Please enjoy today's random picture, discovered when I was looking for a quick reference on the Five of Swords- this ones seems also, oddly enough, to capture the card's essential meaning. Besides, I love artsy stuff like that.
Today was another day in Lawton, sometimes good, sometimes bad, most times just in between. I'm realizing what a large and unfortunate role politics plays in the Army. It's easy to get 'overlooked', or to have openings disappear when you're not someone's lapdog. Now, granted, that's a rather extreme and blunt way of putting it, and also granted, things aren't quite as bad as that statement would make them seem, but this is an unfortunate trend at Ft. Sill. I can't really put the blame on any particular person (and wouldn't identify them by name if I could), as it seems to be a post-wide phenomenon. And here I thought that when I joined the service, I'd leave office politics behind. I don't doubt the competent are promoted, and the screwups disposed of, but I can't help but feel to some extent I'm being taken advantage of at work. Not that I would do the opposite, which is just screw off and do nothing all day, as there are things that need to be done, people that need to be trained, and someone needs to make that happen. The unit is, unfortunately, a great big bureacracy, wherein person A doesn't know what person B told person C, who then backbriefed A with the incorrect information that B was supposed to have been updated about by person D, and so on. But then again, we all know to a fair extent this comes with the territory- as we 88Ms say, deal with it and drive on. But there are a hundred and one little things that tend to add up to a great many big things as time goes on. Nonetheless, that's not entirely the issue at hand.
It seems that openings, bonuses and a shot at leadership are drying up in the Army. This is a little puzzling, as I'd figure it's kind of a domino effect. Let's say Staff Sergeant 1 retires- now a position is open, and Sergeant A is promotable. So then he becomes the new Staff Sergeant 1, and the Specialist under him now becomes Sergeant A. The PFC under him now moves into the Specialist position, and the PV2 under him becomes a PFC. Though this may sound somewhat like the Mad Hatter's tea party, it actually works fairly well. However, this system isn't always kept in place as well as we'd like. People either don't get promoted, or get bumped down in rank, (only because they were doing something they weren't supposed to be doing- it's actually fairly difficult to lose rank, you really have to go out of your way to foul it up).
Today was another day in Lawton, sometimes good, sometimes bad, most times just in between. I'm realizing what a large and unfortunate role politics plays in the Army. It's easy to get 'overlooked', or to have openings disappear when you're not someone's lapdog. Now, granted, that's a rather extreme and blunt way of putting it, and also granted, things aren't quite as bad as that statement would make them seem, but this is an unfortunate trend at Ft. Sill. I can't really put the blame on any particular person (and wouldn't identify them by name if I could), as it seems to be a post-wide phenomenon. And here I thought that when I joined the service, I'd leave office politics behind. I don't doubt the competent are promoted, and the screwups disposed of, but I can't help but feel to some extent I'm being taken advantage of at work. Not that I would do the opposite, which is just screw off and do nothing all day, as there are things that need to be done, people that need to be trained, and someone needs to make that happen. The unit is, unfortunately, a great big bureacracy, wherein person A doesn't know what person B told person C, who then backbriefed A with the incorrect information that B was supposed to have been updated about by person D, and so on. But then again, we all know to a fair extent this comes with the territory- as we 88Ms say, deal with it and drive on. But there are a hundred and one little things that tend to add up to a great many big things as time goes on. Nonetheless, that's not entirely the issue at hand.
It seems that openings, bonuses and a shot at leadership are drying up in the Army. This is a little puzzling, as I'd figure it's kind of a domino effect. Let's say Staff Sergeant 1 retires- now a position is open, and Sergeant A is promotable. So then he becomes the new Staff Sergeant 1, and the Specialist under him now becomes Sergeant A. The PFC under him now moves into the Specialist position, and the PV2 under him becomes a PFC. Though this may sound somewhat like the Mad Hatter's tea party, it actually works fairly well. However, this system isn't always kept in place as well as we'd like. People either don't get promoted, or get bumped down in rank, (only because they were doing something they weren't supposed to be doing- it's actually fairly difficult to lose rank, you really have to go out of your way to foul it up).
But the point here is that either the Army has its priorities somewhat backward, or there's some favoritism going on, or bureacratic inertia. I say this first because as I mentioned before, the Army has a finite number of openings (believe it or not). When these openings are full, no more recruitment. Rumor has it that there's actually quite a waiting list for new recruits nowadays. Interesting! At any rate, these new recruits are not going to be wandering like privates in the woods- they're going to need NCOs, that is non-commissioned officers. Corporals, Sergeants and above, in other words. Sergeants are seemingly in short supply at Fort Sill, and I for one would like to see a little more weight on the front of my uniform. I would say in my job responsibilities, but in many ways I already do an NCO's job, just without the prestige and pay. Hey, a Sergeant looks pretty prestigious from where I sit! So I could complain about the Army only taking the easiest route as far as getting the maximum amount of work out of us, but really, I can't complain. I would, however, be jumping for joy if a little more recognition came my way. I'm thinking when I finally do get that first promotion, (officially, at any rate), things will open up. Generally they don't let people of my rank into the NCO academy, but I've been making a pain of myself asking if I can. For every rule in the Army, there are waivers, exceptions and loopholes. But I keep hearing, soon, soon- you'll be up for promotion really soon. Well, that's good to know. In case it wasn't obvious, my job as a soldier is a source of great pride for me, and to be promoted would make me even prouder, and once and for all drive home the idea that I actually do know what the hell I'm doing every day. The problem is not that I have people offering contradictory information, much to the contrary in fact. Everyone says that in many ways I'm the go-to guy; if you need it done, go talk to Chipman. Need a kidney donated? Go talk to Chipman. Got a hazardous, grueling mission no sane person would take? Well, you get the idea. And I really think that's the best policy for military service, as well as life.
What will the future hold? I for one don't know. But writing all this down has, oddly enough, given me hope for the future, and the will to press on. I've done some pretty amazing things in my life, as well as some pretty amazingly stupid things- I'm thinking it's time to tip that balance more and more.
Well, enjoy the cold/rain/snow/sunshine/whatever weather you have, and have a great holiday! And yes, the days are getting longer! This is a good thing, I think. Missing that sunlight, and you know, ain't no sunshine when she's gone.
What will the future hold? I for one don't know. But writing all this down has, oddly enough, given me hope for the future, and the will to press on. I've done some pretty amazing things in my life, as well as some pretty amazingly stupid things- I'm thinking it's time to tip that balance more and more.
Well, enjoy the cold/rain/snow/sunshine/whatever weather you have, and have a great holiday! And yes, the days are getting longer! This is a good thing, I think. Missing that sunlight, and you know, ain't no sunshine when she's gone.
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