Platoon leaders want to have the highest physical fitness scores in the company.
Company leaders want to out-shoot their fellow companies on the range and battlefield.
Battalion leaders want to have the brigade’s highest readiness statistics, and get the top accolades at the next JRTC rotation.
All of the sudden, brigade leaders get a Public Affairs Officer. How to use them? Maybe Public Affairs is another way to compete with and outshine your fellow brigades.
Then again, maybe it isn’t.
Each day, we’re surrounded by opportunities to spread mutually supportive messages. Your resources, authorities and operational support aren’t contingent on sister units not receiving those things. After all, there’s a reason America is safer when all of its military’s units are awesome.
And it’s our responsibility to steer conversations away from fake competition by understanding the organization’s place in a global, strategic narrative.
Competition doesn’t matter anymore. In fact, it’s counter-productive.
Your organization is fighting to protect America, not Beat Navy.
(Photo by Maj. Thomas Cieslak, DVIDS, from an article titled “Panther Paratroopers Compete for August Top Squad”)
