tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post9106162592316514039..comments2024-03-22T07:12:47.560-07:00Comments on Pitchpull: A Question For My Military Readers:Greybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-32602386699882487592008-03-17T09:03:00.000-07:002008-03-17T09:03:00.000-07:00My guess is somewhere around O-4 and O-5, the tran...My guess is somewhere around O-4 and O-5, the transition point from line officer to field officer. I think that at that point, the officers are making the decision whether or not to commit themselves to the process of grooming for a star.<BR/><BR/>That's just my guess, anyway.NurseWilliamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471103930815862317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-28674738291082595022008-03-16T18:52:00.000-07:002008-03-16T18:52:00.000-07:00I think that the specific billet probably has more...I think that the specific billet probably has more to do with it than an individual's rank. Cary had a fine example; the SgtMaj of the Marine Corps is probably going to be more of a politician than the SgtMaj of an infantry battalion. <BR/><BR/>I would say that, for enlisted personnel, putting a political spin on things probably begins at the MSgt/1stSgt (E-8) level, with a few Gunnies as exceptions.Just Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08750966513198534462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-57730801181991739842008-03-14T22:15:00.000-07:002008-03-14T22:15:00.000-07:00Yeah, GB I'd say politics plays a big roll in O-6 ...Yeah, GB I'd say politics plays a big roll in O-6 and up. By the time you reach that level everybody is qualified as far as education, experience and having good fitness reports goes. Now people are looking to fill specfic billets with people onboard with their agenda. The Air Force is looking more at officers with experience in human behavioral pattern, cultures, politics and languages in their back ground or so they claim. January 2005, the Air Force removed all information regarding academic education, including bachelor’s degrees, from promotion-board records of line officers through the rank of colonel. Claiming that job preformace should be the ruler used. Sounds good anyways.<BR/><BR/>Since the "hostile" take over the AF Intel community by the Air Combat Command the 3 top Intel post are now run by "rated" officers(pilots) not officers from within the Intel community. A LtCol. friend of mine who works in the Intel community told me he was told that "General So and So (a former fighter pilot) can direct an intel function because he's been a consumer of intelligence for over 20 years." By that logic, I guess he was qualified to be an F-16 pilot because he's been watching them fly for at least that long.<BR/><BR/> The few who have established themselves as the leadership are of course going to surround themselves with those who will get things done in a certain way. Their way! There are fewer jobs the higher up you get so being qualified is only as good as your ability to convince the boards that you are qualified.....I'm 18+ years in and an O-5. I am sure I'll never see O-6Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-6416778901716429392008-03-14T08:53:00.000-07:002008-03-14T08:53:00.000-07:00I can agree with Cary, only about the selection of...I can agree with Cary, only about the selection of the highest enlisted ranks, regardless of branch of service. These selectees are always the cream of the crop. <BR/><BR/>Officer promotions they tell us, must be based on education, experience, evaluations, ability and certain criteria known only to a select few Admin weenies in the bowels of the puzzle palace. Do politics play a part.... YES. I don't like it now and didn't then, but it's out there and you have to be aware of it. When in Rome, shoot roman candles. OR just do your job, enjoy your work and the people you work with and rise to what ever level of competance you may.OlePrairiedoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02124426131774272180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-76124492999830463782008-03-13T15:48:00.000-07:002008-03-13T15:48:00.000-07:00I honestly don't know, GB - I only met two E-9s in...I honestly don't know, GB - I only met two E-9s in my time in the service, and I was so scared of breathing in the wrong order in their presence (after all, they were Sergeant Major <I>of the Marine Corps</I> - not just your run of the mill Sgt. Maj.) that I had no inkling how they got to where they were.<BR/><BR/>When they walked around, even the grass and flowers came to attention. Weeds would curl up and blow away. I saw captains and Lt. Col.s salute <I>them</I>, for crying out loud. Mere Lieutenants would pass out from the proximity to awesomeness. Flag officers would defer to the SMoUSMC when it came to who would open the door for whom - and usually, there was some Master Gunnery Sgt in the area who would defuse the situation and open the door for both of them, while saluting everything in sight.<BR/><BR/>I think E-8s become E-9 upon word from On High, if you know what I mean. If God can't <I>be</I> a Marine, then He selects the biggest, baddest, most squared-away specimen to be the ultimate Enlisted. BY what I was able to dig up on these two gentlemen, neither one ever kowtowed to a politician in their lives. It was their way or your funeral.<BR/><BR/>Hope this bit of insight helps...caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01122159049927843800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-15355608445719778142008-03-13T15:14:00.000-07:002008-03-13T15:14:00.000-07:00"...a mere enlisted man..."Ha.C'mon Cary... tell m..."...a mere enlisted man..."<BR/>Ha.<BR/>C'mon Cary... tell me your Sergeant Major stories...<BR/>Relate to me how an E-8 gets promoted to E-9!Greybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-84051822705782471462008-03-13T08:03:00.000-07:002008-03-13T08:03:00.000-07:00Good point, rodolfo - but there is a point where t...Good point, rodolfo - but there is a point where the "you" that is perceived by those around you becomes more one than the other.<BR/><BR/>That, I believe, is the question Greybeard has posed.<BR/><BR/>Being a mere enlisted man myself (while I was active) I don't have the answer.caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01122159049927843800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-90427985302028212512008-03-13T00:56:00.000-07:002008-03-13T00:56:00.000-07:00Greybeard asked: At what rank do you become more p...Greybeard asked: At what rank do you become more politician than military leader, (if at all) ? <BR/><BR/>Loaded question. The test of a first rate intelligence lies in the ability to hold both opposing views at the same time and still be able to succeed and function.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com