experience also. However, he was a lousy C.O. for a variety of reasons.
I am most impressed with Marine Grunt's post and am grateful that their are young officers of his caliber serving in our military today. I would like to echo the words of General Douglas MacArthur, words that have a higher meaning than the mere utterance of them..."DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY"

regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[Birdstrike]

...As a civilian who is no longer subject to the UCMJ, I can honestly say this: By the time they pin on O-6, most officers have become politically oriented mangers, with visions of stars dancing in their head and no guts for doing the right thing if it will put their career in the least bit of jeopardy or harm....

Pure BS. Here you just finished ranting against the injustice of your OIC at Offutt reaming out all of you for the inappropriate behavior of a few and then you go ahead and paint all squadron/brigade commanders as losers because of your experience with a few careerists. WTF?

Only about 2% of eligible 06s make it to the dance. Most know they have little chance and the majority I've known strive every day to do the right thing for their troops and their mission. Exceptions, sure, but definitely not the rule.

 

[LJDRVR]

Pure BS. Here you just finished ranting against the injustice of your OIC at Offutt reaming out all of you for the inappropriate behavior of a few and then you go ahead and paint all squadron/brigade commanders as losers because of your experience with a few careerists. WTF?

I think you misunderstand my meaning. (My poor writing skills probably don't help much.) The Offutt story was simply me comiserating with Karma Police, sharing my poor leadership story.

Re-reading my post, it appears I do go off on a tangient regarding O-6's. I used a little too much hyperbole and no continuity, pursuing a rant that wasn't related to the first and last part of my post. What I really should've said was this: The higher rank attained, (Officer or Enlisted) the individual more likely will be politically minded managers who are primarily concerned with the status quo of their careers. I most certainly did not intend to paint all company grade officers with any particular paintbrush. There are some outstanding leaders out there, it only makes it more shocking when one encounters a dud.

For the record, I really did encounter a fair amount of O-6's that were waay too political. Being stationed in D.C. for four years probably didn't help. (Most of the the operational guys were pretty sharp.)