Posted Oct. 6, 2020, 9:39 a.m. by Commander Garinder'Jen th'Jir (Executive Officer) (Gene Gibbs)
Posted by Lieutenant Revna Edman (Counselor) in Counselor - Check In
Posted by Commander Garinder’Jen th’Jir (Executive Officer) in Counselor - Check In
(snip)“Well those activities aren’t for everyone, but I’m not done yet. I’ll come up with more, but I haven’t had a lot of time to brain storm yet. Hopefully there will be something for everyone. Maybe CDO Bourdeaux will have some ideas as well.” Revna listened and by the end she was laughing, or trying very hard not too anyway. The effort making her lungs ache. She took a sip of her water and shook her head. “I’ll keep that in mind Cmdr. Unfortunately those that are avoiding would probably just willingly show up for your run, two backpacks of sand, and then suggest you do 8 laps instead.” She smiled again. “But it’s only been a couple of days, so hopefully they will show up on their own.”
“Then I’ll invite you along on the run to interview them during it. There is something to be said for captive audiences,” he replied with a half smile.
Revna chuckled, “That would certainly turn the tables on them. I wouldn’t mind seeing their faces when they show up to run and I’m there too.” Her eyes dance a little at the thought, “Hopefully they show up, otherwise, until I am allowed to get some practice in, I won’t keep up.” She thought about it a moment, “I may have to add running into my list of options for counseling sessions.”
“What would you say, Cmdr is your command style. What makes you a good commander, for a marine unit or a star ship?”
Lt. Edman, Counselor
“I make decisions, Lt. The best defense is a good offense. One will always make wrong choices but one must make choices. In a battle situation or in any there is no call for delaying choices. Wherever I was stationed delay was often deadly. I learned to not delay. Moreover everyone has a part to play to see success in any endeavor. Everyone has worth. Everyone is important. Everyone has a purpose. “
- Jen“I couldn’t agree more Cmdr. Making a choice is better than having someone else force it upon you.” She liked the Cmdr, he had a stead head on his shoulders, and despite not seeing where he fit with the crew, yet, he would give his all for the crew and ship. “Last 2 annoying counselor questions. Where are you weakest in your command skills and what do you do about it?”
Lt. Edman, CounselorOOC: Oh good question! I think .. which I am out of time on to think on for this morning so will sleep on that … Gene
Bump
OOC: Thanks .. thought I had missed one. Guess I slept longer .. Just call me Rip van Wookiee
IC:Jen could pick that out quickly as he had been told that more than once. And ignored it more than once. “Empathy,” he said simply. “I have been told I do not empathize with the people under me. Or over me. In my opinion if we have been given a task it is up to us to do it and put aside personal issues. That is a luxury that can be addressed outside of the mission.” He frowned. “I believe in that so am not doing anything about it.” He paused. “Should I in this environment?”
- Jen, XO“Empathy is a dangerous two-edged sword. And often thrown out there to be used when not appropriate. Empathy is the ability to recognize what other’s are feeling. Empathy does not mean you agree with what a person is feeling or that you have to feel what they feel. When given a duty, when given orders, unless unethical or violating higher orders, our personal opinions don’t matter. That’s part of serving. First empathy with those over us, is idiotic. Leaders, superior officers are supposed to inspire those under them. If they want empathy from those who serve under them, they are in the wrong position. So let’s address first if you actually have no empathy.” It was obvious that Revna didn’t believe that. “Can you tell if a soldier is scared, and then might hesitate? Or maybe is too gun-ho and rush the mission. Or maybe they have a personal vendetta and are ready for bloodshed? In those cases, empathy would indicate that you can recognize that. In that instance do those officers need to be coddled? Of course not. That would be deadly. You have a few options there, none will be pleasant or stroke their egos.” She left it there to see how the Cmdr would respond.
Jen’s eyes narrowed some at the mention of vendetta; that was an Andorian cultural theme that ran in the blood. His response was more tentative and Revna could tell he was choosing his words carefully. “I get a sense of what people choose to reveal to me, by word or body language. It is irrelevant to me. It has to be.” He smiled, a thin mildly humored expression. “I do not coddle. I believe that a person must do what one must do. In my experience it is to do what one must to complete the mission. Win the objective.”
“In your position Cmdr, the only empathy that matters is that you can tell if the crew under you can do the job. If they can’t, you are able to identify it and get them out of the way. That might be giving them a different job to do, because they are better suited for it. Or maybe it’s a marine whose lost his nerve, and you send him back to barracks because he’s a liability to the rest. And then we deal with his lost nerve after. I don’t think you have to worry about that. So as far as your empathy goes, as long as you can rationally identify where you need your people and where they will best serve, I think you are fine.” Revna pauses for a moment, “Now if you think it’s having a negative impact on your personal life, we can address that, but that would be for you to decide if you want to.” From their conversation Revna didn’t see that as a problem.
What she saw was that maybe Jen was still adjusting to his new role outside of being a marine. “I have known many people who prefer not to have touchy feely contacts socially and I think that’s perfectly fine. You’ll find I’m the same way.” Delving into people’s emotional turbulance all day long day in and day out makes one desire solitude in their personal life.Jen paused in his listening to take in what she was saying. It sounded positive; truly he didn’t think often about that ‘shortcoming’. He was usually too busy thinking of the task at hand. It was typically in the realm of ‘after the mission’ that only then that he considered the state of the people. Often he had left that empathy to others marking him as being more untouchable. War was not something that one could tip toe through. He slowly nodded after processing what she said.
“Now outside of that situation, well, you could talk to them, you could have a beer and bond over it. Or you can order them to my office,” and here Revna grins, “and I’ll coddle them for you, if they deserve it.”
Lt. Edman, CounselorHis antennae floated about. “I find it very difficult to believe that you would coddle anyone either, Counselor.”
- Jen, XORevna smiled a chuckle not quite coming out. “I have been know to do it once in a decade, but only for very special cases.”
Lt. Edman, CounselorJen emoted a gradual smile. “Warn me if I ever come to the point of being one of them.”
- JenRevna did chuckle then, softly. “Oh don’t worry, Cmdr. If it gets to that point, you’ll have plenty of warning. Now that is all I have for you, as far as your evaluation goes. You’re cleared for duty. What can I answer for you? I know you will work with Cmdr Rinker as far as finalizing crew evaluations and such, but as I’ve only just arrived, I’m sure you have your own questions you’d like to ask of a new officer.”
(OOC: leaving space)
OOC: Oh no! Empty space!!
Jen contemplated this as he studied her, his deep blue eyes sinking to a place just over and behind her shoulder. When they rose up again he said, “You have been immersed in a deeply disturbing occupation.” He held up a hand quickly. “Not disturbing by the occupation but in what you have witnessed and heard. I see the combat, the injuries, the death and the scenes of destruction on the outside. You see it on the inside. Where does your strength come from to endure it? And, as a sister thought, you are in a very influential position where you are guiding others, hence your name, counselor. From what comes your .. moral compass?”
- Jen, XO
After her meeting with Cmdr. Jen was over, Revna sat down to type up his evaluation. It would be forwarded to the Cmdr., Captain, and Cmdr. Rinker.
Psychological Fitness For Duty Evlatuion of Commander Garinder’Jen th’Jir
Commander Garinder’Jen th’Jir is a man who has been thrust into a new role. One that he never sought nor considered for himself. However, he has a strong sense of duty and will see any assignment, any objective to its end. Commander th’Jir is a natural leader and never balks in the face of challenge. Even challenges that appear not suited to his natural talents. Previous records indicate that those under him follow his orders without question and utter trust. He is the man to have coordinating your battle stations when all seems to go sideways. This man feels as if he has been stationed in the wrong place, but gives his utmost to the duty given him. And that is nothing to balk at or brush aside when so many others put in his position are not up to the task or willing to find out. Commander Garinder’Jen th’Jir considers this change in posting an opportunity to expand his experience and skills as a commanding officer. He is cool under pressure and a unique perspective and sense of humor that allows him to get along with those he serves over and serves with. “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. -Colin Powell”
Signed: Lt. Revna Edman, Counselor, USS AtlantisLt. Edman, Counselor
OOC: Oh my, total kudos to you on writing an evaluation!!! .. Gene
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