Posted on Jan 7, 2016
Ryan Pecht
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Trying to get more cadets involved but a good half of the platoon doesnt respect me as the leader and dont listen
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Responses: 19
BG David Fleming III
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Do your job and be professional doing it! Know your job and don't question your decisions when based on sound practice and policy! If you want friends revert to enlisted. Just one mans opinion.
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CW2 Christopher Esparza
CW2 Christopher Esparza
9 y
Your first problem is asking, "hey guys what do you think?" It shows weakness as a leader and members of the platoon will not respect your decisions. Soldiers like sharks can smell fear. Make a decision and move out. The AAR is the time to get input from the group
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Ryan Pecht
Ryan Pecht
9 y
CW2 Christopher Esparza - When I get their input its usually on what they want to do for the "fun" PT.Otherwise its usually up to me or their squad leaders.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
9 y
"Soldiers like sharks"! Remember that, 'they' don't have to be told ALL of the details.

What authority and direction have you been vested with? Are you using it?
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CW2 Christopher Esparza
CW2 Christopher Esparza
9 y
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Ryan, rather than get their input try tasking. 1st squad, You have PT next week. Squad leader I need your POI by Monday. And so on, now each squad is responsible for what they do and who leads the session. Remember you have subordinates for a reason, use them. The faster you can learn the job of an Officer is manage your personnel effectively the easier you life will be. Finally, if you want friends join a fraternity. The military needs leaders. Your decisions may not always be popular but if your Soldiers have confidence in you as a leader they will follow you.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Here are my questions:

1) What are you doing, as a Leader, that is not earning their respect?
2) What are you NOT doing, as a Leader, that is not earning their respect?
3) Have you tried sitting down with the platoon and expressing your concerns?
4) Have you tried to figure out how they think and try and adapt to them?
5) What are you doing when trying to get more cadets involved?
6) What do you mean by trying to get them involved?
7) Is this High School or College ROTC?
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Ryan Pecht
Ryan Pecht
9 y
1. the ones that dont respect me as a leader wanted to the leader but werent choosen to be the leader.
2.i dont know how to earn their respect since im having to keep sending them to the SAI
3.Ive talked with the rest of the leadership to try and see if they can figuere out whats wrong
4.The only way ive seen (so far) to adapt to them is to become close friends with them during the class
5.Im informing them when the practices are and where and telling them the benefits and how fun these teams are
6.trying to get them to join the comp teams like color guard,PT team,Drill team.
7.High school AJROTC
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
9 y
Ryan Pecht - Well, here are your options:

1) Those that weren't chosen as leader, then it sucks to be them. Perhaps there is a reason why the SAI did not choose them. Perhaps getting that info and explaining to them.........or have the SAI explain why.
2) Instead of sending them to the SAI, try solving issues at the lowest level (yours) as best you can. If you can't solve the problem(s), then escalate to higher.
3) Keep your other leaders engaged. Don't stop trying to seek help. Remember that you can't do it all.
4) Becoming close friends with those you are in charge of has its perks but has more problems than perks. Being close friends with people you are in charge of usually ends up for the bad. They do something wrong, you have to correct the issue, then feelings get hurt on their end and you feel you are in a tough spot.
5) If you keep informing them of practices, and they don't show, then stop telling them. Clearly they are not interested. Constantly telling them how fun it is or when practice is, to them it could be that you are trying to cram it down their throats....and no one likes that. Perhaps, instead of just telling them how fun it is, try also to tell them the perks and benefits of joining these activities are.
6) See #5
7) Remember, that this is High School. Teenage hormones and attitude galore. Nothing is permanent. Chances are, they probably will not sign up for AFJROTC the following school year. Lots of kids sign up because they think it will be an easy gym credit.........which it is if one just does as they are instructed. Again, just do the best you can and keep moving forward.
8) Perhaps, recommending to your SAI that to have some of these kids be placed in charge (granted they may have had good reasons to not), in order to show them that being a leader is NOT an easy task. Let them have a taste of their own medicine...so to speak.....and perhaps their tunes will change.

Good luck.
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Ryan Pecht
Ryan Pecht
9 y
Thank you for the advice! i will follow it as closely as possible sir!
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LTC Self Employed
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
Ryan Pecht - SSG Livingston gave good advice. Also remind them that 1% of the population wear the uniform. We are the few and the proud like the USMC and ROTC men and women need to reflect and ask themselves are they there to serve their country or are they just there to get their college tuition subsidized? They need to get out of ROTC if they don't have a sense of urgency, a reason to be there other then self-gratification and if they won't cooperate then they will not graduate! The stronger ones help the weaker ones and they all listen and also learn leadership skills. Not just, me,me me! and 'why can't I be the platoon leader?' the crybabies that don't want to work with others remind me of this transgender crybaby here in this video. LOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVQOLX1wDAc
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LTC Bink Romanick
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Ryan Pecht Keep your eyes open and never engage your mouth until you're sure what you're going to say.
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