Leadership: January 27, 2000

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: A new Army study has found that while captains complain about pay and the economy, this is not the reason that so many of them are leaving the Army. Most cite family problems, and the unhappiness of their wives with a military life. Key complaints included:
@ high operational tempo with too many overseas unaccompanied tours
@ excessive micromanagement from higher headquarters and civilian leaders
@ lack of confidence in the civilian leadership
@ Microsoft Power Point (which turns briefings and reports from efforts to pass out information into competitions to produce the best slides)
@ unhappiness with peacekeeping missions and other distractions from the "real mission" of fighting and winning wars, and being so well trained for war that no enemy will attack the US
@ lack of money to conduct real and worthwhile training
@ poor pay and benefits for enlisted soldiers which leave commanders with units composed of people who could not find civilian jobs.--Stephen V Cole