Lets face it, our uniforms are not the real issue

[Tinkplink]

I am going to get on my soap box for a moment. Let us talk about first appearance and the way you carry yourself. People have changed so much since I hired into the Bureau. I not just talking about how they look and act, but their work ethics.
Back in the day, I learned that if you had to be at work at eight, you left an hour early in case you had a flat tire or had a wreck you could take care of business and still be a work on time to relieve that fellow staff member early or at least on time.
Back in the day, you did what it took to get the job done. You didn’t whine and sniffle about it. You did it. Everyone did it. It was us against them. I remember being told by a GS8 that if you hadn’t shown up to relieve someone by at least a quarter til, you were late. It was a matter of respect for yourself and each other. Whenever a staff member asked me to help them out, I didn’t ask what it was before I answered, my reply was always sure thing. Because I knew if I ever needed something, they were there for me.
Back in the day, almost every staff member took pride in the way they looked. It wasn’t about the uniform they wore, it wasn’t whether or not they got a badge to show everyone who they were, it was about pride, respect, integrity, and first impression.
Since working at the Staff Training Academy in Glynco for the last several years, the new staff that comes through here is concerning. Now I know this covers quite of few of you on this site, but, it needs to be said.
For the last several years, the new staff members have been evaluated and looked upon by the rest of the training center and not just talking about the BOP, but every other Federal Agency also. I am not sure if it is society now days or the way they were raised or what, but it’s really scary. This does not pertain to all new employees, but probably 80 to 85% of them.
Lets talk first appearance. I am not talking about if your short, tall, overweight, or under weight. New staff members show up with their pants dragging, shoes untied, iPod on, with a cell phone in their ear. When they put the uniform on, it’s sloppy, buttons unbuttoned, shirt tails hanging out, and forget about any polish on their shoes. Most of them show up for class with their “Mr. T” jewelry starter kit on, prison tattoos all over their body to include active gang symbols, gold grilles, ear bobs (that’s earrings for you younger folks) stuck into different parts of their bodies, and finger nails that are not only pretty, but could be used to slice bologna if you didn’t have a knife handy. Do you really want to look like an inmate or have that much in common with an inmate? You can compare your tattoos and show them your body piercing. That will make Mom proud.
I have heard these same new young staff members talk about being a “gangsta” or going out “pimpin” tonight. Now tell me, is this the way we want to be perceived? Not just to inmates, but to the public also.
And then the attitudes. OMG, they show up thinking that they are all that and a bag of potato chips. They don’t respect the staff instructors, fellow classmates, or themselves. They have little of no integrity. For most, this is their first real job. Oh sure, some have worked at McDonalds while attending High School (nothing wrong with that) and some worked a little during College. But, for the most part, they have never had a real job or been held accountable for their actions. Mom and Dad have gotten them through every problem they have ever been in, someone has made their car payment and insurance payment, it’s always someone elses fault for anything that happens. They will sell you out to anyone at anytime for any reason.
So, I don’t see it as a uniform issue or whether or not we can carry a badge on/off duty, whether or not we like Correctional Workers Week, whether or not you like your administration, in my opinion, it’s all about respect.
I would bet an inmate would be less likely to try to beat or mess with a staff member that looks sharp, acts sharp, and carries themselves with integrity.
Maybe we should spend more time with the new staff members on the job and hopefully help them see this. Again, this doesn’t pertain to everyone, but those that it does knows it.

[Area51]

I will high five you on that one...

It is a very noticeable difference from the bureau I hired in to 19 years ago...

[Xcrewchief]

Not going to quote the above post, but I agree with what you said, Tinkplink....Just in the few years I have been BOP, I have seen the 'quality' of officers (for lack of a better term) slide. As I have posted before, who do we blame, though? Do we blame the hiring process?...the Administration?....ourselves??...And I include myself in 'ourselves' in respect to not treating officers the way I was treated when I was hired. What I mean is when I was hired, I looked for things to do and learn to make me a better officer and really wanted to prove myself to the 'veteran' officers...I didn't sit around and twiddle my thumbs and try to hide from work....when there was something to do, I did it or at the very least learned from someone else how to do it...Can I blame myself for not making sure these officers are 'gainfully employed' when they are on the compound as extras with me? That said, I do at least let all new officers know that if they have a question as to what needs done or how to do something, to ask...If not me, then someone that they feel knows 'their shiznit'. If they do ask me something and I don't know the answer, I feel it is my responsibility to find the answer for them and for myself...no, I only have 8 years and 1 day in the Bureau, and I still don't know everything, and will never claim to...
Sorry if I hijacked this, but I feel so strongly about what you're talking about, I had to do this.....

[Craven Moorehead]

I like you Tinkplink. We seem to have a lot of the same thoughts.

It's downright SCARY to me what I see these days. KIDS! They keep hiring them younger and younger. Can't tell em nothing, they know it all already. This is just a new generation.....a bad generation. When I was a kid, If you fouled up at a neghibors house, you got whupped by the neighbor AND BOTH of your parents when they called and told them before they sent you home. If a neghibor saw you cussing, or acting like an embarrasment to your family, THEY stepped up and told you what you were doing wrong.....then called your parents again!

My dad (Rest in peace) Used to tell me all the time "Son, you behaviour is a direct reflection on me as a man and a parent. I WILL NOT allow you to embarras me or soil my good name or the name of others with my last name"

It was all about Respect, Integrity, Honor, respecting elders, doing the right thing ALWAYS, and that a mans word is his bond.....You NEVER broke your word, You did ANYTHING for a friend or family member. And if you messed up, you were expected to take responsibility for it and "Take your medicine"

You did'nt know it at the time, but they were all teaching you values that would make you the best person you could be. These thing aren't happining anymore. If you swat you kid on the butt at the Wal-Mart, someone will call childrens services and tell them your "Beating" your child. If you tell them their behaviour is embarrising to the family name, your "Emotionily(sp) abusing them". I dont know how we got this way today, but every new class that come here are worse and worse. And I may have to depend on these wanna be Gansta's to potentially save my life or the life of another?

Dark days ahead brothers and sisters.

[GUNNER]

+1 on all the above. I cannot add anything to this as you guys have covered it all.

[juvieco36]

It is happening on the state level as well. We had seven out of 30 the were between 19 & 20 years old in my class. We had a guy in my class we called wrinkles that's how bad he looked everyday. They had to get him a new pair of pants and a new shirt for graduation on that day because he was so jacked up. We started my class with 36 ended with 24 and 16 of us are left with 9 on 4pm-12pm with me. Most of them were fired for one thing or another, but most of it was for dumb stuff. The being to work on time thing is a good example. Where i work 4p-12a are the only shift that seems to follow the 15 min. early thing. Most of us are an hour to 30 min. early every day, but when it comes time for us to leave 12:05, 12:15 and so on. What can you do, better training, more OJT, stiffer hiring process? Like you said they just don't make um like they use to. sorry

[USPBOB]

Very well said. I think the one line, "They have little of no integrity" is the main reason we are all walking threw metal detector as we enter our joints now. 22 years ago when i started there was never a thought of having staff go threw a metal detector, because we had INTEGRITY. If we didn't we were shown the front door and told not to come back.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Back in the day, you did what it took to get the job done. You didn’t whine and sniffle about it. You did it. Everyone did it. It was us against them.

Well, what changed? Where are the leaders? Certainly not in the leadership positions. That would jeopardize their precious careers. "Us against them?" Who? management & inmates against the mean ol' Guards?

[GUNNER]

Originally Posted by Crosstimbers Okie

Well, what changed? Where are the leaders? Certainly not in the leadership positions. That would jeopardize their precious careers. "Us against them?" Who? management & inmates against the mean ol' Guards?

good point cross. it seems as if that is the direction we are headed at this point.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

That's been the direction for at least 16 years that I know of.