What I like most in your picture is that GEN Petraeus speaks to his Iraqi counterpart without wearing eye-hiding sunglasses. It’s a simple thing to remove your sunglasses when speaking to someone. It speaks to interpersonal sensitivity, making a personal connection, and attention to detail. Eye contact is basic and polite, yet too many Americans - including soldiers - have developed the bad habit of talking to people while leaving on their sunglasses and negating eye contact.
Eric,
I’ve heard that eye protection (sunglasses or otherwise) are standard gear in Iraq and Afg, in order to prevent eye injuries. I can’t remember where I read it, but I read somewhere that some Soldiers in leadership positions started removing their eyewear when addressing local leaders in order to instill trust, and got in trouble for leaving their eyes unprotected. Seems like maybe that order is being relaxed.
“I read somewhere that some Soldiers in leadership positions started removing their eyewear when addressing local leaders in order to instill trust, and got in trouble for leaving their eyes unprotected. Seems like maybe that order is being relaxed.”
I hope so. It’s tougher to do the civil affairs mission, which every soldier in Iraq shares, if it’s being undermined by something as basic as not being allowed to make naked eye contact.
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