Posted on Oct 16, 2016
LTJG Ansi Officer
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Here's the background. You're a senior E5. Your troops are in formation and you're handing out work for the day. You hand out an assignment to a fresh E2 with less than a year in and only a few months at your command. They blatantly complain and tell you to choose someone else. You calmly tell them they will do this task and they tell you to shove it and give it to someone else. How do you react?
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CPO Robert Shanks
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When I was in the Navy, I'd of verbally chewed his face off. Afterwards, him and I would go to one of the ammunition magazines, and ask him if he's ever a smartass again, I'll bring him back down here and rough him up.
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Sgt Peter Schlesiona
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After reading some of the comments, I do wish (some) people would read the question and respond to the scenario outlined, not their interpretation. One commenter, for example, essentially said "Give him another chance". The question had already stated that he'd been given a second chance. That commenter also inferred that "Maybe the guy was having a bad day". Who cares? Having a bad day is no excuse for insubordination.
But back to the question: Very similar situation happened to me (late '60's after my return from 'Nam). I was an E5 and the self-appointed barracks NCO (self-appointed because no one had been assigned and to one else stepped up). One evening just before lights out, I told a Corporal to get someone to sweep down the center aisle of the barracks. I hadn't walked 10 feet away when I heard a PFC tell him to "Fuck off". That was bad enough - but then I saw the Corporal just pick someone else. First, I walked back over and told "someone else" to go back to what he'd been doing. Then I told the Corporal to stand-by. I'd talk with him in a minute. Finally I turned to the PFC and told him to get the F'ing broom and sweep. We did the staring at each other routine for a few seconds, then he blinked and got the broom. Then I went back to the Corporal, took him outside and, in essence, told him that if he could not act like a Corporal, I'd see what I could do to put him back to Lance Corporal.
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CW5 Dennis Stewart
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Absolutely the Squad leader and Shit bird would be in my office or some other private area after formation. Squad leader would have his duties and responsibility explained or forfeit his position and rank. Shit bird would be given one option. Adapt to military life or go back to the block. Shit bird would also be given the task assigned and then some extra to learn his lesson.
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SSgt Shane Karst
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I would order the troop inside and begin his Article 15 paperwork taking him back to E1.
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Capt Adam Saxe
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The sergeant (or his Navy opposite) is the most important person in any military organization. He's the backbone. Or she. In an ideal world, the junior officer (like my younger self) doesn't have to deal with petty nonsense. Nor, really, does a senior NCO. The E-5 or E-6 at hand takes charge and solves the "problem" right away. This is how militaries functioned for thousands of years. Recently, everybody gets the right to a sore feelings report. In reality, I get that treating people with the utmost respect and dignity is the best way to ensure loyalty, fidelity, and good order & discipline. Ruling over your troops out of fear like some feudal lord of yore is not an effective leadership strategy. However, a really good NCO, in my humble opinion, has the right rapport w/his men that when he gives out a no shit take that hill order, they actually WANT to do it. I don't remember if it was George Marshall, George Patton, or Winston Churchill (or maybe someone else), but I did, years ago, come across a quote that more or less described combat leadership as the art of making men actually, truly, WANT to take that hill--risks understood. When I was once deployed in a non combat position (though still receiving "hazardous duty" pay--sorry taxpayers) the number one problem I and other company-grade officers complained about was the daily problem of having to "convince" our troops to do what was actually just their basic day duty. I was so fed up that I actually scheduled an appointment with the installation's mental health clinic. And I was introduced to the resident psychologist who happened to be a young, petite female 1LT who quickly informed me that my complaints represented the vast majority of the rest of her officer patients' complaints. She even explained that she had had a problem with a troublesome subordinate. She then gave me a CD on deep breathing exercises and sent me on my way.

At this point I thought I had stepped into bizarro world where the idea of giving an order and expecting to be carried out to the letter was somehow a lost cause. THEN, however, my soulmate of a senior NCO arrived to fill a vacancy in our shop. I briefly mentioned to him that I "sensed" some "troubles" regarding how "serious" some of troops were taking their duties. He just sort of smiled and nodded. I knew he was an old-school guy and wanted to help improve our outfit. But I didn't really know how he intended to do so.

And, actually, I never did learn. All I know is that in about 2 days the temperament of our unit (and our morale) improved ten-fold. Now, I wish I could have inspired that solely on my own, but MY boss told me that wasn't my job. When you have an NCO who truly gets what the military is all about, your life becomes much easier overnnight--and I'm not just talking about officers or senior NCOs. If you're that angry E-2 your life becomes easier! If . . . you accept the guidance of a guy who's been around the block a couple of times. He WANTS you to succeed. But he also knows that you are not capable of "succeeding" as a 19 year old kid fresh out of boot camp. Yes, you spent a few weeks learning how to walk in a straight line and shoot a gun. Congrats. There are 10 year old girls who can do that. But YOU are going to be entrusted with responsibility. The E-3 or E-4 in an infantry platoon carries far more responsibility on his shoulders than does the Lieutenant in command of the whole outfit. Really. Men who might be older than you, but with less experience, may question your fitness to tell them what to do. But therein lies the "burden of command." What they may not realize is that it is YOU who is responsible for their lives. Not the other way around. When young troops "get" this, they begin the process of becoming the best NCOs in the best military in human history.
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PO1 Tom Follis
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That would only happen about...................once.
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SSG Larry R. Jones
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First, I tell the squad leader and the private to stand fast, and dismiss the rest of the squad.
Second, I would put the private in the front lean position.
Third, I would take the squad leader to the side and explain to him/her how the "suck" is going to feel.
Forth, I would take the private after doing 50 up-downs. To my office space write him/her up for insubordination, then take him/her to the Queen Darby and have him/her run it 6 times or until him/her drop exhausted. Then take him/her back to the squad area and have the rest of the squad see what happens when you back talk and/or refuse a direct order.
I know I'm going to get a lot of static for my response, but the lower ranks need to know that there is no room for questions when it comes to orders. I've been in Panama, Kuwait/Iraq, & Somalia, and in Bosnia & Serbia. In battle there is NO ROOM FOR QUESTIONING.
In the future he/she will Thank me for teaching them the proper chain of command.
Rangers Lead the Way/
All the Way
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SPC Acquisition, Logistics & Technology (AL&T) Contracting NCO
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Give them push ups until they faint; depends on the number of times it has happened, but they invited themselves to get picked on for a long time. If it is a constant occurrence, recommend a dishonorable discharge.
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1SG Chad Mcdaniel
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Im so sick of the kindler gentler military crap...my comment to the private was you must be outside your MFing mind. Go stand by my office with your NCOs. By time I was dont the Soldier had their ass chewed and a counseling for disrespect/insubordination with a request for UCMJ action. Trust me when I tell you as per regulation I made the AR15 public. I guarantee this happened very few times I made it ckear right away my expectation and that I would not tolerate disrespect in any form!
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SSG Russell Townsend
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Tell that skeeters wing that this is not acceptable and next time there will be consequences
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