Am I the only soldier who is embarrassed by his fellow service members?

Question

I am a deployed infantry officer and I have found that "our little heroes" seem to b e little more than a bunch of lazy pukes who could not hold a real job to save their lives. I think it is appalling that grown men will take a pen and write stuff on the latrine walls like it is a chalkboard. I am mortified that these people think that they can crap all over toilet seats or push their trash down in the holes. The fact that somebody who shares the same uniform as I broke into a high-ranking host nation officers office and had sex with some chick all over his desk, leaving behind a used condom and some choice words written all over the window really makes me think that this is nothing more than the 13th grade. Am I being reasonable?

These are my feelings based upon my observations. To say that I am not doing my part to prevent this kind of thing is misleading. To those who say that I am nothing but a whiner, let me ask you how many letters you have written to your Congressman? How many times have you been chewed out by your CoC for doing what you saw as the right thing? How often do you vote? How many O-6s on up have you addressed seeking a change in policy to better the system?
I am sure that many of my critics are just as proactive as I, but I will venture to guess that most are not. Most are happy to think "they're not going to listen, so what difference does it make if I speak up". Please understand that I am not against the military or it's current mission in the Middle East. I am just frustrated by what has happened internally. I have been in since 1999, and have seen a gradual decline in quality, especially since 2003. I am just taking a look around, and I do not like everything that I see.

Answer 1

I happened to find the little limricks in the port a potties extremely funny or in the guard towers.
I think this BS question is funny and next time I deploy I'll be sure to use your material....

Answer 2

Theres a certain amount of banter that goes on between sqauddies (British Term for NCOs). However, being an Officer, you command respect, and I find it an absolute disgrace, and I'm not in minority I believe, that you would bad mouth your men.
When your in the field, you command your men by a number of things, but primarily respect. You respect them and they in return give you their respect. Because you earn it. That makes you a competent and trusting leader, not only that, but a friend. You have to look after them and keep them alive, and them you in return.
You my friend, if indeed you are an Officer, as I find some of the early comments on this page agreeable, need to realise a few things about being one.
I personally wouldn't follow you on to a bus mate, let alone a firefight.

Answer 3

There are a lot of immature people in all branches of the military. But, it also sounds like there is a lack of leadership, sir. What have you done to take charge, and correct these acts of insubordination? Sometimes, as NCO's and Oficers, we need to point the finger at ourselves and try and find fault in our leadership and policies. You will never get rid of immature brats and mamma's boys. The best you can do is try and find a leadership style that is effective in combating this.

Answer 4

I don't believe you are an officer. If you are then you are not setting the example. Because leaders lead they don't whine on Yahoo they take control. If you embarrassed then you embarrassed yourself. I spent 20 years in uniform I never felt embarrassed I'm a proud Veteran, proud American, even prouder NCO.... SIR IT'S YOU RESPONSIBILITY TO STOP THESE ACTS BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THEM, SO GET YOU HEAD OUT OF THE 'F' SAND AND BE THE OFFICER YOU WERE TRAINED TO BE IF NOT RESIGN YOUR COMMISSION AND GO HOME AND LET THE NCO DO OUR JOBS, WE CAN'T STOP EVERY BAD SOLDIER IN THE JAR BUT THERE ARE FAR MORE GOOD SOLDIER THAN BAD.

Answer 5

Well, "Sir", I agree that some soldiers need to be controlled, But is that not what Your Duty is, along with your NCO's? To say that you do not find the writings on the PortaJohns not funny marks you as one that is lacking in the empathy department. Those things were hilarious.

Answer 6

Their military bearing may suck, but how they act when the shooting starts is what counts.
By the way, if you ever want to be an effective officer, you have to be able to control your men. So why are you asking us for our opinions instead of using your time and energy to train them???

Answer 7

First if you are an officer do something about it you have control over what your troops do and if you don't you don't deserve to be an officer. Second what kind of officer calls his troops lazy pukes? You are not setting a good example which is what I was always given to understand that an officer is expected to do....Navy Mom....

Answer 8

Young men will act like young men, nothing new. If you are an officer it is your job to do something about it.

Answer 9

IF you are a real member of the military, I am am ashamed of you; so, yes. No person in his right mind would leave behind a used condom to be found out.

Answer 10

I believe that the Officer's (if you really are one) requires you to report everything you have states to your superiors. BTW, 70% of leadership is setting an example. Have you? GET IT DONE.