Posted on Feb 14, 2016
How should I counsel a soldier who leaves work without permission?
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I was the shift leader today for my dining facility. I had a soldier leave without permission and did not answer his phone when i tried to reach him. What should I put his counseling for exactly? Thank you
NCOs
Counseling
92G: Food Service Specialist
Discipline
UCMJ
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 29
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Confront/Investigate.
Find out the facts. Just because you didn't give permission, doesn't mean he didn't have permission. Sometimes there is more information than what was initially available. Sometimes "emergencies" do happen, which although not "excuses" are "explanations." They change the tone of the counselling or negate the need for a counselling completely.
"Hey Spec Benatz, what happened yesterday? I came back and you were gone."
"SFC Smith grabbed me, and sent me down to XXX." (no phone service) or "Remember, I had the doctors' appointment. We talked about it last week. We didn't have a chance to confirm it yesterday morning because you were out taking care of ZZZ" (informal buttchew) or "Wife called, broken leg, had to run immediately. I'm really sorry. Completely my fault" (formal counsel, but understandable).
Just a couple examples.
I've had the 1stSgt grab one of my guys before, and get called away before he had a chance to tell me. Also had a new SSgt not realize how "base closings/delays" on Quantico Work.
Check with the troop, figure out what happened, and then go from there.
Find out the facts. Just because you didn't give permission, doesn't mean he didn't have permission. Sometimes there is more information than what was initially available. Sometimes "emergencies" do happen, which although not "excuses" are "explanations." They change the tone of the counselling or negate the need for a counselling completely.
"Hey Spec Benatz, what happened yesterday? I came back and you were gone."
"SFC Smith grabbed me, and sent me down to XXX." (no phone service) or "Remember, I had the doctors' appointment. We talked about it last week. We didn't have a chance to confirm it yesterday morning because you were out taking care of ZZZ" (informal buttchew) or "Wife called, broken leg, had to run immediately. I'm really sorry. Completely my fault" (formal counsel, but understandable).
Just a couple examples.
I've had the 1stSgt grab one of my guys before, and get called away before he had a chance to tell me. Also had a new SSgt not realize how "base closings/delays" on Quantico Work.
Check with the troop, figure out what happened, and then go from there.
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LTC Jason Mackay
Agree. If this is not this guys usual MO, I would want to figure out why he left without permission so you can head off TOMORROW's DA Form 4856. If it is a conflict in guidance, you need to work that out who ever gave it to him.
He needs to be counseled, but if you have an otherwise good troop sort out what is really going on.
He needs to be counseled, but if you have an otherwise good troop sort out what is really going on.
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SSG Jeremy Kohlwes
Second the agreement. A good leader will find out the facts first and then determine the best course of action. Maybe there was an emergency at home. Maybe there are personal problems that he might need help with. I got counseled once for being late to work. I was in the ER with a 104.6 fever. Explained that to my NCO but he still counseled me because I didn't call to let him know.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSG Jeremy Kohlwes - We had a Sgt whose back went out on him in the "pre phone in barracks" era. Didn't show up to work. Ran over to barracks and found him locked up in the rack and unable to move.
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SSG (Join to see)
ok how about a soldier that leaves a training area without permission to do their taxes
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Is it possible the local SFC or CSM grabbed your troop without telling you? I ask because I got burned on that once. I had a young troop who was already on my crap list. He got "Line of Sight" tasked by the resident CMSgt and did not have time to inform me of the Chief's task. I was all set to hang the poor soul from the base flag pole until the Chief happened to walk by and said, "Oh yeah, BTW SSgt, I borrowed your guy for a while. You don't mind do you?"
Just make sure you know the WHOLE truth before you send rounds down range. Your troop will respect you more in the end if you take the time to make sure you know the exact circumstances.
Just make sure you know the WHOLE truth before you send rounds down range. Your troop will respect you more in the end if you take the time to make sure you know the exact circumstances.
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