What's wrong with the Air Force?

[zach braff]

I think the Duffel Blog did a better job of the LTs letter than she did.

https://www.duffelblog.com/2015/04/resigning-commission/

Personally I though her letter kind of sucked and the rebuttal was awesome. Not that I'm against these resignation manifestos or ignoring the problems in the military - hers just struck me as lame.

zb

And the Joint Chiefs' response is the best of all:

https://www.duffelblog.com/2015/04/jcs-dont-care-youre-resigning/

zb

[zrooster99]

Very interesting rebuttal... I like what they did with it...if not in the military, where else should one be disabused of their sense of entitlement and self importance. As it is, we (the DoD) went way overboard with the touchy-feely shit!

[backseatdriver]

Sucks for the girl whose picture got thrown on the letter that didn't even write it!

[olevelo]

I love the editor's note at the end. "At the time of publication this officer had accepted a job as a military officer recruiter for a corporate talent management company."

[Lord Ratner]

This seems like something we've complained about here. If the numbers don't look good, redefine "good"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/16/army-survey-morale/24897455/

[HU&W]

This seems like something we've complained about here. If the numbers don't look good, redefine "good"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/16/army-survey-morale/24897455/

Twelve months of data through early 2015 show that 403,564 soldiers, or 52%, scored badly in the area of optimism, agreeing with statements such as "I rarely count on good things happening to me." Forty-eight percent have little satisfaction in or commitment to their jobs.

So, 52% weren't optimistic and 48% had little satisfaction/commitment. Isn't 52% + 48% = 100%? Does that mean the entire Army is depressed?

[KState_Poke22]

So, 52% weren't optimistic and 48% had little satisfaction/commitment. Isn't 52% + 48% = 100%? Does that mean the entire Army is depressed?

The same people can answer both questions so the percentages don't add together in this case.

[OverTQ]

We also just like to complain a lot in the Army. Democrats, Republicans, makes no difference to me. If they didn’t start off corrupt, they will quickly end up that way. Point in case, why do they all need pollsters and demographers working on their campaign? So they know what to say in order to get the most votes. They only thing they believe in is self advancement through overt narcissism.

[Prosuper]

As a retired MSgt who got out when I saw my Sq infested with E-8's and E-9's who never did their time in the desert this hits very close to home. Cut and Paste from a JQP blog. I always wondered about myself if I was part of the problem when I decided to bail out when I had my fill of these block fillers.

I’m a Master Sergeant.

My job is not to be part of the fucking Top 3, or preen and lick my coat so that Colonels and CMSgts like me, or to carefully consider how to earn a “5”.

My job is to take care of my airman, and motivate + inspire my Staff and Tech Sergeants to do the same.

They aren’t as wise as me yet, because they haven’t seen as much, but if I do myjob I will expose them to situations where they will begin to acquire that wisdom.

My job is to protect my people and let them truly understand what ‘taking owningship in an organization means’ while at the same time holding them accountable to the high standards I set, exemplify, and enforce.

I shouldn’t have a perfect career history or life, because that gives me no clue how to talk to a junior enlisted who is having troubles. If I’ve never gotten in trouble, what the hell am I supposed to say to Airman Smith who is getting an Article 15 or a Letter of Reprimand?

“Sorry man. You should have been more like me.”

No. Fuck that.

“Sorry man. I’ve been there. I did something stupid too. But I didn’t let it stop me. I picked myself up and dusted myself off.”

That is the real danger of the one-mistake Air Force. We are robbing our organization of the most powerful force in human history: the ability to learn from our mistakes. Instead we staff it with a bunch of crumb lapping lap-dogs whose only concern is some stupid stratification or some worthless certification they are supposed to have because “someone told me I’m supposed to have it”.

What about people? If you spend so much time buried up your own ass, you forget why you are here in the first place. Your purpose is not as an ego-masturbatory exercise, but as a leader of men and women and a manager of teams who’s goal is to foster an organization that doesn’t trudge along to a broken and sick drum, but hums along with a precision and fury that somehow exceeds the sum of its parts.

These days we don’t even know how to create such an organization. We sometimes marvel at one when we see it, but more often than not it came about through dumb luck because we have forgotten how to be leaders. Inevitably, the next egotistical maniac will take the helm of such an organization and run. it. into. the. ground.

Why do I know this?

Because I have seen it. I have lived it. I have made my mistakes and learned from them, even when they weren’t my mistakes. I have reflected on years of a career spent trying to do the right thing, even when it cost me personally and professionally.

You know why? Because I’m not just a fucking E-7.

I’m a Senior NCO.

And my job is bigger than just me now. People don’t work for me any longer. That’s not how this works.

I work for them. They aren’t there to stroke my ego or provide me with career and EPR fodder. They aren’t there as punching bags to absorb my own shame, guilt, and frustrations. They aren’t there to do the one thousand menial tasks I invent because I am an uncreative prick.

I am there for them, to shepard them towards better careers, to encourage them to pursue personal improvement, to inspire them to do outstanding jobs (even at great personal cost), and to slowly shape them into the SNCOs that I know they will one day be.

Because that’s a family.
That’s an organization.
That’s taking care of each other.

And that’s what the US Air Force was supposed to be, and is about. And if you’re not onboard, and you care more about your own EPR than the SrA who’s wife is leaving him, get the fuck out. If you care more about the next Top 3 Meeting than your SSgt who’s work productivity suddenly plummetted for no discernable reason, get the fuck out. If you care more about impressing the wing commander than what your Staff Sergeants and airmen are saying amongst themselves, get the fuck out.

We don’t need you.

We need SNCOs.

[zrooster99]

As a retired MSgt who got out when I saw my Sq infested with E-8's and E-9's who never did their time in the desert this hits very close to home. Cut and Paste from a JQP blog. I always wondered about myself if I was part of the problem when I decided to bail out when I had my fill of these block fillers.

I’m a Master Sergeant.

My job is not to be part of the fucking Top 3, or preen and lick my coat so that Colonels and CMSgts like me, or to carefully consider how to earn a “5”.

My job is to take care of my airman, and motivate + inspire my Staff and Tech Sergeants to do the same.

They aren’t as wise as me yet, because they haven’t seen as much, but if I do myjob I will expose them to situations where they will begin to acquire that wisdom.

My job is to protect my people and let them truly understand what ‘taking owningship in an organization means’ while at the same time holding them accountable to the high standards I set, exemplify, and enforce.

I shouldn’t have a perfect career history or life, because that gives me no clue how to talk to a junior enlisted who is having troubles. If I’ve never gotten in trouble, what the hell am I supposed to say to Airman Smith who is getting an Article 15 or a Letter of Reprimand?

“Sorry man. You should have been more like me.”

No. Fuck that.

“Sorry man. I’ve been there. I did something stupid too. But I didn’t let it stop me. I picked myself up and dusted myself off.”

That is the real danger of the one-mistake Air Force. We are robbing our organization of the most powerful force in human history: the ability to learn from our mistakes. Instead we staff it with a bunch of crumb lapping lap-dogs whose only concern is some stupid stratification or some worthless certification they are supposed to have because “someone told me I’m supposed to have it”.

What about people? If you spend so much time buried up your own ass, you forget why you are here in the first place. Your purpose is not as an ego-masturbatory exercise, but as a leader of men and women and a manager of teams who’s goal is to foster an organization that doesn’t trudge along to a broken and sick drum, but hums along with a precision and fury that somehow exceeds the sum of its parts.

These days we don’t even know how to create such an organization. We sometimes marvel at one when we see it, but more often than not it came about through dumb luck because we have forgotten how to be leaders. Inevitably, the next egotistical maniac will take the helm of such an organization and run. it. into. the. ground.

Why do I know this?

Because I have seen it. I have lived it. I have made my mistakes and learned from them, even when they weren’t my mistakes. I have reflected on years of a career spent trying to do the right thing, even when it cost me personally and professionally.

You know why? Because I’m not just a fucking E-7.

I’m a Senior NCO.

And my job is bigger than just me now. People don’t work for me any longer. That’s not how this works.

I work for them. They aren’t there to stroke my ego or provide me with career and EPR fodder. They aren’t there as punching bags to absorb my own shame, guilt, and frustrations. They aren’t there to do the one thousand menial tasks I invent because I am an uncreative prick.

I am there for them, to shepard them towards better careers, to encourage them to pursue personal improvement, to inspire them to do outstanding jobs (even at great personal cost), and to slowly shape them into the SNCOs that I know they will one day be.

Because that’s a family.That’s an organization.That’s taking care of each other.

And that’s what the US Air Force was supposed to be, and is about. And if you’re not onboard, and you care more about your own EPR than the SrA who’s wife is leaving him, get the fuck out. If you care more about the next Top 3 Meeting than your SSgt who’s work productivity suddenly plummetted for no discernable reason, get the fuck out. If you care more about impressing the wing commander than what your Staff Sergeants and airmen are saying amongst themselves, get the fuck out.

We don’t need you.

We need SNCOs.

That is excellent! I think you could substitute FGO for SNCO, and it would still apply for the most part (in MX, CGO would also apply). The one thing I would add from the crusty old retired Major who did time on both sides of the house, is it is not your job as an officer to kowtow to the enlisted force. It is not necessary to do so in order to show respect. In fact you are doing both the officer and enlisted force a disservice as it dilutes the authority of the officer force, confuses the officer/enlisted relationship and lines of authority and its patronizing to the enlisted members.

My opinion, for what it's worth.

[Azimuth]

Guy that wrote is a kickass C-17 Loadmaster!

[guineapigfury]

... is it is not your job as an officer to kowtow to the enlisted force.

So much this. I want to stab somebody everytime i hear a Lt Col say "Well, you'll have to convince the Chief ...".

[Prosuper]

So much this. I want to stab somebody everytime i hear a Lt Col say "Well, you'll have to convince the Chief ...".

In Mx I would prefer an 2Lt would defer to the crusty Pro Super when making Mx decisions when it came to the jet , experience beats youth. But that was in the USAF I was in since most guys like me spent our entire career on the flightline and were considered not well rounded. I hear that doesn't happen anymore.

[Hacker]

I wish I could up-vote that post more than once. Excellent words and perspective.

[JarheadBoom]

...hear a Lt Col say "Well, you'll have to convince the Chief ...".

Ugh. Makes me want to puke.

[zrooster99]

In Mx I would prefer an 2Lt would defer to the crusty Pro Super when making Mx decisions when it came to the jet , experience beats youth. But that was in the USAF I was in since most guys like me spent our entire career on the flightline and were considered not well rounded. I hear that doesn't happen anymore.

To be clear, when I was that young 2Lt, I did listen to the crusty old pro super/flight chief etc... That is why I did well as an MX O. LISTEN to your people, RESPECT your people, DO NOT PANDER to your people. THAT is my point.

Ugh. Makes me want to puke.

I guess this one of my soapboxes... When a LtCol does that, he is, in effect, abdicating his responsibility. Should he listen to his Chief? Absofuckinglutely!! But if it's HIS decision to make. He needs to be a fucking man, a fucking officer and a motherfucking leader and fucking OWN it! Then again, I did get passed over for O-5...

[JarheadBoom]

Precisely. That fuckery is how we get E-9s who think they're in command, rather than the commissioned officer on G-series orders.

[Stitch]

As a retired MSgt who got out when I saw my Sq infested with E-8's and E-9's who never did their time in the desert this hits very close to home. Cut and Paste from a JQP blog. I always wondered about myself if I was part of the problem when I decided to bail out when I had my fill of these block fillers.....

...We need SNCOs.

Spot fucking on! Good find. Went to ONE wing Top-3 meeting when I got my line number for Master. All I could think of was WTF???? Should have walked out then and there in the first 5 minutes but waited till the end of the meeting and NEVER went back. What a bunch of goobers who wanted face time with leadership, fund raising (for what I don't know) and other crap.

All I ever wanted to do was make sure those grey noisy things on the other side of the red line launched and recovered safely and on schedule so if the call ever came we could rain hate down on the enemies of democracy and freedom. That was the squadron/Wing's mission; the Top 3 guys seemed to forget that. They seemed only to worry about how to stroke themselves (STS) to look good for plaques, awards, EPR bullets, promotions, etc... But I didn't notice NONE of those individuals were from the world of OPS or MX. I suppose in the M-F, 9 to 5, hour for lunch world of the shoe/nonner you can do things like that.

[Prosuper]

Spot fucking on! Good find. Went to ONE wing Top-3 meeting when I got my line number for Master. All I could think of was WTF???? Should have walked out then and there in the first 5 minutes but waited till the end of the meeting and NEVER went back. What a bunch of goobers who wanted face time with leadership, fund raising (for what I don't know) and other crap.

All I ever wanted to do was make sure those grey noisy things on the other side of the red line launched and recovered safely and on schedule so if the call ever came we could rain hate down on the enemies of democracy and freedom. That was the squadron/Wing's mission; the Top 3 guys seemed to forget that. They seemed only to worry about how to stroke themselves (STS) to look good for plaques, awards, EPR bullets, promotions, etc... But I didn't notice NONE of those individuals were from the world of OPS or MX. I suppose in the M-F, 9 to 5, hour for lunch world of the shoe/nonner you can do things like that.

Felt the same way when ever I had to a briefing with personnel other than ops or mx. EEO were the worst with an Air Force Barbie talking down to cops and mx because we said fuck alot and called people like her cocksuckers. Went to a Command Chief Senior E call, coming off a grave shift sitting in the op's auditorium I thought it might be important, it was 30 minutes of who wants a "Senior Rater endorsement". God Damn perfumed prince Command E-9 and the lower life forms who raised their hands when he asked that question.

[Stitch]

... because we said fuck a lot and called people like her cocksuckers... ...who wants a "Senior Rater endorsement"...

Point 1: Fuck and cocksucker is/are just another adjective and/or term of endearment in MX world, so what was the problem?

Point 2: I sat through one of those "Senior Rater endorsement" briefs once, thanks for triggering a PTSD moment (LOL). With no aspirations to become a 1st Sgt/command chief/CMSgt of the AF I didn't give two cares about the political game for E-8/9. Especially when shortly after I sewed on SSgt I was "mentored" that in order to make those ranks you had to be "sponsored" by a Chief or field grade officer; who, like an evil Sith Lord, would look out for you and make sure you filled all the right squares in your career. (INFO NOTE: We're talking mid 80s here, so maybe things have changed; I don't know)

I just wanted to be the best maintainer I could and retire with honor as a MSgt. Worked my ass off 10 to 12+ hours a day in searing desert heat to -40 temps so the jets could fly. But I had a blast traveling the world, worked on Uncle Sam's front line fighter jets and was blessed with incentive rides in both the Eagle and Viper. Got to stand on the Korean DMZ, peer into (what was then) East Germany, drink beer the world over and have adventures others only read about on-line. All that, and still managed to stay married, raise two kids, complete a bachelor's degree and was half way through a masters on the day of my retirement ceremony.

Funny thing, the boot lilcking nonner/shoe who retired with the same rank and years of service, gets just about the same $$ in their retirement check. To loosely quote Boyd; I wasn't out to be someone; I went out and did something.

Don't regret my decision one bit.

[12xu2a3x3]

Point 1: ###### and cocksucker is/are just another adjective and/or term of endearment in MX world, so what was the problem?

which is why i'm terrified to take my stripes off and leave mx and for ops but here i go

[Prosuper]

which is why i'm terrified to take my stripes off and leave mx and for ops but here i go

Good luck on your quest, I had an AIC troop who at the last minute did not want to leave to go the USAFA, after a long talk and few threats of me administrating a bitch slap if he did not go. Needless to say he gave Dubya a bear hug at commencement, flew KC-135's and MC-12's got passed over for Major and now a 737NG FO for Alaska and married a hot babe. I'm proud of him. See what happens if you have somebody who has your back threatening you with a bitch slap if your too scared to leap.

[pawnman]

which is why i'm terrified to take my stripes off and leave mx and for ops but here i go

Don't worry, we use those terms plenty in ops as well.

[guineapigfury]

which is why i'm terrified to take my stripes off and leave mx and for ops but here i go

If you hate everything and everybody and everything about everybody and aren't shy about letting them know in the foulest possible verbiage... you will fit right in.

[Napoleon_Tanerite]

In Mx I would prefer an 2Lt would defer to the crusty Pro Super when making Mx decisions when it came to the jet , experience beats youth. But that was in the USAF I was in since most guys like me spent our entire career on the flightline and were considered not well rounded. I hear that doesn't happen anymore.

There's a BIG difference between deferring to technical expertise and being run roughshod over by the people you're supposed to be leading. I put a lot of faith in my flight engineers, and I trusted their input based on their area of expertise, but the final decision was mine and mine alone, and I didn't care how much "convincing" I needed to do.