I worked with a greater proportion of good men/good soldiers over poor soldiers. There are always those who are determined to go their own path, though I had several in my platoons who straightened themselves out.
I question why our military is being redesigned for the sake of several minorities (women in combat, gays, transgenders, lactating moms, etc.) at the expense of unit readiness? All I ever knew was the concept of accomplishing the mission. As a platoon leader/battery commander/primary staff officer, if my unit did not accomplish its mission, it was my responsibility. I have accepted the fact that I was a real PITA most of the time, only because it was my butt that was on the line. I wasn't much more than an average officer, but my strengths were clearly showing initiative, imagination, and independence. These traits worked to my benefit in positions where I could be anywhere from 40 to 400 miles from my battalion headquarters.
With more impediments being forced on small unit commanders today, the brass is striking at the heart of what makes our military the envy of the world: the independence and flexibility at the squad/platoon/company level to accomplish their mission. We're sending those units into battle burdened by 50 pounds of rocks in every rucksack.
Fortunately for me, I served during an era of peace, but I knew what it was like to put my rear on the line, whether it be a tactical evaluation, or for my soldiers who relied on me. I must have done a few things right, as my battalion commander in Germany asked me to work for him when we both returned to Fort Bliss. He put me in a LTC's job when I was but a mere Captain with a year time in grade.
Sounds like you did well in your time in. I was grateful to have served, and I got a lot more out of my service than I can repay.
In the case you describe, it isn’t necessary the concept of physical strength that will detract from the mission, but all the other stuff I referred to, logistics, unit cohesion, readiness, preparation, etc. because time spent on LGTBCSCQRNMWMSOXYS rights, women’s rights, and any other rights or special things that COULD have and SHOULD have been spent on training or other relevant things is not only a waste, but a criminal mismanagement of our resources.
And that 50 lb rucksack, instead of being filled with small arms ammo and rations, will be filled with other non-mission critical things, like the stupid sensitivity training that their heads are being filled with.
Boy, does this piss me off.