TROA TO MOAA A MISTAKE?

Today’s Dilbert comic strip goes like this: The pointy-haired boss approaches one of his young workers, “Ted, I’m sending you on a team-building exercise.” Ted’s eyes, very wide, just stare at the boss. “A security guard will drive you to the middle of the desert and leave you there,” the boss says. “And then the team will rescue me?” asks Ted. “Sure.” replies the boss. The times are changing.

There are some who are beginning to question the wisdom of moving from TROA to MOAA. “I think it was a terrible mistake,” said one local chapter member, ” the younger officers don’t relate to us very well–we should have remained an organization for retired officers only.”

In an early 1999 study of TROA opportunities and threats, the analyst said the uniformed services appear to have recovered some of their severe reputational losses generated during the debacle of the Vietnam War. However, they are still a long way from the halcyon days of the 40s and 50s.

Military service seems to be viewed as a “good job” rather than an honored profession. It might not even be considered a “good” job given the recent difficulties of the Services in recruiting.

The new TROA eligible population appears to have a value and belief system that is some ways fundamentally different from those of the earlier generations.

In addition, though the current military is understaffed and over tasked, there does not seem to be great public demand to have it be any other way. To paraphrase Kipling, it is indeed Tommy Adkins time.

Interpersonal relations will become more dependent upon formal norms and less by informal mores. Deviant (technical) behavior will increasingly become more tolerated and conventional behavior less valued.

Personal independence (do your own thing) combined with societal dependence (I’m owed a living) will continue to wax strong while personal interdependence (team work) and societal independence (be your own man) will continue to wane.

The cultural moon is closer to full than new.

The threats, as seen in 1999, included continued increase in the generation “gap”, increased polarization between generations, division into political/legislative enemy camps, and an opting out for significant numbers of individuals and groups.

However, there was one significant opportunity out there at the time, namely, to generate a synthesis out of the current cultural thesis and antithesis.

If you were to ask others about the differences between 1999 and now, a typical response would be, “if anything, the situation is even more negative.”

As we approach the 26 April EXCOM meeting, how will all this impact on our thinking and actions? In view of the current situation, what are the odds for success; that is, creating and approving a strategic plan that will move CAL-MOAA ahead in the 21st century?

Was the move from TROA to MOAA a mistake?

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