Questions Leaders Should Ask After Fort Hood Crisis

In December, the Army released the report from the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee, a detailed review of the command climate at the Texas military base ordered after the murder of Spc. A leader will continually bemoan being short a person for a key position, but when a replacement arrives, that same leader treats the new arrival (either explicitly or by allowing other team members to do so) as if that person doesn't deserve to be in the unit, isn't welcome and is essentially worthless. Why do some soldiers feel they have a right to act without regard for authority, military discipline or the rule of law? Shiny boots and pressed uniforms can be present when discipline is present, but I believe it is more likely that they represent parade ground soldiers.