How to tactfully deal with a CO stepping into an NCOs lane.

2014-05-06T11:55:51-04:00

How would you approach a CO who is stepping into an NCOs lane. Yes we all know they have general authority, but how would you address it. Ie a schedule for soldiers. Like this building needs to be opened during these times, make it happen. Instead of here is the schedule work it. Without clearly knowing the entirety of appointments, tasks to be accomplished, days off, etc. Doesn't a company commander have more to be concerned with than micromanaging?

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made May 6 at 2014 4:42 PM

2014-05-06T16:42:21-04:00

MAJ Ballinger hit the nail on the head. There is no such thing as a NCO Lane, as a NCO you must give the CO the confidence in your ability to get the job done.

I think you should have a PSG or the 1SG approach the CO and ask what the NCO's in the unit have done or could do to give him or her the confidence in you to get the job done.

I always believe in the saying "tell them what you want done and they will surprise you in their way of getting it done"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 5:10 PM

2014-05-06T17:10:11-04:00

SGT (P) Larkin,

There is no such thing as an NCO lane. As the commander, you are responsible for anything that the unit does or fails to do. So, the way I understand it, the commander should not be micromanaging, but there should not be anything that the commander should not know about because it is not "Officer Lane" If he/she is concerned about something under his/her command/responsibility, no matter how small it is, he/she has the right to know/understand/question.

As far what you can do, I agree with the advice MAJ Dunn and MAJ Ballinger provided.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 5:41 PM

2014-05-06T17:41:38-04:00

All,
Thank you for your responses. I understand technically by reg and fm, yes there is no nco lane, it should be one team, one fight. I only ask this because I recently got switched over to working with a garrison and coking from a meddac where ncos handled the enlisted side, and officers handled the officer side but only got involved when requested or needed, I was blown away that ncos working where I came Into were being micromanaged. I guess as the maj put it, there must have been something done to warrant the micromanaging. My upper hand is I'm fresh and new to the unit so hopefully I can shed insight and help patch what was done.

Again thank you all!

Response by CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. made May 6 at 2014 9:33 PM

2014-05-06T21:33:53-04:00

SGT(P) Larkin,

There's a good deal of truth here. I will offer some tangibles to improve the situation.

First, make sure your work is impeccable and done ahead of deadlines. I do not try to insinuate your work is not, but doing it once will give you extra time.

Second, make sure you thoroughly understand the "why" of every task that you and your team are responsible for. Make no assumptions and do not hesitate to ask, even with your level of experience.

Third, pay attention to the work being done around you and look for people who believe that "good enough" is the new perfect. It's one thing to get stuff done quickly because the boss needs it, and accept minor errors in the trade off for speed. It's another thing to continually accept this and never make efforts to improve.

You will probably begin to see why the micromanagement is going on. I would also guess that the need for micromanagement is about a mutual willingness to not seek improvement.