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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PO3 Kathy Getchey
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Are they still in formation until subject in question has complied?
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LTC Drew Shepard
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Simple...Article 15
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SSG Roger Ayscue
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Sand pile at location A, one bucket in hand 1 and one bucket in hand 2, relocate sand pile from location A to location B, using only the two buckets, an E Tool and your own strength....THEN, after the sand pile is moved, the Commander realizes that it is in the wrong place and needs to be relocated again. after moving 2 tons of sand two buckets at a time 4 or 5 times, you could order him to go find a left handed Torque Wrench with a camo handle and he will sound off with Yes, Sergeant
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Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis
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Edited 4 y ago
This answer seems cut and dried, as in that's what you do to this poor PFC's keister. Enlisted matter; don't bother the Officers and CERTAINLY don't bother the CO.

Very well. Moreover, I (as a Sr. Grade Officer) would understand this.

Now, here's where I would like to go "above and beyond." PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd (note acronym) has done what some of us in the business call "acting out." As a Sr. Ranking Officer (and very likely CO or Deputy) I become interested in the "Why's" of these things.

So, number one: I would like to know when such things happen in my unit. (Let's say I'm in the CO role, here)

Number two: I would like to know how it was handled (this is not to judge, simply to observe that the process was followed).

Number three, I would like to know if PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd would like to consider a change of attitude. As an initial action, I would ask the opinion of the NCO leadership.

Number four, I would like to see if there was anything in PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd's life that would trigger such behavior, and is there anything that could be done about it (one might be surprised).

Number five, I would like to know PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd's intention regarding his career; does he want to continue in the US Armed Forces (anywhere, including the NG, etc.). Again, at this point I would get a report from the NCO leadership.

Number six, I would like to chat with NCO leadership about PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd. This is not to make any judgements on this PFC, or the NCO leadership, but to simply gain some intel on the matter. As the CO, the entire unit is my responsibility; if something is happening that is causing PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd's momentary insanity then I need to know, enlisted matter or not.

Number seven, I would want to review any/all corrective actions. Again, this is not to judge but to simply observe that the process was followed. Okay, I might judge if I think things could be done better, but (because it's an Enlisted matter) I would want to consult with the NCO leadership.

Number eight (finally), I would like to see if a chat with PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd might produce any results. I would approach it matter-of-factly. No raised voices, no threats, no promises. Again, it's my job (as a CO) to see to the effectiveness of the entire unit; a "disturbance" of even one member is not too small a detail to ignore. The inputs of my NCO leaders would be fresh in my mind, and I could see about getting any insights into the situation. If PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd wants a career change, it could be easily accommodated. If PFC SelfHypnotizedImportantTurd would like to continue with the DOD (it's a great career!) then I would like to see if some agreement could be reached. (Agreement, as in you need to cut this crap out or we'll cut your crap out of this unit. Sorry, not negotiating at this moment. Your unit supervisor will have some duties for you. Do them. We can chat later if that all works out.)
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CPT Signal Officer
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Well, as long as this assignment is not unethical amoral and is not in violation of any regulations, it’s a lawful order from an NCO. The private will face the consequences if he/she refuses to obey.
My first reaction will be: “Private, I thought that I was a little bit flexible on whom I was going to give this tasking to, but thank you for volunteering. I will give him/her the 5W’s and move on. If SM fails to obey, I will write his negative counseling and begin with his/her chapter process though the chain of command.
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SSG Edward Tilton
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Remove him from the formation. Leave him standing, far enough away that he can’t be heard. Leave him there until you have completed the formation. Stay with him there until everyone else is gone. Leave him there while you talk to the 1Sg about his future in your Army. He should still be a formation of one. He is not to leave formation without first getting your approval..
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1LT Peter Duston
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"Drop and give me 50 push-ups"! Extra duty, maybe! Report this E2 to the ISG for an attitude adjustment!
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1SG Marcus Whitfield
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In front of God and Laudy Doddy and everybody I have him in the front leaning rest position and stay there till I’m done with my formation then dismiss every one except Pvt tent peg, then I would get down in his face while he is doing push ups , and tell him in no uncertain terms that he is a POS ( no one hears that but him) then I would get up and tell him to go to the start position and hold it, I would have a phone conversation with a friend then tell him to start pushing till I am tired,,,, he will be down their for a good 30 minutes before I have him recover, then I would lean into him and tell him “ am I hurting you “? No Solider I am conditing your mind and body to help you pass your APFT, now yell that back to me,,,, “ Thank you 1SG for conditioning my mind and my body”,,,,,,,,, DISMISSED
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SFC Bruce Pettengill
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If you’re the first line supervisor, have a conversation with your squad leader and discuss the situation. Seeking assistance from your chain of command helps you grow at the same time of the soldier.
What was the source of this soldier’s rank to E2 Was it awarded to him prior to BCT?
The outburst needs to be addressed, a counseling at a minimum. It’s also an opportunity to see his reasons. Has the assignment been given over and over has he had conversations with you about why? Is the assignment busy work or mission critical?
Lastly how his other responsibilities? Is his room, bunk, uniform, PT scores in line? Does he have an E4 or E3 punishing or smoking him. Is He looking for a failure to adapt or just wants to get out?
Remember or understand the leadership principles of praise, correct, praise, remind him of your open door to discuss offer to destroy counseling form if he has not other outburst in 6 months or so.
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SGT Daniel Myers
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I was an E-5 during my deployment in Vietnam and the people I worked with for the most part were highly trained professionals of the same rank as myself.

Prior to this however, we didn't have time for momma boy, lolly gagers that wanted to disrupt the flow of things for everyone else.

Was there corporal punishment? You bet! You either got with the program or you got out of my beloved Army. Lives depended on what we were doing and I had no patience for insubordination of any kind.
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