Have I Gone Rogue? Or Just [Insert Expletive]?

I don't know where to start this blog*. There is something that I've been needing to get off of my chest for quite some time; I think now is that time.

I have been in the Army for just over seven years, two months and two days as of today. Although there may have been trying times between 28 February 2002 and today, I have enjoyed my life for the past seven years and would not trade it for the world. I have grown from a young Private, to the current rank of Sergeant. In that time I have matured in my military bearing, my thought process and attitudes towards certain factors of the military, and I have generally evolved for the better in almost every aspect conceivable. I have been blessed by being put into a position in which I can learn much about the Army while at the same time being able to help Soldiers at one of the most basic levels.

Throughout the years my ego has definitely been inflated and deflated randomly at different times, due to various reasons. Reality checks were very common but just as many blind eyes were turned (is that saying said correctly? someone correct me if it's not!). Don't let this come across that some shady actions took place for me to get where I am today. If anything questionable did occur in my favor, I did not know about it. But it was just over two years ago that I was promoted to Sergeant and my attitude started to change.

I'm sure that during my tenure in my position there were those that benefited from my actions, and those who felt as though I used my 'power,' for lack of better words, against them. Let me also put that out; no matter what kind of harsh accusations I might have made, I never once used my position at the chagrin of another. But the opinions of me in my position over the years has definitely covered the entire spectrum of feelings one can have toward another.

Lately, the opinions have been less than stellar. But I don't care. And that's wrong. To use vulgar language (not that it has ever vexed me in the past to use such words), I am pretty much considered an asshole; and that's probably putting it nicely. But as I was walking alone to lunch today -- a rare occasion that I welcome for the moments of reflection -- I pondered what specific actions I perform to be deemed worthy of such a title. I'll admit that there are times when I come across as an asshole on purpose. The sad part is that I do this in a joking manner. I probably act so well that they can't see the fine line. Someone get me an Emmy nomination.

But the times when I truly come across as an asshole is when I'm correcting a Soldier or speaking of an incorrect attitude. For example, if I am correcting a Soldier's uniform standard with a louder than normal tone, should I be deemed an asshole? Just answering that question as presented I would probably say yes myself. There are many out there who would argue that yelling (which I don't consider it yelling, just using a forceful tone) at a Soldier doesn't accomplish much. I disagree; not that I have to yell at every Soldier, but I shouldn't have to tell a Soldier the obvious. So to bring this particular question into perspective, I have to explain all.

The subject of allowing Soldiers to wear their boonie caps as opposed to their patrol caps has been an issue. Soldiers want to wear it, command groups oppose them (not all, just the ones that can make the decision). Now, the Army has always been about looking professional while wearing their uniforms. It's what sets us apart from other Army's throughout the world; and, even more, we're judged by our own country by how we look in our uniform. Think about it. So it boils down to standards.

This being said, those opposing the wear of boonie caps are doing so because Soldiers will refuse to wear the headgear properly. The proper manner in which one should wear the boonie cap is with the drawstring under their chin-- serving its intended purpose. This brings us to the Soldier I corrected. We allowed Soldiers to wear the boonie caps to protect them from the sun and the very first thing I see is the Soldier wearing the headgear incorrectly. Is it so hard to do something properly?

I probably went into too much detail with the whole uniforms and standards issue, but, then again, this is where my rage is rooted. I might have failed to mention that small factor. I walk around as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Army, who has an obligation to correct all Soldiers, and I am enraged beyond belief because I can't take two steps without seeing some form of infraction. I don't get angry at everything incorrect thing I see. I get angry at things I see that should have never happen.

I shouldn't see empty water bottles on the basketball court as I walk to lunch. I shouldn't see Soldiers with their shirts untucked when there is a huge ass sign posted stating 'Shirts will remain tucked in at all times.' I shouldn't see Soldiers with their trousers unbloused. I shouldn't see cigarette butts lying right next to a near empty ashtray. I shouldn't see Soldiers wearing a T-Shirt that is not an authorized T-Shirt. I shouldn't see Soldiers with their sunglasses on top of their heads.

And yet I do.

Is it so hard to do the right thing?

The sunglasses is a perfect example of purposely doing the wrong thing. Just the other day a Soldier was walking with their sunglasses atop their head. All I did was yell out loud, "Hey!" That is all I yelled. The Soldier didn't even look at me and immediately took the sunglasses off of their head. Wow.

So. Though no one who thinks I am an asshole will ever read this, to those who do read this and have wondered why I am always an asshole, this is probably the reason why. I'm tired of correcting things that should not be corrected.

*Admin notes for this blog: I will end up using some Army specific acronyms and military specific words. Normally I would either explain these words or I would include links to definitions of these words. Tonight's blog needs to leave my mind via my fingers so I may get to bed soon.