Perception and Leadership

[BMC John Phillips III]

This was a really really long thread and I lost it all. I apologize but this version (well maybe I shouldn't apologize) will be shorter ;)

OK, today there was an email sent out to All Chiefs, it was an essay from a member in LAMS class, sent out by one of the school Chiefs.

The essay pretty much labeled all the CG Chiefs that this member had encountered as lazy, out of shape and self-serving. While I will say there might be a Chief or two out there like this that it is highly unlikely that ALL the Chiefs this member has encountered fit that description. I will also agree that just one is one too many. I believe the essay was sent out to have us all take a look at ourselves and ask do we fit that description.

I apologize for not being able to post the essay itself, but it was so poorly written I am not even sure if posting it is a good idea. I will leave that for someone else. I just wanted to discuss the reasons I thought that this member might want to write such things.

Possible reasons:
1. All of the Chiefs this mbr has met actually fit that description.
(highly unlikely)
2. The mbr has a vendetta for his unit's Chief's Mess. (likely)
3. The mbr is prior service with at least 7 years of total active duty and feels they don't get the respect of someone with that much time in service. (more likely)

If by the off chance that what the member wrote is true, his command has some serious issues. However, if the more likely scenario is that it is a disgruntled prior service member not happy with their present paygrade or career outlook, then the member should be counseled. There is an important lesson in being held accountable for your actions as well as your words. I understand that the essay was written and received as part of training, but it is "leadership" training. Where is the leadership in not getting to the bottom of such remarks. I would be curious how my fellow chiefs feel about the essay and how they interpret it.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

John...I have not seen this essay, please forward it to me at the below email:

Dean.C.Smith@uscg.mil

[BMC John Phillips III]

Will do, first thing tomorrow. Sorry, I didn't forward it home.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

JP3, can you send it to me as well.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

It was forwarded to me today. I have seen some places, and some people, who resembled his comments. But I certainly couldn't paint with as broad a brush as he did.

[EMC Brandon Pfeilmeier]

Well I have not seen this letter that was written. We would have to make a lot of assumption on this topic. Without knowing this person, the Chief's he encoutered, and the command they were at; we do not fully know the situation. It says that the letter was poorly written, how do we know what he actually meant was being conveyed correctly?

I am not trying to say there are not Chief's out there that fit this discription. There will always be those types of people in every Rate/Rank, where ever you go. I think we are beginning to see less of these types of people, will they ever be totally gone though?

It sounds like this member has his own problems and feels like he was screwed over, this is my assumption. I can only hope that all members involved in this situation have been counseled. I find it really hard to believe that every Chief this person encountered has portrayed these characteristics.

-Brandon

[BMC John Phillips III]

Brandon, I will post the essay tomorrow that way people who haven't seen it can. It's almost a rant if you ask me, the thing I find disturbing is that the people at LAMS found enough credibility in it to forward it on. I guess I don't know what other actions were taken, so I can only speculate that there was none.

[BMC John Phillips III]

During a recent LAMS Class, I assigned the twenty-five members of the class the following homework assignment:

Write a paragraph on a leader you have had that you thought was an “Effective” or a “Successful” Leader; or one that was a poor leader (and why).

This is one of the essays - in its entirety - that I received from a junior petty officer.

There is a lot of prior military in the Coast Guard. Like myself, if asked why, most would answer, “The Coast Guard is a better quality of life.” [This] can be translated into “easier, more laid-back, with lower standards.”

We can relax quite a bit and still be an above average performer in this organization. You can put on a few pounds; it’s not like we’re going to run 20-miles a week. You can come in late from time to time; literally everyone does it. You can go a few weeks without a haircut; no one will say anything. I can walk into the galley on any given day and point-out 15-25 uniform discrepancies, sometimes even on high-ranking personnel. I know that there are bound to be some very, very hard working senior enlisted people in the Coast Guard, but based on what I’ve seen in the few years I [have] spent with both organizations (Coast Guard and Marine Corps), the biggest difference in the Coast Guard has weak leadership.

If I wrote about Effective Leadership, I could interchange the names of every E-7 or above I ever worked with in the Marine Corps Infantry and it would be the same story. If we ran 5-miles, they ran 5-miles. If we went a week without a shower, they went a week without a shower. When we were sleeping on the ground in the rain – they were there. If we had to march 25-miles in the rain, they were going to lead the way. If we got into a chow line, they were last. These men would give you their last canteen of water in the desert. They would give you their MRE’s if we didn’t get a re-supply in the field. If you were struggling to [financially] get-by, I’ve seen E-8’s take out their wallet and hand people cash. They were the first ones to work and the last to leave. And we (junior enlisted) respected then enough to die for them. They were experts in their field of knowledge, shining examples of discipline, appearance in uniform, dedication, commitment and loyalty.

The E-7’s I’ve had in the Coast Guard will come in sometime between 0830 and 1000 – in civilian attire. Take personal phone call after personal phone call. Personal visitor after visitor. Go “shopping” in the middle of the day with other Chief friends, and stay gone as long as three hours. Leave early a couple times a week. And do approximately 5-10 hours [of] real work per week.

I have heard Chiefs say, when asked to do something as simple as look over something to make sure it was done right, “Just consider me retired – I’m not here even when I am here.” I heard Chiefs say, “I haven’t done anything all day but read my book.”

With over 3-years in the Coast Guard, I have yet to receive any training from any Chief at my Command. Most of them are out of shape and take no pride in their uniform. The only good lesson I’ve learned from Coast Guard Chiefs is that if I ever become one, I want to be different than they are.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

OK - I read the essay and got pissed off. Then, I read it again and put myself in a junior petty officers position and you know what...I agree with some of what he is saying.

I certainly don't agree with everything he wrote, but I've seen some of these same chiefs. I agree that the senior enlisted marines are (per capata) more squared away than we are. Their jobs are different than ours and they have to be the way they are, we don't. Now, there are plenty of squared away chiefs, but there are also plenty of "Retired on Active Duty" chiefs...I'm sure you know at least one. Maybe the guy/gal you know, is this guys chief? Can you see how he might have a poor (however misguided) opinion of the chiefs? I can.

I think that this guy took his essay a little too far, but he must have had a real bad experience. He's never been trained by a chief at his unit? How does that happen? Chiefs have told him that all they have done is read a book all day? Chiefs have said that they're retired? Is he exaggerating? What if he's not?

OK - so let's assume that everything is 100% accurate in this essay. What can be done about it? Do we need our COTM's to light fires under our A$$es? Maybe, I haven't seen too many that hold the mess accountable. It's the same old song and dance...some chiefs take their jobs/mess/cpoa seriously, the rest show up when it's convenient.

All's I'm saying is that maybe if the CMC's held his/her fellow chiefs more accountable and the COTM held the mess more accountable, we'd hold ourselves more accountable. Maybe this guy isn’t that far off.

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

I wonder what type of unit he is at. I have yet to work with a chief like he describes. I have seen chiefs that look the way he describes.

On another note if he thinks the Marine Corp is so great and its leaders are so great why is he in the Coast Guard.

By the way I am prior service as well.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

I have sat in my office all day and read a book. It was Dennis Noble's "Rescue of the Gale Runner." I started reading it and couldn't put it down.

I've also probably sat in my office all day pouring through manuals looking for answers.

I also wonder what type of unit this guy is at. We all know there are several very different and distinct "Coast Guard's" that make our service. Some are certainly more known for being more "corporate" than others. Reading this makes me think he's at one of the "corporate" units vs an operational unit.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I'm also prior service and can agree with some of the things that he is saying. I've said them myself on these very pages. What is missing in his essay is he own actions, and those of the junior enlisted in the other services. Uniform infractions were addressed by everyone in others services regardless of your rank. Based on his essay, I would say that he needs leadership school. He isn't picking up the slack of those around him, he's throwing up his hands and becoming more like them. He sees these things and reflects back to the leadership he saw in the Marines. He now has two real choices, go back to the Marines, or become the leader that he admired for soon long. My bet is that he chooses neither. In five years he'll be the one the junior enlisted point at and wonder when was the last time he saw a scale. He'll be like every other E-7 he has seen. With all the running that he's done, you'd think that he could walk in larger circles, and look for more positive things to say about the service that he has decided to make his career in.( over three years in CG and going to LAMS means he must have re-enlisted or extended.) The CG must be better than the Marines in some aspect. Or he's a sloth that has finally found a place to nestle. Very poor article that is little more than woe is me whining.

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Some of what he said is true. I have seen it as have progressed to Chief. I had a bad experience once and after a year relized that I need to be a Chief if I want to see changes. I have many Prior SVC firends, and some that are still in other services. They have some advantages over us in leadership but we also have advantages over them.

Food For thought. This is the NCO Creed. I have this framed at my Desk and read it about once a month. This may be for NCO's but it still can and does applie to us as Leaders and Chiefs. I have highlighted some areas that really hit home and the last paragraph is very important to me.

The NCO Creed



No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time-honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.



Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.




Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

FYI, the Army considered NCOs to be E-5 and above (E-4 if you were a Corporal as opposed to a Specialist 4th Class.) The Marines considered NCOs as E-4 and above.

Ron, just curious why this wasn't part of the highlighted section?
All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership.

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

I tried to look up the Chiefs Creed for the Coast Guard and found the charge that was received during our intiation:

United States Coast Guard

Chief Petty Officer Charge

During the course of this day you have been caused to suffer indignities, to experience humiliation. This you have accomplished with rare good grace, and therefore, we now believe it fitting to explain to you why this was done. There was no desire to insult you, or to demean you. Pointless as it may have seemed to you, there was a valid, time-honored reason behind every pointed barb.

By experience, by performance and by testing, you have been advanced to Chief Petty Officer. You have one more hurdle to overcome. In the United States Coast Guard, E-7 carries unique responsibilities. No other armed force throughout the world carries the responsibilities nor grants the privileges to its enlisted personnel comparable to the privileges and responsibilities you are now bound to receive and are expected to fulfill.

Your entire way of life has now been changed. More will be expected of you, more will be demanded of you. Not because you are an E-7, but because you are now a Chief Petty Officer. You have not merely been promoted one pay grade, you have joined the Chiefs’ Mess, and as in all exclusive groups, you have a special responsibility to your brothers and sisters, even as they have a special responsibility to you.

These privileges, these responsibilities, do not appear in print. They have no official standing, they cannot be referred to by name, number or file. They exist because since 1920, Coast Guard Chiefs before you have freely accepted responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment. Their actions and their performance demanded the respect of their seniors as well as their juniors. It is now required that you be the fount of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personnel relations, as well as technical applications. "Ask the Chief" is a household word in and out of the Coast Guard. You are now "The Chief."

The exalted position you have now received, and I used the word "exalted" advisedly, exists because of the attitude, and the performance of the Chiefs before you. It shall continue to exist only so long as you and your fellow chiefs maintain these standards.

So this then is why you were caused to experience these things. You were subjected to humiliation to prove to you that humility is a good, a great, and necessary emotion, which cannot harm you, which in fact strengthens you. In the future, you will be caused to suffer indignities, to experience humiliation far beyond those imposed upon you today. Bear them with the dignity, with the same good grace with which you bore these today.

It is our intention that you will never forget this day. It is our intention to test you, to try you, to accept you. Your performance has assured us that you will wear your hat with the pride that brothers and sisters in arms have before you.

We take a deep sincere pleasure in clasping your hand and accepting you into our midst

I have this plaque hanging on my wall at home along with my certificate stating that I am now a Chief Petty Officer. I like to read it on occasion just to remind myself of what is expected of me. During my career, I have worked for a few Chief's who fit the description outlined in the mbr's essay. I try to stress to the PCPO's to remember the Chiefs that earned their respect and to take on those characteristics so that they themselves can be respected by their subordinates, not just because of their rank, but because of their actions and the pride they show being a Chief Petty Officer.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

I am prior service myself. Army '85 to '89. I feel, and have said so many times, the Coast Guard is really behind the learning curve on teaching leadership to our people. We have LAMS for the petty officers, if you are lucky and happen to be close to a travelling show and then we have the Chiefs academy. The Army has a school for E-4's, E-5's E-6's E-7's, E-8's and E-9's. Going to the Chiefs academy after you have already made Chief seems a little too late. I have encountered more than one Chief who never made it to LAMS as a petty officer so their only leadership and management training was at the academy after making chief. Thats too little too late.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Pardon my "english", but why the hell do you need to go to a "C" school to learn leadership? Isnt that something that we should be developing on a daily basis and mentoring those junior to us? Why to we need to go to a school to be told to read this or that? Can we not do that on our own? Do we have to be spoon fed throughout our careers? I hope I learned alot more at the CPO Academy than leadership. "C" Schools should be about professional growth. Leadership schools should be available and attended by our junior people and offered as refreshers to our seniors. Enroute to a command cadre position... Leadership refresher. Enroute to a position where you will be supervising "X" number of people... Leadership refresher. If someone makes Chief without learning to be a half decent leader, then the Coast Guard has got a serious problem. In addition to all the fat Chiefs. (sorry, that's another thread)

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Ron, just curious why this wasn't part of the highlighted section?
All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership.

Because sometimes I can be a bonehead
:D


Jim

The problem is that not enough people stress or teach leadership. If everyone did it then that would work. I have always thought that we should have Leadership schools for E-4 then again at E-6 and of course we have one at E-7. But also, why not at the ENS and LT level and then at the CDR level?

Leadership starts as soon as anyone has people that work for them. Some of our E4's are good at their jobs but just how much leadership can they really have at that age. Some of them are very young. Some just have a nack for it.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I agree that we need leadership schools at the junior enlisted level, we have discussed this in other threads. But, we don't and until we get them (if ever), we're required to give leadership training at the unit level. If your unit isn't doing it...initiate it. If your finding resistence, contact your CSC or CMC, I'm sure they won't have a problem discussing the issue with your CO/OINC.

What's my point? Until we have foirmal training, it's up to us as Chiefs to train our people on leadership. There are endless sources out there, just check the CG leadership website.