Is it okay to request to be moved to a different platoon due to absent leadership?

2021-05-17T14:43:11-04:00

I recently switched from active duty to reserves and have had issues with the lack of leadership and guidance from my platoon sergeant. As an E5 I look for guidance from my first line leader (my platoon sergeant) as we don’t have any E6’s.
My platoon sergeant however is never around or present during trainings. Coming from active duty, I saw how good NCO’s lead from the front and were active participants in training both their soldiers and the NCO’s under them. I feel like this lack of guidance and absence during training is hurting not only the junior enlisted but the junior NCOs as well.
Should I request to be transferred to a new platoon?

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 17 at 2021 2:54 PM

2021-05-17T14:54:15-04:00

You tagged Toxic Leadership. No leadership would be a better description.

Response by SFC Marc W. made May 17 at 2021 3:17 PM

2021-05-17T15:17:10-04:00

You can always ask, however it will likely lead to rubbing him/her the wrong way. From what I've heard, reserve/guard are more buddy buddy and good ol boys club, so rubbing someone who's been there a while the wrong way may just make your life hell.
The other approach is to step up and be that leader or support another NCO who is stepping up. It sucks for you and your professional growth, no way around that. But when I look back on it, all my years of active duty the break down of how I learned to be a NCO comes into 50% learning on my own, 15% from good leaders on what to do and 35% of bad leaders on what NOT to do.

I think this is a garbage situation no matter how you slice it. We all know what the right answer is, but the reality is that sometimes the right answer hurts just a little too much so we have to find the next best answer.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made May 17 at 2021 4:14 PM

2021-05-17T16:14:55-04:00

As someone who spent some time in the Reserves, the first question would be, why is your PSG gone so much?
Is he/she in some type of training? Being forced to drill on opposite dates due to commitments? Or is he/she just a dud that plays Houdini?
I had a section chief that I never saw for nearly a year because he was in BNOC, it took every drill weekend and an A/T for him to complete. His school was at another location so for a year, he was a ghost. His name came up, but no one ever saw him.
Remember, the Reserve's and NG year is 38 days, try to keep that prospective. If you've drilled 6 times since you left A/D, it's 6 months on the calendar, but only 12 training days in the reserve's.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2021 5:35 PM

2021-05-17T17:35:56-04:00

Wow, there are so many ways to go with this.

In my opinion someone that made it to SGT, all active duty is equivalent to an Individual that made it to at minimum SSG (P) in the reserves.

With that in mind you are looking for leadership from an individual one weekend a month two weeks a year. From now on you are going to have to self develop. Oh and don't get mad about what your NCOER is Bout to look like.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 17 at 2021 5:52 PM

2021-05-17T17:52:46-04:00

Nature abhors a vaccuum. Fill it.

If your leader isn't leading - YOU lead. If you need guidance, find it. You can get guidance from any number of sources - to include RP to whom you have addressed this request for guidance.

You have a 1SG, you have peers, you have other PSGs.

Instead of worrying about what *you* don't have, find a way to fill the needs of what your Soldiers don't have. Trust me - if you are always seeking to find ways to take care of your Soldiers, and never quitting in the effort to help them out, you will find the guidance you need. It may take you longer than it should. It may be harder than it has to be. But you will find it.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2021 6:04 PM

2021-05-17T18:04:48-04:00

Bloom where you were planted. The senior man on deck is expected to train up to the next grade and take charge when they are next in line. If he's absent, that means you. If they have a beef they "should" let you know. Caveat with "2 sides to every story". Be a leader and you'll be fine. The opposite doesn't end well. Have you asked your fellow SGT what the scoop is? Your 1stSgt is key if you two can't work it out, but your PL should be advised first. It is the PL's platoon, and his call.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2021 6:10 PM

2021-05-17T18:10:22-04:00

See if you can get plugged into the company training meeting. He'll you may be able to get the PSG to think it's his idea to represent the platoon. If the meetings are remote listen in, if not talk to the full time NCO to see what the plan is. That way you'll know what you're dealing with.

Manage your expectations with the Reserve, plan small achievable goals and do great things.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made May 17 at 2021 8:12 PM

2021-05-17T20:12:33-04:00

When I was in the Reserves, I noted that my unit (a Wing/Brigade level R&D unit) did not have a Senior IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee). This was the senior Reserve officer in the unit. The unit had no full Colonels (O6), and so I went to the Director of that unit (essentially, the Commanding Officer equivalent) and offered my services. Amazingly, I was accepted, and served the remainder of my Reserve career in that duty. As it turns out, only full Colonels can actually encumber the actual position, but, in order to do the job, the position in which I was in was formally retitled "Acting Senior IMA." It was one of the best jobs I ever held in the Reserves.

The moral of the story is that you can go to your leadership (i.e., the CO, etc.) and ask if there is any leadership duties that they might consider you for.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2021 8:14 PM

2021-05-17T20:14:54-04:00

Step up and be the leader that you’re looking for. You may not be the only one feeling this way. Since you were on active duty, you are probably senior with experience. Take charge and be present for those who are there. When you are looking for a leader, it’s a good sign that you should be stepping up, not looking for someone else. You got this!

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made May 17 at 2021 8:23 PM

2021-05-17T20:23:43-04:00

Pick up the slack Soldier, you could ask 'Top" if your PLT SGT is in a school, or,,,, maybe,,,, the unit 'dis'orderley room could give you their, your PLT SGTs contact information and you could contact him your self to clarify their status.... hmmmm.... As a Retired Reservist with 16 years of active duty, there were times I had to take it upon myself to lean on my years of active duty and step in and act as the missing PLT SGT...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 17 at 2021 8:43 PM

2021-05-17T20:43:13-04:00

Is he a full timer or MDAY?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 18 at 2021 12:27 PM

2021-05-18T12:27:50-04:00

Stay where you are and take advantage of the opportunity. If your platoon sergeant is absent from training and no more senior NCO is available/assigned to lead, it's your opportunity. Work with your First Sergeant to discover why your PS is absent. It may be a temporary situation for a variety of reasons. Also communicate your willingness to fill in while he or she is gone.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-05-18T19:28:55-04:00

In the absence of a leader, go to the next levels. Get others to confirm what you are saying. Take that to the 1SGT and request your move or ask that the plt sgt be counseled, or removed for failure to lead. In this time you must also step up and be the leader. As a NCO, no one will do your job but, step up and do theirs. You get this.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2021 7:56 PM

2021-05-18T19:56:21-04:00

I think you should take charge. Nobody else is gonna do it exactly the way that you see as right. Even if promotions don’t work the same outside of active duty, it’s time to step up.

If you don’t think you’re ready, too bad. Chances are you’re ten times better than the next guy they’d pass the job to when you don’t step up.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 3:13 PM

2021-05-20T15:13:33-04:00

Instead of requesting to transfer, take the time to learn and teach yourself what you need to know to support your troops. Work with other Platoon Sergeants, integrate with your readiness/ training NCO and your Platoon leader. Be a sponge absorbing and disseminating as much information as possible. Your leaders, peers and subordinates will appreciate your initiative. Avoid openly criticizing leadership. Like firing a tracer round or parachute flares, (right, wrong or indifferent) it will paint a target on you as much as it does them.

Response by SFC Brian Gillum made Jun 1 at 2021 5:32 AM

2021-06-01T05:32:30-04:00

Leadership is taking charge when things appear to need leading. Leadership is making decisions based on the best information you have available and being accountable for making that decision and taking responsibility for the results of that decision.

If you see a vacuum, fill it. If you have questions ask them. But if you feel there is a lack of leadership step up.

However, I will tell you now, that when I transitioned from Active Duty to the National Guard I faced a culture shock. Granted, the good Ol boy days in the Guard were still very much a thing at the time. My bringing High Speed, Low Drag into that laissez-faire world was so unappreciated that I nearly got busted a rank for acting in a way that was detrimental to the “good order” and “ efficiency” of the unit.

Don’t run away from the opportunity to provide leadership if needed. Be the NCO you are and take charge; if your current platoon sergeant isn’t the mentor and/or role model then seek one out, but take on the challenge and be the role model to your peers and subordinates, don’t abandon them.