Are most higher ups in the military some what corrupt?

[joemilitary]

I recently experienced some first hand. Blatantly disregarding and things and abusing power.  I wish I had stayed in the lower ranks.  I was so naïve. 

Is this typical?  I hear more and more stories from Soldiers and newspaper stories seem to be increasing

[sesfw]

IMO any organization will have it's 'empire builders', and the military is no exception.

During my working years I got on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and decided it wasn't for me.  I had my eyes opened and didn't like what I saw.

I've always felt sorry for the new comers in Congress.  The good ole boys let them know in a hurry how things are and don't mess it up.

Just do your best with what you believe in.  If you rock too many boats you will be forced to retire early.  It's what you can live with.

Good luck.

[joemilitary]

Thanks, I really never knew this.........

[billisonboard]

Not sure where the line is between lower and higher ranks. I only made it to E6 and I disregarded a lot of silly regulations and abused my power used my discretion frequently. Of course, I did walk a fine line between promotion\court martial from the moment I enlisted.

And just to be clear, the mutiny charge was totally absurd. Why would anyone want to take over a minesweeper?

[mmhmm]

It's not only the military in which you see this. It's true in corporate America, as well. Power and greed go hand in hand, sadly. Anybody who gets in the way will either fall in line or be trampled. It's been that way for a long time, if my experience means anything. Sad, but true.

[joemilitary]

oh man.......I always thought the military was different.........I figured we worked for the tax payer.........

guess I am trampled........

[zibazinski]

It's in education as well. Trust me.

[TheHaitian]

Dec 25, 2014 15:11:33 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

oh man.......I always thought the military was different.........I figured we worked for the tax payer.........

guess I am trampled........

I believe to my core it is EVERYWHERE!!! EVERYWHERE that there is money and/or power to be had!

[joemilitary]

so how do you deal with that?

[zibazinski]

You can't. It's everywhere. Best thing is to keep your head down and avoid notice. Those who don't, get in trouble, one way or another.

[joemilitary]

Why did it take me over 20 years to find this out? Man oh man I am screwed.....

[joemilitary]

So I am still trying to reconcile this

How do you all look the other way?

[billisonboard]

Jan 2, 2015 10:49:50 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

So I am still trying to reconcile this

How do you all look the other way?

That is an interesting assumption.


BTW, you are almost to 50 postings.

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 2, 2015 10:49:50 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

So I am still trying to reconcile this

How do you all look the other way?

Look the other way about what?

[joemilitary]

not do anything is what I mean by "look the other way"

[billisonboard]

.... the water's fine! 

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 2, 2015 11:35:10 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

not do anything is what I mean by "look the other way"

Not do anything about what?

[joemilitary]

if you see wrong stuff going on. 

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 2, 2015 12:10:06 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

if you see wrong stuff going on. 

Some people say something.   Someone on this board is going through a long time sexual harassment issue at work.  She told the boss and it working through the system.

[joemilitary]

well hopefully it works out for her

my experience went sideways fast trying to watch out for my subordinate

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 2, 2015 13:00:32 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

well hopefully it works out for her

my experience went sideways fast trying to watch out for my subordinate

You have to be careful you don't hook your wagon to dead weight. 

[joemilitary]

so I should have let them lie about him?

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 2, 2015 13:36:17 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

so I should have let them lie about him?

 

The titanic was going to sink no matter what the captain did. 

[mmhmm]

Jan 2, 2015 13:36:17 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

so I should have let them lie about him?

That depends on you, mostly, I'm afraid. I'm not one to let something like that pass; however, before I do anything I'll be sure my ducks are in a straight line, I have all the documentation I need, I have my rationale straight in my head, and I'm right to pursue it. Then, for me, it's full speed ahead and the devil take the hindmost. If I'm at that point, I'm ready to risk it all. I've done it. I've won, and I've lost. I've never been sorry.

[gooddecisions]

Every situation is different. You learn how to influence in a way where everyone saves face. You said you were in a lose/lose situation, but there is almost always a way to steer. I used to always get high reviews on getting results, but I had a lot of work to do in how I got results. It took some humbling situations, but now I get it. I've achieved the ultimate- results while not pissing people off. Several years ago, I pissed off the wrong person in an ultimately innocuous situation, and to this day I believe I was 100% right, but it took that person leaving for me to finally get promoted. I do not believe it was coincidence as my "eyes and ears" in the private meetings told me I was getting black-balled.

Watch Game of Thrones and build your alliances. Sometime you have to plant seeds or whisper thoughts in peoples ears (not literally). With sensitive situations, I've learned not to lay all my cards on the table in a conference room of decision-makers who are leaning a difference direction. You can put your feelers out by diplomatically stating your case and then shut your mouth if it's going the other way. I also make darn sure my direct reports tell me about everything so if I need to put a spin out and mitigate early, I can. Believe it or not, you can still keep your integrity- and you should as this is a critical quality in a good leader.

At the end of the day, "the military," "the government," "the corporations" are all just made of people. It's the same everywhere. I'm sure I'll have another moment, but feel like it's not so bad out there- despite how this might read.

[gooddecisions]

Also, it has served me well to remember that most people's intentions are good and there is usually something that you do not know. Sometimes I have to shift my perspective and try to figure out what that thing might be.

In your case, no, I would not have felt comfortable lying, but I like to think I would have gotten in early enough to prevent the meeting from happening. I can't imagine what it would be like to work for somebody that is straight-up corrupt. I couldn't.

[fatbear]

Dec 29, 2014 8:00:30 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

Why did it take me over 20 years to find this out? Man oh man I am screwed.....

20+ years in?  Can't you try to coast and lay low until you can get full retirement benefits?

[joemilitary]

May 21, 2015 11:20:18 GMT -5 fatbear said:

Dec 29, 2014 8:00:30 GMT -5 joemilitary said:

Why did it take me over 20 years to find this out? Man oh man I am screwed.....

20+ years in?  Can't you try to coast and lay low until you can get full retirement benefits?

I have 20 years so I should be good for retirement benefits.....we'll see if they leave me alone........I am in Europe, want to retire in the states (easier to job search & interview)....so we move in about 4 weeks to the states......once we get there I will evaluate when to drop retirement paperwork (basically have to give 12 months notice....I won't get promoted so eventually retirement will be forced)