… but if you can’t support my own mother through her anger and disappointment, don’t bother supporting me either. Make no mistake about it, no one is happy about our extension, and none of us sent over here beyond our active duty agreement appreciate it very much either. I was not raised to half ass anything, my best is all I ever give – pissed off or not. My soldiers are well aware of the fact that I am being screwed, they are also well aware of the fact that I am a Non-Commissioned Officer and follow a creed all other NCOs know and few follow. My soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership, and as the Army has proven time and time again, that is about all they are entitled to. As officers have no such creed, and mine states plainly that I will provide that leadership – I do so, day in and day out.

Leadership is defined by the Army as providing purpose, motivation, and direction while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization. To do part of that, and ignore another is piss poor leadership, and not the outstanding variety my soldiers are entitled to. While my superiors may fail, that does not give me the excuse to do the same. Each of my subordinates has been counseled on their purpose in this fight. Each is provided with the motivation required to accomplish the mission. Each is likewise given direction where required to ensure no detail is missed, while also being allowed to take the wheel and steer out a course of action for themselves – in order to facilitate professional growth, and the opportunity to gain leadership skills for the day they pin on three stripes and join the NCO Corps. These things are all done in order to provide oustanding leadership, and accomplish the mission – no matter how unclear it may be. What can not be ignored however, are the pitfalls of the organization which are many. Being charged with said organization’s improvement, I would be guilty of ignoring my duties if I did not address the issues at hand.