A Twitter poll shared by @mil_Leader on Sept. 22 asked soldiers on the platform whether the Army promotes a healthy balance of work and life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the survey will run through the end of the week, as it currently stands, the answer overwhelmingly is \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the time of this writing, 538 votes were cast, and more than 66 percent of respondents don\u2019t feel that the Army has balance, while 26 percent believe the service is trying but failing to promote a healthy climate. Only around 8 percent responded positively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some cite toxic command climate, while others blame work culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLeading by example,” @HuntDarkMatter wrote. \u201cThe command teams making it a priority and leading by example while also teaching subordinates how they can still be successful and have the right work balance, mentoring how to complete taskings by priority. Not everything is a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Popular miltwitter user @LethalityJane wrote after a bad experience: \u201cI had a boss who texted me after I was admitted to the hospital to get labor induced to give birth to my twins. He wanted to know if I could knock out my GAT real quick before things got too far along.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another user called out the leadership system as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But some do believe the Army\u2019s tempo is fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m one of the 8% (currently) that says yes,\u201d wrote user @BradBardo. \u201cBalance is not always perfect but understand that certain times are going to be more stressful through predictability is extremely important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another user suggested that paid time off is adequate as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a reply, a respondent noted that it\u2019s not the lack of PTO but rather soldiers’ comfort level in actually using leave days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay but can you use that PTO freely?\u201d wrote user @agingerssoul. \u201cDo you miss out on family events because you\u2019re working late or on weekends? Or spend a fuckton of time in the field? Are you allowed off during the day to attend important family events such as appointments?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another user suggested that the issue seems to be that leadership equates time spent on the clock to high performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to stop perpetuating the idea\/culture that those who work later, come in on their days off, grind their teams harder,etc get top blocked and that\u2019s the key to success,\u201d @Fal_Neil wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n