Posted on Mar 3, 2015
How should a Specialist respond to an NCO who doesn't know regulations?
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The Army really needs to make sure if they are going to make somebody an NCO then that person should have general knowledge of ARs. Because it's really sad that as a specialist I have to correct an NCO who's trying to correct me because he doesn't know simple regulations like AR 670-1. What do you think?
NCOs
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Knowledge
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 173
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I have seen the other discussions that this young specialist has posted on RP and of course I have judged him just like the rest of you have but, I have chosen not to respond to them, except this one. Why you ask? Well I will tell you.
Seems to me that this young Soldier has some poor leadership in what seems to be a poor unit. Sounds like he may have some legitimate issues but does not articulate them very well. Meanwhile, he gets the same treatment from Rallypoint that he gets from his leadership.
If you think he is just stirring up nonsense, ignore him. If you think you can help, give him advice. If you want to make fun of him, you should think twice. I wish I had a dollar for every time I misquoted a AR, FM, TM and was corrected by a subordinate. I don't know about you but, I don't have a photographic memory and there is more to being a NCO than memorizing regulations.
Zero defect is a bad thing!
Seems to me that this young Soldier has some poor leadership in what seems to be a poor unit. Sounds like he may have some legitimate issues but does not articulate them very well. Meanwhile, he gets the same treatment from Rallypoint that he gets from his leadership.
If you think he is just stirring up nonsense, ignore him. If you think you can help, give him advice. If you want to make fun of him, you should think twice. I wish I had a dollar for every time I misquoted a AR, FM, TM and was corrected by a subordinate. I don't know about you but, I don't have a photographic memory and there is more to being a NCO than memorizing regulations.
Zero defect is a bad thing!
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CSM Felipe Mendez
There are those soldiers out there that are good in some areas, but not all.... there are some that can memorize the entire AR, but doesn’t have common sense.. then, there are those that are familiar with the regulations, but better yet, knows where to find the questioned regulation and answer at time, “ I don’t know at this time, but “let’s “ look in this area and see if together we can get the right answer... at time, I felt short for answer to some request information, I researched, and gave the answer to that soldier.... we as leaders shouldn’t be trying to memorize every damn regulation, but instead, spend the time taking care of soldiers and family members.. we “NCOs” always have a subject matter expert available.... ask them for advise.. those expert, learned from others by asking... who cares if that NCO didn’t know the answer... but did he/her cares about his/soldiers, get the job done, have integrity and can be trusted... the SPC did not mentioned any of them... I foresee some kind “trying to make the NCO” looks bad or even jealousy...
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SPC (Join to see)
We all, in the military, have the opportunity to own our knowledge. If we are corrected by anyone we can ask the relevant ar, tm, FM, ect and make sure we know for the next time the question arises
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Sgt Dale Briggs
Zero defects would be a complete lack of effort, and no matter what the rank, or how long the career we’re still only human in the end and prone to make mistakes that imperfect people make.
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SPC July Macias
CSM, I saw in your profile that you did 26 years in the military. Assuming that was all Active, is your pension 60% of E9 base pay?
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Correcting NCO's as a non rate is poor form and will only make you more enemies than you likely already have. You might want to learn a few leadership skills before taking on the entire Army structure. You are becoming a legend on here for leading with your chin.
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
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Cpl Jeff N.
SPC (Join to see) (if that is your real name, ha). It isn't about being a yes man. It is about knowing how to use tact and judgment while asking and learning. If you think going after an NCO is a good approach, you are part of the problem. Not everyone knows every regulation perfectly. Asking questions, listening, learning is what you need to do as and E1- E3. I am sure if you make it to an NCO role you will not want non rates trying to bust your balls over a regulation to score a point.
True leaders understand the use of tact and judgment (as well as other leadership traits). It would be just as poor form for an NCO to go after a Staff NCO and insulting others up the leadership structure.
The other side of leadership is followership. Everyone that leads must also follow. That is a skill you might want to work on and quit trying to prove you are a true leader before you have learned to follow.
True leaders understand the use of tact and judgment (as well as other leadership traits). It would be just as poor form for an NCO to go after a Staff NCO and insulting others up the leadership structure.
The other side of leadership is followership. Everyone that leads must also follow. That is a skill you might want to work on and quit trying to prove you are a true leader before you have learned to follow.
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CPL (Join to see)
From one cpl to another, this answer sounds lazy. If you dont care about your Joe's concerns then you dont care whether they are good soldiers. A leader who doesn't know how to help his soldiers will always wonder why he has shitty soldiers under him
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Suspended Profile
True story:
As a hi-speed SPC, I was 2 weeks away from going to the board. I decided to see who could piss farther between myself and two SSGs.
After I felt satisfied (not realizing how big of a douche I just made myself look like) I carried on about my day as if nothing happend. That same morning, one of the SSGs I decided to challange, was named my first line leader. His first action, of course, was to pull my packet.
I went to the 1sg and explained the situation. Top said something that will stick with me always, and, is the moral of this story. I hope it resonates.
"I see you putting in work out there, trying to become an NCO. I also see that you try to hold your NCOs feet to the fire. Just know... once you put them stripes on, I will hold your feet to that same fire.
Be respectful, fill your cup up and share knowledge. Play the game, get your stripes, and know that one day, you will have to deal with the new high speeder. Guide and mentor. Think back to your issues now and be a leader. But in order to lead, you must first learn to FOLLOW!
As a hi-speed SPC, I was 2 weeks away from going to the board. I decided to see who could piss farther between myself and two SSGs.
After I felt satisfied (not realizing how big of a douche I just made myself look like) I carried on about my day as if nothing happend. That same morning, one of the SSGs I decided to challange, was named my first line leader. His first action, of course, was to pull my packet.
I went to the 1sg and explained the situation. Top said something that will stick with me always, and, is the moral of this story. I hope it resonates.
"I see you putting in work out there, trying to become an NCO. I also see that you try to hold your NCOs feet to the fire. Just know... once you put them stripes on, I will hold your feet to that same fire.
Be respectful, fill your cup up and share knowledge. Play the game, get your stripes, and know that one day, you will have to deal with the new high speeder. Guide and mentor. Think back to your issues now and be a leader. But in order to lead, you must first learn to FOLLOW!
CSM (Join to see)
SSG Christopher Adame you have some sage advice the SPC should listen to - I think what he is missing more than anything is leaders like you to mentor him in his unit.
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Suspended Profile
Wow, thanks much, CSM! I hope he finds that mentor. One thing I would suggest to him, especially if he is not getting what he needs from the jr. NCOs, is to talk to his PLT SGT. Not as to jump the CoC, but express a sincere willingness to learn from the "old goats." The first thing my TL did when I showed up to the unit was introduce me to the PLT SGT and said, "That's 17 years of Army knowledge, go get some." That was huge in my early Army development.
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