(in case you were wondering, this is what an “all-american city” looks like.)

recently, i left a comment on my own facebook expressing my dissatisfaction with zach’s new unit. zach will not be here when the lease is up, and i can’t move everything by myself, and our apartment is a shithole. it has the works, poorly working appliances, horrible smells, bugs, and leaks. anyway, we have several options, move out early regardless and pay rent at two apartments, extend our lease (which personally, i do not consider an option), or try to move out early with TDY orders.

he went up his chain of command looking for a copy of orders for an upcoming TDY. no one knew that they even made orders for this TDY. not even senior unit leadership. one of the reasons we needed a copy of the orders was because we are trying to get out of our apartment lease early. zach’s “supervisor” told him to suck it up and extend the lease. the “supervisor” didnt care one bit that one of his soldiers had an issue that he could have EASILY solved. as if that “supervisor” could have possibly known what is best for me.

anyway, back to my facebook comment. several ladies from my FRG thought that was a great opportunity to tell me i better learn to roll with the army punches. it was a huge disappointment, because from day one i was told this unit is “all about family.” the frg leader emailed me saying we should just stay and she could get some of the other women to help me move when our lease was up. i felt like she heard nothing i said to her. honestly, i expected her to say something like “wow, yeah, you should get out of there as soon as possible.” i respectfully declined her offer.

all of this got me thinking about apathy, specifically in the military. it seems like so many people (especially, in leadership positions) are willing to pass the buck or simply claim there is no answer or solution. the army times has recently been printing articles on the impacts of poor leadership. i am surprised that more people aren’t talking about this. i think most problems in the military can be traced back to lack of or just poor leadership. leaders expect 110% from their soldiers but are often (not always, there are exceptions) only willing to do the least amount of work for the most return. they don’t care that knowing where to get a copy of TDY orders is probably a part of their job and is as easy as going to the S1 shop (yes, i found out where to get them). all the time, on the news, in magazines, on the radio, commercials, websites say military takes care of military. “we” are here for military families. don’t be fooled, it is all smoke and mirrors. no one is working for you.

anyway, i am pissed, but Snarky Navy Wife says it better.

update/edit: i looked up the army regs on leadership just to make sure i was not completely off base in suggesting that the duty of superior (senior level unit leadership position) was to care about helping us obtain a copy of the TDY orders.

AR 600-100
Army Leadership
Ch. 2 Responsibilities
2-1. General
Every leader will-
c. Ensure the physical, moral, personal, and professional well-being of subordinates.

i would like to think our situation would be covered by this section. obviously, many army regulations are often subject to personal interpretation, so this is mine.

also, i would like to add that as far as the frg people go, i was most disappointed with their willingness to turn a blind eye to a leadership deficit. considering, the first day i was introduced to this unit i was told several times that this unit is all about family, i assumed they would have the best interest of my family in mind as well as and along with all of the other families.