Addressed as “ACTING” serving in a leadership role

2014-08-01T05:47:59-04:00

Where did the word acting come from as it pertains to covering down for a leader? If someone’s serving in a role that does not warrant their current rank why would they be considered “acting” anything? For ex. If a Lieutenant is serving as a Unit Commander while that CPT is TDY or leave that Lieutenant has the same authority as any other Unit commander. Same as if that E-7 covers down for that E-8 his word and authority is just as valid as if that E-8 was putting it out himself. There is no such thing as an “ACTING” Platoon Sergeant, 1SG, CSM, or Commander.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 7:47 AM

2014-08-01T07:47:53-04:00

I think "acting" gets used because it lets others know that it is a temporary situation. Think of that new Soldier reporting to a unit where they meet the SFC filling in the 1SG position while the 1SG is on leave. If they are introduced to the "1SG" there would be more confusion than if they were introduced to the "acting 1SG". You are absolutely correct though, while its temporary they do still have the same authority and we could probably use a better term than acting.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 1 at 2014 8:04 AM

2014-08-01T08:04:16-04:00

It's a simple matter of semantics. "Acting" is valid when serving temporarily in a position. If, for example, the XO is filling in for the Commander while he/she is on leave, the XO IS the acting Commander (serving AS the Commander with full authority) but is not slotted as the Commander. In no way is this term meant to mean acting, as in pretending to be. I see no reason to change, as it's an accurate description you just have to apply the correct definition:

act - ing
adjective
serving temporarily, especially as a substitute during another's absence; not permanent; temporary: the acting mayor.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 1 at 2014 11:27 AM

2014-08-01T11:27:35-04:00

My personal opinion....it varies by position. An SFC serving as First Sergeant would be an "Acting" First Sergeant, since First Sergeant is both a position and an official rank, whereas a Sergeant serving as a Squad Leader would be called a Squad Leader, even though Squad Leader is a Staff Sergeant position, since "Squad Leader" is only a position, and not a rank title.

Possibly the better term that 1SG Private RallyPoint Member is looking for would be "interim" (?)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 12:22 PM

2014-08-01T12:22:18-04:00

There is a few things here:

Commander/1SG/CSM: slotted by UMR and selected by higher with either assumption of command or have an appointment memorandum by Commander

Interim: Covering down until another can be appointed or they have been appointed by for some reason cannot take command or responsibility yet due to deployment, PCS, etc. They have full authority of that position by UCMJ, etc.

Acting: Covering down temporary. It could be as short as a meeting (XO covering down on formation while CDR briefs the BC) or as long as leave, etc. It could also be for different parties (advon, main body, trail) where the CDR and XO are separated. They do not have the fully authority of this position and the CDR will have to deal with the issues of reduction/advancements, etc. that are required. For some issues though they can sign if given authorization in written formation to have signature authority for some actions. Notice some as there are some forms that are required that the commander must sign such as a strength and feeder report.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 4:09 PM

2014-08-01T16:09:09-04:00

MSG Martinis Butler I hear you SFC Butler. That "acting" term is used a lot when it shouldn't. There is no action roles in the Army, either you're in charge when the 1SG, CMDR, etc are not present or your not.

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Aug 2 at 2014 12:34 PM

2014-08-02T12:34:47-04:00

I've always gone by the rule if in charge, be in charge. No matter if it's temporary or for an extended period of time. You are responsible while in that position for what happens or fails to happen, so there is no acting.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Aug 2 at 2014 8:01 PM

2014-08-02T20:01:26-04:00

MSG Martinis Butler - in my case, if the Bn Cdr goes on leave, he puts the XO on orders to be the Cdr - he's not the "acting", he performs as the Cdr.

I personally don't like using the term "acting" as it connotes someone that "is not" or is "pretending" - if you are placed in a position of leadership (temporarily, filling in, etc), you need to carry yourself as that leader. You should be given the authority/responsibility (with modest left/right limits) to execute as such.

I have done that with SFCs in 1SG positions - I refer to them as 1SG as that is the position they are holding and expect for them to execute within that scope of responsibility.

Response by MSG Curtis Lange made Aug 2 at 2014 9:33 PM

2014-08-02T21:33:46-04:00

While in Germany there were many time that I as a Master Sergeant signed assumption of Command orders One time I referred to myself as the "Acting Commander"...that was one of the worst conversations I was the recipient of from the Brigade Commander. I was told that there is no such thing as an "acting" Commander or First Sergeant...either you are or you aren't. By the time I left the unit I had more time in the Commander position than the three Captains that filled the slot due to deployments and training exercises.

Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 2 at 2014 9:48 PM

2014-08-02T21:48:58-04:00

MSG Martinis Butler, I'm not sure of your question because there absolutely is such thing as an 'acting' serving in a role. Why do you call them an 'acting commander' or such? Because that's what the regulations tell us to call them! There are no slights involved and 'acting's generally have all the authorities and responsibilities expected of the position (especially if at the senior levels where there is a much more formal process involved).

The majority of time you see an acting individual is when the previously assigned individual departs without formally transferring authority to another. For instance, when a Commander/CSM leaves before a new one arrives (that's why you see those "Assumption of Command/Responsibility" ceremonies instead of "Change of Command/Responsibility" ones). Other cases are when the the incumbent is going to be away from their duties to such an extent that someone else needs to be put in that position temporarily in order to carry on the functions of that role.

I'm pretty sure that when General Dempsey (the current CJCS) was the Acting Commander of CENTCOM back in 2008 or SGM Miller was the Acting CSM for AFRICOM in 2011 it wasn't meant as a slight or anything else other then to denote that they were 'temporarily' in that role.