Is the corrective action for this counseling form too extreme?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 01:36:08 -0400

A friend of mine was recently complaining that he received a counseling for a second offense (being late,) but had a decent explanation. He accepted the counseling without issue, and was respectful about the whole thing, but received a corrective action stating he was required to write a 5.250 word essay in 7 days, when the soldier has a family and is in the process of moving. Other than these two transgressions, he’s considered to be one of the best mechanics in his shop, and is widely liked. He’s fulfilled a squad leader position successfully (he is promotable,) and has no other problems. Is there any rules against such a long essay? As a leader, would any of you consider a 5.250 word essay as a corrective action for being late a second time?

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Jun 28 at 2020 9:20 AM

SSG Dennis R. — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 09:20:43 -0400

That's unreasonable. I don't care who laid that on him, a 5200-word essay is excessive BS. I'd flat-out refuse and see what comes next. "Hello, Inspector Generals' office?"

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2020 11:15 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 11:15:55 -0400

First of all, if it was a "decent explanation" there wouldn't have been a counseling and corrective action.
A ten page essay due in 7 days is a much more reasonable corrective action (and better learning experience) for an NCO than requiring them to report to duty 90 minutes early for a week.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2020 11:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 11:21:54 -0400

I’d say that’s reasonable. In my day if I was late a second time, I’d spend an hour with my feet on the wall doing handstand push-ups or low crawling around the building. So, I think a few pages of words is a light, and most likely effective, corrective action.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Jun 28 at 2020 12:38 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 12:38:23 -0400

He should take his lumps and soldier on. Learn the lesson, make the adjustments necessary and it will blow over. Rock the boat and see what happens.
Being late is avoidable 99.9% of the time. A decent explanation doesn't change the fact that he was not at his appointed place of duty at the prescribed time. I would suggest that his essay include a detailed plan to avoid being late.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 28 at 2020 3:26 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 15:26:50 -0400

Well Heck, they could have given him and Art15, taken a strip and 7 days pay. Stop crying- they are giving him a chance to NOT get slammed on this. Squad leaders set the example and it's not be being late! They could have moved him into the barracks for 2 weeks away from his family. Gee I don't know, sitting on his ass and writing an essay, or spending the entire weekend with his chain of command, being forced to show up in a prescribed uniform 6-10 times per day and being inspected by that command? I have sent it and used it. Do the crime. then do the time.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Jun 28 at 2020 5:34 PM

SSG Dennis R. — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:34:50 -0400

OK, those of you somehow justifying this blatant abuse of power, each of you provides a 5000-word essay supporting that decision.
I want to see those answers NLT my next birthday, which is 7 July.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2020 8:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 20:48:46 -0400

I've given essays for first offenses of being late. It's a second offense. Doesn't matter how, why, whatever....he was given a corrective training assignment to complete. The SM needs to complete the assignment. For me, IMHO, I wouldn't call it extreme....it's certainly more than I would have given, but it is what it is. 750 words a day. Totally doable.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 7:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 19:02:39 -0400

That's it...an essay? Is it 5.250 words or 5,250 words? There's a difference.

A 5,250 word essay is not that hard to knock out. Is your friend bitching about it or do you think it's "too much?" It could have been worse corrective training than that. Working on writing doesn't hurt anyone either.

No there are no rules or regulations against writing a 5,000 word essay for being late.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2020 7:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 19:11:04 -0400

There is no such thing as a decent explanation if the soldiers first line leader was unaware that the individuals was going to be late. He could have easily received UCMJ for the offense.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 29 at 2020 9:12 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 21:12:00 -0400

So instead of anything formal or adverse on his record it’s being taken care of with an essay?

A week to write that isn’t that big of a deal. He’s getting a light punishment considering everything.