Totally agree. We constantly tell all ranks that we need to speak up when something is wrong but then nail them to the floor if they question a higher rank. The only difference now is that 20 years ago the punishment would have hurt more but would have been informal. Now it ends up being formal in the manner of 5bs or bad PERs.Eye In The Sky said:Sorry but I don't think the 'realities of being a Pte' have changed as much as you think.
One thing that hasn't changed is the function of leadership.
As a former reservist and having served as Reg force support at a reserve unit in the CBI arms, a reserve pte is less likely to speak up than a regular force private. For one, he has less than 2 years in. He also spends very little time around these people, and the military in general, so is less likely to feel comfortable in the presence of Snr NCOs . Snr NCOs at a reserve regiment are often very in trenched in the unit with friendships with all the key players.
The reg force person has is likely to have more time in (physically in the environment if not from enrolment), and knows that he will still get paid even if he says something to or about said NCO. That is often not the case in the MO.
Edit: I forgot to add why I feel EITS is correct and went off on a tangent. Basically, rank is right 99% of the time in the CF. If have lost arguments with multiple references because I was out ranked. I have been ordered to do things contrary to policy because I was out ranked. I have fought that mentality and it has hurt my career. I still tell people higher up than me when they are wrong but now I just CYA and let it go because rank is right and Ottawa can't help me if my CoC gives me a bad PER or loads another person on a course I want. Ptes aren't stupid, they see the guys who keep their mouth shut and never disagree get ahead.