Generation Kill

[MikeF]

In nineteen months of command (12 in combat), I raised my voice only thrice.

I called my SSG's and above by their first names.

If they were called by their rank/last name, then they knew they were in trouble.

It builds a cohesive team specifically in the most tenacious times of trench/room clearing.

To me, this issue is as irrelevant and silly as the grooming standards commissioned by the Marine Battalion and expressed today by the PT reflective belts at LSAA.

Professionalism lies in the cleanliness of the weapons, the readiness of the equipment, and the response time to an action.

Brotherhood lies in the bonds shared throughout the tense times.

From my subordinates, I was always referred to as sir.

I am regular army. Only short bus special.

For me, I smiled throughout Generation Kill as I relived my time as a platoon leader on their western flank in 3rd ID.