European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 08, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Close the books on zealous chartering of gis Carl Kruger have noticed with dismay the Geometric in crease in the number of soldiers being Chap tired out of the army. My concern has turned to absolute horror at the apparent Pride that Many officers and cos seem to take in the statement of How Many they have put  command and leadership in the army is a sacred Trust granted by the people of the United states to officers and cos to do the Job that the army re quires and to be the custodian of their sons and daughters. The latter is an often overlooked Mission. As an officer with four company commands have never chartered a Soldier. Granted in earlier times this option was one that was not really work Able for the commander. Paperwork zealous de sense attorneys and Assumption that the Soldier was innocent until proven guilty precluded the wholesale cashiering of Young men from the military. Today that has changed and abuses of the system Are legion. I have talked with jag personnel who Tell stories of soldiers being chartered for overdue Library books and mangled meal  when i hear these things i am ashamed to be an officer. I was raised in the army by Strong cos who believed that the welfare development and discipline of their soldiers was their primary Mission. Well cared for disciplined soldiers who were secure in the knowledge that their leadership had this As their primary Mission amazingly were also better per formers. Although a chapter action May be a Short term so Lution to a Soldier who is perceived As a problem in a unit the bigger picture demonstrates something entirely different. A chartered Soldier who returns Home must explain to his father Brothers and other relatives who served in the military Why he could t Cut  this for a Young Man with the Normal Pride Young men take in their accomplishments is emotionally Crip pling. I would suggest that our jails Are brimming Over with chartered sex gis. Our Mission As officers Anc cos is first the mis Sion and secondly the welfare of our soldiers. We Are citizen builders taking Young people who often Lack the values and motivations that we have and making them into soldiers who can do the Job and hopefully better human beings and citizens of the United states when they leave the military service., this is not an easy task and any unit is easier to Lead if All the soldiers Are Good  it s the poor sol Diers who take up our time try our patience and cause us exasperation. These poor soldiers Are the important peacetime task at hand. Although we cannot ignore and need to promote the careers of the Good ones the weaker ones need our attention. They need to be made to perform. If they do not there is nonjudicial punish ment court martial and Many other tools provided us to Deal with them. This in my opinion is the ultimate sergeants business until we Start to consider every Soldier we chapter As a leadership failure on our part we Are failing to serve the country As we should. Consider How you would feel if your son or daughter were in the army and were suddenly put out because he or she could t Cut  How would you want to have the treated treat your soldiers this Way. As i look Back on my military service at the com Pany level i am remained of my first platoon ser Geant who As a retired command sergeant major often reminisces on the soldiers he led. Many were poor performers with All sorts of problems Wheir he got them. He can reel off How Many  cos officers vice presidents of commercial Banksia the Midwest accountants doctors Etc. He to this Day so Many years after he led these men takes his greatest Pride in their accomplishments. Are we to be the fathers mothers priests and advisors financial marital and substance abuse to our soldiers yes absolutely this is the Mission and i you understand that you Are on the Way to doing it right. It col. Carl Kruger w6rk in Wrom fins Germany. Send in your column plus photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes apo09211orpostfach11 1437, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Opening laugh Rivero Buenos Aires Argentina Barsotti Usa twisting paper clips. How about you de contents from the cover 4-5blacks find Comfort in Europe. Sidelights 6 -9 Birmingham s civil rights Battle. Andy Rooney on the truth. Odds & ends 10erma Bombeck on track. The Snipes Cannery heat in rising  j.1. This week s films. 12-13 Vinch cheers in the line of fire. " cafes circuit listings television listings. 14-17 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home entertainment. 18 Good humor in How u like me now. " vote of a a a Kyj Joe Bob Briggs in t Gay Over new policy. & wit 24 James Kilpatrick not exactly turned on. Books. 25 in step with  27hillary s hair. Last laugh. 28 Dave Barry goes the Stephen King route. Civil rights Institute s Odessa Woolfolk at Martin Luther King statue in Birmingham Page 6. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor. Bucky Fox Art direction Susan Harris production Bernard Jensen editorial assistance Louis Pierce Page 2. Sunday August 8, 1993 body Huml