In the Army the First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major are not in the chain of command (they are part of the NCO support chain of command). Many Lieutenants and Captains (people who outrank the 1SG and CSM and are in the chain of command) have made the mistake of thinking that not being in the chain of command means that they (1SG and CSM) have “no voice.” This mistake is usually corrected with much embarrassment on the part of the Lieutenants and Captains. One doesn’t have to be in the chain of command to have a voice.
It’s usually only the 2LTs with little experience who make this mistake. The best officers will definitely seek NCO (name removed by moderator)ut. The NCO is the person most familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals who make up the unit. They also know what equipment and supplies are required for a successful mission.
“I find it interesting that men are avoiding getting appointed to positions of leadership in the Church and women want them. Do these women who want such positions know what a headache these jobs are? You study for years. Take all kinds of examinations that practically kill you. Then you get into a position where you can never please everyone and where you’re dealing with one crisis after another. The only thing more stressful is air traffic controlling.” Brother JR in an earlier post. Don’t know why it was not highlighted??
Thanks for your complete statement Brother. I always find them illuminating. Just two thoughts:
Your last paragraph above sounds a bit like motherhood and being a wife!
Secondly, I thought Edith Stein was also being considered for the titile of Doctor of the Church. Or is that sainthood only.
Years ago I watched a film about the garbage people of Juarez, Mexico. The people in El Paso took to heart, Christ’s admonishion to invite those without the ability to repay. On Christmas Day, they took a ham and 150 tacos across the border to serve. It was not nearly enough to feed everybody who came, but even so all were fed and the food never ran out. The Texans continued to minister to the garbage people of Mexico. At first it was the women and children who came to know Christ. It was the women who led the men away from their adulterous and drunken ways. However, it was when the men began to take their responsibility for leadership within the church that the Church in Juarez truly began to grow.
We can very much say that woman had a say. Without their initial acceptance of Christ, the men would have still been lost. What we see in the women is a servant leadership. It is the same type of servant leadership we see in Veronica when she wiped the face of Jesus. It is the type of leadership that Jesus demonstrated when he cleaned the feet of His disciples.
Another way to look at it. During a conference, or perhaps a celebrity performance, the world sees the people on stage. They see the tenor with the tremendous voice, or the orator with the ability to spellbind his audience. What they do not see is the people who set up the chairs, take the tickets, or make sure the lighting is just right. Were any of these jobs less important? Without this behind the scenes effort, the whole show would fall apart.
When I lived in a small town in WI, I had a greater opportunity to attend townhall meetings. It is interesting that whenever a politician, a senator or congressman, came to visit, there was always somebody keeping track of time. That person definitely had a say as to where the politician would be when, a person who generally remained unknown to the public.
And who is without gender!
