Since I've been back from BIAP, I have become increasingly irritated... with everything. From conversations with Iraqis, to late night QRFs, to talks with other leaders in the company. First, QRF missions. The last patrol cycle, each QRF mission turned into a ghost chase. The big problem with having a array of imagery technology at your fingertips is that you are able to see more then you are able to comprehend. Everyday actions and movements can be interpreted in a thousand different ways, and what is suppose to be normal can easily "not seem normal" depending on the viewers mood, amount of rest, etc. I understand that we should be on the safe side, but I believe more discrimination should be used, unless US soldiers are in danger.
Also, my every action is being critiqued by my superiors. This was not a problem to me in the beginning, but now the tone has gotten increasingly... whats the word... lecture like? I hate feeling as though I have to be defensive, but I feel as though I am being attacked rather than critiqued. I feel as though I have been running the platoon as it was running before (good), nothing new (yet), but since I am new, they are beginning to look very closely at my actions and exploiting every perceived mistake... another leader probably would have made some of the same decisions I have, but would not have been critiqued so heavily.
Alright, now that I got that out of my system... I do welcome the crticism, even though it may come at a time when I am having a bad fucking day. Hopefully I will get some time to relax my mind a little bit, because there is way too much going through it right now. I understand that I am the new platoon leader, and one that has received his job in a combat zone, therfore, it is natural for those above me to keep a close eye on me even though it may cause me to be irritable at times... Yea, thats about all I got right now
2 comments:
Glenn, Even a compliment can piss a guy off if he is having an BFD. And it is unbelievable the crap you guys endure on a daily basis. So having a bad day is normal.
Don't take the criticism personally. You don't know what you don't know, so take a step back and think of the critiques as their sharpening of the Glenn Sword. They are just trying to put that fine edge on the blade. And sometimes that takes a little grinding. I assume you have your shit together or you would be a platoon leader in the 1st place. If they thought you were bad they’d just let you fail or get rid of you.
Hang in there man, your platoon needs you, and is counting on you to be sharp and not foggy with irritation.
Remember -Calm seas don't make sailors.
Well said. The last day or two I have been able to step back and put things in perspective. Those above me have all been in my position before and I (and your son) have the best chain of command in the battalion. (really, we do) If they comment on my actions, I would be a fool not to listen.
Just riding out the storm
Post a Comment