How do I deal with a leader who is negatively affecting the morale of my troops and myself?

2024-01-18T19:38:17-05:00

My unit is forward deployed and one of the squad leaders has a very anti-U.S. belief and is also actively lowering the morale of those around him by trying to destroy any positivity and trying to keep people from reenlisting

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2024 8:20 PM

2024-01-18T20:20:51-05:00

First, listen to them. Think about this like an NCO. Often, If you have a trooper who is causing problems, one of the first things you do is pay attention to them and see if there is something under the surface that is causing their behavior. So, if it's possible with this person (because I'll admit it is not always possible) try and find some time to talk to them, one and one, and really listen to them. Doing so is crucial if you want them to listen to you and your warnings that they are negatively affecting everyone else.

Second, bring this up to your platoon-sergeant, and possibly the other squad leaders. Let them know what's going on, ask them if they see it too, then ask how you can be help or what the plan is in changing this.

Third, have a talk with the other SPC's. Gauge where everyone is at with this person and if its agreed that they are bringing everyone down, then stage an intervention. It can be as easy as sitting at chow one day and when they start going off, all of you SPCs take a moment to let them know what they do is not appreciated and you would all like it to change. Even if they outrank you, this can be said with tact and respect.

Lastly, use humor. A good ribbing is good for everyone, espeically down-range. Use humor to let them know when they are in the wrong. Don't be a jerk about it. If you do it from a position of truly wanting them to change, then the joke will often come out with the right tone of voice.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 18 at 2024 8:24 PM

2024-01-18T20:24:26-05:00

If the squad leader in question is actively disparaging the US as a nation and intentionally de-motivating troops, I would look at SAEDA. Seriously. But that is only if the "leader" in question is deliberately sabotaging the unit. And remember, there is a difference between anti-US and anti-administration or anti-specific policy.

If the individual is actively disparaging elected leaders or the current administration / current policy, remind the individual about rules regarding political speech - i.e. off duty and out of uniform.

If the individual is just a crappy leader who because they suck at leading is a demotivating factor, then you need to have a talk with your troops. Discuss good leaders and bad leaders, and work on building esprit de corps within your small unit. Work on those resilience skills to help deal with Poopy McPoophead and always demonstrate the type of positivity you want your troops to see.

A bit of humor (i.e. Poopy McPoophead) can go a long way to breaking the negativity suck, and if that is coupled with an unrelenting positive attitude from you PLUS an mantra of "we can handle his stupidity together" it will go a long way.

As you grow as a leader, you will realize that half the time, you have to fake it for the sake of your troops. If you just aren't "feeling it" today, it doesn't matter. You have to PRETEND you are feeling it to keep those troops motivated and going. I can't tell you the number of days I cried in my car after PT because EVERYTHING HURT. But I'll be damned if my troops ever saw it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2024 9:03 PM

2024-01-18T21:03:28-05:00

The Chain of Command response is right. The first person to go to is your Beans and Bullets man. I would also advise you to reflect on all the personalities involved. How is your Platoon Sergeant? the rest in your squad and the other squads in your platoon. Do they see things the way you do? Do you see things clearly. I dare say at your age I still didn't understand all the nuances in Army life. Looking at all this I would have a frank discussion with my Platoon Sergeant and honestly ASK him what his thoughts are about everything. After listening to response hopefully everything will become clearer and no further inquiries need to be made.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 19 at 2024 8:34 AM

2024-01-19T08:34:48-05:00

You need to clearly define if the leader is just negative or if they are truly crossing the realm into anti-American rhetoric. There is a big difference between a servicemember actively working to demean and derail things and somebody who is just disgruntled about life in the Army or potentially just someone who is disgruntled about the current Administration. We have all been around someone who is a bummer to be around and who bad mouths military life. If they are just a negative influence you need to talk to your troops and prep them and also steer them away that leader. You can also talk to the leader or have your first line leader step in to talk to them.

But if this is truly something bigger and is actually anti-Americanism at work you need to report it but you better be sure. You can't put that toothpaste back in the tube after the fact

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2024 2:12 PM

2024-01-19T14:12:13-05:00

What do you mean by "anti-US" belief? If that person is saying anything that would be a TARP (Threat Awareness and Reporting Program) you should report it to your security manager and CI if you have any CI stationed there. They can look into determining if they are a security threat.

If they're just being political, tell them not to talk politics at work and find out if there's anything else going on. But perhaps tell the PSG so they can address it as their supervisor and look into it as well.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jan 19 at 2024 3:03 PM

2024-01-19T15:03:34-05:00

Could we have more context?
How is that person "anti-U.S.?"
How is that person :actively lowering the morale?"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2024 7:25 PM

2024-01-19T19:25:49-05:00

I've been sitting and thinking about my response all day for this. After seeing this post at 0630 this morning, I've come to these RFIs and some guidance:

RFI:
1: What type, specifically, of Anti-US belief is this SL spouting? Could their statements be considered a danger to the troops, the company, the mission, etc.?
2: How are they actively lowering morale?
3: How are they trying to destroy any positivity?
4: Is your Platoon Leadership aware? Is your Company Leadership aware?
5: Follow-up to #4-If they are aware, what steps have been taken?

IOT give good, sound advice, those RFIs need to be answered/clarified.

Guidance:
1: Regardless of their attempts to stall/stop reenlistments, the SL has no power regarding that. That is all in the Co Cdr lane. Advise your Soldiers to go directly to the Rentention NCO, 1SG and Co Cdr for their reenlistments.
2: If you are a Team Leader, it is your responsibility to keep your Troops engaged ans motivated. Do everything you can to keep their heads up. Praise. Humor. Rewards (extra time off, etc.).
3: If you're not the Team Leader, still do everything you can to keep motivation up. Humor. Plan/propose section training or morale building activities away from this SL.
4: If this SL is stating hardcore Anti-US statements that could be considered dangerous, then you need to inform your Officers immediately.

Without knowing the specifics to the RFIs above, this is the best answer I can give.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 20 at 2024 9:35 AM

2024-01-20T09:35:12-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member You know who displayed contempt to US forces and spoke publicly against the actions of the US and its military...
Nidal Malik Hasan and Hasan K. Akbar both had anti-U.S. beliefs, both made that known, and both were ignored until it was too late. You do not want to be that Soldier that knew of an issue but did nothing....
BUT also....Remember, you can't put that genie back in the bottle, if you have no proof, no support, no witnesses, the focus of wrongdoing may be turned on you and why you are "falsy accusing" another Soldier.

Take a step back, and critically think through what this service member has said or done that makes you concerned....if you still feel their actions or words are "anti-U.S." and affecting unit morale, speak to your chain of command immediately...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2024 2:51 PM

2024-01-20T14:51:05-05:00

Talk to your squad lead, if he is not the problem, then your platoon sergeant. Give them the opportunity to address the issues. If they don’t use the 1SG open door policy.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 23 at 2024 4:10 PM

2024-01-23T16:10:46-05:00

Sometimes a tree in the forest has cancer...............

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 23 at 2024 4:13 PM

2024-01-23T16:13:43-05:00

Keep a log book to include witnesses.