Common Problems in the Military

In my opinion the problems we have recently encountered in our company and more specifically our shop are derived from a lack of proper planning, Nco's not policing their own and the lack of interest in what marines have planned for their weekends and or holidays. A simple fix would be for the Nco's at a section level to inquire about what marines are planning for their liberty and if that marine doesn't have a plan then make him/her sit down and think of one. Nco's not only should be policing their Jr Marines but other Nco's as well. For example Sgt's policing corporals. If a marine is planning on going drinking or clubbing ask him/her who their Designated Driver is and if said marine doesn't have one you could secure their off base liberty until they do there for forcing marines to make a plan. What this all boils down to is Nco's and other marines in a position of leadership have to constantly take an interest in the plans of their peers and their Jr Marines.

Morale of marines changes on a daily basis, as long as they have a good work environment and their Nco's and more importantly their peers who they work beside day in and day out take a genuine interest in the well being of that marine everything should work out for the best. Their is no one better to know the well being and mental state of a marine then the people he or she works with and hangs out with socially on a daily basis.

My short term goals for the coming months are to pick up corporal and to continue experiencing what California has to offer. In order to accomplish these goals I need to stay out of trouble, work hard on and off duty and conduct myself as an Nco in order to prepare myself for the challenges and responsibilities that go along with being an Nco. If I apply myself and follow these guidelines I will have ample time and ability to continue experiencing what California has to offer.

Now as for my long term goals I would like to work toward my bachelors degree in electronic engineering to hopefully be a electronics technician in the civilian world. Another goal I have is to EAS from the Marines with a Honorable Discharge and all my benefits intact. In order to one day accomplish these tasks I need to apply myself completely when i go off to college and stay out of trouble because it is remarkable how much one bad decision can affect the outlook of your entire life.

In conclusion Your Command and your peers can only do so much and take you so far the balk of the load still falls on your shoulders and you must think over every decision you make because it is remarkably easy to make the wrong choice it is a lot harder to make the right one.