An unattainable or unreasonable internal expectation of a new company officer is which of the following?

• A. Believing they can change the world
• B. Knowing that the only person they can change is themselves
• C. A public pressure that expects the company officer to have all the answers
• D. Firefighter peers expecting a new officer to overlook policy infractions because of friendship

Answer: (A)

Unrealistic internal expectations can overwhelm a new company officer, such as believing they can change the world. While aiming to improve the organization is good, a new officer typically has influence within a limited scope—leading the crew, enforcing policy, and communicating with superiors. Believing they can change everything is impractical and can lead to burnout or poor decisions because it ignores organizational realities and limits of authority.

The other options describe more realistic or external pressures rather than an internal, unattainable belief. Knowing the only person you can change is yourself reflects a practical, responsible mindset. Public pressure to have all the answers is external, not something driven from within. Peers expecting an officer to overlook policy infractions because of friendship is also an external expectation and unethical.