Posted on Oct 6, 2020
Does it reflect poorly on me as a leader for leaving work when the work is done, rather than sticking around to chit chat?
10K
63
21
4
4
0
So, I'm the platoon Sergeant for a Brigade Company S3 shop. I'm the type of person that works to live, not lives to work. So if our work is complete, I will leave at 1700 or whenever we are released. HOWEVER, I notice that some of my troops love to just stick around and chit chat. Like what are they waiting on? Does it reflect poorly on me if I leave? What are your thoughts?
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 16
I was a BN S3 SGM in predeployment train up and deployed to Iraq
I was a DIV SGM for a deployed Region command East Joint TACOP center
I was a DIV G3 SGM
We worked if there was work that NEEDED to be done, but if it was not needed, neither were the staff. as a young BN SGM, my CSM and CDR taught me through personal example..... GO HOME, get, be gone, it will still be here tomorrow and no one needs it tonight.
I was a DIV SGM for a deployed Region command East Joint TACOP center
I was a DIV G3 SGM
We worked if there was work that NEEDED to be done, but if it was not needed, neither were the staff. as a young BN SGM, my CSM and CDR taught me through personal example..... GO HOME, get, be gone, it will still be here tomorrow and no one needs it tonight.
(14)
(0)
We are salaried, there is no "must stay until 1700". If work is done at 1300 then it's done.
Those who stay forever are why morale is trash, and when CSM sees people hanging around doing nothing they immediately want to fill that time with work. Snake eats tail.
I believe if something new comes down after 1600, then it can wait for the next day (typically).
We expect Soldiers to stay late some days, we should send em home "early" when we can in expectation that it will be made up by late days. It will all even out if the leadership uses that thinking.
Those who stay forever are why morale is trash, and when CSM sees people hanging around doing nothing they immediately want to fill that time with work. Snake eats tail.
I believe if something new comes down after 1600, then it can wait for the next day (typically).
We expect Soldiers to stay late some days, we should send em home "early" when we can in expectation that it will be made up by late days. It will all even out if the leadership uses that thinking.
(6)
(0)
SGM Erik Marquez
"CSM sees people hanging around doing nothing they immediately want to fill that time with work."
Disagree with you there Sir..that may be your experience, but it is not mine other then by exception. In my time as a senior NCO , I had one CSM that felt the longer he and the staff stayed the better he looked to his boss...... He was an idiot, and was relieved and retired in lue of investigation and likely CM
Disagree with you there Sir..that may be your experience, but it is not mine other then by exception. In my time as a senior NCO , I had one CSM that felt the longer he and the staff stayed the better he looked to his boss...... He was an idiot, and was relieved and retired in lue of investigation and likely CM
(3)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
SGM Erik Marquez typically speaking, not an all inclusive statement. I have seen the occasional CSM that is about getting Soldiers home, just more often than not its 09-17. Work work work, even if that means cleaning the latrines 4 times a day and having a formation before having a formation.
And somehow wonder why morale is low and divorce and suicide are high
And somehow wonder why morale is low and divorce and suicide are high
(3)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
But the mission is still priority, just needs better thinking about the time constraints and use.
Just because 1SG has to stay for something doesn't mean he/she can't send the subordinates home. All it takes is one sentence to a PSG.
Just because 1SG has to stay for something doesn't mean he/she can't send the subordinates home. All it takes is one sentence to a PSG.
(3)
(0)
1. You are paid by the month, not the hour. 2. You're "Business" hours can be up and over 24hrs. 3. Ever think that these might be friends/buddies and either don't want to go to the barracks or maybe have a fight with the wife and don't want to go home? 4. You are an SFC- Once the MSG/NOCIC says the day is done- you do what you want and let them go their own way.
(4)
(0)
SFC Marc W.
SFC (Join to see) Yup. I would generally stick for about 3 min then depart with a 'can't wait to get out of these' or 'see you all in the morning'. Just as a simple note that I am not sticking around and if they have anything to ask from me, now is the time.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next

Leadership
