Help Needed (toxic leadership)

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 18:24:17 -0500

I know there are several discussions on this topic, but how does one deal with it?
What can one do if they're being pushed over the edge, despite their best efforts? When following orders they already mentioned they weren't physically capable of completing leads them to the ER? When their leaders are constantly belittle and degrade them? When they talk about them like they're not there? When the Soldier feels taken advantage of? When the Soldier does NOT feel safe? When they tell the Soldier to drive under the influence of narcotic painkillers? When a Soldier is already in the MEB process, denied entry to a WTU, suffering mental issues and unable to walk without an assistive device (with the proper profile authorizing it)? When the Commander directs them to stop taking their meds, and even drags them to the clinic and tries to get the PA to confiscate them?

Please help! CSM, IG, hospitals and Chaplains are all unable to help. I don't feel safe at my unit and have no one to turn to. (Not to mention pending a very vague Art 15 on top of it all) I'm very patiently awaiting ratings (which are long overdue)
If anyone can help, I can share my number in a PM.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 8:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:03:10 -0500

As a fellow Soldier in a overwhelming situation with (ahem) leadership challenges myself, I can relate SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member.

DO NOT battle them. They may or may not have your best interests at heart - I am not a mind reader - but they are your chain-of-command and can order you to do things. Only your primary care physician can change your treatment plan. If you have a profile, they must honor it. If you are running into flak, report it to your provider and have them intervene on your behalf. Your leaders may be questioning the validity of your treatment plan and/or your integrity. Do not give them ammo. Do the right thing.

Know that your health and well-being are paramount. Your leaders want you in formation and doing your job. You can't do that if you are broken. Everyone should have the same goal: getting you healthy.

Stand tall, SGT. Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of service.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 8:12 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:12:42 -0500

Congressman. Make an appointment to see yours now. However, make sure you've exausted all your military means. It sounds like you have.

But, to be fair. This is one-sided and vague. Message me. I'll do what I can and advise based on what I know. Feel free...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 8:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:40:35 -0500

SGT Blair Mickels,
1- Your job is not to fight the chain of command, though they may be effectively causing harm to you; seek the most amicable way to resolve the situation.

2- Avoid the barracks lawyers, they're never right. Start with a meeting with your First Line Leader to (re)/educate them about your current situation. If s/he can't handle it, they'll move your request up to the next level.

Most times, the chain of command deals with malingering Soldiers looking for ways to take advantage of certain situations, try to prove to your chain of command that you're genuinely hurt/broken. You can start by requesting that your First Line Leader accompany you to the appointments that the leadership is not trusting of.

Generally, Army Profiles are written by a MAJ(P), LTC or a physician having the same rank equivalence, so have them intervene on your behalf.

Keep in mind that the IG will only intervene when rules and regs have been violated, so make sure you document your interactions (requests/denials, counselings, medical appointments /prescriptions) for justification purposes. (I almost could pass for a barracks lawyer with that last advice).

Your surest bet is the amicable solution, since it will make your life easier.

Response by SGT Orazio Castellana made Feb 9 at 2015 10:18 PM

SGT Orazio Castellana — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:18:41 -0500

I would try to set up a meeting with your PCM and your leadership so your leadership can understand your profile. If that don't work the I say get the base IG, Army IG, or congressional started.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 10:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:45:12 -0500

One thing I just thought of that is very generalized....what about the EO rep and JAG, possibly an Ombudsman can help navigate....ESPECIALLY with the medical issues? Ombudsmen do not fall under the ordinary chain of command, and can potentially help. ESPECIALLY with the legal issues. If you are not running into a helpful LOCAL IG, I would contact outside that. Higher levels will almost certainly be more than willing to help, and could potentially adversely affect the local IG as well.

These are the general information. I'll try to specifically help with some of the more specifics via private message.....but just a few extra things to think of. Feel free to kick a message, and I'll let you know timeframes that I'm available to discuss.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 12:07 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:07:58 -0500

Update: Thanks to all that offered advice (Especially the one that had me rethink my word choices). I just had to take it higher up the chain. Not everything has been resolved, but it is certainly much better. For those that are dealing with similar issues, it may be scary, but I recommend keep taking it higher until someone listens.
For me, it took using the BDE CSM's open door policy. Come to find out, he is a very fair leader. In 5 minutes, he accomplished more than I was able to in months.
I thought about revising my initial post to remove some of the implied frustration and angst, but it was real. I know I'm not the only one that feels that way, at times. I hope the advice I was given and this update can help others in similar situations.
I f nothing else, I'm glad I reached out. I was able to connect with some very good Soldiers and think I made a couple new friends.
When you're down and out, please reach out. I'm not at all paid by RallyPoint, but I will say that this forum and the people within never cease to amaze me. I've made actual friends here that I try to keep in touch with and have found a great network to help me in my next stage of life. The connections I've made here are the best I've made. (LinkedIn is nice, too, but this is much more personal and direct).
Please, if you're having a rough time, reach out here. Someone will help you. It may even be me. We all have our issues, myself included, but that's why we have each other. Stay strong y'all!

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made Mar 23 at 2015 6:41 PM

SGT Nia Chiaraluce — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:41:24 -0400

After reading all the posts on here, I am so relieved everything worked out to your favor. I was in a very similar situation and tried similar avenues, eventually things did resolve. More recently a letter to congress asking to be given severance if toxic leadership was going to be groomed, promoted and emulated in the Army. This approach with evidence saved my career and didn't bode well for the others. Always reach out and seek answers, my were finally heard and helped by a chaplain MAJ Price.