How can leaders combat those "walking EO complaint" Soldiers?

2017-07-28T15:11:20-04:00

Ill be specific: how do you beat an African American woman at her own game of screaming "EO" every time she's faced with so much as a counseling? She is a fellow SFC and is pretty useles (doesn't show up, overweight, can't complete tastings, horrible Soldier in general). She has the COC petrified of her. How can I defeat this behavior?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 3:21 PM

2017-07-28T15:21:03-04:00

I would say to take all of the already written documentation, visit the EO office and get their opinion. If they state they do not see an EO violation, then you are in the clear and move forward. If this is possible, that is.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 28 at 2017 8:02 PM

2017-07-28T20:02:21-04:00

Document, Document. Document - 1SG and CO can counsel her, CO can have a tape test at his discretion, NCOER's can be written in a way the truth is known. She is late for formation, that is failure to report, She fails or shirks tasks, that is incompetence or negligence. Just because she is a SFC does not mean her rank shields her from regulations or consequences. If you do things by the regs, then there is absolutely no EO complaint. Just make sure that if others are doing what she is doing, then they as well get documented.

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 31 at 2017 8:13 AM

2017-07-31T08:13:55-04:00

I ran into this with a subordinate, never a peer. The Soldier was late for formation so as I always did I counseled them. They ran to 1SG saying I was singling them out based on race. I had a feeling this was going to happen so when I went to see 1SG about it, I brought a counseling I gave to a Caucasian Soldier for the same exact thing a week prior. I also showed the 1SG in the initial counseling where I outlined every step I would take for discipline infractions. I made sure never to deviate from that. Needless to say it saved my butt on more than one occasion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 12:00 PM

2017-07-31T12:00:35-04:00

Not to echo the other posts on the documentation portion, sounds like at least one thing that can be managed is the overweight piece. Without being targetted, the commander could require a 100% height/weight, and of course those that doesn't do well will need appropriate actions taken afterwards. Similarly PT tests can be given without discrimination. If your 1SG and/or command team are not willing to deal with the issue, may need to go see the CSM.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 2:27 PM

2017-08-01T14:27:47-04:00

Tell her to bring it.
Have your ducks in a row regarding standards violated and failures to report on time and let her show up with EO in trail thinking she will nail you to the wall. It will go poorly.
The better question is why is your commander cowering in fear of the EO? It is a commander's program, after all. He needs to own it.