Comments for Motoring up onto Bill's wing in support...

Motoring up onto Bill's wing in support...

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:35:42 -0600

John asked me if I'd like to comment on the Kane Op-Ed. That was a mistake...

Comment from Retired Spook on 2009-04-23

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:04:41 -0600

That's actually pretty amusing, since in 2006, I sent 85 "pack-and-crack" zoomies to Iraq for a year, to support the "overseas contingency" there. A dozen or so wound up driving Army trucks in supply convoys. Thankfully, I got them all back when the year was up, so I could finally retire.

Comment from Jon The Mechanic on 2009-04-23

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:37:01 -0600

I know that this is nit picking, but Abe does have 90 days of service from 3 enlistments in the militia during the Black Hawk War, in 1832.

More time that The One has even spent on military bases in his life.

Comment from Attila of Argghhh! on 2009-04-23

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:06:24 -0600

Chris,

Yeah, in my last command, 40% of the officers in my Group were pass-overs. One had been denied promotion 7 times. He was still going to be allowed to stay 'til 20 and was one of my best liaisons to the Army. That, coupled with a habitually abused NCO corps, made it an interesting "leadership challenge" but it was fun and I'll never regret the assignment. If you've ever watched "12 O'Clock High" you'll understand what the "Leper Colony" was all about. Underachievement has a quality all its own...and when you're finally asked to perform, you'd be surprised at what you can do with the "outs" in an "up-or-out system." Heh.

As I read the Op-Ed, I was thinking, "This guy must have been in a different military than I was."

Comment from Chris H. on 2009-04-22

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:09:04 -0600

Nice workup Dusty, but I wanted to add to the pile-on...Probably a nit to pick, but certainly a factual error upon which Kane hangs a key part of his argument, as well as pointing out a lack of anything but superficial knowledge of military manpower management.(say that 3x quickly):

The result is an “up or out” system that demands service members move up the ladder simply to stay in the military. Any soldier passed over for promotion twice must leave or retire.

My understanding of service manpower management is limited to the Navy enlisted world, but the 2x pass over rule must not have been briefed to me...I was passed over for Senior Chief 6 times, and haven't noticed being forced out. Human capital strategies and the understanding of the value (not the cost) of a trained Sailor is not a new concept to us. Sailors are given career options...it may not be what they want, but they are given options (perhaps oversimplifying the PTS system). If they choose not to remain for another 15 or 20 years, the onus is on them not the ~~beast~~ system. Kane fails to see that not everyone can be the F/A-18 pilot or Special Operator; someone has to cook, clean and pack the chute.

r/
Chris