Kip...I entreat you to launch up the RT thoughts again. Seriously.
Quick story. When I was in the Air Force, I worked for one of the greatest collection of NCO's that Luke AFB probably ever saw. Bunch of genuinely good men, about a dozen of them, who could balance real concern for their airmen with a drive for getting the job done. They mentored the younger guys, affirmed them, and won their loyalty. These were guys who were trying to make the workplace a great spot for everyone, and morale was high because of it. Didn't hurt that they were also good at their own jobs.
So what did I do? I let the two NCO's who weren't good leaders to sour me to the whole office. Every unit has its insecure clowns whose stripes mean everything to them, and they let the airmen know it, playing mind games and such. They were assholes, and they hid it behind the pretense of "getting the job done". My performance suffered because of my perspective.
Don't let a small handful of chuckleheads (whom everyone else dislikes) outweigh the vast majority here, Kip. For every moron, you have fifty people appreciating your thoughts even when they disagree with them. This very forum is far closer to that intellectual "anti-shack" philosophy than almost every message board on the internet. You'll never find a home like this ever again. I still hold that it is the best environment for your Random Thoughts thread.
You seem resolute, so I'll respect your decision. This will be my one and only pestering. But you have nothing but support if you change your mind.
