"Mandatory" Army Half Marathon Donation Drive
Its the infamous "mandatory" Army Half Marathon Donation activity that required all NSF, like me, to find donations of at least $12 for us (and more for some other people). Officially, its not mandatory but its infamous for Units to pressurise their poor NSF to donate from their own pockets when they are unable to find any donations. And I am talking about $400 per month allowance NSF with no additional income.
Threats of disciplinary actions, black-list, lousy review and other lectures or even scoldings are rumoured. And a few of those were blatantly hinted to me. The money mattered not, but the fact that it has become socially "mandatory" to donate resulting from superiors' pressure. "Donation" has lost its meaning, and fear has taken its place.
I do not want to donate, I have donated much in the past to charity, charities that I believe make a difference and uphold their values and visions, and I do not wish to donate to an organisation that expected donations to cover their people's screw-ups when they take billions from public funds. Of course, given my financial situation, its not possible for me to be charitable about anything much nowadays.
But I had to ask - my mom, said, "No. We're not doing well as we are, why should we donate? They are bloody money cheaters." So I brought it back. I've tried, and I take the same stance as my family. Over my bloody dead body would I give a cent, and they can pry it out of my dead hands if they want to.
So I brought an empty card back, and told my superior, I've no money, my parents have no money. Frustrated, they offered a small donation from their part, and that is how $7 came to be. The people who came to collect those cards were naturally not pleased. The poor boy said the following to me, and our conversation goes roughly like this. Take note of how "disciplinary action" was mentioned, right in my face. So I just stared at him.
Boy: "You are the one who donated $7? Its required to donate at least $12."
Ito: "Is it required?"
Boy: "Yes, its required."
Ito: "I've no money."
Boy: "Then there will be disciplinary actions."
Ito: "Ok."
Boy: "Well, maybe not disciplinary actions. Actions will be taken, if you do not come up with $12."
Ito: "Ok. I've no money to give."
Boy: "Then I have to report to my mdm."
Ito: "Ok. Go ahead."
After a short while, baffled by my indifferent response.. he went to talk with my superior. Honestly, do they take me for a child that would quiver under such pathetic threats? Do they give a darn when my best opportunity to study was crushed by their incompetence?
Boy: "I've to explain, there will not be any disciplinary actions taken, you see, we have to achieve this target and if this target is not reached, than we will come back and ask you about it again."
Ito: "Ok. Thank you."
Later on, my IC whined about how much problems I caused, and how I will be summoned by all my superiors for questioning and I laughed lightly in return. I've taken enough salt in life to suffer high blood pressure.
Threats of disciplinary actions, black-list, lousy review and other lectures or even scoldings are rumoured. And a few of those were blatantly hinted to me. The money mattered not, but the fact that it has become socially "mandatory" to donate resulting from superiors' pressure. "Donation" has lost its meaning, and fear has taken its place.
I do not want to donate, I have donated much in the past to charity, charities that I believe make a difference and uphold their values and visions, and I do not wish to donate to an organisation that expected donations to cover their people's screw-ups when they take billions from public funds. Of course, given my financial situation, its not possible for me to be charitable about anything much nowadays.
But I had to ask - my mom, said, "No. We're not doing well as we are, why should we donate? They are bloody money cheaters." So I brought it back. I've tried, and I take the same stance as my family. Over my bloody dead body would I give a cent, and they can pry it out of my dead hands if they want to.
So I brought an empty card back, and told my superior, I've no money, my parents have no money. Frustrated, they offered a small donation from their part, and that is how $7 came to be. The people who came to collect those cards were naturally not pleased. The poor boy said the following to me, and our conversation goes roughly like this. Take note of how "disciplinary action" was mentioned, right in my face. So I just stared at him.
Boy: "You are the one who donated $7? Its required to donate at least $12."
Ito: "Is it required?"
Boy: "Yes, its required."
Ito: "I've no money."
Boy: "Then there will be disciplinary actions."
Ito: "Ok."
Boy: "Well, maybe not disciplinary actions. Actions will be taken, if you do not come up with $12."
Ito: "Ok. I've no money to give."
Boy: "Then I have to report to my mdm."
Ito: "Ok. Go ahead."
After a short while, baffled by my indifferent response.. he went to talk with my superior. Honestly, do they take me for a child that would quiver under such pathetic threats? Do they give a darn when my best opportunity to study was crushed by their incompetence?
Boy: "I've to explain, there will not be any disciplinary actions taken, you see, we have to achieve this target and if this target is not reached, than we will come back and ask you about it again."
Ito: "Ok. Thank you."
Later on, my IC whined about how much problems I caused, and how I will be summoned by all my superiors for questioning and I laughed lightly in return. I've taken enough salt in life to suffer high blood pressure.
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