Is it acceptable to correct a Soldier not in your chain? How about reinforcing with corrective training?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:56:36 -0400

I have heard more than one NCO state that they will be the only person to correct their Soldiers and if anybody else does they will have a problem. Other than a quick on-the-spot correction, do you think if your Soldier is out-of-line another NCO or Officer can make the correction? How about corrective training? Do you support an NCO/Officer not in your chain to perform corrective training on your Soldiers?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 4:19 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:19:05 -0400

I've corrected other NCO's troops (Airmen and Soldiers) and I will continue to do so. It's my duty. Of course you also are expected to give a courtesy heads-up to their NCO to fill them in.

If they don't like it, tough shit, and luckily I haven't dealt with any that had a problem with it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 20 at 2015 4:24 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:24:17 -0400

Correcting a soldier is fine, but nobody touches my soldiers.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 5:58 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 17:58:47 -0400

In my opinion if a service member is out of line, doesnt matter the rank, it should be corrected just doing so tactfully is most peoples main problem, IE a full bird COL walking into the building with his name tapes switched to the wrong side, tactfully correct the mistake, or a lowly E-1 making making an ass out of his/herself with their uniform pants halfway down their ass..... doesnt matter what the situation is it just needs to be handled with the appropriate level of tact.

Response by SCPO Larry Poffenbarger made May 25 at 2016 9:20 PM

SCPO Larry Poffenbarger — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:20:01 -0400

I attempted correcting an 0-3 due to his sloppy appearance. I was an E-8 standing at the side of a hallway watching my Seabees come in. The Capt. 0-6 had a thing about field jackets unbuttoned and unzipped so I was just checking out the troops. The O-3 walked in wearing a flight jacket (he was not in flight status) adorned with numerous squadron patches, hat cocked on his head and tie hanging loose. I quietly asked for a moment of his time and we stepped into an empty office. I explained that his appearance was setting a bad example for the younger men. He explained to me that he didn't give a damn what Seabees thought and who the hell was I, a lowly enlisted, correcting and officer. I apologized for taking up his time and he left. Unknown to me a W-4 witnessed the encounter and mentioned it to the Old Man. I was later called into his office where he had the LT standing tall and asked for my side of the story. Mine was the same as the W-4 had related to him. He asked me to leave them alone and close the door when I left. I was 30 feet down the hallway when I heard him "counseling" the young LT. The LT later apologized to me for his conduct and the Capt. told me that as his SEA he expected me to correct anyone in the detachment, officer or enlisted.

Response by SSG Mark Matteson made Mar 12 at 2018 3:25 AM

SSG Mark Matteson — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 03:25:37 -0400

It certainly is

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Aug 22 at 2018 9:13 AM

SSG Keven Lahde — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 09:13:39 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member Sir I hear this so much these days that it seems we are scared to do any on the spot correction. It's like we are afraid of what they will say or do too us if we do. I do it, but just in a way that is respectfull and cortious at the same time.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2019 10:36 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:36:12 -0400

If I outrank you, but I'm jacked up in appearance, you *better* pull me aside and let me know, and I will thank you for it. I've had privates apologize to me before telling me my (ACU) pants leg had come out of my boot. I've told them thanks, and don't apologize, as I don't WANT to appear jacked up.

Response by 1SG Don Jones made Jan 16 at 2020 11:24 AM

1SG Don Jones — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 11:24:29 -0500

It's an NCO responsibility to make an on the spot correction and when appropriate have Soldier demonstrative proper action, like a salute. They would have no authority to order training.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jan 17 at 2020 3:10 PM

CPT William Jones — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:10:22 -0500

Small corrections can and should be made on the spot. If anything else needs to be done you should report what happened to their chain of command and offer to bear witness if needed and leave it entirely up to the SM chain to proceed. You do not know this SM and his chain does. Correcting is enough then let it drop. Any more needs doing their chain should do it.

Response by CPT William Jones made Mar 2 at 2020 11:05 AM

CPT William Jones — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:05:57 -0500

Two issues here. 1. Are both soldiers in the same unit ie company or equivalent or 2. All others. #2 first No report Sm to his 1st SGT or CO. #1 depends on CO’s policy any NCO can correct or only in your line ,ie squad platoon etc