Generation Why(ne)

[The Reaper]

Good insight.

I see this here, at work, and on this board.

TR


By Don Kramer, Northwest Guardian

Published: 12:08PM July 31st, 2008

Studies reveal new generation gap

New research seems to confirm what many officials have long believed: young Soldiers are just different. Recent research appears to validate what some Army leaders have said for years: today’s young recruits look at the world differently.

The staff psychologist of the 75th Ranger Regiment traveled from Fort Benning to Stone Education Center July 25 to share his observations that explain this modern version of a generation gap between Soldiers entering the service today and their older NCOs and officers. His audience was senior commanders and NCOs, staff and civilian leaders.

Major Art Finch said his presentation was aimed at providing context for Fort Lewis leaders seeking to understand what motivates young Soldiers. One of Finch’s primary responsibilities is screening applicants for the rigorous special operations environment. His comments came from his clinical and military experience and the clinical studies of his colleague, Dr. Jean M. Twenge of University of California at San Diego. Twenge wrote a bestselling book about her findings called “Generation Me,” which he gives routinely to leaders who ask him for help with young Soldiers.

Finch defined “generation” broadly as that cohort of Soldiers born since 1980, officers and enlisted alike. He was careful to point out that most of his remarks were about attitudes and approaches to this generation’s environment. Many deal with their impulses to become productive Soldiers and leaders. While his observations are general in nature, Finch said his experience counseling Soldiers and leaders in the Ranger Regiment broadly support the conclusions of Twenge’s studies of the generations of Americans known best by the letters “X” and “Y.”

The reflex of Soldiers of those generations, Finch said, is to disdain authority, demand their right to a variety of self expression modes, tattoos among them, and to expect praise for merely showing up for duty.

“They don’t just question authority; they flatout disrespect it entirely,” he said. “You really have to earn their respect. It will not come automatically just because of (your) rank or title.”

Finch characterized this group as stubborn, isolated, unapologetically profane and direct to the point of bluntness. Approval from peer groups is usually more important than from authority figures, even their families.

These young Soldiers often respond to directives by asking “Why?”

“And they really see nothing wrong with asking that question,” Finch said, even in a military setting.

But the generation has its strengths, too. Its members multitask with ease, he said, and they think on their feet and accept complex technologies as routine parts of life.

Finch and Twenge lay the blame for the generation’s less productive behaviors squarely on the humanist movement in psychology, popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Its ideas found their way to the public school system, he said, which begat the self-esteem movement.

Students taught under that philosophy learned that everything they did was praiseworthy. They routinely received rewards for participation rather than achievement.

“Here’s the problem,” Finch said. “Self-esteem has absolutely zero correlation with performance. In some cases, it’s actually negatively correlated. It has absolutely no impact on producing effective, productive members of society.”

Since the self-esteem movement didn’t allow individuals to “own problems,” young people became depressed and looked outside themselves for reasons for the gap between reality and their expectations.

“Life isn’t quite as cool as they thought it would be and they’re not quite as cool as they thought they were,” he said. The structure and discipline of military life exponentially increase the gap between reality and expectations. Drill sergeants aren’t commonly known for coddling young people. Their goals are to produce productive Soldiers.

Recruiting appeals became more difficult to develop for this generation. Instructors in basic and advanced individual training reported difficulties in controlling enlistees.

In response, the Army sought ways to better interact with young recruits.

“It really has required a shift in training and policies,” Finch said.

Recruiters have worked in recent years to narrow the gap in understanding to soften the impact of military life. The “Army of One” advertising campaign arose from recognition of the evolving values of the new generation.

Finch said military life ironically offers a way for GenerationMe Soldiers to work through their native narcissism and contribute to something bigger.

“For a generation that has no boundaries, no rules, no regulations and no structure in their life, the military actually has a lot to offer,” he said. “The military may be the only place in American society today where they’ll ... understand what it’s like to have self-confidence and self-control rather than this empty, vague notion of self-esteem. And then they start to become productive.”

After chafing initially at the increased responsibility and lack of personal recognition, the military often becomes “the significant lifechanging event for them, however long they end up serving.”

Once they work through the crisis of their self-perceptions slamming into reality, they often become extremely talented Soldiers, he said. Soldiers who stay and make the shift to internalize Army team values, he said, often become high performers.

Finch offered suggestions for military leaders who deal with GenerationMe Soldiers.

“Don’t compromise standards out of existence,” he said. If we do, “we no longer offer a solution, we no longer offer that structure.

“We need to better use technology for recruiting, training and communications on the battlefield,” he said. “Use small group approaches. Allow input. Do what makes sense, not just what the book says.”

[charlietwo]

I recently read a treatise on BRAINWASHING: A Synthesis of the Soviet Textbook on Psychopolitics that I connect directly to this problem we are facing, specifically with the newest generation of western/American children. It's a relatively long read, but very scary to see what has come true.

A link to the entire document can be found here : http://www.fhu.com/brainwashing_book.html

Good find, TR. This issue definitely needs to be acknowledged, understood, and addressed.

[CRad]

understand what it’s like to have self-confidence and self-control rather than this empty, vague notion of self-esteem. And then they start to become productive.”

I wondered if he was going to link self confidence to the notion of self-esteem.

I think many parents confuse the two.

Good article.

[7624U]

So thats why they cry when they get a NO/GO

[longrange1947]

Originally Posted by 7624U

So thats why they cry when they get a NO/GO

Yep, seen it, we call it a "significant emotional event", it is actually just blowing snot bubbles.

[Pete]

My oldest are now on their way to college this fall.

The first year they were in public school I was introduced to the Terrific Kids Program. All the feel good stuff of public education is rolled up into it.

Since all "our kids are special" the class is divided into 1/4s. At each of the awards programs one of the 1/4s recieves the "terrific kids" award. That way every child gets to go up in front of the school and get something.

Since my kids were up front during each awards program for something they earned I told the teachers they should skip the terrific kids award - give it to somebody who didn't earn anything. They said it wouldn't be fair to my kids.

My Kids? By the time they were in 1st grade they knew it was a crap award and threw it in the trash after the program. For other kids - they were so proud of that "award".

[Red Flag 1]

[QUOTE=The Reaper;220411]Good insight.


“For a generation that has no boundaries, no rules, no regulations and no structure in their life, the military actually has a lot to offer,” he said. “The military may be the only place in American society today where they’ll ... understand what it’s like to have self-confidence and self-control rather than this empty, vague notion of self-esteem. And then they start to become productive.”

After chafing initially at the increased responsibility and lack of personal recognition, the military often becomes “the significant lifechanging event for them, however long they end up serving.”


Bring back the draft.

Now more than ever, the draft may be able to allow highschool grads find a common ground with others. It can help young men and women find a path that was hidden before. Yep, draft the gals too.

A return of the draft, IMHO, will be difficult for the military, and maybe not be the best for the military; however, this article suggests real benefits for the youth of America. I agree with what the author says.

Good Lord; can you imagine that this could really happen today



RF 1

[morolen]

Generally speaking, conscription will foster resentment towards the millitary, volunteer forces have been proven in history to be far superior.

Some of us DO have a sense of duty and I(at least) am doing my best to join up as soon as I am able.

[Richard]

Sounds familiar to me...historically speaking...

The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they allow disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children now are tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.

- Attirbuted to Socrates by Plato.

And I'm sure the NCOs with whom I first came into contact in the Army either thought or said the same thing about me and my peers.

Richard's $.02

[Chris Cram]

Originally Posted by Richard

Sounds familiar to me...historically speaking...

And I'm sure the NCOs with whom I first came into contact in the Army either thought or said the same thing about me and my peers.

Richard's $.02

Sir, I suspect you are correct... and so were they.
Consider the norm, the acceptable, the main stream ethic, morality and focus for each of the following years. 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005.

Amaizing change.
There is quote from a teacher to his student, which I believe is appropriate for all fathers for their sons... 'Teach them from a well checked book...'
That which was most important for our fathers or grandfathers to teach us, is equaly important for us to teach our sons.

cc's 2-bits ( not even a penny is what it use to be )

Good luck with your students.

[Guy]

Originally Posted by 7624U

So thats why they cry when they get a NO/GO

Originally Posted by longrange1947

Yep, seen it, we call it a "significant emotional event", it is actually just blowing snot bubbles.

I just had a guy that got pissed because, the vehicle was not at his disposal to check on his R&R flight; the PAX terminal is less than a 1/2 mile away.

My reply: "I'd suggest that either 1. Hop the bus or 2. Walk! When it comes time for ME to get out of this s**t-hole, don't even bother wondering if I got out; you better be wondering if I'm coming back!"

Stay safe.

[Penn]

I'm sure all that has been said is true of Gen X and Y, but I agree with Pete; it about PARENTING!

[PSM]

Originally Posted by Guy

When it comes time for ME to get out of this s**t-hole, don't even bother wondering if I got out; you better be wondering if I'm coming back!" [/I]

Stay safe.

You're talking about California, right?

Pat

I would think that special forces would not have a problem with narcissistic youth because the type of person that I would envision making it through the q course would not be this type of individual.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by leshikar

I would think that special forces would not have a problem with narcissistic youth because the type of person that I would envision making it through the q course would not be this type of individual.

Failed to follow the simple instructions in your registration message and jumped right into the discussion without even reading the rules or stickies.

Proof of the point.

TR