Any advice for a newly promoted SGT who remains in the same company, same PLT, same squad of Soldiers?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 16:23:41 -0400

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 4 at 2019 4:24 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 16:24:53 -0400

Be the very best example you can be; to your Soldiers. Lead by example. Go above and beyond the call of duty. Promote, Motivate and Inspire: SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2019 4:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 16:33:03 -0400

Remember the responsibility of the rank on your chest has to come before your friendships with your old peers. Lead by example and help your soldiers succeed. Share any concerns you have with your SL or PSG and make sure to listen to your soldiers.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jul 4 at 2019 5:44 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 17:44:49 -0400

Yeah, ask for a transfer. You will have a far harder rode if they keep you in the same exact spot.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Jul 4 at 2019 6:36 PM

SGT Tim Tobin — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 18:36:11 -0400

Be fair, be consistent and always follow the rules.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2019 7:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 19:10:23 -0400

Make it clear to your your lower ranking friends that you are now in a leadership position and are responsible for accomplishing goals and getting things done. With that said you can’t hang out on the block with them like you used to and remind them of customs and courtesies. You are now in a position where your friends/ squad can get you into trouble. You just graduated to a new level of professionalism you must live up to.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2019 8:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 20:54:57 -0400

I’ve noticed a couple things that seem to trip up newly promoted E-5s when it comes to leading Soldiers who were just peers a month prior.

1. Failing to establish that they mean business, right away.

One way to avoid this is to write and conduct an initial counseling that covers expectations, the repercussions if they are not met, and enforcing them.

2. A Soldier (usually an E-4 who was at some point denied promotion) will harbor some resentment towards the newly promoted Sergeant and acts out.

While this isn’t completely avoidable, you can minimize the chance of this by being squared away. From appearance to Soldier Tasks and Battle Drills, you need to set the standard. If you don’t, you’ll just open up the door for the backlash that comes with being viewed as a hypocrite.

In closing, there’s a lot of good advice in these comments. If you follow it you’ll be fine, regardless if you request a transfer or stick it out where you’re at.

Response by SGT James Lucas made Jul 4 at 2019 9:25 PM

SGT James Lucas — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 21:25:19 -0400

Talk to them. Explain to them that this isn't a shift manager at Walmart position, and explain to them we have a job to do. The "smoking and joking" might have to GTFO, but you still have their backs when shit goes sideways. Do NOT lord your credentials, do NOT accept excuses, DO uphold the standards.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 4 at 2019 9:55 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 21:55:55 -0400

Congrats!

Agreed with everything in the other comments.

Also, if you're not reserves, prepare to probably receive orders to a different unit. The Army may or may not move. Usually being promoted to SGT, the Army doesn't want other Soldiers you were friends with affecting your ability to make decisions.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 4 at 2019 11:27 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 23:27:27 -0400

Be, Know, and Do is all the advice you need Brother. Congratulations on joining the NCO Corps.

Response by Devansh Chaurasiya made Jul 5 at 2019 2:26 AM

Devansh Chaurasiya — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 02:26:49 -0400

Long tenure means its easy to get leaves .. so chill...experience the different culture is some country before going home..you gonna love it..China , Taiwan, Korea are amazing.. and are close by to fly and see it over the 10-12 days off

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 5 at 2019 3:11 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 03:11:42 -0400

I am not a fan of the "you are promtoed, no longer associated with the lower enlisted off duty" mentality. Your friends are still your friends. But you DO have to make it VERY clear that there is a line between work and play, and that you will ALWAYS err on the side of work. Way back when in 19*mumble mumble* when I pinned on my stripes, it was a bit easier because I had an off-duty nickname that had NOTHING to do with the Army or my real name. When on was on duty, SGT was speaking. Off duty, nickname was. And sometimes, even "off duty" while chilling out, SGT had to come out and put people in check. My friends all understood, and were supportive. If your friends cannot understand and support, THEN you may have to cut slingload.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 5 at 2019 6:10 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 06:10:33 -0400

Read the creed! It is your supervisors responsibility to set the playing field by briefing your squad on what there responsibilities are in this situation. All is well, Congrats and thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2019 9:12 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 09:12:20 -0400

Stand fast. Counsel and set your expectations!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2019 4:53 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 04:53:02 -0400

Make sure they understand that you are no longer there peer and the hey bros will not be tolerated.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 6 at 2019 8:53 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 08:53:07 -0400

I would brainstorm what a leader should be and following army values. I would like to see your list. You might get some great advice from real leaders. What kind of unit are you in?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2019 9:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:06:20 -0400

Stay away from new E5 syndrome. You're in charge now, but you can do that without being unnecessarily abrasive. Stay approachable. You're the best set of eyes and ears your supervisor has on the actual morale of the joes. Step up to the plate and take charge and people will follow you, just remember to take care of them too.

Response by SGT Bonnie B. made Jul 9 at 2019 7:51 AM

SGT Bonnie B. — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 07:51:59 -0400

Lead by example and never forget where you came from; hold yourself to the highest standard, hold yourself and your troops accountable above all duty, honor and commitment. Above all Integrity

Response by SFC Vernon Crane made Jul 13 at 2019 11:35 PM

SFC Vernon Crane — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 23:35:26 -0400

You have a task ahead of you, but don't back down from it.
Keep doing the same high speed low drag work you have been doing to get promoted. You already know your team, use that. As with any good NCO use the tools you have at your disposal.
Keep the Mission first, and the Soldiers second.
You do this every day and they will know who is in charge.

Response by SGT Sean Bise made Jul 18 at 2019 12:26 AM

SGT Sean Bise — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 00:26:26 -0400

Find some distance while you are in uniform. You will learn, and teach your men to treat you as a team leader in uniform, and a friend when you aren't in uniform, and stay away from female soldiers in your charge, too many leaders have ruined themselves that way.

Response by SGT Frank Hubbard made Jul 23 at 2019 9:34 AM

SGT Frank Hubbard — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 09:34:17 -0400

Sgt. first; army always.

Response by SGT Dennis Bolin made Jul 31 at 2019 10:13 PM

SGT Dennis Bolin — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 22:13:20 -0400

I WAS IN THE SAME COMPANY AND PLATOON IN GERMANY AS MY FATHER INLAW WAS IN THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY THEY WOULD PUT ME IN CHARGE OF HIM AND MARCH HIM AROUND AWKWARD DEAL WITH IT DO YOUR JOB IS ALL I CAN SAY UNLESS you're A DUECH BAG AND THERE BUSTING YOUR WABULLS MAN UP SARGE

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Oct 31 at 2019 12:45 PM

SFC Scott Higgins — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 12:45:10 -0400

1. Let yourself know you got promoted because of the soldier you were. You earned it.
2. You need to lead by example. be the best soldier you can be.
3. You need to put some distance between the old you and relationships and the new one you now have with your team. Don't show favoritism, be fair and equitable in all things. Don't let past friendships get in the way of decisions you need to make today.
4. Be professional - both on the job and off. You are now setting the example of what an NCO is to the junior soldiers.
5. Don't be the guy who thinks, "I am a Sergeant, I don't have to do that kind of work anymore." Help your team when they need it. Let them handle it when they don't.