Leadership

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Several years ago I was in one of our military services and had just reported into a new base. I was given a check-in sheet and went about finding the different departments, hearing what they did, and introducing myself. I got to the part of the check-in sheet where I was to meet with the Command Enlisted Advisor (CEA). I made sure I had on a sharp uniform, went to his office and found that he wasn't available that day (he left to attend a aviation department outing). Okay, not a big deal. I made an appointment for another day and went about my business. The meeting date came and I went to his office but once again he was unavailable (golfing with the aviation department head). I didn't bother to make another appointment. A couple weeks passed when the CEA came into the personnel office because he had a pay issue. After he talked with our department head about the problem, he came over to my desk, introduced himself, and asked why I hadn't checked in with him. I explained that I attempted to but after he decided other things were more important than my appointment then our paths would eventually cross and I'd check in then. He said that he was available now and told me to follow him to his office so we could talk. As a junior enlisted person I got up from my desk and followed the CEA to his office. We chatted a bit about where he was from, his previous commands, and how he was selected to be the CEA. He then said he had a question for me - I couldn't wait. "If your boss told you that they only liked glazed donuts and to stop by Dunkin Donuts on your way to work tomorrow and pick up some donuts for the office, what kind would you but?" I thought for a minute and then replied.... First off I wouldn't consider this a lawful order since my department head is telling me to spend my money on donuts for the office. Secondly the kind of donuts I buy would depend on whether I liked my department head. That pretty much ended our conversation.