Good Bleeding Talent Essay Example

Every patriotic citizen looks into ways of helping his/her nation to grow. It can be through service or funding, which will help boost the nation’s social, economic, or political status. Youths have a prime opportunity on serving their country through community outreach programs or enlisting in the army. It is a noble way of boosting one’s self-esteem and status in the society, and the recognition from the government makes it a fruitful experience. Apart from that, the military experience molds them into great leaders in the society, who make progressive changes to the lives of people. However, Tim Kane has a different perspective to the proud statement made by the American leaders. His book, Bleeding Talent, provides an overview of the issues facing the army and what is needed to recover.
The book accounts for Kane’s survey of West Point graduates while focusing on three major insights he has about the military’s current situation. The first insight is why most of the officers that left the military indicated military bureaucracy as their main reason for leaving. The second insight is why most of the military’s best officers left their offices early instead of serving their full term. The last insight is whether the officers who left will be willing to return if the military became meritocracy fully. Kane makes use of other viewpoints from veterans, anecdotes, and private sectors. Military veterans have a high standard for America’s businesses, which shows how great the army prepared them for the world. However, there seems to be an issue in retaining these talents within the military. If the military was able to harness these talents, it will be of great benefit to the institution and help it move forward.
Kane’s insight on mismanagement of the military’s high-performing officers comes from the anecdotes collected in his research. One of the cases highlighted is about John Nagl, a prominent counterinsurgency specialist, who has an educational pedigree and substantial intellectual heft. He served as a lieutenant colonel before leaving the army two years early despite serving for 18 years. Moreover, he had the skill set and talent to become a colonel, but he sought greener pastures in other avenues. According to Kane, Nagl used his talents and skills outside the military’s space in a bid to advance his career and capitalize on various opportunities. Dick Hewitt, another army officer, has a similar case to Nagl, whereby the military offered him a prime command position but in Korea, putting him in a dilemma on whether to take up the job or stay with his family. In the end, he chose his family as the new position would tear his family apart. Despite missing a great position, Hewitt became a successful entrepreneur in central California.
Talents and skillset in the military is a major issue that its leaders ought to address. The militants are willing to help the institution to become successful in different avenues, but the condition placed upon them makes it hard for most of them to make clear decisions. Moreover, they choose to focus on other avenues to cater for their basic needs. Kane states that the military needs to work with its people in finding common ground, which will favor both sides. Making irrational decisions without thinking about its members makes it hard for the militants to provide their service fully.
The book is a reflection of what officers in the army currently face in their line of duty. Despite their concern and input towards helping the military grow, they cannot leave their families behind and follow the rules of a few. The insights by Kane on the military’s future lies under its governance and bureaucracy, whereby the military leaders will focus on introducing a meritocracy rule. The move will help improve talent and skillset absorption in the military and improve service delivery.
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