How do I build trust while teaching responsibility?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:50:54 -0500

Young team leader here. Woke up to a text from 0002 (work day): "you up"? Soldier (no license or car) was off post and his ride cannot get on post. I sleep with my phone on loud for calls but notifications on silent, I did not receive a call for this though. The way I see it is your ride cant get you on post but it can get you to post, from the gate to the unit is a 2 mile walk and it is an individual responsibility to get yourself to work. However if I tell this guy to figure it out and to get to work I feel like he will lose trust in me and hesitate to reach out again, maybe in more dire situations. I'm tired of people thinking they're screwed because they don't have a ride (he is not the only one like this) there is uber, the bus, a van system on post, and your legs. I'm not saying I don't have this soldiers back because I will get him, the only issue i have in doing so is him becoming reliant on others and not himself. Advice on how you would handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I did pick him up, but I want to learn different approaches to a circumstance like this

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2020 11:59 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:59:57 -0500

It's a balancing act. One COA for you is this:

Go pick them up. Since they are probably drunk, there is no point and having the "talk" on that ride back to the barracks. Once sober and at work, let them know that the ride received is something that you can and will do when needed, but not to abuse that option. Provide them with all available means for alternate ride. Give them the local cab number that has the capability to get on post. Have them download the Uber and/or Lyft app. And watch them download it. In fact, I would say to sit down with your team and have a counseling en mass about this and ensure they ALL have the alternate means of transport in their phones in case you can't be reached.

The fact that they can rely on you for this kind of "emergency" is a good thing. And yes, them getting themselves to work is their responsibility, but it is your responsibility to ensure they are at work. If they aren't at work, guess who the first person the squad leader is gonna turn to? You. And what would you say if they miss work...a search party is sent out and find out something bad happened to them somewhere between the gate and the barracks?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2020 12:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 12:37:04 -0500

Everything you just said, put it in writing on a DA4856. Revisit this counseling statement each month and follow up.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 25 at 2020 12:40 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 12:40:36 -0500

Well not knowing more - pick up individual and get them to work - that simple. In fact thank them.

"Hey man thanks for letting me know the situation on getting to work. Call me anytime with shit like this"

I've had to drag many individuals out bars and out of bed all the way up to BN XO. No it wasn't my job but it kept people out of trouble and from my experience when a platoon/company/BN becomes a problem child for higher ups it usually results in some top down attention that will without a doubt somehow make your life a little less enjoyable.

Your leaders will eventually see that you're looking after your squad which in realty is looking out for your NCOIC and CoC and it will be rewarded.

Just be glad this individual reached out to you for help -

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Feb 25 at 2020 12:50 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 12:50:33 -0500

On a side note in a slightly humorous way and kind of from past experience, as a 1SG I always told the troops to call me if they even sniffed a beer before getting behind the wheel. If you have a young troop that is lets say, in an altered state without a solid plan to get back on post the first favor is a freebee. When you get this troop to the barracks and he sobers up the next duty day you sit him down and help him plan out his actions for future reference with an advisory that his next uber will be with the PSG/1SG and he will be guaranteed to get squared away lickety split. I always gave one freebie for a ride as I would rather loses a few hours sleep than explain to my commander/BN CSM/BNCO and assorted other folks why my troop received a DUI/Died in a car accident or tore up the post commanders front lawn showing off. If I received a 2nd call, lets say I gave them much additional attention 24 x 7.
If you don't nip this behavior in the bud right off the bat it will become a nightly issue until one gets a DUI/Car accident with death or injury. There is being there for your troops and their is being used due to lazy behavior. I once picked up a troop that was a bit tipsy and dropped him off a nice walk from the barracks which I followed him in my car. He never did that again and he was good by the time he arrived at the barracks. Its easier to fix this now then after a big screw up. Sometimes examples have to be made.
Back in the day :) it was the norm for almost an entire platoon to drink into the wee hours and yet still be out in formation "ON TIME" in PT uniform for the 1SG's sober death runs. The smells, sights and levels of drinking were sight to see but everyone made it and they were sober real fast.

Response by SGT Thomas Heinold made Feb 25 at 2020 6:10 PM

SGT Thomas Heinold — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:10:19 -0500

You can charge him a fee for the ride inside

Response by SFC James Cameron made Feb 26 at 2020 8:27 AM

SFC James Cameron — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 08:27:22 -0500

This is where the combined plan of action on a 4856 will be a benefit. Sit down with your Soldier and perform an event oriented counseling on the situation. This will give you and your Soldier an opportunity to come up with a plan for future incidents together.

Now this is also a situation that has the ability to become cancerous quickly. So questions like why is your Soldier off post without a plan, what is PVT Snuffy doing, etc. should also come to mind.

Response by SGT Michael Koukaras made Feb 26 at 2020 1:32 PM

SGT Michael Koukaras — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:32:41 -0500

I've been in your shoes. Picked up plenty of people off post that were either drunk, had no car or had no ride. Sometimes all three. Something that has to be addressed is how this troop lives so far away from post with no transportation. You made the right call, but this is going to become a persistent problem for you if you don't get a plan of action for this troop. Second hand bikes can be reasonable and cheap transportation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2020 4:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:04:49 -0500

The different approach is to nip this in the bud by setting your expectations ahead of time. Let your guys know that if they are two miles from the gate, it's a two mile walk and they have legs. Let them know (counsel them) that they need to plan ahead, that there are busses, ubers, taxis and others. If they can't do that, make it stupid by making a card with these numbers on it that they must carry at all times. Don't have the money? A pre-purchase Visa card that can become a mandatory item.