Navigating the Slippery Slope of Military Leadership: Insights from a Troubled Soldier

The term 'soldier struggles' often brings to mind anecdotes about soldiers who take regulations to an extreme, like adhering to every rule without adapting to real-world situations. Such soldiers frequently find themselves in humorous or frustrating situations. However, this article delves into the personal journey of an individual who experienced such a struggle, providing a unique perspective from someone who, quite literally, was a 'troubled soldier.'

From a Promising Start to Turmoil

My journey began in the 25th Non-Airborne Regiment in Alaska. As an E-4, I was a standout recruit, perfectly fitting the mold of a soldier who took regulations to the extreme. I was right place, right time, on point with my uniform, spotless room, an expert in all assigned weapons, and a top performer with a 300 on the Armed Qualification Test (APFT), and a high FM score. My accomplishments were vast, and I was even on the Commandant’s list in the NCO Academy—a testament to my dedication and performance.

However, my prospects for success were quickly dashed when I was promoted a week before having to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to Bragg, where my unit was the 82nd Airborne. My new unit was expecting a lot from me, but they had high expectations without providing the necessary context and support to operate effectively within an Airborne unit. I was immediately put in charge of a team, despite my lack of experience, and my last 12 months were colored by frustration and impending contract expiration.

Falling into a Slippery Slope

My first field exercise illustrated a classic case of how inexperienced leadership can unintentionally lead to chaos. During a night operation, I misplaced my team’s duffel bags, only to find them months later, a clear oversight as the Team Leader. My rifle was lost on the occasion, too, proving to be the most terrifying moment of my life.

Leadership mistakes continued. I jumped the chain of command to ask about a colleague’s day off, resulting in a strike. As frustrations mounted, a thick file of counseling statements and a poll overwhelmingly criticizing my leadership skills threatened to derail my career. The 1SG seemed more concerned with other issues, but my situation was worse when, despite my E-5 rank and impending retirement, I was assigned to jump training after four years without a refresher. A concussion was the result, and it was a temporary reprieve from the unit.

Chronicling the Struggles

The themes of punitive training, uneven assignments, and the frustration of short-term leadership roles were rampant in my final year. Regularly assigned CQ (Incoming/Outgoing) and staff duties, often at inconvenient times, left me exhausted and demoralized. My efforts to rebuild morale among the troops were met with skepticism and sometimes outright resistance. Serving on heavy drop details and motor pool guard roles highlighted the sheer absurdity of the tasks I was given.

Ammunition guard duties in remote areas with no cell service or special orders were the most demoralizing. Support details to the NCO Academy, filled with attitude-challenged privates, and endless 8-hour days of cutting grass only added to the mounting frustrations. Units were sent on exercises with no maintenance or proper preparation, leading to further criticism and reprimands.

Reflections and Lessons Learned

Through it all, I reflect on my personal growth and the negative impact of ineffective leadership. The difficult experience of being both under-prepared and over-assigned forced me to confront my shortcomings. From a soldier who excelled in his roles to someone who struggled with the transition and ultimately fell into a deep state of disillusionment, my journey serves as a reminder of the value of proper training, support, and realistic expectations.

Now, four years post-military, I recognize the importance of setting up Soldiers with the necessary tools and support from the start. It’s a stark reminder that leadership often fails not just in objective clarity, but in addressing the personal and systemic challenges faced by those under their command.