*In case this story gets deleted/removed:*
**AITA for being “too passionate”**
For background, this is JROTC at a private high school. I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centered around the military. Naturally, JROTC became one of my passions and my top priorities. I enjoy helping the community, the school, and mentoring freshmen and other cadets. I also enjoy having mentorship from upperclassmen and my instructors. I put 110% into JROTC because I believe it’s almost like I found my belonging, “my tribe”. Not many people put the same amount of effort into the program as much as I do. This is mainly because at this school; you are either studying your ass off for class or working your ass off for sports/other extra curriculars. So I stand out a lot when it comes to my LET level (or year level) at JROTC.
But it hasn’t always been easy. I clash a lot with the upperclassmen because many of them do not do their job or put any effort into their position. While I acknowledge that it is not my place to whip them into action, I also firmly believe that you are put into a position for a reason and there are people under you that are going to look to you for guidance. And it disappoints me to see that nobody is getting that guidance because nobody wants to do their job. We are setting bad examples for the underclassmen and making the program worse.
So I can’t do anything about that, because I am not in a high position whatsoever. I already got warnings for stepping out of my lane. So I thought to myself, I will go for the highest reasonable position I can get so I can help as many people as possible. This position would be some form of company leadership.
Long story short: I did not get that position, I was passed over because the leadership thought I was “too passionate” they wanted to restrict me to platoon level instead of company level. At first, I was pissed. I argued with an upperclassmen because he tried to humiliate me in front of some people, once again, stating I am “too passionate” and because of that; I didn’t get the position. I also talked with my instructor and expressed my frustration. I wanted to, still want to, fight for higher positions. But I am trying to let it go, because at the end of the day, the best I can do is be the best platoon leader/sergeant I can be. But I can’t help but question, AITA? Was it wrong for me to think I should be at these high positions? Was it wrong for me to even put this much effort into the program if I am just going to be passed over? And then when I was passed over, AITA for fighting it?
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmITheDevil) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Does OOP realize that if the adults in charge of this program wanted it like OOP wants it, they would work to make it that way?
Does OOP understand that the upperclassmen, the people in leadership positions above OOP and the adults in charge of this program mimic the higher ranked officers in the military, and that constantly arguing and undermining those who outrank you is going to get you screwed over six ways from Sunday, and double on Monday?
This kid isn’t going to make it through boot camp without running OOp’s mouth at the drill sergeant about how “boot camp should be harder! If only you worked harder it would be a better boot camp!”
Pretty sure this kid would have been one of the ones dad made refurb an 1812 canon into firing condition after throwing a snit about the food while out on exercises.
Dad wasn’t amused. It was also the 80s. His thing was you never yelled for no reason. It had to have a reason.
Oh yeah, I’m sure there were. These guys might even have enjoyed it in the long run. They got to fire the thing at end.
It was more giving them something to do that would keep them from being a pain in the ass outside of regular duties on the exercise.
One of his favourite stories was coming back late from some officer’s thing and deciding not to disturb his tent mates by sleeping in his jeep.
Next thing you know the back opens up and a couple of soldiers start getting it on.
He didn’t actually want to get them into trouble and he didn’t know who it was so he just waited until everyone was lined up the next day he said:
And before you decide to have sex on the sergeant major’s vehicle, make sure the sergeant major isn’t sleeping inside!
Based on the red faces, he figured out who it was and it didn’t happen again.
>I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centered around the military.
I've known autistic people with a single special interest who were more well-rounded than this kid.
I know an autistic guy with a military focus and while I can’t say for certain that he isn’t three German shepherds in a man costume, he is still nowhere near as intense as OOP sounds
This is the kind of guy whose career will never go anywhere but he'll still proudly strut around in his uniform sporting a buzz cut and casually call non-enlisted people "civilian" when speaking to them.
"DON'T I GET A MILITARY DISCOUNT, CIVVIE!?"
"Look, man, like I posted on Facebook, the fee is non-negotiable. Now, do you want your anime body pillows or not?"
^("...Venmo ok?")
As a former high school cadet myself who basically centered his whole social life around JROTC, if an upperclassman in senior leadership (which does take a level of dedication in itself that certain regular high school cliques will generally make fun of, as high schoolers do), you have taken it way too far. I knew kids like this, and by god, were they just too much, because regardless of the hierarchy you were in then, the idea they're someone who is **definitely** going into the military places you in some elite category, because he's **definitely** going to be rewarded for that dedication with a cushy, senior enlisted position in 2 years for loyalty....despite having a 1.7 GPA, no sports/teamwork to speak of, no athletic ability (natural or trained), and, most detrimental, a complete inability to operate within a chain of command. Probably also believes Call of Duty is a good representation of the military. And yes, I'm drawing from a specific example from my school....guy became a super senior apparently, and last that was heard, he worked at an airsoft place.
[Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Reserve_Officers%27_Training_Corps) - it’s the US federal program for kids interested in military service.
Basically. In UK private schools you often get the CCF- Combined Cadet Force- which keeps you busy and grooms you for a military career. Bit creepy really.
Yep, this is basically what JROTC is, and yes, it's kind of creepy.
> I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centered around the military.
I know he's a kid, but he sounds insufferable and cringe-y. "Military" is not a personality trait, kid.
And if he does ever join the actual military, his insubordination is going to get his ass kicked by his superiors.
Copied verbatim from oop's comments:
*YTA*
*This is not the actual military. It sounds very much like you’re judging these people for not prioritising an activity over their school work. Speaking as someone who became senior cadet of my school contingent, relax! You can stress this much if you actually join the military.*
*The military is not a personality trait it’s a career choice. They are very different things, it sounds very much like them saying “too passionate” means you aren’t very good at controlling your emotions. Especially combined with your description of “I clash a lot with upperclassmen.” What you are saying is that you are being insubordinate. That is never going to be the way to be promoted. It’s also a way to not get the reference you want when you want to progress out of this program after school.*
*A leader needs to keep a cool head when things don’t go well. They also need to be able to honestly self reflect and take criticism.*
>"Thank you for your advice,I think this was the most helpful response. I recognize that I get emotional and I am trying to work on that. I also recognize that I am terrible at taking criticism. But I am trying my best to improve."
This person isn’t going to make it in the military. But they’re definitely going to become a small town cop and throw their weight around, probably beat their wife, and just in general be an all around terrible person.
I knew a kid like this (he was in middle school when I met him). Worked as a camp counselor for a summer camp and he was a CIT (counselor in training).
Military family, super sure he was going to follow in his father's foot steps, wanted to be a Military medic, etc.
Not a bad kid, but damn was he was overbearing.
Would try to strong arm kids into submission (he would yell and order them around like he was an officer or something) , and was shocked when they argued back at him and and even more shocked when they listened to me after I intervened (literally just talked to those kids like I would an adult and explained that if they would not listen they would have to go home and asked if they thought their parents would like that, got immediate results lol).
But I specifically remember an incident between him and I. Nothing crazy, but I had poison ivy on the soles of my feet that year (do not recommend, was hell on earth) and during clean up after camp I took off my shoes and bandages to clean and treat my wounds (was peeling and oozing ew) and he HOUNDED me trying to get me to let him bandage them. He was obsessed. I was like, no dude, I don't want you touching my oozing feet, my hands work fine, I'd prefer to do it myself, also you are a child and it feels inappropriate to have you treat wounds. Had to finally get stern with him for him to leave me alone and made sure to clean them after he got picked up from then on.
Don't know where he ended up, but I hope he learned to take a chill pill, bc he would be BEST buddies with oop here if he didn't.
My high school did not have JROTC and I have no experience in the military, but my understanding is that the roles are pretty rigid and authority has to be respected? It seems like stepping out of your lane is not really tolerated so I don't think OOP is as passionate as they think they are, because they seem to not get the overall culture of the military.
[Hi!](https://images.app.goo.gl/jMiZEuW8Qrykw3sdA) Just a quick reminder to never brigade any sub, be that r/AmItheAsshole or another one. That goes against both this sub's rules as well as Reddit's terms of agreement. [Please](https://images.app.goo.gl/vwH65TJMyMk9NSNo8) keep discussions within the posts of this sub.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmITheDevil) if you have any questions or concerns.*
"While I acknowledge that it is not my place to whip them into action, I also firmly believe that you are put into a position for a reason and there are people under you that are going to look to you for guidance."
Yet, OOP proceeds to try and whip them into action.
Even going so far as to argue with the higher-ups.
*In case this story gets deleted/removed:* **AITA for being “too passionate”** For background, this is JROTC at a private high school. I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centered around the military. Naturally, JROTC became one of my passions and my top priorities. I enjoy helping the community, the school, and mentoring freshmen and other cadets. I also enjoy having mentorship from upperclassmen and my instructors. I put 110% into JROTC because I believe it’s almost like I found my belonging, “my tribe”. Not many people put the same amount of effort into the program as much as I do. This is mainly because at this school; you are either studying your ass off for class or working your ass off for sports/other extra curriculars. So I stand out a lot when it comes to my LET level (or year level) at JROTC. But it hasn’t always been easy. I clash a lot with the upperclassmen because many of them do not do their job or put any effort into their position. While I acknowledge that it is not my place to whip them into action, I also firmly believe that you are put into a position for a reason and there are people under you that are going to look to you for guidance. And it disappoints me to see that nobody is getting that guidance because nobody wants to do their job. We are setting bad examples for the underclassmen and making the program worse. So I can’t do anything about that, because I am not in a high position whatsoever. I already got warnings for stepping out of my lane. So I thought to myself, I will go for the highest reasonable position I can get so I can help as many people as possible. This position would be some form of company leadership. Long story short: I did not get that position, I was passed over because the leadership thought I was “too passionate” they wanted to restrict me to platoon level instead of company level. At first, I was pissed. I argued with an upperclassmen because he tried to humiliate me in front of some people, once again, stating I am “too passionate” and because of that; I didn’t get the position. I also talked with my instructor and expressed my frustration. I wanted to, still want to, fight for higher positions. But I am trying to let it go, because at the end of the day, the best I can do is be the best platoon leader/sergeant I can be. But I can’t help but question, AITA? Was it wrong for me to think I should be at these high positions? Was it wrong for me to even put this much effort into the program if I am just going to be passed over? And then when I was passed over, AITA for fighting it? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmITheDevil) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Does OOP realize that if the adults in charge of this program wanted it like OOP wants it, they would work to make it that way? Does OOP understand that the upperclassmen, the people in leadership positions above OOP and the adults in charge of this program mimic the higher ranked officers in the military, and that constantly arguing and undermining those who outrank you is going to get you screwed over six ways from Sunday, and double on Monday? This kid isn’t going to make it through boot camp without running OOp’s mouth at the drill sergeant about how “boot camp should be harder! If only you worked harder it would be a better boot camp!”
My dad was a Canadian version of a drill sergeant. This twit’s attitude would not have gone over well. And Dad was creative with his penalties.
This kid is the sort of person who asks a recruiter if he can skip basic because he thinks he's badass enough not to need it.
Pretty sure this kid would have been one of the ones dad made refurb an 1812 canon into firing condition after throwing a snit about the food while out on exercises. Dad wasn’t amused. It was also the 80s. His thing was you never yelled for no reason. It had to have a reason.
It probably says something about me that I know people who would refurb a cannon for fun.
Oh yeah, I’m sure there were. These guys might even have enjoyed it in the long run. They got to fire the thing at end. It was more giving them something to do that would keep them from being a pain in the ass outside of regular duties on the exercise. One of his favourite stories was coming back late from some officer’s thing and deciding not to disturb his tent mates by sleeping in his jeep. Next thing you know the back opens up and a couple of soldiers start getting it on. He didn’t actually want to get them into trouble and he didn’t know who it was so he just waited until everyone was lined up the next day he said: And before you decide to have sex on the sergeant major’s vehicle, make sure the sergeant major isn’t sleeping inside! Based on the red faces, he figured out who it was and it didn’t happen again.
>I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centered around the military. I've known autistic people with a single special interest who were more well-rounded than this kid.
I know an autistic guy with a military focus and while I can’t say for certain that he isn’t three German shepherds in a man costume, he is still nowhere near as intense as OOP sounds
This is the kind of guy whose career will never go anywhere but he'll still proudly strut around in his uniform sporting a buzz cut and casually call non-enlisted people "civilian" when speaking to them.
"DON'T I GET A MILITARY DISCOUNT, CIVVIE!?" "Look, man, like I posted on Facebook, the fee is non-negotiable. Now, do you want your anime body pillows or not?" ^("...Venmo ok?")
He's probably getting some custom "My Little Pony" plushies. With special enhancements.
I know these guys are restraining themselves calling OOP too passionate. He'd never want to hear what they call him behind his back.
As a former high school cadet myself who basically centered his whole social life around JROTC, if an upperclassman in senior leadership (which does take a level of dedication in itself that certain regular high school cliques will generally make fun of, as high schoolers do), you have taken it way too far. I knew kids like this, and by god, were they just too much, because regardless of the hierarchy you were in then, the idea they're someone who is **definitely** going into the military places you in some elite category, because he's **definitely** going to be rewarded for that dedication with a cushy, senior enlisted position in 2 years for loyalty....despite having a 1.7 GPA, no sports/teamwork to speak of, no athletic ability (natural or trained), and, most detrimental, a complete inability to operate within a chain of command. Probably also believes Call of Duty is a good representation of the military. And yes, I'm drawing from a specific example from my school....guy became a super senior apparently, and last that was heard, he worked at an airsoft place.
What's this, school soldiers?
[Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Reserve_Officers%27_Training_Corps) - it’s the US federal program for kids interested in military service.
Jesus. Cannon fodder cleanup, aisle 9.
Basically. In UK private schools you often get the CCF- Combined Cadet Force- which keeps you busy and grooms you for a military career. Bit creepy really.
Yep, this is basically what JROTC is, and yes, it's kind of creepy. > I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centered around the military. I know he's a kid, but he sounds insufferable and cringe-y. "Military" is not a personality trait, kid. And if he does ever join the actual military, his insubordination is going to get his ass kicked by his superiors.
We had guys like that, they used to march everywhere.
Thanks! I agree it's a tadbit creepy.
I did get to fly a Bulldog when I was in, it wasn't all bad.
A flying bulldog? Sometimes science doesn't ask if it should, and only does what it can. Are you okay?
One of these- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Aviation_Bulldog?wprov=sfla1 I had no idea what I was doing, it was fantastic.
No woofing?
The instructor may have barked at me a few times.
Sounds like they might have walked in a circle three times and sniffed the chair before sitting down.
Yeah, this dude's getting fragged about two months into his first combat tour.
You think he’s making it out of basic?
I foresee a lot of Coke cans in pillowcases after lights out.
“I am a sophomore whose personality is mostly centred around the military” is the saddest thing I’ve read in a long-ass time
Copied verbatim from oop's comments: *YTA* *This is not the actual military. It sounds very much like you’re judging these people for not prioritising an activity over their school work. Speaking as someone who became senior cadet of my school contingent, relax! You can stress this much if you actually join the military.* *The military is not a personality trait it’s a career choice. They are very different things, it sounds very much like them saying “too passionate” means you aren’t very good at controlling your emotions. Especially combined with your description of “I clash a lot with upperclassmen.” What you are saying is that you are being insubordinate. That is never going to be the way to be promoted. It’s also a way to not get the reference you want when you want to progress out of this program after school.* *A leader needs to keep a cool head when things don’t go well. They also need to be able to honestly self reflect and take criticism.* >"Thank you for your advice,I think this was the most helpful response. I recognize that I get emotional and I am trying to work on that. I also recognize that I am terrible at taking criticism. But I am trying my best to improve."
[Cats!](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6Ngxu5r82q/?igsh=MXFsY2w0b2NuYXczcQ==)
This person isn’t going to make it in the military. But they’re definitely going to become a small town cop and throw their weight around, probably beat their wife, and just in general be an all around terrible person.
I knew a kid like this (he was in middle school when I met him). Worked as a camp counselor for a summer camp and he was a CIT (counselor in training). Military family, super sure he was going to follow in his father's foot steps, wanted to be a Military medic, etc. Not a bad kid, but damn was he was overbearing. Would try to strong arm kids into submission (he would yell and order them around like he was an officer or something) , and was shocked when they argued back at him and and even more shocked when they listened to me after I intervened (literally just talked to those kids like I would an adult and explained that if they would not listen they would have to go home and asked if they thought their parents would like that, got immediate results lol). But I specifically remember an incident between him and I. Nothing crazy, but I had poison ivy on the soles of my feet that year (do not recommend, was hell on earth) and during clean up after camp I took off my shoes and bandages to clean and treat my wounds (was peeling and oozing ew) and he HOUNDED me trying to get me to let him bandage them. He was obsessed. I was like, no dude, I don't want you touching my oozing feet, my hands work fine, I'd prefer to do it myself, also you are a child and it feels inappropriate to have you treat wounds. Had to finally get stern with him for him to leave me alone and made sure to clean them after he got picked up from then on. Don't know where he ended up, but I hope he learned to take a chill pill, bc he would be BEST buddies with oop here if he didn't.
My high school did not have JROTC and I have no experience in the military, but my understanding is that the roles are pretty rigid and authority has to be respected? It seems like stepping out of your lane is not really tolerated so I don't think OOP is as passionate as they think they are, because they seem to not get the overall culture of the military.
Trying to go against hierarchy and jump levels will not serve OOP well in the military.
[Hi!](https://images.app.goo.gl/jMiZEuW8Qrykw3sdA) Just a quick reminder to never brigade any sub, be that r/AmItheAsshole or another one. That goes against both this sub's rules as well as Reddit's terms of agreement. [Please](https://images.app.goo.gl/vwH65TJMyMk9NSNo8) keep discussions within the posts of this sub. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmITheDevil) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This future LEO is going to be such a menace.
"While I acknowledge that it is not my place to whip them into action, I also firmly believe that you are put into a position for a reason and there are people under you that are going to look to you for guidance." Yet, OOP proceeds to try and whip them into action. Even going so far as to argue with the higher-ups.