[July 1, 2020] KP duty, cleaning toilets with a toothbrush, and painting rocks were the first jobs I had in the U.S. Army. I didn’t like any of them but especially didn’t like painting rocks because I saw no value in it. It was a mindless waste of time, “busy work.” But I did learn something from the effort.
My first duty station was Fort Polk, LA. It was the worst place in all the army to be stationed stateside. The local town, Leesville, was a strip of bars, tattoo parlors, houses of prostitution, gambling fronts, and locals taking advantage of soldiers with cash. The base itself had rundown barracks, little in the way of transportation, and the weather was hot and humid most of the time. Fort Polk was voted by Soldiers to be the least desirable place to be located in the entire world.
Yet, long after I left and had given up on painting rocks a white enamel, I realized that there might have been a purpose behind it. I learned that presenting a good appearance makes a powerful impression. When a military base looks ‘ship-shape’ and everything is in order, senior leaders are impressed. They form a quick impression; this is a squared-away place.
There is an old army adage that says that the most peacetime inspection-ready unit is the worst in combat. But that is not true. Appearance does make a difference because it represents what the leadership is thinking. When every detail is paid attention to, that organization has attended all courses of action.
As a new army recruit, I remember the obsession of our Drill Sergeants about spit-shined boots, pressed uniforms, and sharp short haircuts. Yes, this was acting the part, but it was also more. The focus on attention to detail, no matter how small, is misunderstood as the military’s fixation with conformity. This view is incorrect. It’s about the power of forming good habits.
Practicing something over and over forms habits. If done correctly, those habits will sustain that person when under stress, like in combat. A machinegun team repeatedly practices setting up and tearing down their gun. When they have to do it with little sleep, after an exhausting forced march, and in the dark, they can do it; there is no doubt.
I also gained the ability to be intensely observant. It didn’t take me long to see small changes in anything. It was a powerful skill. I was an observer extraordinaire. The little things mattered a great deal. It was a matter of personal growth. Others would miss these changes. Such a skill allows you to see things others miss and gives insight that can inspire creativity.
Painting rocks was no fun. I thought it was stupid. I was wrong.
Another spot-on leadership post today, Gen. Satterfield. I do like your list of brutal truths that your commander gave you. I’m also sure it was a bit of a “thrill” when he sat you down and discussed it. To be in such a position of high responsibility must have been the height of your career at the time.
Good one Linux Man but painting rocks is the very bottom of learning how to “see” better as a leader. Some of us don’t have to start so low, IMHO. Thanks.
All too many people are slow to realize that these are the ideas that get you to the top of any bureaucracy or hierarchy. Only the best who realize it AND can afford the time, have the intelligence, and the willingness to work very hard can actually achieve the top of their profession. This is competition at its best.
Very true, Max. Thanks for your succinct analysis. I agree also that many don’t realize what it takes to do well in our society (or any modern society).
Excellent article, General Satterfield, wow, I wish my boss had told me this when I took over a team of construction managers.
Yes, and got to the point quickly. No pussy-footing around. Get the job done. Take care of your people. Make things happen and do it right, on time, on budget, and surprise everyone by delivering the goods better than we expected. That is how you build your reputation.
???? Thanks Valkerie. Well said.
The radical leftists in our country should take note. So should the leaders that support them – like so many city mayors, governors. I’m a bit shocked at the so-called “protests” which are really just a front to destroy. No one cares about their purported “causes” and no one even hardly mouths their anti-American slogans any more. We know its all about getting some free stuff (that is why the looting is occuring).
Eva, I partly agree with you. the Radical Leftists, as you describe them, are indeed the problem. And they are pulling the Democratic party leftward. But I don’t believe they are doing it for free stuff. They want to gain power and they see the opportunity to get it by making things look bad for US Pres Trump.
Right Harry, and once the election in Nov is over, all this protesting and rioting will come to a halt because their usefulness for the Democrat Party will end. They will be told to go home and they will.
Hmmm, some okay comments here Eva. Once again, I don’t think it’s all about free stuff but there is truly an ideology hidden in there. Some say it’s neo-Marxist. Others say it’s just the old Political Correctness coming out. Either way, it’s destructive.
—– and I too cleaned a number of toilets, had Kitchen Police (KP) duty, but never painted any rocks or such things. But I do get your point that “attention to detail” is something one has to learn (often the hard way). The little things do matter a great deal.
I’m sure the experiences there paid off in the long run despite not knowing it at the time.
Most folks who go through this training and “make work” seem to think it’s just a bunch of baloney. It teaches us to ‘see’ anything that is out of place and to somehow note with a keen eye that a place or event is just not right somehow. I learned it as a junior team leader long ago when they actually measured your performance. If you didn’t get the job done, you were out. Today, they pander to the junior leaders and that is why so many are narcissitic.
We do seem to have growing self-centered young population. No surprise that they are rioting in the streets because they want a new tv and mama govt didn’t give them one they were promised. ?
Funny, but I was fortunate and didn’t do the dirty work. But I was quick to see it was important.
I too painted a lot of rocks while in the Army. They were painted white, no fancy colors like in your thumbnail.