Is there an actual "S1" position at the Company level?

CPT Craig Mathison — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 17:54:41 -0500

We have a line Company Clerk that insists on putting "S-1" as their job title. It was my understanding that the S-1 position is for Battalion or Brigade levels only. (However, I have read that sometimes there is an S-1 at the HHC level.) I just want to make sure before I say anything. Thanks!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2020 5:58 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 17:58:18 -0500

So I’m an admin clerk for a company. I work in the S-1. We are regiment level. Now my job title is “company clerk” because I work for a specific company. We have a total of 3 infantry companies and we each have a clerk for one. I’ve never heard anyone putting “S-1 clerk” in their title.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2020 9:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 21:26:29 -0500

Some larger companies will have a company clerk position to give admin support to the command team. It is less common today than it once was.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2020 10:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 22:45:01 -0500

There's no S1 position at a company level. However, some USASOC units like to embed a 42A at the company levels as a dedicated S1 rep, essentially an S1 for the company. It's really a matter of unit SOP and preference

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 8 at 2020 12:38 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 00:38:21 -0500

Uhmmm, no. The clerk isn't even likely authorized on the MTOE of the Company they are in. Most company clerks are appropriated by the 1SG from inside the Company, unless the BN pushed clerks down to the Co. I doubt this. There are usually only a few clerks to start with and they work pay, actions, awards, promotions, strength management/PSRs, records checks, SRP, evaluations etc

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2020 1:04 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 01:04:53 -0500

Well depends on the unit makeup I'm guessing. In conventional units yes, the S shops would technically fall under HHC. However as far as admin reps go, that sounds like an orderly/training room position in the company. Their job title may be company administrator. Also, is this troop a 42A?

Response by SGT Mark Saint Cyr made Mar 8 at 2020 4:44 AM

SGT Mark Saint Cyr — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 04:44:36 -0400

When I got out in '98 the Company Clerk position in my line unit had been ELIMINATED, and all clerks had been assigned back to Battalion level, then attached back down to company level for rations, quarters, UCMJ, etc..

This change was made then to better facilitate training of clerks in those positions, rather than having it done at the line units who often did not understand a particular clerk's MOS or task they needed to be able to perform to know their MOS.

It's also possible that this soldier had been in another unit prior that did this, but it's not being done that way at your unit? He may or may not know either.

Be sure to check with the Company's First Sergeant, if you have any questions regarding the soldier, before talking to him? Or failing that, check with the Battalion S-1 to see which way your battalion does things?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 8 at 2020 6:30 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 06:30:31 -0400

Not at Company level. The Battalion May have assigned a personnel specialist to help out the HHC, in that regard his title takes on the Company norm, Admin clerk.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2020 6:56 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 06:56:07 -0400

The Marines call their PLs "Platoon Commanders" so i guess everyone wants a trophy now.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2020 7:33 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 07:33:16 -0400

Company Clerk in USMC. Not necessarily admin but fills the billet.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2020 7:45 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 07:45:27 -0400

What does the MTOE call that position? That's the answer.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2020 10:22 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 10:22:55 -0400

Out of curiosity to your question, I looked at multiple UMRs (unit manning reports). Detachments have listed Human Resource NCO or Administrative NCO. Headquarter Companies do have S1 staff listed. I recommend verifying the position on the UMR and discussing the position title with the Soldier. For the evaluation, I recommend using the UMR title. I'm sure this Soldier does some of the same things as an S1 shop but at most company or detachment levels there is less overall work.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 8 at 2020 3:08 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 15:08:53 -0400

As a guy who has spent WAAAAY too much time in an orderly room/training room, I say the answer is almost definitely NO.

However,....
When I was in a Division-level HHC (where my PLATOON was 125+ Soldier and 225+ civilians) our Company DID have an S1 shop (3 NCOs), S3 (4 NCOs), and S4 (1 NCO, 1 Civilian). I am 90% sure these shops were manned out of hide, and were not on the TDA. I am equally sure that those shops were labeled such as a courtesy and a reference to their function, and not as an official designation. In reality, all of those Soldiers were Company admin and/or training NCOs, (or Supply SGT).

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Mar 8 at 2020 3:25 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 15:25:24 -0400

There are some separate companies that have their own organic personnel shop; however for line companies the personnel center resides at the battalion. At the company level you probably have what is commonly referred to as a shadow clerk that is either slotted at the battalion or more likely taken from the companies other MOS assets. The real question though is who cares if he refers to himself as the S1; although now day Human Resources seems to be the more common title. By using S1, Soldiers in your Company know who to see when then have a personnel or finance issue. As an old Personnel Sergeant, that makes far more sense tome than say Forward Observer if that is his MOS.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Mar 8 at 2020 4:44 PM

1SG Charles Hunter — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 16:44:10 -0400

The S1 is an officer on battalion or brigade staff. The battalion PSNCO and personnel clerks work under the S1's general supervision.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 9 at 2020 1:12 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 13:12:14 -0400

No they are not an S1, the S shops are at BN and BDE level.
Some separate numbered Company's have a Personnel Services NCO (SGT) and an administrative specialist (SPC) slot on the MTOE but they are not classified as an S1.
Stop by and see the 1SG or the XO and ask to see the UMR and MTOE.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2020 1:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 13:40:09 -0400

on what are they putting "S-1" as their job title? And does it really matter? If they are performing "S-1" functions what difference does it make if you call them S-1 or company clerk. Unless, of course, they are trying to make people think they are "THE" S-1.

Response by CPT Craig Mathison made Mar 10 at 2020 7:27 PM

CPT Craig Mathison — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:27:35 -0400

UPDATE..........After talking with the troop and the 1SG I have come to find out that they wanted to be looked at as if, and were informing others that they were, "THE S1" and when pressed, I learned that the troop wanted people to think they were the S1 because they felt that the "Clerk" title was too demeaning or "embarrassing" for them. SMH. (this is what I thought the reason was all along)