Free Republic

——WARNING——ENLIGHTENMENT BELOW——WARNING——
I’m going to try and make this quick. You started out pretty strong with intellectual arguments and sensible analogies but then you drifted a bit when you allowed your emotions to take control. By the time you were done, I was convinced you knew little about that which you speak.
The connection I was trying to make between her age and rank was for the purpose of addressing the numerous comments that seem to link both citing they believe her incompetent because she was an “aged Captain” (i.e. implying she must’ve been demoted due to poor performance]. You see, generally speaking, an officer’s rank is relative to their age. In other words, while the AVERAGE 2LT’s are 22-27; 1LT’s 25-30; by the time the average officer turns 40, they “should” have earned MAJ... Susan is over 50 which mean she “should” at least be a LTC right? Wrong! (Refer to my first post if you’re lost). Long story short, the connection between her age and rank is very much comparative and relevant to this discussion. Is that a little clearer now or do you still not see a connection? Sorry, sometimes, the structure of my responses are NOT just limited to the feedback within The Free Republic.
Social Workers need to be equipped with night vision for the very same reason an 11B would, to see at the night. Duh! Believe it or not, all Army Social Workers don’t fall out of rainbows. You’d be surprise to know some of their backgrounds. I have a friend at Ft. Leavenworth who was Special Forces and is now an Army social worker; another who went from 1SG to 2LT (imagine that pay check). Would you believe it if I told you that I used to be a 19K and a 52D (they’re called something else now)? Would you believe it if I told you that not only can I land nav but I can also read aeronautical charts? We are issued the same equipment you are and are expected to learn everything you’re required. We zero, we learn combative, we get jump qualified (ask me how I know that) and on top of being a soldier serving soldiers, we have to stay well read to keep atop of our ever changing field.
My last thought and I’m outta here… Someone said a social worker “can’t be a leader”?! Dude/dudette, how old are you? If you’re under 25, I won’t be so harsh but if you’re any older, go shoot yourself in the pinkie toe. First of all, let me clear-up something. There are tons of jobs in the Army. Not everyone is recruited to kick-in doors but just for your enlightenment, Social Workers hold the rank of COL and run divisions just like the commander of the 3ID. Yes, you are right, we don’t command the cav, infantry, tankers, supply, mortars, etc. but it’s because we are specialists. Our job is to support them. The fact that we are officers compels us to lead. Being a leader isn’t always a “position”... at times, it’s by example, encouragement, mentoring and a lot of other touchy-feely words.
Look, it’s late and I have to get some sleep. If you reply, don’t say anything that may temp me to respond because I have so much work to do this week - LOL. Sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors.

I know Susan personally. We are both Army Social Work Officers; we worked together at the prison in Ft. Leavenworth. Let me start by telling you [all] what I think about Susan allegedly saying something sexually inappropriate - bollocks!

I will not comment on the other matter specific to her case but I’ll leave you with my two cents regarding her situation as it relates to soldiers as a whole. In my opinion, it’s part of a “draw down”; if that’s true, among the first to be discharged will be the soldiers with medical or mental health diagnosis; then those with legal issues, poor performance and “chapterable” conditions such as misconduct… she’s a good person with a big heart. She loves being a social worker and loves it even more in the Army. Susan bleeds green.

As for some of the other comments, I’ll just speak briefly on two: [Age]: Social Workers are a part of the Army’s Medical Service Corp. That branch includes: physicians, veterinarians, dentists, psychiatrists and biochemists to name a few. Unlike most branches in the Army, age is not necessarily a disqualifier. Furthermore, we can enter as Captains and Colonels without even having been in the military. That being said, be sure to ask the next soldier you see with a prosthetic leg, how important was their doctor’s age when they got their leg blown off?”

[suspicion]: Just like Susan, I joined late. I was 40 at the time. I did so because the Army gave me $90,000 to pay my student loan; 100% medical care; free travel; free room and board; a $25,000 unsecured “starter” loan with 5%APR and bonuses when we earn additional credentials. If that’s “suspicious”, then there’s another 500,000 “suspicious” soldiers returning form combat. Be sure to tell them what you think:)