Am I a bad NCO or just inexperienced?

Best NCO I served under did three things that set him apart:
- he readied us beyond where we had ever been
- he held us to the highest standards
- he led by example

We became an outstanding unit. Others held us w/respect. And we stood tall.

I was in a unique position in which my crew lived and worked on a small vessel
I would open my home to them on the weekend to take the pressure off of them and to stop those 0300 calls from the pd to pick them up
The ground rules were that at my home I was one of the guys. When the duty day started god help the poor sob that tried to take advantage
Built one hell of of a tight knit unit
On duty no quarter asked and none given
Some of may not approve but then I do not care but it worked for me and kept them out of trouble. I would call that a win win situation

There are some very excellent responses here.

Just some pointers from my side.

I've been the ASAIC (NCOIC) of several organizations over the past 16 years. Never, never, never stop enforcing standards. Thing about being a leader is that we're not going to make everyone happy all the time, and that's okay. There is is a trend out there where people are more worried about being "friends" as opposed to "leaders" and in a military, that's detrimental to the organization as a whole.

I would say you keep doing what you're doing but also be mindful of treading too close to being 'toxic.' By that, I mean don't demean people. Don't be loud, insulting, or rude. If someone makes a mistake, correct the mistake out of view of their peers. Give Soldiers verbal counselings first and if the problem persists, start documenting things. We do this because as an NCO corps, we should strive to be a self-correcting body.

Get with your senior leaders, PSG, 1SG, etc. Let them know about the challenges you're facing and strive to get them on your team so that if you have that one person who is your outright problem Soldier, you can document everything and eventually push for UCMJ if necessary.

I don't know what else to say that hasn't already been said other than you're an NCO. Do what is right at all times regardless of peoples' feelings and you won't go wrong.

Good luck!

Every time you don’t make an on the spot correction, you set a new standard. Give’em hell corporal!

Standards are standards for a reason. Don't doubt yourself because you're the one enforcing them. It all starts somewhere. You're given 2 choices... you either continue allowing toxic leadership to infect the troops and continue lowering the bar, or you maintain the standards at the level they are set and you inspire others to do the same.

This is the role of the NCO. I can laugh and joke with the rest of them when the shift is running smoothly. But if things aren't going the way I want them to, then just like flipping a light switch, the personality changes and the NCO comes out.

The troops will come to realize that things run smoother when they work with me than against me. If they think working with me as an NCO is bad, there's always working parties. I'm sure I can find a toilet that needs scrubbing somewhere.

Welcome to the NCO life.

I was a CPL for quite a few years. I understand your position being the "bulldog". That is a CPL's job. You don't receive the pay or respect an E5 or higher will, but you are a bonafide NCO, and as such are to have your lawful orders obeyed...period. Let them call you what they want. Rise above the pettiness, be who you need to be, and drive on. There are standards, and the unruly raised their hands to serve and live by those standards. They need to be reminded of that...their oath and service to it. You stand up for what is right, regardless of the situation in which you find yourself. You have the support of those of us who have literally been there, done that. We are here for you.

Omigosh this brings back memories! I made E-5 and the people I had been working with for 4 full years were suddenly "under" me. I had new responsibilities (Pers Rec) - I no longer had time to "clean up" their stuff, which I had done since I got there. The pure disrespect - the sarcasm - all of it. NOW I'd know what to do, but I didn't then. I was never so grateful in my life as I was when I was reassigned. SO hard to be "one of the guys" and a "buddy" - then suddenly you're not and you have a Cpt and a Warrant and your NCOIC watching to see how you're going to handle it.

Your a CPL, you are supposed to be a bulldog. Keep up the good work.

You are absolutely in the right. Your peers are not. I will even go further and say that If your leaders aren’t correcting your peers, they are wrong too. The Army needs more blunt and stern NCOs to fix Soldiers who need correction.
Continue being a leader and doing what’s right. Trust me, the right people are noticing.

You just carry on and keep enforcing those standards, CPL! Do what's right, work hard, learn, ask questions, and try to keep your cool! ARMY Strong!