I was assigned to be a field support NCO for operation Golden Sabre somewhere in the boondocks of Texas. It wasn’t a bad assignment, but really my CO just wanted me out of his hair for a while, since I was dating one of the LT’s, the situation was a bit sticky.
So there I was in the middle of Texas with the assignment of erecting these GP medium tents and a bunch of camo netting, and I got assigned about 12 soldiers. So I got to know them a bit, and we were doing our thing. The other 4 sergeants were all doing basically the same things in different areas, but for some reason my troops were doing the best job. Getting tasks done quickly and efficiently. The NCOIC (chief sergeant) was soon hearing complaints how I got assigned all the best workers, and the other sergeants wanted the soup stirred, so I had to get mostly new troops the next day. My ‘old’ troops were complaining because they liked my leadership style, but you gotta do what ‘the man’ tells you to do, at least in the military, so we all moved on.
Oddly enough, my new group turns into the best group, and once again, complaints start to arise. I end up with my original crew, but this time the other sergeants are telling me I need to slow down, because I am making them look bad. That’s not my style, so now I am, in their eyes, sucking up.
I was reminded of this story yesterday as I was watching the movie ‘Rudy’ with Sean Astin. The guys on the practice squad wanted him to back off, and he said something to the effect of, ‘If I back off I’m not helping the team to win.’ Yeah.
So it turns out I am a pretty good leader, and I get a medal for it. So what? I don’t need any medals, I am getting out of the military anyway. And soon. I don’t have a choice. Back to dating the LT. I am basically given the choice of being brought up on charges of fraternization, or getting out quietly.
Now I am a fighter, not physically, but mentally, but I was planning on getting out anyway, so out I went.
