Posted on 03/02/2012 9:58:05 AM PST by strider44
Why are so many of the most talented officers now abandoning military life for the private sector? An exclusive survey of West Point graduates shows that it’s not just money. Increasingly, the military is creating a command structure that rewards conformism and ignores merit. As a result, it’s losing its vaunted ability to cultivate entrepreneurs in uniform.
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
I think the reason is simple. We’re going to a smaller peacetime army. There is less opportunity for promotion and more chickensh!t. Why put up with it if there is opportunity outside the military?
As others have noted, at this point it makes sense to try for your 20-year pension. At least stay long enough to see how the election goes.
I concur! We all have to outlast the anti-Americans!
I say stick it out. See what happens in November and the reevaluate. If zero wins then maybe leave, but with only three to go it may be better to stick out till 20. Zero may also just quit totally in Iraq and Afghanistan and you would not have to do anything. Also I would rather have good officers in support of my infantry son when he goes back to Afghanistan.
Bless you, strider - I’ve only had one short one to Colombia in the last 5 years as a reservist. I posted yesterday that I’m not sure I can stand to do my last 3 1/2 and make it to 30.
The political correctness pressure from on high breaks my military heart. And I’m close enough to “on-high” that I see personally some of the spine-ectomies on people I used to look up to.
Colonel, USAFR
As an O-6, I’d love to be really pissed at your statement.
Unfortunately, you’re right in too many cases. There are still those of us who use the traditional yardstick for conduct and service, but I’m amazed at how often I have to say, “yes, you could do that...but is it the RIGHT thing to do?”
What used to be a disease of the Flag officers has burrowed down to the O-5 and O-6 levels. PC and public opinion is all that matters.
The troops and their familys' welfare are secondary - when our welfare was secondary to the Mission, we could handle that. Now, even the Mission is secondary to PC crap.
You'll miss it - I still do... "
QFE. I still do, but I would not serve under this administration under any circumstances. I'm glad I retired when I did. To think: I used to think we had it bad under Clinton...
I was going to comment on this thread yesterday. I had to get out - age 60 - this past Jan. I made it through the carter years and had 39+ years.
I took the Army survey yesterday and when I got to the comment section at the end, I told them that this cic was the worst since carter. Also, the repeal of DADT was enough for many others to leave.
<I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Leave it to a bunch of West Pointers to complain about the personnel system not promoting them fast enough to keep up with their superior talent and intellect.
As for officers getting out: I just got a brand new Second Lieutenant last week. He's 22 years old. He is making $54,000 a year.
If these dolts think that they are going to march into some civilian company and get job offers in the six figure range just because they have a few years in the Army, they're dreaming.
I speak from experience on that. I got out of the Army for several years and came back in.
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