History and Lineage

Running Head: BRIDGING THE GENERATIONAL GAP

CSM Jerod S. Palmer And

1SG Jaime R. Castro

Using History and Lineage to Bridge the Generational Gap

16TH Engineer Battalion

From One Leader to Another

December, 2013

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History and Lineage

Using History to Bridge Generational Gaps Now that the Army is finding itself a less deployed force, we as leaders need to use our proud history and lineage as a resource to connect this all volunteer Army with the generations of Soldiers who have gone before, just as we used the Army Values to connect a generation in an era of persistent conflict. The Army adopted the “7 Army Values” in the mid-1990s. The values, along with the Soldiers Creed, and NCO Creed, created a culture that was unique to the Profession of Arms. In principle, no matter what part of the country a Soldier came from, North or South, urban or rural, all Soldiers were instilled with a common bond. This common bond was the “Army Values” of “Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage”. With the 20th Anniversary of the Army Values in the near future, it is important to note how the Army Values have stood the test of time and rallied a generation of volunteer Soldiers to fight against their Nations enemies. Although the Army Values have been a common thread woven into the Profession of Arms, we should also recognize that in order truly connect with the heritage of our Army, we have to nurture some long neglected traditions, and re-familiarize ourselves with the Army History and culture that came long before the Army Values.The Generational Gap The Greatest Generation, is generally considered to have been born prior to 1945, Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, and most of our generation, the generation of most Senior Leaders, was born between 1965 and 1980. The current generation is considered to be born anywhere from 1980-2000. At least two of these generations probably exist at the battalion level today, the current generation fulfilling the direct leadership role, whereas, the generation born before 1980 occupying the organizational leadership role. The current generation, was predominantly the generation that grew up with the Army Values established as a common bond, although as previously stated, the Army Values have been a common thread that has helped to hold our Army together over the last twenty years. Each generation can be considered its own subculture. Each have a different view of authority, different core values, how they view work and life balance, how much they value education, money, happiness. They also take on their own character in terms of leadership style and how they interact with people. Each generation can be considered under different metrics as to if they are an asset or liability to an organization. The Army Values has helped the Army to transcend those differences and work together as a team. More than Army Values As the Army re-coils from a long decade of persistent conflict and fiscal uncertainty, it is wise to re-connect and learn from the older generations of veterans who are now available for our Soldiers to connect and share the Army story with. This is a challenging task, as sometimes common ground for meaningful dialogue can be hard to find between generations, particularly those who were not privy to the introduction of the Army Values. This is where Army History, Tradition, and Lineage come into play. The traditions and lineage of a lone unit can easily bridge the generational gap where the Army Values cannot. Not only can an organization learn and grow from studying its traditions, but they can develop lifelong mentors that can provide a unique insight into the Army and unit history. As we find ourselves no longer abroad, we should reach out to better embrace and understand our Army and unit history, by doing so, we are helping all our generations find the Army identity

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History and Lineage

as a Profession of Arms. We need to ensure that unit history and lineage remains in the recipe for future generations, and also maintains its seat of honor at the table of the Profession of Arms.Connecting with Those Who Went Before We had the honor and privilege to activate the 16th Engineer Battalion, a unit rich in history, tradition, and pride. We watched as Soldiers and Leaders from around the United States swarmed to support the re-birth of the “Catamount” battalion. This battalion, like many other engineer battalions had been deactivated under modularity and replaced with Special Troops Battalions or even Separate Companies. Having been in a Special Troops Battalion, what I found missing was the Soldier sense of pride and belonging in their unit lineage, of course, we rallied around the Army Values, but the deep rooted sense of pride that came with being a “Catamount” or the like, was not there, there was no organizational history that Soldiers could rally behind or connect with. In the end, it didn’t matter whether it was the 16th Engineer Battalion, or the 16th Infantry Regiment, the unit history and lineage grounded itself within the formation and began to flourish immediately, coming to fruition and spreading like wildfire in a tenth of time that it had taken the Army Values to sprout. I believe it is because unit history and lineage is easier for a young Soldier to digest and connect with as important to him or her in the here and now. Sometimes it is difficult for a young Soldier to truly understand the holistic importance of the Army Values, until they are a leader themselves. And so it became evident when the 16th Engineer Battalion stood up, Soldiers easily rallied under the Battalion Colors, and alumni of the organization traveled from all over the country to attend the Activation Ceremony and share some of the history of the Catamounts. We watched as multiple generations came together and shared the Army Story, this not in a name, but in a lone unit history that could transcend all generational ranks to inspire espirit de corps. From my fighting position, as we find ourselves deployed less abroad, this is the time to re-connect with our Army history unit lineage. We should use our rich history as a rally point to assimilate our Army and its Alumni, to build bridges between generational gaps, and find a common identity of the Army from which the next generation of Soldiers can ground themselves from, armed not only with the Army Values, but a better understanding of all those who have gone before and their unique place, as well as the current generations place in Army history.

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