Ex-Army IT Folk

[DieScum]

One of my hobbies is chuckling at the ways of ex-army folk who have crossed over to IT. Generally a good bunch but on the whole a bit mental.

I remember one PM, an american in Germany, who used to bark out order. Every discussion was like an argument. Even when you were agreeing with each other.

Another lad had no initiative. He would never try anything new, was never ambitious at doing new things for his career but if he got an order from on high he'd plug away till the job was done. If I was told to do something I'd bitch and complain and come up with better ways to do it but he'd just get stuck in, finish the job, then bitch and complain and laugh afterwards. Good bloke.

I reckon you can always spot the ex-army guys.

[oracleslave]

One of my hobbies is chuckling at the ways of ex-army folk who have crossed over to IT.

You need some new hobbies. Try strangling small animals and winking.

[Bagpuss]

You need some new hobbies. Try strangling small animals and winking.

w anking

[sasguru]

They're either washed out no-good ex-junior officers who reckon they know everything (usually thick as planks) or no-initiative other ranks who are good at implementation if well led.
Although, as the exception that proves the rule, one of the best PMs I've come across was a very young ex-Major. Obviously could have gone up the army ranks but had a genuine reason for leaving.

[Jog On]

Yeah - and they try and cook sausages using large empty baked bean tins while trying to sell cheese to the french.

[expat]

They're either washed out no-good ex-junior officers who reckon they know everything (usually thick as planks) or no-initiative other ranks who are good at implementation if well led.
Although, as the exception that proves the rule, one of the best PMs I've come across was a very young ex-Major. Obviously could have gone up the army ranks but had a genuine reason for leaving.

I suppose the Army is a pretty shallow pyramid, i.e. lots of foot soldiers, some NCOs, a few captains & majors, but not a lot of generals & brigadiers needed. So there is perhaps no shame in retiring from it rather than climbing up the career ladder.

OTOH I might ask why business does have so many superior officers. Are they really needed?

[Jog On]

OTOH I might ask why business does have so many superior officers. Are they really needed?

Have you ever worked for the civil service?

[sasguru]

OTOH I might ask why business does have so many superior officers. Are they really needed?

No, but in the status obsessed culture we've created having a big job title is more important than doing any real work.

[realityhack]

One of the most hard-working and dedicated permie sys admins I've ever worked with was ex-Army, hell of a nice guy too. One of those JFDI types that could find any workaround to a problem, guaranteed.

He was made redundant. Probably because he kept his head down and got on with the job without shouting about it, and lauding his 'profile' about, and networking at parties, so he wasn't very 'visible' within the company.

[moorfield]

Ex-army: I like to blow up a crisp packet and burst it behind them. Try it, works every time.