Leaders: What has been your greatest or worst Leadership Challenge?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 23:40:21 -0400

Whether it has been a Soldier getting a divorce, one going AWOL, or just simply accomplishing a difficult mission, as Leaders it comes a time when we come across a difficult challenge that leaves us confused, questioned, and sometimes probably even shocked. What has been your greatest or worst experience in this? How did you handle and develop from it? And what would be your advice to Junior Leaders in your formation or Leaders in general that ask for your advice and guidance?

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Apr 17 at 2014 8:31 AM

SFC A.M. Drake — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 08:31:37 -0400

After a soldier had been tossed around from plt to plt, and finally arrived in my section, I just had a discussion with me regarding his past......forget whatever happened a new day starts now! After that no issues at all. You can't do anything about the past, but what you do from today affects your future.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 8:54 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 08:54:41 -0400

As a 1SG I had a Soldier that really tested my patience on a daily basis. Actually had a few different ones but I will talk only about one. This particular Soldier was a boxer and would intimidate just about any Soldier around him and about any NCO that was in charge of him. He would sometimes show up to work and sometimes he would not. He was close to ETSing and thought he was above the rules. one thing led to another and one day he finally went crazy I guess. He started showing up to my formations (when he showed up) doing things like carrying a small moroccan flag which eventually led to him coming to formation with a full sized one draped over his shoulders (in ACUs). He would show up on other occasions and be wearing a fez. He said that he had converted to the moorish Islamic religion and would say that the name we were calling him (SPC Last name) was not his name and he didn't know that person. We went through many other issues with this Soldier as well including illegal activity. So the behavior continues to get worse as does his conduct. Eventually we ended up putting a battle buddy with him at the request of behavioral health. He beat the crap out of that guy and left post. We didn't see him for a few days and of course we initiated the DFR packet and all that good stuff starting the 24 hours after he was gone thus being AWOL. Well I get a call from the MPs about three days later and they had him in custody. He had broken into a German house (people were home) went to their fridge and helped himself to some food. Then sat down in their living room with them and ate the stolen food. Needless to say they were scared out of their minds. And as if this was not bad enough, while I was on my way to pick him up from the MPs I get another call from the MPs saying it will be a little longer before he is ready for pick up, because they had just received a call from his German girlfriend (he was married wife in the states with his kids) saying that he locked her in her house and stole her keys. We had him re evaluated by behavioral health and ended up having him admitted to a psych ward over the thanksgiving weekend. In the end we reccomended Courts Martial and were able to get pre trial confinement for him. He entered a plea and was discharged with a bad conduct discharge. Normally from Germany, Soldiers that are being chaptered are escorted to the gate of the airplane and the NCO ensures they get on the plane. However, for this Soldier we didn't think that would be sufficient so we organzed a MAC flight and had 3 NCOs escort him all the way back to the states.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Apr 17 at 2014 9:07 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:07:41 -0400

Trying to get a agr tech to take pride personnel responsibility

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 17 at 2014 9:09 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:09:43 -0400

I had this kid in my shop that didn't want to do anything that would help his career. Then he gets pissy because he didn't advance. For the eight months he worked for me, it was like talking to a wall. Then, a couple of years later, I find that he turned himself around and made PO1. He told me it was because of the things I told him.

The most challenging thing as a leader, for me, would be trying to save people from themselves.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 6 at 2015 2:37 AM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 02:37:33 -0500

When I was a CH (1LT) my first assignment to a Unit that had never had a Chaplain was the most difficult year. I had a MAJ who wanted to utilize me as a UPL, and Platoon Leader, and blatantly told me to get out of his Unit.

With my 27 years in, I pulled out regulations, and eventually went through the Chain of Command and requested to speak to the Chief of Staff. I am a firm believer of staying on the high road, utilizing the regulations, and ensuring that the Chain of Command is kept in the loop.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2017 11:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:18:18 -0500

Had a soldier whose wife was having an affair. She hired another soldier to kill him. The hit failed. She was arrested, and while awaiting trial, the soldier tried to see her. Not once, but three times. Why? Because he still loved her. There was no leadership in the world that could turn him around. In the end, a once good soldier was chaptered out because he just would not listen. He was my best 60 gunner. BTW, did I mention he met his wife while dating her daughter when those two (soldier and daughter) were still in high school?

Response by PO3 Rodney Sloan made Apr 15 at 2023 6:32 PM

PO3 Rodney Sloan — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 18:32:13 -0400

The greatest challenge for me was when I performed emergency hull technician repairs while my ship