Friday, May 9, 2014

Military "Toxic Leaders" subject of new documentary

Bad leadership or bad recruits? As Wounded Times pointed out many times over the years, the number of military suicides has gone up even when the number of enlisted went down. This article mentions the branches cutting numbers.

It seems as if the leadership in the military is constantly trying to blame the recruits for all of it. The suicides, the attempted suicides and now misconduct. All of us know they have also discharged thousands under personality disorders. Is this really all about bad recruits, all undergoing mental health exams and background checks, or is it more about leadership failing those who want to risk their lives to serve?

You can read more from the link above if you don't think this is a serious issue.
'Toxic’ leaders taken to task
The Acorn
By Sylvie Belmond
May 8, 2014

Documentary by Army veteran and Calabasas High alumnus links abuse by commanders to military suicides A military commander’s leadship style can mean the difference between life and death, says John Shaff, a Calabasas High alumnus and former Army first lieutenant who served in the Afghanistan war in 2012.

Shaff, 33, is developing a documentary called “No Way Out” to raise awareness of the military’s leadership culture and its link to soldier suicide.

Studies show that sustained abuse from so-called toxic leaders is correlated to suicide. A toxic leader is, among other things, psychologically abusive and unconcerned about troop morale.

Military leaders should be trained to influence their subordinates without abusing them, said Shaff, who completed his service in January.

“Toxic commanders are one of the major reasons soldiers commit suicide,” Shaff told about 80 veterans during a recent Wings over Wendy’s gathering in West Hills. “It’s almost an epidemic.”

Established in 2002, Wings over Wendy’s comprises veterans— mostly from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars—who meet at a Wendy’s restaurant in West Hills once a month to share stories and support veterans’ causes.
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