At what point does an NCO cross the line between character guidance and plain out personal attack?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 21:32:03 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 21:33:16 -0400

If you can provide more details that you are comfortable with sharing, I can certainly give a better response than by going with just the title of your post.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Oct 7 at 2015 10:21 PM

PVT Robert Gresham — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 22:21:18 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member After reading your reply to SSG Livingston I agree with his assessment. Counseling a Soldier for attitude and financial problems is, of course, the duty of an NCO, especially an NCOIC.

But, if the NCO is not providing for the Soldier to be counseled outside of the Chain of Command, especially when psychological problems are suspected/known to exist, then he/she is not doing another part of his/her job: supporting the Soldier when the problem is beyond your ability to help.
Most NCOs are not licensed counselors, although some mistakenly believe that they can serve in that capacity. A soldier with psychological problems should be seeing a professional.

As for name calling, and making the Soldier the object of jokes that are shared with others within the Chain of Command, that is entirely unacceptable. The NCO is opening himself to possible disciplinary action of his own. If this is a Squad Leader, the Platoon Sergeant needs to be informed of the situation. If the PS does not handle the situation, and the unacceptable behavior continues, then the next stop is the unit First Sergeant. The Soldier may also file a complaint with the local IG's office if he/she wishes to do so.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 8 at 2015 8:24 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 08:24:39 -0400

Character guidance is, by definition, personal.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 8:09 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:09:15 -0400

In a word-- UNSAT.

Does this "NCO" direct the tirade to one Soldier? Or does he/she fan it out to all in equal measures?

Sounds like giving a toddler a light-saber. Doesn't know what to do with the power and certainly cannot handle it well.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 8 at 2015 8:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:33:48 -0400

Did such an incident occur?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 8:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:52:41 -0400

It's a general question being asked for informative purpose. Although I'm not the soldier it happens to, before I issue out information on what he/she should do, I'd like to make sure that I in fact have my ducks in a row. It's in no way, shape, form or fashion an illusion and it's not acceptable in any measure! This happens in many units around the way, so it's not as if this should be shocking or unthought of. Every soldier has the right to be treated fairly, and all of us need guidance. It's a duty of mine and anyone else to assure that all, including myself, be held accountable for any actions of wrong doing that we issue out to one another.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 9:52 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:52:27 -0400

SPCShamika Johnson, When that NCO loses his/her tact, military bearing, and professionalism and starts flailing his/her arms, spitting mad, yelling at the top of their lungs, using verbally abusive personal attacks at the Soldier or any of the above.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Oct 9 at 2015 10:47 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 10:47:13 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Expand on your question so we can give a accurate answer?

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Oct 9 at 2015 1:41 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:41:02 -0400

This is an interesting question and one with no clear answer. After reading the responses and clarifications you've given to previous comments, it sounds like their are a number of possible things going on. First, it is never appropriate to revert to personal attacks based on "race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.". However, reverting to histrionics (i.e. exaggerated dramatic behavior designed to attract attention) actually works in some situations. I also doubt that anyone here would object to a NCO calling out someone who repeatedly "turns left when told to turn right". Sometimes things seem personal, and you are being yelled at, because you are the one screwing up. It's better to be yelled at now than die in the field later because you are second guessing your orders. I am also concerned that the soldier(s) you describe might be trying to "push a young and inexperienced NCO's buttons". Smugly answering "roger that SFC "blank", when everyone within earshot knows the soldier has no intention of doing what he or she is being told and just wants things to move on so he or she can make fun of the NCO behind his back is very toxic "followership" and deserving of a kick in the butt right back to civilian life. Good leadership and good followership are a two way street. The best advice is to always treat others the way you would want to be treated if you were the one in their position.

Response by PO1 Russell Henson made Oct 13 at 2015 5:11 PM

PO1 Russell Henson — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:11:16 -0400

When the tone and subject matter changes from being helpful / insightful to full on attack of character

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 8:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 20:53:42 -0400

It becomes a personal attack anytime the conversation goes from what you did, to WHO you are. I recently had a very arrogant retiree that asked me into their office. I was surprised that she began a discussion that she framed as helpful and friendly. It became clear early on that she was not giving helpful advice, but attacking me as a person. Clearly, she is envious of me and my current position and used this tactic to tear me down. I was polite and listened, reflected and realized that I should not let this go. When I gathered my thoughts I sent a well thought out email detailing why she is not qualified to advise me. I think she was going to push me until I spoke up for myself. A personal attack tears one down, where correction is instruction and offers clear advise.

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 7:44 AM

Amn Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 07:44:02 -0400

I think at the point that it either becomes physically dangerous or unreasonably harmful to ones career. Coming from the AF, I haven't had too much experience with NCOs going out of their way to mess with junior enlisted, since they have done their best the rid the Air Force of that sort of thing, with all the advocacy programs and complaint processes; in my opinion, I think it's the military. It's not community college, you should expect that some people are going to treat you like garbage, and you've just got to grin and bear it. That's why you earn rank, so you get the option of how to treat your Airmen (or in your case Soldiers). But unless what they're doing is physically damaging or permanently harmful to your career, I think it's all fair.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 9:39 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:39:26 -0400

When the NCO in questions loses their professionalism and bearing.