Posted on Oct 21, 2015
Being in charge of someone that is the same rank but has more time in Grade than you?
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I am in the National Guard. In my unit I was assigned as the Alpha team leader. My Squad Leader is out and will be gone for a few months. I have been in charge for three months. This weekend there was an NCO of the same rank moved into the squad but has more time in grade than I do. I addressed this with the platoon sergeant. Platoon sergeant, in front of the both of us, stated that because I have been there and know what is going on with the soldiers and that I am in charge of the squad and that I will remain the acting squad leader for now.
In this new electronic Army I have sent out several emails. I have sent this NCO several with the training schedules, alert rosters and several other things that he will need to do his duties as a team leader. But here is my problem. He is not responding to them, or notifying me that he is receiving them, even when I ask for a receipt reply. I do not have the email that has the receipt request as I am at work and using my personal email. Also I do not have access to enterprise mail at work. There are time sensitive things that my Platoon sergeant is asking for. I don't know whether or not he is sending directly to the Platoon sergeant. I have asked the Platoon sergeant with no reply. She is normally a stickler for CoC.
So here is the question. How do I treat this. I don't want to loose my position as Squad leader because I have overstepped my rank. I don't want to piss him off by saying look I'm in charge and then get moved out for the rank and then it turn and bite me in the a$$. We are both E-5. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill or is there a way to tactfully do this?
To all that answer your knowledge is greatly appreciated and I if don't answer all that respond thank you in advance.
In this new electronic Army I have sent out several emails. I have sent this NCO several with the training schedules, alert rosters and several other things that he will need to do his duties as a team leader. But here is my problem. He is not responding to them, or notifying me that he is receiving them, even when I ask for a receipt reply. I do not have the email that has the receipt request as I am at work and using my personal email. Also I do not have access to enterprise mail at work. There are time sensitive things that my Platoon sergeant is asking for. I don't know whether or not he is sending directly to the Platoon sergeant. I have asked the Platoon sergeant with no reply. She is normally a stickler for CoC.
So here is the question. How do I treat this. I don't want to loose my position as Squad leader because I have overstepped my rank. I don't want to piss him off by saying look I'm in charge and then get moved out for the rank and then it turn and bite me in the a$$. We are both E-5. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill or is there a way to tactfully do this?
To all that answer your knowledge is greatly appreciated and I if don't answer all that respond thank you in advance.
Posted in these groups: 
Professionalism
Leadership
Professionalism Leadership
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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Going to remind you of something I know you know SGT Bryon Sergent, when in charge, take charge.
If you are not getting the required results form your subordinates then seems to me like there might be some counseling in store for those that cannot get past their ego or cannot follow instructions. Might give the PSG a courtesy that you are going to lay the smack down on a 4856 for failing to follow directions (which indicates a lack in the Army Value of Duty).....from there forward, you might blind courtesy copy the PSG on the emails as well.
Finally, find a way to get on the S6 to get you a way to access your work email from your own computer....believe me if they can teach this guy how to do, you will easily be able to do it.
If you are not getting the required results form your subordinates then seems to me like there might be some counseling in store for those that cannot get past their ego or cannot follow instructions. Might give the PSG a courtesy that you are going to lay the smack down on a 4856 for failing to follow directions (which indicates a lack in the Army Value of Duty).....from there forward, you might blind courtesy copy the PSG on the emails as well.
Finally, find a way to get on the S6 to get you a way to access your work email from your own computer....believe me if they can teach this guy how to do, you will easily be able to do it.
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SGT Bryon Sergent Working as a Military Police Investigator I have had to take charge of people that out rank me all the time. I was a senior investigator and had E-6s under me. Luckily there was never any head butting. If you are appointed over other troops for whatever reason you are working under the commanders authority. I always use the "ask, tell, order" way of doing things. So if you want emails responded to you need to ask him to respond. If this does not work (you should know in about 3 seconds if he is going to buck) then tell him that he will respond. If that don't work, give him the order that he will. Document, document, document. Be ready to fill out a counseling statement and to put the paperwork in for an Art-15 if necessary.
I always tried to keep the drama to a minimum, but if I was in charge I was in charge. If the PLS does not like it then he can change the CoC. Don't worry about loosing your position. I would say you are more likely to loose it if your mission is not being met because your squad is not meeting the standards set.
I always tried to keep the drama to a minimum, but if I was in charge I was in charge. If the PLS does not like it then he can change the CoC. Don't worry about loosing your position. I would say you are more likely to loose it if your mission is not being met because your squad is not meeting the standards set.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
That why CID, MPI, CIC, MI Agents, etc do not wear rank, just an officer type US in uniform. Civies when not in field. They are addressed as Special Agent. LOL
No one knows whether you are a SP4 or a CWO or an officer.
No one knows whether you are a SP4 or a CWO or an officer.
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Happened twice in my career, once as a newly promoted E-5 Sergeant, assigned as the squad leader with an much more senior E-5 as the team leader. (changed positions due to his ineptitude)
Once as a SSG... by mistake as history showed.. the PSG and 1SG mis read the time in grade of myself and the other SSG up for the job. As we were both pretty much otherwise equal.. they decided in TIG, and screwed that up I found out later.
Both times.... I just did the job... I did not put myself in the job, my leaders did, after the decision, feelings have no place..... Just do the job,, if there are issues at that point... they are on the other not you.
Once as a SSG... by mistake as history showed.. the PSG and 1SG mis read the time in grade of myself and the other SSG up for the job. As we were both pretty much otherwise equal.. they decided in TIG, and screwed that up I found out later.
Both times.... I just did the job... I did not put myself in the job, my leaders did, after the decision, feelings have no place..... Just do the job,, if there are issues at that point... they are on the other not you.
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