How to tell if you're being singled out by an NCO and what to expect as far as corrective actions?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 10:26:49 -0400

Hello all,
At my current duty station my First Line NCO is TDY at SLC. There is another SSG temporarily filling in for him, and from the first conversation onwards I have felt singled out by him.
Our first conversation occurred this past Wednesday. He asked to see me in his office to explain why I had not been attending Company PT. I informed him that I had been on ARD (24 hour duty) twice in the last six days. Because this detail begins at 0630 and continues until 0630 the following day and I am on call the entire 24 hours, I am excused from PT for that day. As a result of ARD, my section gives a recovery day immediately following the 24 hour shift. I have been on this detail 6 times now and never been told I am obligated to attend PT on a recovery day until I had my meeting with this SSG.
During that meeting, I was informed this SSG would be holding a make-up PT session on this past Friday at 0530. This struck me as odd, since we had received an email earlier in the week from our PT coordinator at Troop Command outlining that due to short staff and the 4th of July, PRT was cancelled for Thursday and Friday. The conversation then turned to him asking me if I was aware PRT failure was a chapterable offense and asking if I wanted to maintain my military career or if I was intending to use the PRT failures as a way to get out. I was then dismissed and returned to work.
Fast forward to Thursday, and still no information had been put out in the PRT group chat regarding this make-up PT session that was happening on Friday. After not hearing anything, around 2045 I messaged SSG and confirmed if PRT was still happening and was told yes. However, the information was not put out to the group PRT chat until almost 0000.
Fast forward to Friday, and long story short my alarm didn't go off so I arrived to PRT 30 minutes late but still ready to exercise after having sent out a message in the group chat that I had missed my alarm and was going to be late. When I got to the designated location, the parking lot was empty and there was absolutely no one conducting any type of PRT. I waited a few minutes to see if perhaps PRT was a run around the base (what we were supposed to be doing for PRT hadn't been put out). After ten minutes of no one showing up, I returned to my vehicle and prepared for my work day. I didn't receive any communication from SSG until 14:45 that same day directing me to report to his office at 0900 in my OCPs on Monday (my job allows me to wear scrubs).
Given the uncomfortable initial encounter with this SSG, I am concerned as to what may happen on Monday. I have had negative experiences with male SSGs in the past and do not want to repeat those events.
Is it possible this SSG could recommend me for an Article 15 for anything I've mentioned above?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 6 at 2019 10:54 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 10:54:32 -0400

You were probably doing okay until you failed to report on time Friday. That might become grounds for an Article 15. However it may only lead to formal counseling. Whichever happens, be contrite about being late. The other encounters have a slight tone of sexual harassment. Do your best to fulfill all obligations and orders for the next 10 days. If the SSG treats you differently than other Soldiers, then use your First Sergeant’s open door or go to your EO office.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2019 11:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 11:26:43 -0400

Realistically, this SSG probably slept through his own alarm as well. It would be damn near impossible to push for an article 15 for not attending PT after the commander canceled it. SSG's don't overrule Commanders.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 6 at 2019 11:27 AM

SGT Javier Silva — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 11:27:55 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, I respectfully disagree with MSG (Anonymous) about a SSG wouldn't risk his career. There are times were a NCO is given an iota of a certain power, and it goes straight to their head; however, there seems to be some missing information here. You have not denied not having ever attended PT, only mentioned that you were authorized not to be at PT the day of and after duty. How many times per week are you on duty (let's say just in June)? Your place of duty on Friday was 0530 at the designated meeting location. You were 30 minutes late. Maybe the SSG was there was 0530, and had left after having waited for 10 minutes. He may have never have been there. You would know, unless you were there. Based on a single UA, although he would be able to, I don't really see anything about an Article 15; however, I do see a counseling coming. If you fee that you are truly being singled out, your unit has an open door policy, use it. Talk to the 1SG and/or Commander. They can give you and that SSG clear guidance. Just let the SSG know that you would like to use the open door policy. You do not have to tell him what it is for, just that you would like to use it. If he asks, respectfully decline.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Jul 6 at 2019 12:06 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 12:06:44 -0400

I would honestly ask to sit down with the SSG to discuss things. Just say that you know he doesn't intend for it that way, but it's coming across that way. But also, you want to follow all orders of those appointed over you, but also want to make sure you're getting the recovery time required. Sometimes as a leader, I didn't realize the way some things came across and I always encouraged my Soldiers to come talk to me if something didn't seem fair.

Response by MSG John Joseph made Jul 6 at 2019 12:40 PM

MSG John Joseph — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 12:40:51 -0400

I stopped reading after the 2nd paragraph. So enlighten me on why questioning showing up at at 1st formation and having your leadership determine your status is wrong? Why post your bitching on a public forum and not use the COC? Is this Army falling so apart that this is expected?

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 7 at 2019 12:20 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 00:20:52 -0400

Bottom line is you have to meet the expectations of the NCO currently in charge. Find out his expectations and exceed them. Sometimes life is not fair and circumstances change. These circumstances will too.