How do I handle another NCO pumping false perceptions of racism in to my unit?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 07:14:50 -0400

This E5 has been an issue to some degree for some time. Classic case of squeaky wheel gets the grease. If he specifically doesn't like something for whatever reason, he runs around to whoever he thinks can make it go his way and doesn't shut up until it goes exactly his way.

The most recent example is we have two separate jobs to get done simultaneously. We chose the best people for each job and everything was working out. Then this particular E5 went straight to our first sergeant saying that we're segregating everyone because of race, which is not the case in any way. How he perceived this in the first place is beyond me. Now because of this complaint, this whole operation is getting rocked because now we have to shuffle NCOs around and bring the displaced ones up to speed on everything in each AO.

Any advice? Maybe someone has had a similar problem?

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Aug 18 at 2019 7:31 AM

PO1 John Johnson — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 07:31:46 -0400

And the SSG/SFC ain't picking up on this?

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 18 at 2019 8:20 AM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 08:20:49 -0400

More details would get you better advice.

1) When assigning personnel to work details, in so far as possible, use unit integrity. Do Army transport units have small units that are usually led by a Corporal (kind of life fire teams as subordinate units of a rifle squad)?
2) When the Sergeant (does the Army still have spec 5's?) "runs around to whoever he thinks can make it go his way" ask him, in front of whoever he is whining, "What he would do differently and why?" Demand an answer, then and there.
3) If he lacks the moral courage and professional courage to take his differences up with you before going up the chain, be absolutely professional, polite, and courteous during work. Shun him off-duty.

You probably can't do this now, but in the early 80's I was the XO of a Marine rifle company, whenever I was acting in the CO's absence, one of the rifle platoon leaders bucked eveything I did or said, and frequently went to the Bn CO. In the field, he and I went "over the hill." We were pretty evenly matched and usually one or both of us would come back with a black eye or a split lip. In garrison, if the Bn XO or CO had anything to say about the rifle platoon leader bitching, I would inform the senior of what my course of action (COA) was and why I took it. I would then ask them if my COA was appropriate or not and whether I had their full faith and confidence or not. Then I'd take the RPL "over the hill."

Response by SGT Tony Long made Aug 18 at 2019 9:12 AM

SGT Tony Long — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 09:12:00 -0400

In my day the First Sergeant would of chewed the ass off the buck Sergeant for bypassing his Platoon Sergeant. Soldiers always have organized themselves into comfort groups while attempting to accomplish their mission as assigned. Bottom line is that his Platoon Sergeant needs to do some one-on-one counseling.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Aug 18 at 2019 9:22 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 09:22:37 -0400

So why not go to the 1SG with the exact same argument you presented here on RP and at least make him aware of your perception? I see a problem though of completely ignoring this guy, what if his opinion is shared and the others in the group didn't speak up? So I would still investigate what he complains about and take it seriously vs ignoring the complaint. Also, agree with what others have said, ask him why he feels the group is being seperated based on race and how would he seperate the group?

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Aug 18 at 2019 11:01 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 11:01:22 -0400

Never with me. I did have a MSG assigned to me who was on charges of being a Peta-file. Had a captain when I was a DOL that my COL wanted my to take him on after BS AST command was up. He was sleeping with his First Sargent female. I refused. Had a Black SFC lie to me. Gave him a 40 on his NCOER told him to report the the SGM.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 18 at 2019 12:04 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 12:04:03 -0400

This isn't about racism, it is about respect and/or power. If the NCO in question is feeling powerless in his position, (I.e. the work details were divied up without his input), he will try to find his power someplace else - and the racism card is a VERY powerful card to play. If he is feeling disrespected by current leadership, he will find leadership that does respect him. Likewise, if he does not respect his leadership (say, because they are doing things based on race, and don't even realize it), then he will find leaders he does respect.

You are peers. You need to sit down and hash this out and figure out what is REALLY going on. It is entirely possible that he DOES see racism that you do not. Find out what he sees, and then either accept his perception and fix yours, or explain to him that you understand his perception, but explain the logic that went into the decisions. Agree that you are peers, and you should be hashing this crap out between the two of you in the future, rather than bugging the 1SG, who has more important stuff to deal with. If you can't see eye to eye, bring in the PSG and have him/her counsel you BOTH in writing that NOTHING goes to 1SG without going through SL AND PSG first. And that failure to comply with that written direct order IS subject to UCMJ. (Nothing burns my buns more than jumping CoC.)

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 18 at 2019 12:31 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 12:31:16 -0400

This soldier needs to be counselled with his squad leader about expectations and standards of performance!. Something appears to be lacking here?

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 18 at 2019 12:33 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 12:33:04 -0400

This person appears to be an disruptive influence who appears to run wild! The leaders need to put him in check!

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Aug 18 at 2019 3:56 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 15:56:53 -0400

"How he perceived this in the first place is beyond me" - Perhaps this is the crux of the problem. Have you thought about talking directly to the individual to get his perspective before heading out to social media land?

Response by Capt Michael Swinehart made Aug 18 at 2019 4:09 PM

Capt Michael Swinehart — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 16:09:10 -0400

This situation is not isolated, it happens all too frequently. My experience is that is is usually predicated by a person of a minority race in the unit becomes conviced that he or she can move up by playing "the race card"!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 18 at 2019 4:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 16:54:24 -0400

What do the other NCO's think about this allegation?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2019 6:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 18:33:48 -0400

Where is the unit chain of command in all of this? Are you referring to a platoon and the platoon was given twomissions to accomplish? If so, what was the involvement of the squad leaders and platoon sergeant? But especially the platoon leader? While missions are handled by the NCOs leading the soldiers, the platoon leader is the one responsible for the platoon accomplishing the mission. I cant imagine a platoon leader allowing a ISG to order a rearrangement of their platoons personnel for two missions unless they agreedtheir was a problem. And actually I never saw a ISG who would reach down and ordera platoon to do something like that. All the ISGs I worked with knew that was out of their lane. If the problemwas that seriousthe 1Sg would get the CO involved whowould then pass the order tothe PLT LDR.

Perhaps if you gave some additional details we ciuld offer more focused advice.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2019 11:21 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 23:21:25 -0400

I wish you luck with this, I've had a bad fish trying and spoil the pond but when I called them out to discuss matters with my FLL at the side it cleared up a bit.
In your example, those chosen were great at what they did which did benefit the military for those mission, but when looking at race was it mixed? Was one not represented?
I would say the best bet is to speak with your FLL, speak to their FLL (if different), and then 1SG. My personal approach is to have a conversation and hear them out, ask some questions that they need to explain openly. But don't just hear them speak, listen. What are they saying AND how. They may be blessed with a silver tongue and you can still smell the BS, or maybe their viewpoint and upbringing has created them as they are.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Aug 19 at 2019 6:11 AM

SSG Keith Cashion — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 06:11:14 -0400

Here is a thought, or more of a question. You both are of equal rank, but the question becomes, are you both in a leadership position or are you the Squad/Team leader and he is part of the squad/team? This could be part of the issue as well. Maybe he feels as an NCO, his input should be considered as much as his peers. I really think it has more to that, then the race card. But he may also know that using the racism card, will get attention faster.

I mean think about this. The Soldier is an NCO, and probably wants to get promoted, but if the evals are basically present for duty, then he is not advancing. If getting this NCO to stop jumping the CoC, then it looks like the PSG should be counselling the NCO's as to their specific rolls within the Platoon.

Then again, maybe this guys has some valid points, and should be heard out.