“Make a ridiculous demand and see what they say.” Part II
Last week’s jumo brief commentary ended with two questions for readers: Are you thinking of leaving the Army? What would be your shoot-for-the-stars demands that would make it worthwhile to stay?
Two years ago, I was set on leaving the Army. I had just finished the Aviation Captain’s Career Course and was forced to PCS to Korea. My wife and I cried together when I received the email from my branch manager. It was the only place I asked HRC not to send me.
I was already leaning toward getting out, but this sealed it. There was no way I could commit to a career in the Army — a career without control.
Well, we loved Korea. I loved the unit, my bosses, and my colleagues. I took command of an attack aviation company and inherited some pretty damn good pilots and soldiers. Because we didn’t deploy, I spent more time with my family than ever before. It was the best two years of my life.
I still wasn’t convinced to make the Army a career, though. Sure, things were great, but what about after command? I would likely be headed to a combined training center to train rotational aviation units — a rewarding but grueling job. After that, the field grade gauntlet of sleepless years as an operations and executive officer awaited me.
I wasn’t interested. But then a funny thing happened.
My former squadron operations officer reached out and encouraged me to apply for an Army fellowship. I hadn’t given it any thought before, and I was grateful to have someone who believed in me. I told him that although I appreciated his outreach, I already had one foot out the door.
I thought I was being polite when I told him I would look into it.
Nearly a year later, I’m somehow a finalist for that particular fellowship. It may not work out in my favor, but at least I discovered my demand.
Before I share some of the replies from last week’s newsletter, I’ll share something interesting. An officer who works in the Army Talent Management Task Force subscribes to the jumo brief. After I published last week’s newsletter, he reached out and asked if I would (anonymously) share the feedback.
If you didn’t have an opportunity to share your thoughts, send them. I’ll consolidate them and send them with the other responses.
And now, some of the comments (lightly edited for style and length):
—
“I would sign a 20-year contract today if organized unit PT only had to happen twice a week.”
—
“I’m not thinking of leaving the Army, but I did think about leaving the Marine Corps once (they didn’t convince me to stay). For me, it was the feeling that I was a man that would never have full control. I remember, as a sergeant, submitting my leave paperwork. My first sergeant asked where I was going.
“Florida,” I said, “where my family lives now.”
How?
‘Driving there. Going to follow the border and run through a few places I’ve never been, first sergeant.’
Well, you can’t do that.
The company commander got involved. “Come in here. I’m seeing flights for only $400. Why don’t you want to fly?” he said.
I went on leave for a week, staying in the barracks. I don’t know what kind of “ridiculous” demands I would ask for, since I don’t think many of the demands of servicemembers are ridiculous. Treat men and women like capable adults. Give them your commander’s intent and then empower them to carry it out in the best way they see fit. Trust them without exception until that trust is violated. Listen and learn from your entire team. I’m not sure if I would have stayed in the Marine Corps even if all these requests were considered, but I think they’re worth exploring.”
—
“My ridiculous demand is to try out for SMU or SMU support without being KD complete and without worrying about a timeline. Let me try out for an SMU position or support position, let me be a captain forever without going to FA CCC and wasting a spot, and not having to take command for some arbitrary reason. Or just let me be an FSO forever with the boys. Low hanging fruit, but man, I love the SOF side of things, and I don’t think I can go back to the circus on the regular Army side again.”
—
“I think my demand would be that I can stay in the non-PROFIS position I am in now without having to PCS again even after my time at [redacted] is up. My husband is in school, and we own a home in the area. The idea of packing up and moving yet again, or my husband trying to find a different graduate program because he will not be able to go online, is beyond daunting. It has me ready to drop that REFRAD and not look back.”
—
“Interesting opener, this is something I’ve ranted on many times over the last year. I’m currently on the tail end of my transition out of the Army. For a long time, I’ve preached that the officer corps would have much better retention numbers if they offered similar incentives to enlisted (location, bonus, or re-class). If I could have guaranteed to go to a duty station of my choice following four years of misery at Fort Riley, I would have very likely stayed. I acknowledge that it may be getting better with the new AIM system. Unfortunately, I was already committed to exiting the Army by the time I had learned how it worked.”
If you enjoyed this content, please subscribe to the jumo brief today to receive a free weekly newsletter in your inbox every Saturday morning! You will receive weekly content like this and much more!
The jumo brief helps leaders keep up to date on social commentary, news, and current events that are relevant to the Army.
The views expressed are those of Brennan Randel and do not reflect the official position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or any government agency.
