Ultimately,meeting deadlines on or about mission critical tasking comes down to a lack oftime management and managing that time efficiently.
Time management also is dependenton discipline, or “training that produces obedience or self-control, often inthe form of rules and punishments if these are broken” (Cambridge Dictionary).A lack of discipline creates complacency and a lack of the ability to managetheir time. Fulfilling deadlines is a way for leadership to see demonstratedpotential and commitment in a service member. If there is a potential for alack of deadlines, or no deadlines explicitly given, counterproductive membersof a team will tend to procrastinate and maximize non-productivity; thuslowering potential output of an individual or a group of their peers.
Essentially, deadlines create productivity by creating a hard line or goal tomeet or exceed. Time management is equally important, as time lost is time notspent towards furthering the self or the team. The military utilizes time as acentral pillar to its’ operations. There is a start and a stop to the workday.
There is a time when people arrive to the work center, and there is a COB.There are operations and missions the Army and intelligence services depend onthat are time critical. Whether it’s sending up a PERSTAT, or dropping a JDAMon a terrorists’ head, one little cog operating out of sync can cause the wholemachine to fail. No matter how small something may be, time management iscritical.TheArmy as a whole depends on these individual cogs to make up the larger machinethat is the power arm behind the military might that is the United States ofAmerica. The United States’ ability to remain a superpower since the1800’s hasbeen solidified by the organization’s inherent and cohesive usage of timemanagement and discipline. Meeting deadlines and managing time is reflective ofdiscipline, whether of the unit’s discipline as a whole, or an individualsoldier’s discipline.
The Army is dependent on results and effects; not excuseson why a deadline or goal was not met. Results are critical, and largely affectthe country as a whole. Not only is the Army dependent on this critical timemanagement and discipline, but so too is the government; firefighting brigadessaving a house from burning down, or a police officer stopping a drunk driverdemand time sensitive actions on the part of the individual, the unit, and anorganization. Failure to adhere to standards andgiven deadlines has no place in the unit or this organization.
Failure to do soimpacts the team, the unit and the organization. Failure to do so impactsresults needed for the United States military to remain the superpower itremains to this day.DIRECT ORDERS In order to be successful in anyprofession, both Army and private sector, following directions is extremelycritical. Receiving, comprehending, and acting upon given orders is a valuableand necessary skill in the Army so events, missions, and tasks can proceed asdirected in an orderly fashion.
Following directions is critical in preventinga misstep, injury, or even a possible death. Direct Orders also instilldiscipline and obedience. Orders follow the chain of command or the NCO SupportChannel as a method of proper communication and unity on the task at hand. Bydefinition, obedience is “compliance with an order, request, or law orsubmission to another’s authority” (Oxford Dictionaries – Obedience). In themilitary, this is a critical task, and outlines the success and safety ofsoldiers accomplishing a mission.
The disciplined thing to do when orders aregiven are to follow those orders. Failure, at an individual or team level,occurs when these orders are not followed. Failure of orders also affects theteam: lack of confidence in each other and the inability to have trust in oneanother. Such situations compounded on one another may result in injury or evendeath. Orders also allow leadershippotential to grow and flourish.
Orders passed down the chain to be received byyour subordinates command respect and demonstrate ability to follow directions.The abilities of a good leader to follow orders and the ability to lead othersgo hand in hand, and demonstrate leadership potential. Essentially, if a leadercannot rally their troops, they are not an effective one. Disseminating orders and thefollowing of them also uphold the command structure inherent in the military.In the civilian sector, a manager or head of a department issues tasks tocomplete, and the subordinate must follow.
This idea is also true within themilitary. Orders are inherent and given from the first day of the military, inthat all soldiers say the Oath of Enlistment as their first official duties tobe upheld. The Oath states:”I,(first/last name) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defendthe Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign anddomestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that Iwill obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders ofthe officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Codeof Military Justice” (Army Oath). The line “obey the orders of the President of theUnited States and the orders of the officers appointed over me” is theexample by which I refer to this Oath. Following of orders is given in animplied task on day one. Not following orders also has itsown set of punishments. According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice(UCMJ), an Article 15 or Article 92 may be placed upon a soldier based on theseverity.
An Article 15 is known simply as a Nonjudicial Punishment and requiresapproval by the commander, a Noncommissioned Officer may only recommend anArticle 15. An article 15 is used to deal out “in house” punishments that donot require the use the court martial system. An Article 92, or “Failure to Obey Order or Regulation” iswhen the court systems are utilized to punish a soldier for the failure tofollow orders or regulations and violations of these orders.RESPECT Respect, meaning “A feeling of deep admirationfor someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, orachievements” (Oxford Dictionaries – Respect), is the third Army Value and is acentral pillar to the beliefs and principles upheld by the United States Army.These beliefs and principles are representative of this organization and areintegral to the behaviors between superior and subordinate, team member to teammember, or officer to Noncommissioned Officer, and are central to customs andcourtesies that we must all adhere to. Respect and courtesies that travel bothup and down the chain are not only critical, but highly revered and regarded byall. Respect is expected from the lower ranks upward, even if the soldier doesnot necessarily like that person.
All soldiers from top to bottom deserverespect. Thusly, this concept is interwoven into the mindset of the averagesoldier. Respect of a Non-Commissioned or Commissioned Officer is expected,else challenging of authority is punishable legally.
This concept is anintegral part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), as once somebodyjoins the US Army, they essentially waive their civilian rights of free speechagainst a superior. Whether you agree or disagree with your superior, a simple”ACK” or “ROGER” can be stated in order to be respectful, and in compliance ofan issuance of orders. Respect also allows and builds uponstructure and discipline. Structure provides order and the necessary balancewithin an organization or ensure duties and responsibilities. Respect for rank,position, or authority ensures duties and tasks are accomplished by all to thebest of their abilities.
Respect ensures goals and tasks are executed and met.Respect is reflective also upon one’s own respect and discipline for themselvesand others. For example, saluting an officer is a custom and courtesy thathinges on respect.
If you do not care about the military, and are rude ordisrespectful, and just walk by an officer without rendering a salute, you willmost likely get immediate corrective training from said officer. This sameprinciple applies to a greeting of the day to a senior Noncommissioned Officer.A proper “good morning” to the First Sergeant is fairly respectful. Theseexamples further solidify the idea that without the basic respect forauthority, the military would lack structure, rank, and authority. This lack ofrespect would and can negatively unit cohesion and individual discipline. Atthe end of the day, proper respect is needed to overcome interpersonal issuesin order to receive and act upon orders necessary to accomplish the mission.
In conclusion, I realize that mylack of time management impacted the ability for me to further myself and mycareer as an individual. The perception of these actions came off asdisrespectful, of which was not my intention, nor my purpose or reasoning. Iwill utilize this learning opportunity to not make this mistake again andmanage my time and efforts more wisely.
