The Liberal Soldier, NCOs, & Christmas Musings

Well, I have a lot of differing opinions on this topic. Being lower enlisted, I certainly do get to see the work side of an NCO, and as I am now one of the Senior E4s in my state, my commander wants to send me to BNOC, I'm starting to see the other side to it as well.

Firstly, let me say that the labor relationship within the Army is unique. It can be demeaning at times, and better than anything else at others. I think that the degree wih which you work with thes people is so much more than the common 'workday' that it creates a totally different environment than a 'work' environment.

I've even heard it somewhere said that NCOs are supposed to regard their soldiers as if they were their kids or something, and I think alot of those family bonds do exist. Overseas I had my section sgt, who we titled Grandpa, he was a Harley Riding Native American. I had another Sgt, who was in my Platoon who looked after me alot, who I suppose could have been something like a Father figure. And my direct line leader was like an older brother, and he saved my ass on more times than I can count.

So is this sort of labor relationship good? At first, you would think for soldiers, that this might be natural, and so thus it is good. However, I think it makes the management-labor relationship more 'intense', not neccessarily better or worse. It all depends upon the person wearing the stripes, as a fellow blogger pointed out recently. However one thing though, is living with and being around my superiors 24/7, you come to know the ins and outs of who they were, which meant their boons and their faults. Everything really.

I certainly think only in the situation of the Militar could this sort of patronizing labor relationship exist. Otherwise it'd be demeaning in a way. But since I know all of my NCOs come from the same mindset as myself, and passed my training at the least, it does give me great confidence in their abilities. I may have felt I was smarter than an NCO, but I have never felt I was more experienced than any of them.

But yeah, thats that.

Christmas?

Yeah, that too. I went with my mom to Candlelight Service this year. It was a bit odd for me, because I've been an athiest (or at least agnostic) for a bit of time now. However, I just keep my mouth shut, and sometimes try to think about what they are saying. I am very contemplative, so I do think about whats being said, even if I don't neccessarily believe it.

This year, our Pastor was contrasting the differences between Christianity and Islam. Specifically, in how we view righteousness. He contrasted this mainly with an inter-faith program he had on the radio involving himself an Imam from a local Mosque.

He referenced that our righteousness, assuming I am Christian, is a gift of god. That as long as we accept it into our hearts, we never have to really do anything for it. He contrasted this by poining out that the Imam used the term 'Works of God' alot. In his mind, the Muslim has to work for his righteousness.

At first, this shows a view of Christian as lazy sinners, who always get what they want, and only have to ask to recieve the gift of righteousness. Of course, when you search to the core of it, God is perfect, and therefore of course our righteousness would be a gift.

When you take this into account, you might see the Muslim as a sinner who is trying to be better/more righteous than other sinners. Thus the Muslim never earns his righteousness, he just seems better in self than others. However, though, as a righteous creature, your attempt to do the works of good should be paramount in your life. Whether or not you expect to get into heaven.

I took a bit away from this. Both want to be next to god, that much is certain. I think you can learn from both schools of thought. You should seek out to do good in his world, for good's sake, but never doubt that God will recognize you.

Well, if you believe in God, thats something you should consider.