Col. Paul Yingling on why he is leaving the Army to become a high school teacher

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Monday, December 5, 2011 - 7:24 AM Share

Col. Paul Yingling, who has written for this blog, and also critiqued the performance of our generals in our recent wars, explained his decision in Sunday's Washington Post: "Especially in a democracy, we ought to respect most those who foster the character traits that make self-government attainable -- parents and teachers, coaches and ministers, poets and protesters. When I hear the Army motto, "This We'll Defend," it's them I have in mind."

He will be missed. 

ChildYouth and School Services/U.S. Army/CHILD, YOUTH AND SCHOOL SERVICES/U.S. ARMY

EXPLORE:NORTH AMERICA, DEMOCRACY, EDUCATION, MILITARY
 

RPM

1:22 PM ET

December 5, 2011

A grand adventure

I left active duty to teach high school history in 1994. It turned out to be a wonderful decision.

Funny, but civilians always make this assumption that my military skills of discipline and toughness made me a good teacher... as if you could shout down a room full of 15 year olds using your 'motor pool voice.' I knew that it was my military experience related to setting clear goals and treating people with respect made me a (be they soldiers or students) decent teacher who still has much to learn.

Good luck, Mister Yingling!

 

HEXSAW

3:05 PM ET

December 5, 2011

Impressive move

I've long been a fan of Colonel Yingling. He seems to have been willing to say controversial things in public fora, which is a rare strength for anyone in a leadership position. The fact that he's leaving service before being able to retire with the rank of Colonel, in order to pursue something that's important to him, and also helps others, is inspirational.

Good luck indeed, Colonel Yingling.

 

HUNTER

5:31 PM ET

December 5, 2011

Clarification

He keeps the rank, he just doesn't get the equivalent retirement pay.

It was an excellent article and he is a bold individual who did much for the Army by his insightful and incisive commentary. I'm sure he will do great anywhere, but as one of my peers noted he might find the typical high school administrator to be even less receptive than a general. I wish him the very best as he goes from frying pan to fire!

 

HAULROAD

3:22 PM ET

December 5, 2011

Here is one that has got it right...

Best of luck Sir...I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment!

 

STRYKERCAVSCOUT

9:13 PM ET

December 5, 2011

Glad

I'm glad for him, and wish him the best of luck. When I finally get out of the Army, I think I'm going to teach too.

 

KUNINO

4:29 AM ET

December 6, 2011

Equipped with abundant experience and a military pension,

the good colonel seems able to live reasonably on a teacher's salary. I wish him well.

 

CDR D

10:55 AM ET

December 6, 2011

Good luck and good bye

Based on his article he is the morally superior human being he knows. I can't wait till he discovers that the education system has a bureacracy just like the Army does. I figure within a year he will be lecturing us about the shortcomings of his principals. He's about to discover that the Army probably was never as bad as thought, especially compared to a unionized workforce.

 

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military for the Washington Post from 2000 through 2008.

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