Posted on Mar 30, 2016
MSG Shawn Eaton
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SFC Management Assistant
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This would depend on the local unit. I believe that all the tools are available. The backing varies between different commands
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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The tools are provided. What the young NCOs do with them however is very much dependent on the way companies are run.
For decades, I had and subsequently burned into others the value of solving problems at the lowest level. Not hazing. Not tyranny. Just doing what needs to be done. At my level, I should be guiding and advising, occasionally providing resources when needed. In my house, my NCOs have all the support they need, and when they get off the rails, I rein them in and guide them back on the right track. In turn, I expect them to do the same with their Soldiers.
It isn't magic, just engagement.
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SFC First Sergeant
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I don't believe we have the backing or support anymore maybe years ago but in this present time I would say no. Today's soldiers lack's the basic discipline and integrity and we as NCO hands are tied when it comes to instilling that discipline. We place too much emphasis on these soldiers complaining and feelings. These soldiers have too much say nowadays soldiers coming straight out of basic is telling you they are not doing this and not doing that last time I checked that was not an option when I joined when did that change
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SGT Communications Rep
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10 y
I couldn't agree more. I've encountered many new soldiers (Pvts) talk to me, SPC(P), like I was less than the dirt at the bottom of their boot. It's sad. The values that were instilled in soldiers years, decades ago from what I'm told no longer exist in some soldiers today.
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Do today's junior NCOs have all the necessary tools and backing from their leadership to properly instill good order and discipline?
SGT Communications Rep
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Nope. I find that as you move up in rank (not with everyone) you tend to help young NCOs and soldiers less. As an E4 I learned early on to find my own answers and solutions to things my NCOs should know. Finance issues for example is huge yet I couldn't confide in my NCOs to point me in the right direction. I think many new NCOs have a vision of how they want to be as an NCO yet get lost in the amount of authority they gain as well. If soldiers were trusted and given more opportunities to take charge, they would be better prepared as an NCO
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SSG Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
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>1 y
That's a slippery slope, some Soldiers won't even wash themselves if left to their own devices. I agree some Soldiers are capable, but what happens? You go to finance by yourself your good unless your unit finds out then somebody ask your first line this question. Why didn't you go with PFC Smith to finance? You will see if you haven't already, NCO s are expected to baby sit situations like finance, a Soldier buying a vehicle, etc. NCO s have a difficult job to do and unfortunately if we do it wrong the Soldier doesn't learn how to be the leader but they still somehow wear the rank.
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SSgt Carpenter
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SFC (Join to see) hit the nail on the head. I've experienced both ends of the spectrum. NCOs are just overpaid specialists if the command won't back them.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
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MSG Shawn Eaton I think it depends on the unit and the chain of command. If the commander/CSM/1SG are doing their job, they are providing the backing and support needed by the junior NCOs and ensuring the other officers and NCOs are doing so as well.
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SSG Aircraft Pneudraulics Repairer
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MSG, I'm in Korea and these junior leaders have no backing from senior leaders that have stated "I came over here for a vacation"! With Fresh out of AIT Soldiers, and the senior leadership wonders why they have so many minor infractions with handcuffed 1st line leaders! I'm at my wits end, seriously debating how "regulations are guidelines"!
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SFC Craig Dalen
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Edited 10 y ago
We can only hope that their units are taking care of them. I have seen it both ways. Just as long as they have time in between all the 350-1 training and multiple meetings...
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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The tools I had available to me as a SPC were WLC and some of the ALMS courses. I think a lot of these classes are not taken seriously. I know many people find ways to click through SSD1, and their leaders are the ones telling them how to do it so they can put it on the NCOER. Other tools I had were some of the worst leadership I have ever had. I call them tools because they taught me what not to do. I was deployed when I did SSD1. I had nothing but time so I actually paid attention and took notes. I got it some of the information is redundant, however, there was some good stuff in there. If there were other tools available I don't know what I missed out on.

As far as backing from the leadership, I would have to agree with the majority of posts that it depends on the unit. I have been through 2 battalion commanders, 4 company commanders and countless NCOIC's. I have been blessed with awesome leaders and cursed with some real duds.

My leadership philosophy is to maintain good order and discipline by fostering a climate of mutual respect. I don't buy the excuse that it's a new army and new soldiers treat NCO's with no respect. If your soldiers don't respect you right off the bat that's failed leadership from previous units. If they don't respect you after months under your command that's on you. We as leaders need to adapt our styles to find what motivates that soldier and exploit that to make them better everyday. They need to feel like you are committed to them and the mission. Some soldiers respond to the old school yelling and smoking while others it simply takes a "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed." There's other styles, then smoking the balls off soldiers.

This is turning into a rant I'll cut it off here. But I think I have the tools and backing to have my soldiers perform well.
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SSG Recruiter
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That would depend a great deal on THEIR leadership. If you are learning from terribleble leaders they can pick up bad habits/good leaders great habits.
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SFC First Sergeant
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thats not necessarily true . Me being a Former Drill SGT I PCS ed to Fort Hood and took a PLT with a unit here and the things I see here is beyond belief and the majority of these soldiers are fresh out of basic or AIT for that matter these soldiers don't have the drive the Discipline and they don't care some of them think they are still on the block and can't let go or just don't know how I have been at the end of my ropes. I ran my PLT the way My First PLT SGT and former Drill SGT SFC CONN did when I 1st reported to Fort Campbell to the RAKKASANS and it worked I have the most disciplined PLT and the highest PT Average. I would say I do agree that bad leaders teach bad Habbits because I also see that with my counterparts and its embarrassing to see especially me being the only SSG PLT SGT so you are not all the way wrong brother
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