View Full Version : Pentagon will review higher pensions for top officers
BMT (RIP)
01-29-2014, 06:24
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-investigations-point-to-military-system-that-promotes-abusive-leaders/2014/01/28/3e1be1f0-8799-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html
BMT
Interesting article in the basement foundation of what it's written about.
I guess they didn't talk to anyone that worked with Gen Parker. I could seen this written about.
Troops who served under Army Maj. Gen. James Parker former SWCS Commander, described him as “dictatorial,” “unglued” and a master of “profanity-fused outbursts.”
I remember being in 2-3 different meeting/briefing were he became “unglued” and words of wisdom “profanity-fused outbursts" or the best was when we throw a water bottle at one of his Company Commanders.
I don't care about "their" retirement. My issue is the absorbent amount of money we pay for some of them to live in off post housing in the DC, Tampa, Virgina Beach, and Atlanta in different areas across the US. Now that is ridiculous! From what I know, no never seen a WWII or Vietnam era General living in the lavish houses that a star fleet officers are living in now.
Fuck Parker! And, no, it's not in pink...
GreenSalsa
01-29-2014, 11:12
I guess they didn't talk to anyone that worked with Gen Parker. Troops who served under Army Maj. Gen. James Parker former SWCS Commander, described him as “dictatorial,” “unglued” and a master of “profanity-fused outbursts.”
I believe the term you are looking for is being "Parkerized". I also personally watched two O6s sweating out and arguing who would take an issue before Gen Parker. What was the issue you ask? It was concern over the placement of a semicolon and a comma...
The fear was palpable and real to a lot of people in 2006-2008. I wish senior leaders would understand that outbursts, anger, and sarcasm reverberate and echo exponentially down the chain of command.
That said, I have also seen where that anger and indignation was absolutely required to send a clear message to apathetic staffs and commands but that has to be the exception rather than the rule.
I saw Parker come unglued and go off the deep end MANY times with my battalion commander (when he was Group commander) and with my Company Commander when he was the SOCSOUTH CG.
I also briefed him twice as a deploying team leader when he was Group Commander and twice when he was the SOCSOUTH commander, once for a deployment and once on a 15-6. He was never anything but professional and courteous.
With MG Parker, IMHO, if you were squared away and assertive, you had little to worry about. If you were dorked up, or he sensed timidity or fear, you were toast.
Or maybe he was just bi-polar and I caught him on his good days.
...With MG Parker, IMHO, if you were squared away and assertive, you had little to worry about. If you were dorked up, or he sensed timidity or fear, you were toast.
Concur 100%. I too worked for him. In one meeting he was yelling and cursing at me and I gave it right back. At the end of the conversation he said, "Fuxx you [Joker] we'll do it your way and I'll kick your ass when it fails." I saluted and moved out. It didn't fail. One of the LTCs that was with us stopped me in the hall going back to the office and told me that "you can't talk to the general that way." I said, "no, YOU can't, we got what we wanted didn't we?"
He would kill the "Os," but they didn't understand where he was coming from and he expected that the NCOs and WOs were going to tell him the unadulterated truth, something some/most of the O6s here were afraid to do.
He is a shark and smells blood (fear).
As I only worked for him when he was a MG at SOCOM, your mileage may vary.:D
The Reaper
01-29-2014, 21:24
I worked for Parker three times.
After the first one, I figured it out. We got along fine after that.
Too many others never did.
It still wasn't pleasant to work for him, and I agree, he is an prime example of toxic leadership.
TR
I never worked with Parker but have worked with a few other Gen. Officers.
If you need to scream, as a senior officer or SGM/CSM, as a regular technique of leadership you have a personal issue that is yours alone.
Real emotional outbursts can be effective....like when they are coming thru the wire or there is a life/death situation.
The most effective ass chewing's I ever received, and remembered for their righteousness, were delivered in a calm and direct manner.
Constant screaming is for children.
1stindoor
01-30-2014, 08:14
Fuck Parker! And, no, it's not in pink...
My sentiments exactly. I wouldn't stop to urinate on him if he was on fire.
Snaquebite
01-30-2014, 08:26
If you need to scream, as a senior officer or SGM/CSM, as a regular technique of leadership you have a personal issue that is yours alone.
I could not agree more.