How should I deal with unruly soldiers who are belligerent and demonstrate no drive to improve?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:19:12 -0500

I am a SPC that has been placed in a leadership role intended for a SGT. Under my charge I have another SPC that performs below expectations when it comes to his duties as a 19K. When confronted he proves belligerent and demonstrates no drive to improve. My immediate leadership hasn't provided me the tools I need to correct this issue. How should I deal with this?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 9:46 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:46:16 -0500

Document Document Document!!!!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 9:53 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:53:43 -0500

Counseling statements. Start with (if you havent done so) the initial counseling outlining your expectations of them and what they can expect from you. In that statement, include what ramifications they can face if expectations are not met. Expectations to include duty performance, professional conduct, uniform, etc.. After that, counsel them every time they DO NOT meet those expectations and any acts of belligerence. Also, be sure to counsel them on any acts where they exceed those expectations. Gotta mix good with bad. Also, be sure that your NCOs have your back. If you need further guidance and assistance, hit me up in Enterprise. [login to see]

Also....and here is where the NCOs need to have your back.....after a certain amount of time and/or a certain number of counseling statements where they didn't meet standard...then submit a recommendation thru your Chain for Article 15 proceedings.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 10:18 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:18:29 -0500

Maybe he no longer wants to serve. Put in your work, but ultimately give him what his actions dictate. Don't drag it out, as he's having an effect on unit morale and readiness.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 12:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:53:47 -0500

Congratulations on earning a position of trust and leadership. I’m sure you showed the ability and potential to perform at a position of a higher grade/responsibility.
I hope you have discussed the issue with your mentors already...mentors are not necessarily the leaders or NCOs directly over you.
Have you been laterally promoted to CPL?
Did your PSG and or 1SG empower you / give you authority to counsel the other SPC?
You need to be empowered by them to enforce your decisions to assign duties and divide the tasks that have to get done.
Don’t take it personal. It’s not. Professional v unprofessional conduct. Maturity v immaturity. But be in charge...that doesn’t mean dictate everything. Leaders have to perform as well. The “by example.”
Assign tasks based on talent & capability...and do it as a group huddle meeting. (Talent management at your level.)
Reward the PFC who performs, and starve the SPC’s bad behavior of attention. That doesn’t mean don’t address it, but when you do address it don’t be emotional. Be clear, concise, and reasonable.
Give 1 verbal, then put it in paper.
Also check your expectations. Perhaps the SPC doesn’t know how to do what you think he should know, or has never been held to accountability. And he/she has used the belligerence to deter other NCOs from Dealing w him. Perhaps he’s been there longer or you got better attention from your leadership and he/she is jealous of it.
So make getting the task done a competition (if you can) between him and a junior SM...or you and him. Can you create 2 teams and see which gets done fast and better? Ask the PSG or a SSG from out side your platoon to judge?
Or is there someone in your section w personal power...the guy that’s not in a leadership position but influences how the entire team operates and responds. Get the influences and motivators on your team (and not by outing the other guy, but by convincing him of your well meaning intention and potential and the necessity of the task). If the influencer is this SPC, then you need to steal the personal power by giving it to the next influencer. Understanding those under you, their talents and abilities, and who can influence who (positive and negative) helps you as the one in charge manage the talent and how to assign tasks.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 22 at 2020 2:54 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:54:03 -0500

You counsel said specialist. Step one is an initial counseling as you are the lead for your section. You outline the expectations, quote regulations as relevant, as you have them so that all expectations are clear and referenceable. by the SM.

You then have a starting reference point to move forward on. Each time said SM does not meet the standards, or meets and exceeds the standards, counsel them. The SM cannot be a total screw up. Same with beligerance. YOu are going to need to make sure your NCOs have your back because as some point this will be kicked up the chain.

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made Jan 22 at 2020 7:14 PM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 19:14:14 -0500

Give a little wall to wall or woodline counseling....If that doesn't work then do the aforementioned and document the shit out of it. But in the end, if your NCO's don't have your back, you end up like I did, demoted because you couldn't handle a dickhead....Wall to wall worked for a bit....but then SM went nutso and was worse. After I lost my position, the SM tried to kill my replacement along with the LT....SO I guess I actually got lucky with the demotion....

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 9:31 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:31:21 -0500

So what tools do you feel like your making?

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Jan 23 at 2020 6:09 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 06:09:45 -0500

There is a great documentary that make be able to help.
Watch "Heartbreak Ridge".

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 12:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 12:07:00 -0500

Counseling Counseling counseling. If your in the leadership role say tank gunner and the other spc is your subordinate say loader and doesn’t comply with instructions then counsel and have the first E-5 in your chain to back you up.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 11:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 23:31:54 -0500

Remind him that it’s position over rank, using general thinking you were put into this position by your leadership who obviously see you as the correct person for the job. So do everything at your level that you can and if it doesn’t work go to the people that put you there they have your back or you wouldn’t be there. Some things are out of your control and there are SMs who see rank as a piece of fabric and position as a title and nothing more they have no bearing so focus on the guys who need you to shape them into the soldiers you can count on. And if you can keep your other guys away from him if he won’t change that stuff is like cancer and if young new troops see him getting away with that next thing you know your whole team or whatever size element you have is running over you.

Response by SSgt John Wise made Jan 25 at 2020 8:43 PM

SSgt John Wise — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 20:43:18 -0500

https://youtu.be/Vwbkz0DSkHU

Simon Sinek on What It Means to Be a Leader

Watch all Simon Sinek Capture Your Flag interviews: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0F0B345720658BFB In Chapter 9 of 16 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag ...

Response by SSgt John Wise made Jan 25 at 2020 8:44 PM

SSgt John Wise — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 20:44:57 -0500

One of my favorite things Simon says, “A boss holds a title and a leader has the people, are you a boss or a leader”

Response by SSgt John Wise made Jan 25 at 2020 8:49 PM

SSgt John Wise — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 20:49:11 -0500

During my studies as a doctorate student there many things that stuck with me. You must be able to understand why they are doing what they do!! Once you have a complete understanding about these unruly people, you will be become a better leader, and only then will they follow you.

Response by SSgt John Wise made Jan 25 at 2020 8:52 PM

SSgt John Wise — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 20:52:18 -0500

I recommend you take some time to review that video I posted, take away what resonates with you, and hone In on how or what would make you a better leader. Working with toxic people requires you to change your leadership style.