Been leading the soldier-as-student life, and not doing a very good job of it.

The equation goes something like this:

Infantry Airborne Ranger officer husband (OH) = constantly busy + purpose + excellent people + steady, respectable paycheck; thus OH + Army wife = happy marriage.

Infantry officer-into-Information Systems Mgmt officer at college learning his new trade (OH + lost) = bored + difficulty focusing on purpose + no camaraderie + bored + disengaged + bored + no new daily challenges + bored + no knuckleheaded privates + bored; thus (OH + lost) = (OH + Army wife) - wife & kids.

I'm even sad to say that the car isn't even much of an interest any more. Of course the car was one of the reasons give. lolFortunately, though the station commander may have given you a daily quota, your entire performance rating isn't based upon contracts like for those poor souls. What's ironic, but sooooooo par for the course is that recruiters working the Bay Area are judged by the same standards as recruiters working the more 'patriotic' (for lack of a better word) areas across the nation.

I honestly am not saying that people who live in the BA are any less patriotic than any where else in America, but from a purely recruiting numbers-wise perspective, that word is often used in the USAREC world to denote how lower net enlistment areas such as SF or Oakland compare historically against higher netting areas like Phoenix or the midwest.

 

Even though I only did 4 years and got out 5 years ago I still miss how things got done in the military. Now as a chef it can get pretty hectic and stressful on a busy evening. It's not the same stress of knowing you need to prepare yourself for a 30mile hump with a small human on your back or the stress of other training. It's a different stress altogether... but I can tell you it's very real at times. I think sometimes I'll pass the **** out or die of a heart attack.

It's astounding how much the work ethic lacks for most people in my industry. I haven't missed one day of work since I got out and only missed a week of work in the Army for a spider bite. Looking back, a team of sham-sheild wearing E4s could run circles around most people I work with. It's so frustrating.

I'm currently 2nd in my COC and deal with a boss that's not willing to accept any responsibility and a bunch of young and older incompetent *******s I can't smoke the **** out of in order to square them away. Same thing in every sector of corporate America I suppose. I can't wait to be boss someday. Hopefully my work ethic will pay dividends and i'll be at the top soon. And if being a success at my own restaurant means being an incompetent, money-tight *****, I'll be happy knowing I saved face as I ride my restaurant into the ground.

My point of this rant is I'm not really sure if the Army had something to do with me wanting to take pride in whatever I do today even though I like to think it did play an important role.

 

I'd argue that wall-to-wall counseling is still an accepted and effective method of leadership in any sector of society; that is if it is done with a modicum of sublety, refinement, and taste.

FM 22-102

 

i know the Marines and Army still have "motivated counselings"
i'm active duty, and most soldiers/marines would prefer getting taken out back then a paper trail

 

i just found out anyone in CA can get a license plate with "veteren" on it. Thats kinda stupid, granted the funds go towards the VA but it doesn't mean anything if any joe blow can get it. well thats my opinion

 

I'm not to pleased with the Air Force right now. ****ers have me stuck up **** creek without a paddle.

 

Wrong.

It's to show support, not to be a poser. The plate doesn't signify that someone is a veteran. It simply means that the money they spent on getting the special insignia goes to support California VA groups.

Also, it's spelled "veteran".

 

Not me. I can honestly say I should have taken the article 15 or whatever they could have given me looking back on some of the "counseling" I got as a new Soldier from a particular ******* squad leader. Hands down.

Knowing what I know now I should have went directly to the 1SG with a black pen in hand ready to start a paper-trail (or to address the problem) rather than deal with an ineffective leader's lengthy hazing (months) for being minutes late on DRF1. I can hear him now... "I hate the 82nd, I hate my wife... get in the hallway!"

I did take my share of counseling sessions from other leaders I liked. Gladly so. Still keep in touch with some.

 

I think you're getting the wrong impression. The way he asked if I was scared was condescending and with a redneck kind of tone and attitude. Am I scared to join the Army or any other military branch? No, I'm not scared, but just because I'm not scared of something doesn't mean I have to do it. I go to De Anza because I want an education and to transfer out to a UC or state university. I have other things that I need to be worrying about right now and the wars in the middle east are not my #1 priority. However, I do thank the men and women that serve this country that allow me to even have the option to continue on in life and receive a good education. So to answer your question, No, I am not scared to join the Army. But would I drop everything I had right now to join? Now about my character. Did I feel insulted? Its kind of a 50/50. Half me was pissed that he can make an assumption that because I didn't want to join proved I was scared to fight for my country, which is completely false. Then the other half of me was completely dumbfounded. In this country's current state. Declining economy, stagnant wars in iraq, and low on enlisted men; you think they would show some effort to enlist people. But no, instead, they try to harass me. Thats a horrible ****ing "tactic" to get people to enlist. Whatever, I'm done about talking about this topic. Say what you want to say.

 

hahah wow. "probably not qualified anyhow" is that so. and you know me how? all you know about me is that im in college and live in the bay area.

At no point did I say that soldiers are forbidden from disrespecting civilians. I was just amazed that they would even do that. Like I've said before, anyone who is out there fighting and protecting this country has my respect. But I never thought that they would expect us to bow down to them because they risked their lives. Just because they're in the military and that i'm a civilian doesn't make me a *****.

I can tell you're really proud of the military, and maybe you might have some military background of some sort. If you walked through that job fair, and if you were in a rush to get somewhere, and shot down their request with a "no thank you, im in a hurry" and heard them reply "you scared?" you'd get offended too.

 

You never did answer the question

Also keep in mind, they are out there looking for a certain type of person. If you would have responded with a "No...", then that's a signal that you might have the character they are looking for. Their not looking for *** kissing interns or overpaid desk jockies, their looking for motivated people who want to work hard and with pride. It's a very demanding profession and recruting sounds low in the bay area, so like any other business, the recruiters will be aggressive. It wasn't meant to offend you, it was just a test.

 

yeah i know its to show support. That was my opinion on the matter. I always thought it meant you were a veterAn, most other states require u to show proof to get a veterans plate. It was news to me

 

Roger that. No worries.