Posted on Jan 27, 2014

Should Platoon Sergeants be removed from Squad Leader’s Rating Scheme?

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I PCS’d last week on the same day that my new BC declared
that EVERY Squad Leader will now be rated by the Platoon Leader, NOT the
Platoon Sergeant. So now every single E5 or E6 serving in a Squad Leader
position rating scheme is as follows: Rater – PL, Senior Rater – Company Commander,
Reviewer – Battalion Commander. 

This is the first I’ve heard of this (I was in my last unit
4 years so maybe things outside of my unit changed and I missed it) so I’m wondering
is this something that is starting to spread around elsewhere?

 I FEEL that by
removing the PSG from the rating scheme we (as NCOs) are surrendering that
power over to officers. For years I’ve witnessed the struggles between O’s and
E’s where one side wants to be more hands on while the other side tries harder
to pull it away. I also FEEL that it’s taking an extremely valuable piece of
professional development from those Platoon Sergeants. I have more than 12
months rated PSG time prior to coming here in which I rated numerous different
Squad Leaders and that’s truly the time I learned the most about NCOERs and quarterly
counselings.

I can go on and on about how I feel about the subject. But I
just want to know if this is something that’s sweeping through the ranks or if
this is an isolated event taking place where I am now?

Posted in these groups: 1efa5058

NCOER

Senior Rater

Posted 10 y ago

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Responses: 11

SFC James Baber

Posted 10 y ago

I have a serious issue with placing a 1LT, possibly even a 2LT into an immediate rater position when most may have only a year or two of experience and even less knowledge of that SLs job or what is the learning curve or progression of that SL professionally. And to remove any and all NCO leadership from the rating scheme is not fair to the junior NCO for mentoring and progression of training by a senior NCO for that SMs future.

I completely disagree with this action and would be very surprised that the CSM would be or was in agreement of this policy, while they don't write them, they do advise on them. It doesn't sound to copasetic to me along what I have seen, done or even assisted with over my career.

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SFC William Swartz Jr

10 y

It is events like this that have always pissed me off when I hear that "We NCOs are giving up our power...." etc, I never, in the 26 years I served, ever heard of any PSG not rating the SLs, or in tanker terms, the TCs. I as the tank PSG rated the 2 other TCs as well as the PLs gunner and mine while the PL served as the Sr Rater and the CO as the reviewer. I, as the PSG, was the SME of the tank platoon, the PL was normally a fresh out of the schoolhouse individual that knew very little about how to tank, it was my job along with the commander to teach this youngin how to tank and to lead the platoon. Believe me, having taught ABOLC for the final 2 1/2 years, when they leave to go to their units they are just as raw as Soldiers leaving OSUT/AIT, in short they don't know shit!

I am sorry that this has happened to you, but am glad I do not have to worry about experiencing this myself.

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SFC Michael Hasbun

>1 y

The 1SG...

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SFC Michael Hasbun

>1 y

Most units I have been assigned to had the 1SG rating the PSG's. I was just answering your question. I know it differs from unit to unit, but its one route.

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SFC William Swartz Jr

>1 y

PL always rated the PSG, with the CO as Sr Rater and BN/SQDN CDR as reviewer.

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SGM (Join to see)

Posted 10 y ago

There are two major things to look at here, regardless of personal opinion.

" A rating chain is established by the CDR, commandant, or leader of an organization and maintained by rating officials to provide the best evaluation of an individual Soldier’s performance and potential. A rating chain also ties the rated Soldier’s performance to a specific senior or subordinate relationship. This allows for proper counseling to develop the rated Soldier and accomplish the mission. These functions are normally best achieved within an organization’s chain of command or supervision."

This is important because it is the commanders decision as long as rater requirements are adhered to.

" Rater requirements. The rater will normally be the immediate supervisor of the rated Soldier responsible for directing and assessing the rated Soldier’s performance. The rater will normally be senior to the rated Soldier in grade or date of rank. CDRs will normally rate CDRs. Civilian raters for OERs and NCOERs will be designated as official supervisors on the established rating scheme."

AR 623-3 says the rater can be Chain of Command OR Chain of Supervision.

With all the formalities being presented aside, there are some things to take into consideration. If the Commander so chooses to have that young Platoon Leader rate his Squad Leaders that is is prerogative. It is that Platoon Sergeants job to ensure that he is providing sound guidance and mentorship to the platoon leader during the evaluation process. It is that Platoon Sergeants job to ensure that the Platoon Leader is rating that Soldier fairly and with his peers. He is the senior enlisted adviser to that PL he is also responsible for ensuring that the evaluation is fair and impartial and base on facts not opinion.

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CPT Laurie H.

Posted 10 y ago

I haven't seen this where I am in the National Guard, and sincerely hope I don't. I quite honestly don't feel like I was equipped to properly rate my Squad Leaders during my first year as a PL. It took my a couple months to figure out what I was supposed to be doing, let alone what they should be doing, what they were doing, and how I was supposed to develop them as junior leaders. I think it would have been pretty unfair to them for me to rate my squad leaders after 5 months (10 days. TEN) of solid training time with them when my PSG had been working with them for 3-4 years.

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Should Platoon Sergeants be removed from Squad Leader’s Rating Scheme?

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