Kim Woods Only (5.2 Discussion)

Post #1

An organization’s culture is built over time as members develop beliefs, values, practices, and artifacts that seem to work and are transmitted to new recruits.  Defined as “the way we do things around here,” culture anchors an organization’s identity and sense of itself (Bolman & Deal, 2008).  The Missing Man Table, also known as the Fallen Comrade Table is a ritual that the US military regardless of branch exercises. The table is a place of honor, set up in military dining facilities of the U.S. armed forces and during occasions such as service branch birthday balls, in memory of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service-members.  The missing man table is traditionally part of military dining-in ceremonies and service balls.  Although this ceremony is not guided by any Department of Defense or branch specific regulation, it has evolved over time.  This symbolic ceremony reminds us that our comrades are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence.  It reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.  Although decades have passed since the last American service member disappeared in the Vietnam War, we will not let time diminish our resolve. They are remembered until they are home.

 Reference

 Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2008). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

 The table set for one. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2018, from https://www.legion.org/magazine/1523/table-set-one

Post #2

I have chosen to discuss the contradictory concept of idolizing and vilifying our military members.  Through the context of the eras involved, our military members have historically been regarded as defenders of America’s ideals and as baby-killers.  This context can subjectively be applied to today’s perspective as well.  Furthermore, today’s context can be applied to reassess the roles and symbolism behind yesteryear’s heroes and villains.

 Primarily within the context of a military member. “those who have gone before us” provide models of leadership, strategy, organizational impact, and tactical influence over others.  Yet from a public perspective, the agendas, methods, and objectives of military leaders or heroes are dissected to the finest detail to better understand core pursuits.

 I have chosen a very one-sided source to express the enhancement of the military perspective.  While I can have my own perspective of our military members, anyone can have an opposing view with a justified argument compelling toward the contrary.

That is what this truly communicates:  Our country has elevated its cultural intelligence to re-assess our historical military figures and role models and rebranded some as villains by downplaying their efforts as unfavorable national interests.  Contrarily, this increased intelligence toward our leaders in power or holding authority have brought others to the historical and modern limelight as heroes, when for ages they may not have been perceived as such.  The symbolism and conceptualization of today’s heroes might be projected as misplaced efforts toward idolization for the culture of our progenitors.

 Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2013).  Reframing Organizations Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.

 https://www.salon.com/2014/11/09/you_dont_protect_my_freedom_our_childish_insistence_on_calling_soldiers_heroes_deadens_real_democracy/

Post #3

As a former Recruit Division Commander, I was responsible for overseeing a U.S. Navy organizational ritual, Battle Stations, were every recruit was required to successfully complete in order to graduate from basic training.  This occurred during the final week of boot camp and it was designed to communicate teamwork, trust, responsibility to shipmates, accountability, and self-sacrifice.  According to Noe (2008), “Employees learn best when they understand the objective of the training program” (p. 139). 

 Battle Stations is an 8 hour event that included scenarios and drills of ships being hit by a missile, surviving in the ocean after abandoning ship, terrorist attack of a state-side Navy base, fighting an engine fire aboard a ship, and many other catastrophic events based on real life Navy events.  The importance of this event cannot be overstated when it involves taking 88 young men and women from virtually every social, economic, ethnic, and cultural background and transforming them into an effective team and ensuring they have been instilled with the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.  According to Block (2000) “We cannot ignore that we are dealing with human systems, and human systems are not amendable to technical solutions.  Human systems are complex and require more than mechanical, cause-and-effect solutions” (p. 59).

 References

Block, P. (2000).  Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Experience Used (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-

     Bass/Pfeiffer.

Noe, R. A. (2008). Employment Training and Development. (4th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.