<p>Taking out one's personal frustrations by raging against one's subordinates is a sign of an inadequate and failed leader. I realize these are leaders-in-training, but I would hope they are gaining wisdom as they make these kinds of mistakes. The active duty Air Force will not long tolerate such leaders.</p>
<p>I don't think there's any reason to judge. I'm not sure your qualifications for making such a statement, kcraig, so I'd be happy to hear them.</p>
<p>Of course there's a reason to judge. We are taught constantly here that when we are officers we need to keep our personal and professional lives separate.</p>
<p>Seems to me last year Gen Regni deemed it appropriate to confine the entire Wing for the infractions of a few fourth degree cadets. The cell phones weren't supposed to be used and that rule wasn't followed. Correction for the error seems appropriate. It should be for the leadership to determine the severity of the punishment. If the punishment was to severe I am sure the Cadet leadership will see the results and be afforded an opportunity to learn from that over-reaction. That said the rest of the cadets will probably be very carefull with the use of cellphones.</p>
<p>For those judging how we run our wing, I echo TN in saying that you shouldn't make such statements without the experience or knowledge of how this place is. We aren't yelling randomly at 4 digs because of frustrations, but during training sessions, frustrations are a good way to keep training hard. It follows with working out to vent anxiety. It's not used to disrespect people, but to push them. Don't assume 4 digs are used as 'punching bags' to vent anger. Not by a long shot.</p>
<p>Exactly. Upperclassmen don't come around and randomly beat us just for fun or because they've had a bad day. Everything here has a purpose.</p>
<p>In my experience, it has been just because of frustration. During second BCT, one day for no reason apparent to us at the time, we were given less than 5 minutes to eat breakfast, and then less than 5 minutes to eat lunch by the same cadre. We found out later, that he had been in a car accident the night before. I don't think not allowing us to eat it qualifies as trying to push us.</p>
<p>That's kind of an extreme circumstance. I'm really suprised that they had him work that day. I'd have thought that somebody up the chain would have told him to take the day off.</p>
<p>This is definitely a topic that could be touchy to some people. This response will be long, and mostly for non-cadets, but possibly of benefit to anyone reading it. Please forgive me for the length of it.</p>
<p>I believe the last stat I saw only showed that about 5% of cadets entering the academy had any type of military background; meaning a parent, ROTC, etc... That means that the vast majority of parents and future applicants reading these boards also probably don't have any military background.</p>
<p>I know that there might be some concern about your "Cadet's" well being. All I can say is; don't worry about it. The things that have been described do go on. Some times it's a learning experience for the 4 digs; sometimes for the upper classmen. If the cadets think something is getting a little out of hand, they will take care of it. In the case that AC232323 discusses, the upper classmen who was having a bad hair day and taking it out on the 4 digs in the amount of time they were allowed to eat, isn't the only upper classmen in charge of those 4 digs. If it gets out of hand, they will let someone else know. They will take care of it. (That in itself is a very powerful learning tool). </p>
<p>You learn early in the academy and in the Air Force certain things. 1st; Everyone has someone over or higher than them; and EVERYONE has peers. While from an outside viewpoint, some may think that a particular person "In Charge" is being too tough, the actual cadets under them have the greatest amount of power. It requires the lower classmen to learn how to work together towards a common goal, but they can do it. For the enlisted personnel in the military, basic training is a whole different experience than BCT for a cadet. These enlisted pukes, like cadets, come from all over the country. The drill instructor/TI; whatever you want to call them, become VERY unreasonable. They will humiliate you, degrade you, give you only 5 minutes to eat, refuse to let you go to the restroom, not allow you to write letters home, give you the least amount of sleep that can safely get you to perform, etc... They will be a complete PRICK!!!! Yet, by being a complete PRICK, this DI/TI has given 50-80 people with absolutely nothing in common, something in common. Something to work with. Something to build upon for team work. Something to make them better than they could ever be individually. Is this something the military and basic training intended to do? Maybe now that it's understood more, but not initially. Is the current upper classman that AC232323 mentions purposely doing this to instill teamwork? Most definitely not. But, you will become "The Eternal Optimist". You will find the best in all situations. Great teamwork will evolve from all of this. Even with this unreasonable upper classman. </p>
<p>2nd; You ALWAYS keep your dirty laundry IN HOUSE. (If you have a problem with a particular upper classman, you DON'T take it to the person above them first or to another flight/squadron/wing/etc.... You take it to them, if you can, or one of their peers, that can maybe help without the upper classman getting too defensive. Again, that's if it gets out of hand. Don't know of anyone who died from having to eat breakfast in 5 minutes. (Yes, I've had to do that many times). </p>
<p>3rd; Life is not always fair; and it's NOT SUPPOSE TO BE. That's what make teamwork such an important thing. Using the skills and talents of each person towards the greater good of the team. If life was fair, I'd be able to slam dunk a basketball as well as MJ and make $40 million a year in gatorade commercials.</p>
<p>4th; Life's a *****, and then you die! These cadets/future airmen, as well as all military personnel learn over time to look at the real big picture. They look at how what they think is so important today isn't that important in the grand scheme of things, and yet how everything they do today is a small piece to a larger puzzle that has a purpose which most people aren't able to see. (How contradictory is that? LOL!!!) Yet, we trust those above us to be able to see a little bit more and those above them to see even a little bit more. As with anyone's faith in God, the military also requires a certain amount of faith. This is how it's been for more than 5000 years. The difference however in the USA's modern military, is that we allow the individual's talents to be of use to the common good instead of just a warm body meant to die. </p>
<p>So, I agree whole heartedly that no one should judge how the cadets are running their wing/squadron/etc.. unless you know exactly what is going on. I only provided some of this insight to help some people understand that while they may believe that some groups of cadets may be treated unfairly or differently than others, the real fact of the matter is that these 4 digs actually have more Power and Control over the upper classmen than the other way around. If these 4 digs bond together and become an even stronger team, they can overcome anything. A prick, helping each other's academic studies, help each other with physical fitness, help each other in military studies, help each other with social maturity, etc... Once the 4 digs realize how much POWER they have if they work together, they can accomplish anything. Mankind has learned through the ages that there is strength in numbers. The military, Unions, protesters, etc.... The sooner each cadet (And their families) realizes that this is NOT a normal college. That you can't just do your studies and keep to yourself. Be a loner and find your niche. That only as a team can you survive and become the most efficient. etc... then will you truly succeed. </p>
<p>There isn't 1 thing that a cadet today is experiencing that a cadet in the past hasn't had to go through. That is why those above the cadets allow most of this to go on. They do see the bigger picture. Then, as officers, these cadets will realize how important keeping that teamwork attitude alive for their future airman, sergeants, lower ranking officers, civilian workers, etc... This isn't an "Academy" thing. This is a military "Way of Life" thing.</p>
<p>This isn't UCLA, Berkley, Cornell, UofT, etc... (Can't We All just Get Along)? Once everyone realizes that, the more they will better understand. I know that I am a "Fossil" in many people's eyes here. I retired from the Air Force 8 years ago. But the concepts I speak of have been the same for over 5000 years. The only difference in today's military if that we've become more efficient at using our resources. Which means the people and their talents. Later... Mike....</p>
<p>You have a very good point...
1. What happens at the SA should stay there. To publicize it takes it out of context and prevents rebuttal. It inflames the situation because parents on the outside will NOT understand. Leave it at the zoo.
2. 5 minutes for breakfast and another 5 for lunch is not the end of the world when compared to many other stresses. And in comparison to truly inappropriate actions of leadership, is at the bottom of the list, if on the list. Again, it is a way to inflame the situation.
3. Truly anyone involved in a highly stressful situation such as a car accident should have stepped down if it was affecting his/her leadership and let someone else "command" but the 5 minute breakfast was not the end of the world. The question is to learn to "pick your battles." And I'm guessing that this is a lesson that is taught over and over again at the zoo and elsewhere. "Should" you have been allowed 20 minutes for breaksfast...sure! But as the poster above said, life is not always "fair" and you need to deal with what is before you and "pick your battles." Was it enough to an infringment that you need to go to the powers that be...doubtful. Again...learn the lesson "pick your battles." </p>
<p>Don't whine. Leave it at the zoo.</p>
<p>Christcorp:</p>
<p>There was one thing you said that I want to emphasize, if I may. You mentioned that if 4-digs band together and work as a team that they can have more influence over us than we have over them.</p>
<p>I don't think I've heard a truer statement on these boards. To those of you freshmen out there, you really don't know what kind of impact you can have on your upperclassmen by the way you work together and work hard. I cannot tell you how much it boosts my mood when I see our squadron's freshmen kicking *** at whatever they do, and how much it brings it down when they act weak and depressed.</p>
<p>Be the example for your upperclassmen! Be the ones who are optimistic, be the ones who haul *** to get the things in your way out of you way, and be the ones to get stuff done. You have no idea what that will do for others around you. We'll be thanking you for it come Recognition. Mark my words.</p>
<p>(Hopefully) a last note about breakfast. That is definitely a poor example of leadership. It should have been addressed within the flight or BCT squadron, though. The good and bad should follow the chain of command until it can be solved.</p>
<p>Ditto what Christcorp and G4C said.</p>