Posted on May 26, 2016
Is RallyPoint supposed to replace the chain of command and NCO support channel?
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Lately I've noticed several two types of posts from lower enlisted people. The first they are asking very simple questions that should be answered by their leadership. The second type, is someone complaining about their leadership. I think the two types are connected, they don't go to leadership with questions and then complain how they are being failed. At what point do we tell these guys to ask their own leaders to force them to do their jobs? Are the lower enlisted just being lazy and not doing their own research?
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 55
From what I've seen..I think much of it comes from lack of trust in their leadership and sometimes inability to fully understand the regulations.
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The NCO support system and the chain of command is should always be the first route a soldier shouldtake and use but that system is only useful and good as it can be when the leadership and the chain want to make it open door policies are a great tool if your if the NCO's and the chain take care of its soldier's no matter situation. Rally point is a great tool it allows for all service members to learn from each other and other branches of the armed forces and helps to unify our services so we are a more cohesive military and very knowledgeable which is why we are the best in the world.
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Maybe they're just being typical immature, self-absorbed millennials. They feel they can say or do anything they please. Nothing is good enough, and any reasonable standards of behavior violate their "constitutional rights." I guess if this is the only pool from which the military has to pull, I guess it's what we're stuck with.
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Maj Rob Drury
As I peruse the other responses, I realize that this question is addressing queries posed by those sincerely seeking worthwhile information. Unfortunately, I've lately allowed myself to get sucked into some of the more controversial discussions on RallyPoint, where there is often a lack of civility, and where the forum has allowed itself to become a sounding board for those bent on anarchistic and sophomoric behavior, or just wanting to rant. I guess I have been jaded.
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MSG (Join to see)
Sir, I posed this question after seeing posts asking questions about packing lists and LES's. While they are legitimate questions, it seems like RP was the first resource the SMs turned to. AS a leader, if I found my men posting a question about LES's or packing lists on RP, I would be very upset and would require some deep introspection. I am not saying they don't deserve answers, but that they are being failed.
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Obviously a website can not replace leadership, but it was a good hook that made you all comment. Seriously though, I think when we get questions that should be answered by leadership it highlights all the posts about how standards have dropped and leadership sucks. If the new generation feels more comfortable turning to social media to answer questions then we have failed as leaders. Personally, I use RP as a last resort after I've done due diligence to find answers myself. As leaders we should be the first resource our men turn to.
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So my questions to your question is this.
Why are lower enlisted coming on here for answers? What are they not getting from their CoC?
Why is senior leadership not addressing or knowing that there soldier has an issue? While I only lead a squad I knew if my soldiers had issues. If I could not handle an issue then it went to the Platoon SGT. If he did not handle it then I went to the 1SG. Mission First, Troops Always.
Why is a SFC asking why he is not in the support channel instead of asking how can I he better support his troops? You should know your troops better than your troops know you.
While I do not know you or your leadership, it does concern me that you think the problem lies with the soldier and not the leader.
The second paragraph of the NCO Creed should answer your question completely.
"Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind - accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be
fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment"
Why are lower enlisted coming on here for answers? What are they not getting from their CoC?
Why is senior leadership not addressing or knowing that there soldier has an issue? While I only lead a squad I knew if my soldiers had issues. If I could not handle an issue then it went to the Platoon SGT. If he did not handle it then I went to the 1SG. Mission First, Troops Always.
Why is a SFC asking why he is not in the support channel instead of asking how can I he better support his troops? You should know your troops better than your troops know you.
While I do not know you or your leadership, it does concern me that you think the problem lies with the soldier and not the leader.
The second paragraph of the NCO Creed should answer your question completely.
"Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind - accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be
fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment"
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Mentorship and leadership come in many different forms. Social media is just one of those forms in today's military. However, there are times when we need to point Soldiers to their chain of command or NCO support channel. But that is part of mentorship.
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Another case in point is the recent question regarding the measurement of the 2 mile run in the APFT. I provided my usual Trademarked smart ass comments/observations. Many people quoted FM 21-20 Which by the way is a Manual NOT a Reg.
Any way, there is absolutely NO regulatory guidance on specifically how the route is to be measured or marked on streets/roads. Some people measure the shortest distance around corners while others measure following the middle of the road. Sure, it may not make a big difference in the overall scheme of things but when someone fails (or passes) by a matter of seconds, those extra few feet make a difference.
Until definitive Regulatory guidance is provided, we will see this question again and again. Since that guidance can NEVER cover every aspect of every situation, NCO's need to do the best they can given the situation. This is a Forum for much needed assistance in overcoming these types of situations.
Any way, there is absolutely NO regulatory guidance on specifically how the route is to be measured or marked on streets/roads. Some people measure the shortest distance around corners while others measure following the middle of the road. Sure, it may not make a big difference in the overall scheme of things but when someone fails (or passes) by a matter of seconds, those extra few feet make a difference.
Until definitive Regulatory guidance is provided, we will see this question again and again. Since that guidance can NEVER cover every aspect of every situation, NCO's need to do the best they can given the situation. This is a Forum for much needed assistance in overcoming these types of situations.
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I think there are a couple of reasons for this. 1. They may not trust their NCO support channel and COC. I know by the time I got out, I didn't trust any of them at all. Tends to happen when you get thrown under the bus one too many times. 2. They may not want to look dumb. Asking questions in here is more or less a safe place to ask. 3. This is the social media generation and they are more comfortable with platforms like this. I think it's great they ask and complain here. Everyone needs something outside of the workplace to ask questions and gripe.
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I think people ask questions on this site because it allows them some anonymity. They do not want to ask their chain of command for fear of being labeled as stupid or a boot. Just my two cents. You could argue that is a failure of leadership on the part of NCO's being approachable, or maybe the NCO's don't know the answers to some common questions, and the junior has lost faith. It is hard to say for sure.
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I don't think our juniors are lazy but I try to instill in my subordinates what my seniors instilled in me (as well as my parents) and that is to give just enough info to aid the learning process. My detachment sergeant is one of the finest NCOs to serve in the Army and he rarely gives away the answers to questions. Rather, he guides us to the regulation(s) that will help answer. He then asks that we come back to him when we found the answer. This puts the responsibility on the junior to learn and gives them a sense of pride when they find something out on their own. This is how we should lead, in my honest opinion.
All that being said, there are still leaders who don't know the answer or don't know how to tactfully provide the guidance that their juniors need. This can be perceived as the poor leadership that we often hear of in these forums. While poor leadership does exist, we need to continue to be available to our troops and also be willing to admit to not knowing the answer. We can all learn from each other and we need to show that to our next batch of leaders.
All that being said, there are still leaders who don't know the answer or don't know how to tactfully provide the guidance that their juniors need. This can be perceived as the poor leadership that we often hear of in these forums. While poor leadership does exist, we need to continue to be available to our troops and also be willing to admit to not knowing the answer. We can all learn from each other and we need to show that to our next batch of leaders.
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When I think back on being 18 years old, a LCDR was like some kind of mythical monster you never wanted to see...but were in awe of if you did. A Senior Chief was a virtually all-knowing superman who could not only sail Noah's Ark-but was probably a plank owner. The point being, that I try to remember that when commenting on a question asked by a junior enlisted person-even if they are obviously playing sea lawyer. They're likely here because they figure it's more anonymous...or because, as some have suggested, they've lost faith in their COC. Hopefully, we're answering them in a way that at least supports what their leadership is trying to instill...or if that system is failing them, provides an alternative solution. As a salt encrusted Senior Chief at my first ship always said, "Sir...you've got resources for a reason."
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No. Simple answer to simple question. In context, I was a senior on the E4 Mafia back on my past life and complained about cold chow on the field, today, there are issues like wifi or on that realm. After some maturity I believe that we could do a better job on how to explain the big picture (when appropriate), that would reduce the complaining, but not eliminate it. As far as asking questions, I think they should, but they maybe do not want to look bad in front of the leaders or are looking for the answer they want to hear. At the end of the day, the great majority of us here do not approve or disapprove any Soldier actions. Plus this is a social media generation, by no means we should body body with subordinates on any media, but social media could be used as a communications channel.
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You bring up a valid point. They should be able to go to their own leaders with any form of questions. You ask whether or not they are being lazy and not doing their own research, well part of doing your own research is being able to ask the questions. I won't chastise any one for asking the question because for all we know, their senior leadership could be setting them up for failure by not giving them accurate information. The people asking the questions could just be looked for a second opinion to see if they are off track.
Let's not forget that as leaders it is our responsibility to shape the junior troops. If you feel that giving them a direct answer will not benefit them in the long run, then give them an indirect answer. There have been many times where a Marine would come to me looking for me to give them the answer and I would simply ask them "what does the reference say" because I am forcing them to know where to look for the answers. Now if I've got a Marine that almost has it figured out for himself, I might sit down with him and help guide him towards the right answer.
Yes, it could be a product of laziness, it could be an act of verification. There is nothing compelling you to answer their questions. If you feel they would benefit more making them think for themselves, then initiate a conversation. Lead them to their leaders so they think to go in that direction for future issues.
Let's not forget that as leaders it is our responsibility to shape the junior troops. If you feel that giving them a direct answer will not benefit them in the long run, then give them an indirect answer. There have been many times where a Marine would come to me looking for me to give them the answer and I would simply ask them "what does the reference say" because I am forcing them to know where to look for the answers. Now if I've got a Marine that almost has it figured out for himself, I might sit down with him and help guide him towards the right answer.
Yes, it could be a product of laziness, it could be an act of verification. There is nothing compelling you to answer their questions. If you feel they would benefit more making them think for themselves, then initiate a conversation. Lead them to their leaders so they think to go in that direction for future issues.
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"Do I really need to bug Sgt K about this? He's got other IMPORTANT stuff he's got to worry about. I can just ask in RP."
That isn't to say leadership won't help. But they have a PERCEPTION that they are not as important as the current task.
Remember, one of the hardest skillsets to learn as a junior is when it is appropriate to ask for help or additional resources. It's akin to admitting defeat. We pound self-reliance into folks heads, and having to go to seniors because we can't accomplish something or don't know something triggers a specific response where going to a peer (like someone on RP) does not.
That isn't to say leadership won't help. But they have a PERCEPTION that they are not as important as the current task.
Remember, one of the hardest skillsets to learn as a junior is when it is appropriate to ask for help or additional resources. It's akin to admitting defeat. We pound self-reliance into folks heads, and having to go to seniors because we can't accomplish something or don't know something triggers a specific response where going to a peer (like someone on RP) does not.
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Leadership...well the back bone will never be replaced by a website. I saw this as a tool for like minded people who need a tap on the shoulder, maybe a clearer picture or simply just needed a different answer. This site has had its fair share of I didn't go to my leader moments in the last few seconds. The only difference from day to day is that you see it now instead of before this website you only knew of your circle and the conversations you had with other service members. I think it's a great opportunity to go be more engaged as a leader and make sure your soldiers are not utilizing this site for short cuts to hard work and allowing them to know you have there back. I spent over a decade on the other side of the tracks before matching my rank to my ability almost. They know when they're being failed and will run to the first open door they find that sounds good.....
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