OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Symbolic Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the symbolic frame
2. Apply the symbolic frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

I am a sergeant in the Army National Guard, I have a squad leader who runs his squad
differently than most. Due to his method of running his squad, there are often times an
overlap in roles and responsibilities. Although I understand the chain of command
structure, there are many times when I feel like most work is put on me. Sometimes my
squad leader forgets to do certain tasks, and it is on me to remind him. There are also
times when other people in our unit will reach out to me instead of him, and this is where
conflict with roles arises.

2) Describe how the symbols of the organization influenced the situation.

The symbol in this situation would be the rank. Rank is very symbolic in the
military, as it represents more than just leadership and power. It takes years and a lot of
training to attain a certain rank, and respect is expected towards that rank. However, there
are sometimes conflict with people having rank but not knowing, or even caring to know,
how to lead. This is when credibility is ruined, reputations are tainted, and it is hard to
respect the person who carries the rank.

In my situation there is a conflict and overlap in roles and responsibilities. I am a

rank below my squad leader but even though I don’t have to, there have been times when
I have stepped up to take on extra responsibilities. We are expected to live by Army
values and general orders, these are also very symbolic to the Army, and I feel like lower
ranks always expect more from higher ranks. When those expectations are not fulfilled,
then morale drops and sometimes the entire unit gets labelled poorly. In my situation, I
hope at least I am living up to the expectations placed on me and my rank.

3) Recommend how you would use organizational symbols for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

1
 I would use organizational symbols to always remind others that we are focused
on more than just the mission. We should also take time to focus and check up on each
other. One thing I believe the military could do better with is holding people accountable.
I do not think in my situation it is fair for my senior non-commissioned officer to take
credit for work that I have completed, but I tend to let it go. I would use our values to
hold anyone accountable who is not fulfilling those values.
Culture is also important in the military, and as time goes on the culture aims at
being more inclusive. It is important to give recognition to where it is deserved. I would
make sure visions and values are all aligned, and everyone feels like we are in this
together. Roles and responsibilities should be properly distributed based on rank.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

After learning about symbolism I realized that there are symbols all around us, all
the time. In my situation some symbols were: rank and values. I also reflected on Army
culture and how that had an impact on my situation. Some things I would do differently
based on what I learned about symbolism, is to question whether a certain task is my
responsibility. Sometimes I do not mind taking on other tasks and responsibilities
because I am always willing to learn and grow. However, if something is not my personal
responsibility and if someone else will take credit for it then I should refuse to do it.
I just use this situation as a learning experience, and this experience will be
symbolic on my life and career. When I lead people I know what to do and what not to
do, and I will always be open to feedback. There are a lot of things in the military that are
very symbolic, such as rank. High standards should always be placed on rank; the
standards you place for yourself and the standards others place on you. If these standards
are not met then it should be addressed and acknowledged.