Respecting Others - Watch what you say...Several years ago I learned a valuable lesson about respecting others in authority - when I was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps - I processed new Marines into the facility I worked at. This required that I complete a ton of paper work - and sending them across the base to complete one part of it. Well - One day I sent this new Private First Class all the way across the base - and - because he did not own a car he would have to walk. I suppose it was about one and a half miles or so. Anyway - just before sending him - I called the Gunnery Sergeant that he was to see - to make sure he would be there. He said that he would - so I sent the Marine. Respecting Others - Think before you speak… I guess it was about an hour later - the Marine showed back up to my office. I asked him how it went - and he began to tell me that the Gunnery Sergeant was not there when he arrived. He said that he waited for a few minutes - and then returned to me. This really burned me - since I had called just before I sent him over there to make sure the Gunnery Sergeant would be there. Respecting Others - Don’t question your superiors… So I picked up the phone and immediately called the Gunnery Sergeant. I told him that I had just sent the Marine over to see him to get the paper work completed - and he was not there. The Gunnery Sergeant - immediately said that he was sorry - but to send the Marine over again now. My immediate response to him was - Are you going to be there this time? The Gunnery Sergeant’s demeanor changed dramatically after I questioned his integrity. Yes I will be here he responded - and I want you to come with him! I knew I had crossed the line. The Marine and I took my vehicle over to him - and as we walked into the waiting area outside his office - he invited me in without the Marine. He then threw me up against the wall - put his forearm into my throat - applied some pressure - and asked me to never question him again. I took his advise to heart - and learned to never question any superior again in a disrespectful way! This was a valuable and hard learned lesson. Thank you and may God Bless you! |
