Despite the way some NCOs and officers treat you, there is honor and dignity in portraying the impression of a Civil War Federal private, the man that gets the lion's share of the credit for preserving our Union. Don't forget this and don't allow anyone else to forget it, either. The rank of private is not some default rank you got because you haven't been made (or assumed) some NCO or officer rank— It is an impression in and of itself, and one that needs to be worked at and improved over time. Some privates will say: "Personally, I am much more concerned with who's handling black powder around me than with who's in command of the company, and it is for this reason I am very picky about who I'll call my comrade in-arms". An unsafe, unskilled private can do more physical damage than any number of NCOs or officers (they can only do damage to morale). Don't worry about what an NCO or officer might think of you or how they judge you, remeber that you are part of a bigger picture than they are and whatever affects you affects everyone around you. And even if you feel that you are being mistreated by someone within the ranks then you have a decision to "go it alone". There are so many privates that have been banned or kicked out of units because of stupid things that they've grouped together to form "Independent" units that funtion like a regiment. These independent reenactors deserve the kind of respect, honor and dignity to be the individuals that they are and for the people for whom they are portraying.
Please do not delete this post because I'm speaking from expierence. Thank You!
Wil, there are many good NCO's out there as well, frankly without them units cease to exist on the field of battle. Thus the difference between a re-enactment and reality.
I'm not quite certain of your point here, if you are stating that Privates are important you are quite correct but they are no less and no more important than the Corporals and the Sergeants.
In my unit I am a Corporal, it is my job to make certain the privates under me are in good health and in good spirits if possible. It is also my job to make certain they do their job. In real life I was an E-4 (roughly equivelant to a CW Corporal) w/ several troops under me and I believe my re-enacting dutes are quite similar to my military ones.
It isn't an NCO's job to make a Private like him, it is his job to get them moving and make certain they do the job of a Private soldier.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
I understand your point fully and I know that some NCOs and officers are quite nice. What makes an NCO or officer great is the men (privates) themselves and they can make or break an NCO or officer. Never under-estimate one another because in the long run one private can affect the group or unit. Of course if you're in the military you know everything, from combat to the men.
My point is that (some) people within the hobby should quit nosying around and mind their own personal space before a private does go else where and seek a unit that doesn't nose around. I've had my privacy intruded on by an NCO who seemed to "not get the picture". That's why I posted: "Respect, Honor and Dignity to all Privates" because those 3 words should be up-held with the utmost valor.
Wil, an NCO is not paid to be nice, that isn't his job. He isn't expected to have every man serving under him like him. His duty is to get the job done. It is not the Officers and NCO's job to practice democracy, it is their job to organize their men to defend it. Put simply Respect, Honor and Dignity should apply to all whether he be an NCO or Private. Honesty, integrity, percerverence and loyalty are also important. Respect, Honor & Dignity work both ways and should be expected from both directions of the chain of command.
Individuals should not let there "responsability" go to their heads either. Especially as modern CW units are not real combat units or in any way military units. Officers and NCO's are generally appointed or voted into office... their authority is more implied than real. In my experiance few of those have let it go to their head.
A single Private with a grudge or a chip on his shoulder can effect the morale of an entire unit just as a single bad NCO or officer can ruin a unit.
Also keep in mind that an individual w/ a unit's designation in his name or monicker can easily shed good or bad press upon that unit and often ends up representing an entire unit. In some cases bad press can be devestating to a re-enacting unit especially where fundraising and press are involved. Any loss of donations or fund raising venues can be fatal to a units existance.
As an E-4 it was my job to insure the people under me did their job both in quality of work, professionalism and even to a degree their home life. A srew up of even .001 Volts when working w/ a Radar was enough to crash a plane, a lack of professionalism reflected poorly upon the individual as well as the entire unit. And a bounced check, DUI, domestic call etc also can reflect upon a unit.
I don't know your situation; all I can do is put forward the attitude and thoughts on the matter of one former "real" NCO.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
You're right Shane. Respecting each other is the way to go in this or any hobby. I respect all NCO's and Officers to an extent, but when one of them tends to intrude on your home, business or personal life don't you think they should know when and where to stop? I don't hold any grudges to anyone, it's just that some have been known to get into my "business" and I know that's not right. I was a member of the SUVCW for a couple of years and one of the Brothers in the same camp got into my "business" last year. So I wrote to the SUVCW and made a complaint about it. That is my situation and I'm not only trying to make it better for me but for everyone else. It's our right to privacy, whether online, on the field or in a SUVCW camp. Individualism is something that noone can take away from you and in any unit that can be dangerous, but isn't that why we have freedom to be an individual?
It seems that Wil is just being misunderstood. Sure some of us have been where he's at at some point in our lives and we all have our own problems including me. I didn't see Wil swear or bad mouth any unit in this post. Shouldn't we just talk about our problems rather than put them in the closet with the rest of the skeletons? I'm not on anyones side but I do make a point.
I think a good unit with good solid leadership from NCO on up should be able to see problems sprouting up and get ti under control... but there is the human element and it does happen.. if people are so discontent...why stay around ?? this is a hobby !! There are options..
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