Posted on Sep 3, 2015
Since when does enforcing standards equal being mean?
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So, I am the first sergeant of the HHC at 13th CSSB. I have been told by several senior NCOs across the battalion that their Soldiers think that I am mean because of a correction that I have made toward them. The most come from when I sit on the Soldier of the month/quarter boards. I ask simple questions using the correct verbiage from regulation and never pull my questions from Army study guide. Com I always pull from the regulations.... I don't think that I am a mean person or leader nor does anyone that works with me our for me. It just blows my mind that this new generation of Soldiers is so needy, whiney, and just plane lazy. So, what do you all think? Do any of you find yourselves just as bewildered? And how do you handle the situations? For me... I'm going top keep on defending.... Til the end.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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I think this is something that happens when you have Soldiers that no one has corrected in a while. It's like when you get that new CSM who starts calling people out and making on the spot corrections. Suddenly people think the CSM is too strict. I think the easiest way to deal with it is to be consistent.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
For sure, whatever You do as long as it is consistent and nobody has to guess what the rules are and apply it equally to everyone. No one like surprises but for things to be predictable, spell it all out and stick to it.
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Enforcing the standards is exactly that. It's not being mean, at all as long as it's done in a professional manner (right place/right time). The standards exist for a reason. This being "mean" is what today's army needs more of. I have noticed as time goes by, the standards tend to get left more and more to the wayside. Things are getting too lax. Keep doing what you're doing!
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LCpl Stanley Wilcox
I totally agree with your statement. I'm 73 & am glad you mentioned about things being lax. It's been a while since I was active, but I can see it in todays youth. No respect for following standards! I say go ahead & hurt their feelings, they may eventually learn something.
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The big missing piece of this story is what did the senior NCOs say when you asked "so what do you think?" When a buck is passed, it usually means they didn't intercept the pass, and in worse case are being passive-aggressive and agree by proxy. I fired an Ops O partly for doing that crap. If they thought your were straight up, then they'd climb down their throats and you might or might not hear about it later. So the Magic 8 Ball says "maybe". Recommend you tease the issue out a bit more for clarity.
I heard most responses go along the line that if you're asking a legit question, no problem. Dig deeper and see if there are any negative style points surrounding their experience with you. You just want to make sure you're not fostering a generalized negative perception. Even if it's not your fault, you still own it. So if the head case belongs down line, then it would be proper to work with their NCOs to deal with it. That's baggage that doesn't belong in the badlands.
Oh, and if you don't know two positive things about a soldier you're correcting, think about that as a strategy to change perceptions. Good luck.
I heard most responses go along the line that if you're asking a legit question, no problem. Dig deeper and see if there are any negative style points surrounding their experience with you. You just want to make sure you're not fostering a generalized negative perception. Even if it's not your fault, you still own it. So if the head case belongs down line, then it would be proper to work with their NCOs to deal with it. That's baggage that doesn't belong in the badlands.
Oh, and if you don't know two positive things about a soldier you're correcting, think about that as a strategy to change perceptions. Good luck.
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CPT (Join to see)
Sir, this is the first I've heard of this, could you detail a bit more about your last paragraph?
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CAPT Kevin B.
Sure Nate. it's part of being a good leader who demonstrates they give a shit about their people. When you have a group of people under you, know them a bit. Some things will stick over time. Also work to catch them doing something right A smile and thumbs up goes a long way. So when it comes time for correction, you're not perceived as the uncaring SOB but more likely cared enough to help them along. If the only times they ever relate to you is in getting their butts chewed, you will be that SOB. The other thing is if you're disliked, people won't go out of their way to patch things up because you're discounted. That's why you own the problem because you have to make inroads to change the perception.
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