Are there certain positions that are inhibited from correcting disrespect when it happens?

2022-11-21T04:44:18-05:00

Disrespect is on the list of things not tolerated in our military. When it happens, corrective training is immediate, or the corrective action is nearly as fast. There's good reason for this. However, are there some leadership positions that cannot or should not correct disrespect in the standard fashion that we expect?

For example, a Chaplain. Perhaps a Chaplain should never correct disrespect, but that others should do it for them (CSM,SGM,1SG,PSG, etc.)? Consider that a Chaplain has rank and authority, but never command authority. What about our physician assistants? General Dentists? Journalists? Postal clerks? Etc.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 21 at 2022 5:58 AM

2022-11-21T05:58:41-05:00

I would agree to a point but disagree that a chaplain or others Senior to those being disrespectful should make the correction on the spot. As for the corrective training a Chaplain likely hands that to the units 1SG. Of course there are many ways to handle disrespect from there.

I cannot imagine a Chaplain in one of my units not reverently correcting the individual before allowing the individual to walk away. I do agree that the Chaplain or others like him should not administer the actual “corrective” training.

If I misunderstood the context for this point let me know.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 21 at 2022 6:57 AM

2022-11-21T06:57:12-05:00

Any NCO who witnesses an incidence of disrespect by someone of lesser rank towards an officer or SNCO, should be the first line of correction. In cases where an NCO failed to step up, I would address the NCO's failure to be the standard bearer, first. Used to be, in the Marines, officers didn't get involved with punishment unless it was going in the record book. Doesn't mean a Marine officer was above telling someone out of line to "knock that $#!* off."

Of course, chaplains should deal with disrespect. Ever gotten out of line with a Catholic priest, a Baptist minister, or God help you, A NUN. Penguins are mean. I'm not Catholic, but I'm pretty sure my right ear is about 1/4" longer after swearing in front of a nun when I was about 5.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 21 at 2022 7:56 AM

2022-11-21T07:56:51-05:00

Everyone of our leaders has a responsibility to correct disrespect as it happens. HOW that correction goes about may vary from person to person.

- You have a crusty NCO that corrects it and it will probably be an "old school" correction.
- You have a senior officer correcting the conduct and it will likely be more "formal".
- You have a chaplain doing the correcting and you'll probably get a good LONG fatherly/motherly discussion about being good to our fellow Soldiers, how disrespect can be bad for the discipline within a unit and ultimately lead to the ruination of our society and how they haven't seen you in church lately and when are you going to be present at the volunteer event this weekend...

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 21 at 2022 9:35 AM

2022-11-21T09:35:59-05:00

Officers and Senior enlisted leaders have an expectation to be leaders in their own right.

The context of your question is vague but if a leader witnesses something they shouldn’t look the other way or wait for another leader to say something. If they want to address it with the individals leader after the fact that isn’t uncommon. I’ve witnessed plenty of leaders correct an infraction and follow up with the 1st Sgt or Sgt Maj. That’s pretty standard but I don’t agree that someone shouldn’t say something because they are a Dentist, or some other MOS you lumped into this ineffective group.

I’ve seen chaplains correct folks within reason. Serious issues get reported up the chain of course but if it’s a quick issue with a quick fix it would only seem to enforce bad behavior if leaders let it go unchecked

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2022 9:52 AM

2022-11-21T09:52:54-05:00

Woe to the person that disrespects a Chaplain. If I ever see that, the person that did it would NEVER forget the corrective training I'd administer.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 21 at 2022 10:14 AM

2022-11-21T10:14:45-05:00

PA's are generally in the chain of command, their problem is dealing with Doctors that out rank them ,but can be lacking in military discipline.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 21 at 2022 11:49 AM

2022-11-21T11:49:10-05:00

No one is exempt from correcting disrespective behavior. it is contrary to good order and discipline

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 21 at 2022 1:03 PM

2022-11-21T13:03:50-05:00

You are dead wrong- it is the Responsibility of all to correct any form of disrespect. You do not have to be in a change of command, nor leadership position. Your statement implies that any person in any staff position is not worthy to correct this. Go tell that to your S!,S2,3#, etc. I believe they will have some corrective action for you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2022 1:11 PM

2022-11-21T13:11:09-05:00

not in my opinion.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2022 2:54 PM

2022-11-21T14:54:09-05:00

If a Chaplin cannot step in then no one else can.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2022 5:37 PM

2022-11-21T17:37:25-05:00

You don't have to have command authority to tell someone they are out of line. A chaplain can definitely correct someone who they see is acting out of line or disrespectful. Then go tell their direct leadership who can put it in a counseling.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 23 at 2022 11:44 PM

2022-11-23T23:44:43-05:00

I think the question is based on a gross misunderstanding.

I have at many times corrected a Soldier with nothing more than a look. Many more with a sharp word or two, and still others with a quiet conversation.

Correction can and does happen all of the time without push-ups, 4856s, or public displays. And no NCO or Officer - even Chaplains or postal clerks - is without those tools.

Your question implies that it is impossible to correct a Soldier without requiring that Soldier to do some task or other such that the corrector has some external evidence to validate to the world that the Soldier in question has been well and truly corrected.

Yes, it would be odd to see Chappy standing over a PFC counting off "1, Chaplain, Sir! 2, Chaplain, Sir!" As he knocks out push-ups. But just because Chaplains do not (generally) administer corrective action does not AT ALL mean they do not correct.

Response by SSG Dale London made Nov 26 at 2022 10:45 PM

2022-11-26T22:45:32-05:00

The only position I can think of would be that of the chaplain.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 1 at 2022 11:38 PM

2022-12-01T23:38:10-05:00

If I give a PV2 respect then I better get respect in return.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Feb 6 at 2023 10:27 PM

2023-02-06T22:27:39-05:00

I am old school where strict discipline determins the outcome of the entire unit whether in peace time or in combat. When I was a company commander in Ft. Riley, KS, I would go to revelie and find a soldier who had been beaten to a pulp. I would call him into my office for a private conversation and assure him no one would be able hear this discussion. Every time a soldier I found in this condition would report that he walked into a tree. No persuasion would change the mind. Later, upon new orders, I found out the NCO's were barracks counciling nonconforming soldiers who presented unfavorable attitudes.