Morale falling; confidence in leaders high
The USAToday reports that a survey conducted among Soldiers and Marines in Afghanistan last year shows that ten years at war is having a predictable effect on the troops;
The report says decline in individual morale is significant: 46.5% of troops said they had medium, high or very high morale, compared with 65.7% who said that in 2005. About one in seven soldiers — and one in five Marines — reported high or very high morale.
But on the upside, they have more confidence in their small unit leaders;
The report noted that the emotional strain, while high, was lower than expected given the severity of combat — evidence of a growing resilience in the force. And confidence in the command skills of squad and platoon leaders has never been higher at close to 50%, up from 38.6% in 2005.
“They have learned to be leaders in a crucible,” Chiarelli says. “And their soldiers have seen that.”
I think you’d be hard pressed to count the number of Vietnam veterans who had more than three deployments to that conflict and many of today’s small unit leaders have the experience of four or more tours under their belts. Those guys from Vietnam trained my generation and we put the spark in the current generation, so I have lots of confidence in the new sergeants that, when this war is over too soon, they’ll keep that spark going.
This has nothing to do with the article, but bears repeating. I remember meeting a Vietnam veteran who had six tours. When I asked him why he went back so many times, he replied “I was looking for the SOB who shot me on the first tour.” I asked if he had found him, he said “I don’t know if I shot him or not, but I shot a lot of guys who looked like him.”
Thanks to Finrod for the link.
Category: Terror War
Doesn’t seem to be making sense. Morale is dropping, but confidence in leadership is rising? Usually the quality of leadership is a major metric in these studies. What else is out of whack?
I’m going to see my son at Fort Huachuca over Memorial Day. I will see what he says and others and will let you know. Your right DaveO something seems out of whack. When I visited him last November he had a “Command Climate” meeting, but it was with all ranks with the Bde Cdr. My experience is that lends itself to false perceptions.
False perceptions is what this Administration is all about gentlemen 8)
Keep in mind that was high confidence in “squad and platoon leaders.” That’s nobody over E6 or O2, most places. I have pretty high confidence in my company officers–well, some of them–but I’m not sure our BN CSM could lead a soldier to the latrine.
8)