How should a Squad Leader approach an SM about personal hygiene?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:58:11 -0500

This male soldier really needs to take care of personal hygiene. Several personnel noticed his poor hygiene and brought the concern to his Squad Leader.

How the squad leader should approach to the soldier? What if the soldier feels offended?

Response by SGT William B. made Nov 5 at 2014 4:08 PM

SGT William B. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 16:08:05 -0500

Put it in a counseling form, regardless of how gentle or harsh you want to be about it. I'm mixed about how I'd do it; on one hand, how hard is it to take a shower and groom yourself, and on the other, there's those mornings I've felt rushed.

Response by Sgt Kyle Danning made Nov 5 at 2014 4:17 PM

Sgt Kyle Danning — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 16:17:19 -0500

For it to be that bad, then counselings are in order. The most obvious thing to do is give a verbal warning, and the issue is still there, then start the written counselings. Can receive NJP under Article 15.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 4:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 16:27:56 -0500

Counseling is the answer, let him/her know that they stink, that they need to properly bathe themselves, if anything give a class on how to do it, and show them the stick in case it happens again. If the Soldier gets offended, let him/her know that other Soldiers are offended by the smell

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 7:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 19:48:43 -0500

In addition, it is important to try and find out the underlying reason. Is it an issue of poor time management in the mornings between PT and duty location?, perhaps the SM has an issue or even a phobia about showering around others (if he lives in barracks). He may benefit from a visit to the medical center and have a thorough physical. Sometimes disease states can increase body odor or change body odor, if the issue is oral hygiene, then dental care may be needed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 7:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 19:48:02 -0500

I would say just hose them off but that may not be the best approach.

I did have to deal with this when I was a manger on the civilian side. First, you have to keep in mind that not all people are raised to a common standard of hygiene. To him he may not think anything of it as that is how he was raised.

I would pull him to the side and inform him of the health concerns of his personal hygiene and it's effects on mission readiness. I don't think it would have to go as far as a counseling statement. I would focus on the healthy lifestyle portion of it. If you were to come out and say "People think you stink" line of conversation you may offend that soldier and they may become defensive. If he fails to comply I would then counsel that soldier based on a lack of hygiene.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 5 at 2014 8:24 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:24:04 -0500

I had a Platoon Sergeant once that was a nasty little man...he would go for god knows how long without brushing his teeth, showering, anything. We were at a range (Graffenwohr) once, with the whole platoon bunked in a single room squad bay, and I'm telling you, the guy just plain stunk.

A bunch of us NCOs pitched in a couple of dollars each and bought soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant and placed on his bunk with a politely written anonymous note asking him to use them. When he came in, he read the note, and then threw all the stuff in the trash!

That was enough! we went to the 1SG with our concern, who promptly marched SFC McNasty to the shower building and watched him clean himself. 1SG's stock went up big time with us that day.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 5 at 2014 8:37 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:37:58 -0500

Tee-Eff? Seriously? Had the NCO Corps and aspiring NCO pool fallen this low, that we can't deal with this? Who cares if he feels offended? His hygiene is offensive.

Squad leader needs to ruck up, take his/her soldier aside, and say "Look bro. Your personal hygiene leaves something to be desired. You're not mission-capable right now because others are complaining." Document it, it's a counseling. Set aside points upon which the soldier needs to improve. Make sure the counseling is witnessed by another male NCO if the fear of offending him is so great.

I think there's even a reg about this kind of thing.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 8:49 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:49:43 -0500

Should just sit them down and explain the problem and the corrective action that needs to happen. I believe its best most times to just be straight up with individuals. Can't worry all the time about hurting someones feelings. If they don't correct the problem then counseling forms. But give them the opportunity it fix it before it goes to harsher punishment.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 9:40 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:40:21 -0500

Well....being Navy...and an engineer....there's no..."PC Engineer Navy"...so I'd simply walk up to the offending stinker and tell them in a quiet, no non-sense approach, as in: "Fireman Smuckatelly, you stink worse than the sewage plant. Fix the stink eminating from your body before the problem is fixed for you in a manner you would find....onerous."

In addition, if I caught the offender in the chow line not having listened sufficiently to my warning - I would simply inform the offender that they were to remove themselves from the chow line until said time they had eliminated the cause of the odor.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Nov 5 at 2014 11:06 PM

PO3 John Jeter — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 23:06:45 -0500

Squadmates need to hold a GI shower for the guy. If there's a medical problem, the squad should have been informed. Poor hygiene by any squad member is a poor reflection on everyone. The last thing on my concern list is him being offended.......

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 6 at 2014 12:38 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:38:50 -0500

I sure hope we have evolved from the Comet and Brillo pad parties. Not a pretty sight.....and those were 1SG ordered!

On a more professional note, changes in behavior, especially appearance and hygiene, are red flags for underlying personal issues. Death in the family, divorce, debt collectors, take your pick. The scouring parties of old can push someone right over the top. Everyone deserves to be treated humanely. I'd try to find out what has changed to bring about the new aroma.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 12:53 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:53:04 -0500

First of all your duty as a leader is the morale and welfare of your troops. Sometimes the morale is for the masses and not the individual. Taking care of his welfare means that you are making him taking care of things he may not want to do. Yes, he will be offended, but that is not your concern. Your concern is to do what is necessary to take charge of those under you. And sometimes doing that requires tough love. Council him away from the rest of the troops. Be blunt and don't pull punches. Tell him you notice that he has been having strong body odor. I would send him off to get clean clothes and a shower and tell him never to do it again.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 6 at 2014 10:36 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:36:05 -0500

With a fire hose and a lot of soap... oh wait, can't do that anymore? You could always send him out to mop rain in the rain...

Response by SFC Dave Joslin made Nov 8 at 2014 8:50 PM

SFC Dave Joslin — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 20:50:48 -0500

In my time I found that "hey, dirty bird!" Worked just fine. I wasn't worried about being PC in all male units though.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 1:05 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:05:15 -0500

Honestly, having lived overseas for so many years prior to the AF and then OCONUS 6 out of my 8 yrs in the AF, I believe Americans have a whole different level of hygeine. I've worked in many developing and 4th world countries where water is a scarce resource, so obviously one must ration water usage. The excuse for everyone else beats me. My French friends would make fun of me for showering every day, they considered it bad for my skin and stripping my body of essential oils. If essential oils = body odor, then that all needs to be washed away. I don't understand why or how anyone would have BO in our society where we have water, soap, deodorant/anti-perspirant, perfumes and colognes. Europe sense of hygeine just cracks me up. In our society, unless you are deployed or in the field, there is no excuse. Tried to tell a fellow doc in my nice friendly way, 'hey, the last thing you want people to remember you by is bad hygeine. Would hate for anyone to associate bad hygeine to your good name.' Maybe he is just a guy or maybe he is aloof, but he just didn't get it. When in doubt, just shower every day, at a minimum!!!

Response by SGM Reginald Thompson made Nov 12 at 2014 1:45 PM

SGM Reginald Thompson — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:45:49 -0500

Counseling: Simply sit him down and explain to him, all of the health issues that could occur to or with him, if he continues to not maintain good personal hygiene. Also, explain to him the importance of being a professional Soldier, he should always try to maintain his personal hygiene, above what he normally would back home. You might want to check to see if his not maintaining his personal hygiene is because of some religious belief or practice. And if he feels offended, let him know that you are simply looking out for his best interest, health and welfare. Of course, If this does not work, he might be in need of some medical/psychological professional help (intervention).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 1:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:54:56 -0500

How should a squad leader approach a SM about personal hygiene? By introducing said SM to a water hose, soap, and a scrub brush. If anyone finds this offensive then it is this veterans opinion that they are in the wrong profession.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 12 at 2014 2:06 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:06:50 -0500

With very shallow breaths.

Response by SSG John Erny made Nov 12 at 2014 2:11 PM

SSG John Erny — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:11:03 -0500

I have made soldiers take a shower in their uniform and air dry along with a healthy dose of push ups. I had once guy that came to drill stinking to hi heaven every month. It pissed the rest of the company off. During AT I made him empty a mud puddle with a bucket, it only took him and two other idiots three hours, then I smoked them till they puked.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Sep 5 at 2015 11:12 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 23:12:09 -0400

Off to the side, discuss it away from the other SM's (give the SM a chance to demonstrate the ability to improve) with an expectation of noticeable improvement the next morning and every morning/day afterwards, or administrative action will begin. (Is this a person that has to shower twice or more a day? is there another reason why the SM's hygiene is poor?) Just a thought before the embarrassment by his/her peers begins...