Good day y'all. Giving purple text a try, to spice it up. I have limited opportunities to express my "individuality", give me a break.
So, if you followed along with us thus far (or your backlogging and catching up in the future, yes, I'm speaking into the future for prospective followers. That just happened.) there is a is a budding trend of voicing our frustrations with either individuals, or processes, or both, that we feel are inadequate or stupidtacular. Not all is negative, it's just what is easiest to convey.
Let me flip it on it's ear (old people say that, right? So it must mean something).
The other day, one of our E4 Mafioso (Editor's Note: for those unfamiliar, the fourth Enlisted rank, E4/Specialist, is past the Private ranks, but not yet a Sergeant. They get an interesting reputation because they have been around the military for a while, and usually possess skills at a level that allows them to work the system and get a lot done, but are still low enough on the radar to shirk major responsibilities. Some use this to excel, others to sham. Collectively, they are often referred to as the E4 Mafia, because they gather in mass.) caught me in the hallway and schooled me up on a roster he was consolidating for a bulk order of name tapes and rank patches for our new uniforms (they only provide us with 3 of each, so if we want more we have to buy them ourselves). He was making the rounds, collecting requests, tallying estimated costs, and then contacting local alteration and military supply shops to negotiate bulk order prices. I don't know if he was tasked to do it by someone else, or sparked it from a group and he took the lead, but regardless, he was/is spot on. Initiative, professionalism, organization, and follow through all demonstrated excellently. This kid is sharp, and it is recognized. Many of the Sergeants have already decided that he is worthy of taking under their collective wing and grooming/mentoring. That's quite a compliment, and it gives me confidence in the future of this thing. The right people should be moving up and gaining responsibility and influence.
Follow contributor Veritas, is another example of those making a positive difference (other than the fact that he smokes like a chimney, but will openly admit it is disgusting and an overall poor idea). He is the prime example of a All-Star performer getting worked to death. The Army, and the military, have a strange cultural norm where those that show proficiency and adaptability get overloaded and burned out, if not regulated. "So and so nailed this tasking last time, just go ahead and make it his 5th additional duty. I want to make sure this is done correctly. When should he sleep? Oh, that's a crutch anyway. He's a smart guy, he'll figure out the balance." On top of working operations all day, being the primary author of our orders and taskings, studying any changes to our relevant regulations, being the "checks & balances" to most everything in the section, he takes on helping pretty much anyone who comes to him with technical computer questions, medical questions, and what seems like everything else under our umbrella. This is all during the duty day. After hours he is has established himself, again, as one of the most approachable Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer, the "Sergeant" ranks) in the unit. This usually means everyone floods to him for help and advice, which he will always focus on and deliver, even when it means his personal time is sacrificed.
These two, among many others, comprise the glue that holds this circus show together. Of course we all vent to each other and sling dookie about all we see wrong each day, but in the end the idea is to affect things for the better. So I ask that as you read the frustrations, trials, and tribulations just remember that there are Soldiers doing amazing things on a daily basis, keeping the ship afloat.
Love-fest complete, for now. If we aren't bitching about something, we aren't awake...back to the dramathon.
'Til Sunday Funday, go PATS!
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