RESPONSIBILITY
These last two weeks of lockdown at the Armory has gotten me thinkin' about a BUNCHA' stuff! Although we were typically up at 0400 and training straight until 2100 (9pm) minus meal times, of course... lying on a foldable cot in a warehouse-like room with 300 other guys in the dark... you get a lot of thinking done as you try to fall asleep (and ignore all the snoring). We deploy in January for MOB and after a 4-day leave in March (to say goodbye to family and friends) we fly out to Baghdad... so lotsa' things are being done ASAP and the myriad of thoughts is hard to contain.
ONE THING I SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME ON:
What kind of person are you?
Do you take on your fair share of responsibilities... less or even MORE than your fair share? If someone needs help, love and compassion... do you take the time and make the effort to make sure that person is okay... or do you pawn it off on someone else figuring "it'll get done." Do you figure you will get around to your responsibilities "one of these days"? Is your life so hectic that some responsibilities just fall to the wayside and before you know it weeks and months have passed since you last checked in on those responsibilities?
Are you the one who does the heavy lifting, or do you make excuses, justifications, and flimsy reasons for not doing what you SHOULD be doing? This is equally applicable for soldiers, workers, friends, family, politicians... what have you.
THOSE WHO SHIRK RESPONSIBILITY:
TYPE 1 Person: The Excuser
"Ya' know, I would _________ IF I didn't have to deal with _______." Ahhhh what a convenient excuse... saves you all the heartache, hard work, and demands of a responsibility, and you get to play the victim card at the same time. Funny, how people that are like that are guaranteed to not pick up the slack even WHEN that obstical is no longer there.
Type 2 Person: The know it all
"The way this is being done, is lousy! If I were in charge....."
Again ... such a wonderful excuse, while at the same time building yourself up as some superior, smarter, more enlightened master of the universe. Of course, the fact is... if your ideas were actually TRIED and TESTED.... they might not work, but then again.. you don't have to worry about that do you? "Cause you haven't lifted a finger, have you?
Type 3 Person: The complainer
"I won't have anything to do with this.. the person in charge is a louse"
Similar to the "know it all" mentioned above...no need to do anything.. just attack the chain of command, the person 'in charge' and you again don't have to lift a finger, only complain.
Type 4 Person; The Bulldozer in a China Shop
This is the pro-active version of the "Know it all"... I don't care what you want or say... we're doing it this way like it or not. This is the equivilent of a superior who enlists no information, suggestions or input from inferiors. "But Sir! There's a mine field there that will wipe out this entire batallion!" "Shut up... the plans don't mention a mine field... I've set my mind and we're going... I don't care about new information."... note: this isn't something I've encountered in the Army, just a hypothetical to illuminate the behavior. The Army is VERY cognizant of new intel and reacts accordingly! The bulldozer can sit back and say "I took responsibility"... but in fact, responsibility WASN'T served, only that person's need for ego and control. Responsibility includes serving the wishes and requirements of those being served.
Taking responsibility requires sacrifice, it doesn't consist of doing things the easy way, nor does it consist of passing the buck. Above all, it doesn't consist of letting someone else do the work while you kick back making excuses, complaints, and criticizing how things are being done!
As George W. Bush has learned in spades, taking responsibility often means being attacked for the manner in which you take care of those responsibilities... by people who don't have the balls, the patience, or the abilities to take on the responsibilities themselves.
THE SOLDIER'S CREED
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
ARMY VALUES
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
DNC, here we come!
August 21, 2008 - Thursday
DNC, here we come!
Current mood: tired
Can't really get into much about what we're doing (we had a long briefing about OPSEC "Operational Security") but I can say that I have been working my BACKSIDE off and sweating up a storm with the Army National Guard preparing for the Democrat National Convention!..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
It's been long, long hours learning how to calm a situation, avoid confrontations, subdue violence and otherwise protect the citizens of Denver, tourists, delegates, press, and other visitors who will be flocking to Denver this next week. I can't TELL you how hot it's been in our gear training every day from oh-dark hundred to sometimes 9:30 at night!!!!
One thing I CAN tell you is this has given me a whole new perspective on "riots" in general and law enforcement specifically!!
I've been reading up not only on the protest groups that are planning on being here in Denver (some very angry, inventive, and violent folks!)... but also gaining perspective by reading the original accounts of Chicago's 1968 riots, Kent state and other similar situations in the past. So many paint "the man" as some inhuman collection of automatons hell bent on exercising power over protesters,... as though they were rabid pit bulls just looking for a fight. Even before the situations got "out of control"... according to these 'reports' the cops etc.. were bound and determined to hurt someone. I can't jump into the minds of the 1968 Chicago cops... but I can tell you from Denver 2008......
First of all, NOBODY... no cop, no soldier, no law enforcement official wants to see a riot! The idea of striking, shoving, or hitting a fellow citizen (or worse) is something none of us cherish! I'd be quite happy if all this training is for nothing... if Tent State, Unconventional Denver, the KKK, Black Bloc, the Aryan Races and Recreate68 protest peacefully and the Guard never has to be called out. I'm gunna' see enough action against true enemies in Baghdad next year, I don't want to be fighting with my own countrymen! However, the training has given us the tools to deal with any situation that presents itself. We WILL keep Denverites and visitors safe!
We have SO many less-than-lethal options at our disposal; I'm encouraged that the peace will be kept without having to resort to drastic measures. Above all, we are here to support local, state, and federal civilian authorities.
Just FYI... some have asked me how we can be Army and acting as law enforcement... doesn't that violate Posse Comitatus? As Guard members, we have been activated by our Commander-and-Chief of Colorado (Governor Bill Ritter), and are under his direction. It's the same as if there is a wildfire or flood... the Governor calls us up to help keep Coloradans safe (or to keep cows fed in huge snowstorms.) So although in February, Governor Ritter will "loan me out" out to the new President of The United States, until then I'm under the direction of Governor Ritter. Make sense?
Another question a few friends have asked me... "Why did you join the Guard instead of the 'real' Army?" A: In the regular Army, once you are MOSQ'ed (once you've been trained in your 'job') you aren't offered many opportunities to learn other jobs. In the Guard, however, you can school up like crazy! Before our deployment date was moved up a year, I was planning on not only qualifying as an interrogator, but also go to Monterey to take Arabic school and then go to Counter Intelligence school, so I'd have 3 MOS's and be very adroit when I got shipped over. That got changed when our deployment changed... now I'll probably take Arabic while in Iraq and go to CI school after I get back. Either way, there are a number of different options.... which is why I chose the Guard in the first place.
Well, I'm on only a 20-hour pass, so I need to hit the rack, I'm BEAT!! Everyone stay safe and take care of yourselves!
Love
Charles
Currently reading :
John Adams
By David McCullough
DNC, here we come!
Current mood: tired
Can't really get into much about what we're doing (we had a long briefing about OPSEC "Operational Security") but I can say that I have been working my BACKSIDE off and sweating up a storm with the Army National Guard preparing for the Democrat National Convention!..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
It's been long, long hours learning how to calm a situation, avoid confrontations, subdue violence and otherwise protect the citizens of Denver, tourists, delegates, press, and other visitors who will be flocking to Denver this next week. I can't TELL you how hot it's been in our gear training every day from oh-dark hundred to sometimes 9:30 at night!!!!
One thing I CAN tell you is this has given me a whole new perspective on "riots" in general and law enforcement specifically!!
I've been reading up not only on the protest groups that are planning on being here in Denver (some very angry, inventive, and violent folks!)... but also gaining perspective by reading the original accounts of Chicago's 1968 riots, Kent state and other similar situations in the past. So many paint "the man" as some inhuman collection of automatons hell bent on exercising power over protesters,... as though they were rabid pit bulls just looking for a fight. Even before the situations got "out of control"... according to these 'reports' the cops etc.. were bound and determined to hurt someone. I can't jump into the minds of the 1968 Chicago cops... but I can tell you from Denver 2008......
First of all, NOBODY... no cop, no soldier, no law enforcement official wants to see a riot! The idea of striking, shoving, or hitting a fellow citizen (or worse) is something none of us cherish! I'd be quite happy if all this training is for nothing... if Tent State, Unconventional Denver, the KKK, Black Bloc, the Aryan Races and Recreate68 protest peacefully and the Guard never has to be called out. I'm gunna' see enough action against true enemies in Baghdad next year, I don't want to be fighting with my own countrymen! However, the training has given us the tools to deal with any situation that presents itself. We WILL keep Denverites and visitors safe!
We have SO many less-than-lethal options at our disposal; I'm encouraged that the peace will be kept without having to resort to drastic measures. Above all, we are here to support local, state, and federal civilian authorities.
Just FYI... some have asked me how we can be Army and acting as law enforcement... doesn't that violate Posse Comitatus? As Guard members, we have been activated by our Commander-and-Chief of Colorado (Governor Bill Ritter), and are under his direction. It's the same as if there is a wildfire or flood... the Governor calls us up to help keep Coloradans safe (or to keep cows fed in huge snowstorms.) So although in February, Governor Ritter will "loan me out" out to the new President of The United States, until then I'm under the direction of Governor Ritter. Make sense?
Another question a few friends have asked me... "Why did you join the Guard instead of the 'real' Army?" A: In the regular Army, once you are MOSQ'ed (once you've been trained in your 'job') you aren't offered many opportunities to learn other jobs. In the Guard, however, you can school up like crazy! Before our deployment date was moved up a year, I was planning on not only qualifying as an interrogator, but also go to Monterey to take Arabic school and then go to Counter Intelligence school, so I'd have 3 MOS's and be very adroit when I got shipped over. That got changed when our deployment changed... now I'll probably take Arabic while in Iraq and go to CI school after I get back. Either way, there are a number of different options.... which is why I chose the Guard in the first place.
Well, I'm on only a 20-hour pass, so I need to hit the rack, I'm BEAT!! Everyone stay safe and take care of yourselves!
Love
Charles
Currently reading :
John Adams
By David McCullough
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Here we go again, more of the same!!
August 3, 2008 - Sunday
Here we go again, more of the same
Current mood: tired
Well, it should come as no surprise, the rules of the Democrat party mean as much to Democrats as well.... laws and rules apply to Democrats in general. A rule was passed by the Democrat party that Florida and Michigan would have no delegates at the convention as punishment for their breaking the rules. ("Thou shalt have no primaries or caucuses before Feb 5th")
In May, like some drug dealer negotiating his way into a plea bargain, a "compromise" was decided upon - delegates get half-votes at the convention.
Today, "the chosen one" Obama said Florida and Michigan should be given full voting privileges at the convention.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080803/ap_on_el_pr/obama_delegates_1;_ylt=Am.DzcW5pVjcPPogM7VIo6_Za7gF
Tell me, do the Democrats believe in ANY rule or law????? We're setting up another "it all depends on what the meaning of 'is' is" administration. Another administration that has NO respect for rules or laws, another administration that considers rules and laws mere suggestions and guidelines, but not really important.
Whether you believe Bush was acting on faulty information re: Iraq, was acting on accurate information that was covered up before we entered Baghdad, or out-and-out lied about WMD... how can ANYone not see the pattern in Democrat thinking - Rules and laws are all fine and dandy.... but not really that important... We can change them before, during, or after the fact if it suits our needs (Gore's attempt to change election laws midstream during the 2000 election)... or we can just ignore them if it's in our best interests (Kennedy ignoring murder and/or manslaughter charges for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne on July 18, 1969... DEM Barney Frank's prostitution shenanigans or Clinton's many violations of sexual harassment laws and reported rape of Juanita Brodderick.
And yet the Bush-bashers will bury their heads in the sand, drink the Kool-aid and delve themselves deeper into denial from the facts....
LAWS AND RULES MEAN NOTHING TO DEMOCRATS!
(Kennedy's murder of young Mary Jo Kopechne)
http://www.ytedk.com/intro.htm
(Barney Frank running a prostitution ring from is home)
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=29223&category=23483
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958598,00.html
(Juanita Brodderick story)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/broaddrick022599.htm
Currently watching :
24 - Season Six
Release date: 2007-12-04
Here we go again, more of the same
Current mood: tired
Well, it should come as no surprise, the rules of the Democrat party mean as much to Democrats as well.... laws and rules apply to Democrats in general. A rule was passed by the Democrat party that Florida and Michigan would have no delegates at the convention as punishment for their breaking the rules. ("Thou shalt have no primaries or caucuses before Feb 5th")
In May, like some drug dealer negotiating his way into a plea bargain, a "compromise" was decided upon - delegates get half-votes at the convention.
Today, "the chosen one" Obama said Florida and Michigan should be given full voting privileges at the convention.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080803/ap_on_el_pr/obama_delegates_1;_ylt=Am.DzcW5pVjcPPogM7VIo6_Za7gF
Tell me, do the Democrats believe in ANY rule or law????? We're setting up another "it all depends on what the meaning of 'is' is" administration. Another administration that has NO respect for rules or laws, another administration that considers rules and laws mere suggestions and guidelines, but not really important.
Whether you believe Bush was acting on faulty information re: Iraq, was acting on accurate information that was covered up before we entered Baghdad, or out-and-out lied about WMD... how can ANYone not see the pattern in Democrat thinking - Rules and laws are all fine and dandy.... but not really that important... We can change them before, during, or after the fact if it suits our needs (Gore's attempt to change election laws midstream during the 2000 election)... or we can just ignore them if it's in our best interests (Kennedy ignoring murder and/or manslaughter charges for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne on July 18, 1969... DEM Barney Frank's prostitution shenanigans or Clinton's many violations of sexual harassment laws and reported rape of Juanita Brodderick.
And yet the Bush-bashers will bury their heads in the sand, drink the Kool-aid and delve themselves deeper into denial from the facts....
LAWS AND RULES MEAN NOTHING TO DEMOCRATS!
(Kennedy's murder of young Mary Jo Kopechne)
http://www.ytedk.com/intro.htm
(Barney Frank running a prostitution ring from is home)
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=29223&category=23483
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958598,00.html
(Juanita Brodderick story)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/broaddrick022599.htm
Currently watching :
24 - Season Six
Release date: 2007-12-04
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