OPEC
While serving in Texas we got a first lieutenant by the name of Ollie. He had been in the Army for a short period of time and then had gone to flight school. He came to us right after flight school and felt that he was ready to lead having been told to lead in officer’s school. Old-war-tried warrant officers were led like most folks are – example and participation work better than ordering. Lt. Ollie really didn’t understand that yet.
The platoon was made up of a captain (who had not served in combat), Lt. Ollie that hadn’t served outside of the states, and about fifteen warrant officers who had all been to war in Vietnam. The captain was cool and respected the experience of the warrants and sergeants.
Many of our field trips were about a week in duration and on many of these trips we ate the famous C-Rations. After the experience of eating C-rations in Vietnam and other places in the Army, most of the warrant officers knew what accessories came with each meal and they knew where each meal was packed in the case. And this was the environment that Lt. Ollie entered, feeling he was as sharp as any old veteran there. Soon after our deploying to the field, the first time with Lt. Ollie, we discovered that the young man thought that the candy bar with coconut was the greatest thing in the world. Over the next few days the warrants made certain that Lt. Ollie did not get any of the candy bars. But no one ate the candy bars! They were kept for the bigger plan! We had developed OPEC or Ollie Prevention of Eating Coconut.
After about four or five days in the field every warrant had a coconut bar in their pack. So, when all of the pilots were sitting around the camp one night someone started by saying they were hungry. Others started saying they were hungry too. After a while somebody said the thing that would really hit the spot would be a coconut bar. Then the conversation shifted to how great the coconut bars were. After sufficient time to get everyone to the point where they are talking about tasting the coconut bar, someone said that they thought they might have one in their pack. And out came one of those beautiful candy bars. Then somebody else said, “Maybe I have one in my pack” and another bar appeared. This kept up until every pilot except Ollie had a coconut bar!! Then they slowly started to unwrap the candy bars! Ollie asked if anyone had an extra one – NOPE! And then we all sat there and slowly ate the candy bars talking about how great they tasted! Lt. Ollie got mad, jumped up and stomped off calling us some unkind names! And there may have been a little bit of laughing going on.
Group dynamics are an interesting thingy. Fitting into a group is also interesting. It must be done without losing identity or standards. Coming into a group to be one of its' leaders is as much an art as it is science. It really can not be done simply by rank or authority alone. Respect must be gained! Even being able to take a joke as a leader is important. Knowing when to be serious and when to laugh and even laugh at yourself is important! We are all different and all have things and do things that are worthy of being laughed at!
The platoon was made up of a captain (who had not served in combat), Lt. Ollie that hadn’t served outside of the states, and about fifteen warrant officers who had all been to war in Vietnam. The captain was cool and respected the experience of the warrants and sergeants.
Many of our field trips were about a week in duration and on many of these trips we ate the famous C-Rations. After the experience of eating C-rations in Vietnam and other places in the Army, most of the warrant officers knew what accessories came with each meal and they knew where each meal was packed in the case. And this was the environment that Lt. Ollie entered, feeling he was as sharp as any old veteran there. Soon after our deploying to the field, the first time with Lt. Ollie, we discovered that the young man thought that the candy bar with coconut was the greatest thing in the world. Over the next few days the warrants made certain that Lt. Ollie did not get any of the candy bars. But no one ate the candy bars! They were kept for the bigger plan! We had developed OPEC or Ollie Prevention of Eating Coconut.
After about four or five days in the field every warrant had a coconut bar in their pack. So, when all of the pilots were sitting around the camp one night someone started by saying they were hungry. Others started saying they were hungry too. After a while somebody said the thing that would really hit the spot would be a coconut bar. Then the conversation shifted to how great the coconut bars were. After sufficient time to get everyone to the point where they are talking about tasting the coconut bar, someone said that they thought they might have one in their pack. And out came one of those beautiful candy bars. Then somebody else said, “Maybe I have one in my pack” and another bar appeared. This kept up until every pilot except Ollie had a coconut bar!! Then they slowly started to unwrap the candy bars! Ollie asked if anyone had an extra one – NOPE! And then we all sat there and slowly ate the candy bars talking about how great they tasted! Lt. Ollie got mad, jumped up and stomped off calling us some unkind names! And there may have been a little bit of laughing going on.
Group dynamics are an interesting thingy. Fitting into a group is also interesting. It must be done without losing identity or standards. Coming into a group to be one of its' leaders is as much an art as it is science. It really can not be done simply by rank or authority alone. Respect must be gained! Even being able to take a joke as a leader is important. Knowing when to be serious and when to laugh and even laugh at yourself is important! We are all different and all have things and do things that are worthy of being laughed at!
posted by Bruce | 8:42 PM
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