Posted on Jan 5, 2015
Leadership Dilemmas: If you were me, what would you have done? (PART 2)
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Here is the Part 2 conclusion to my first post entitled “Leadership Dilemmas: If you were me, what would you have done? (PART 1)” which can be found at this thread: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/leadership-dilemmas-if-you-were-me-what-would-you-have-done-part-1
// CONCLUSION BELOW //
…Upon recognizing Sergeant Jones’ unfortunate trend, I preempted his removal from Alpha Company by reporting to my commander and taking full responsibility for working directly with Sergeant Jones. Over the next four months, I addressed Sergeant Jones’ personal and professional challenges by focusing him on positive future opportunities through which he could prove himself a loving husband and motivated soldier. I convinced my commander to allow Sergeant Jones and his wife to attend marriage counseling during duty hours, promising that I would work one-on-one with him in the evening to improve his job competence.
By showing Sergeant Jones that I was sincerely concerned about him, I was able to build a foundation of trust with him that proved vital to developing his on-the-job performance. Sergeant Jones’ life gradually reached a positive balance, and he proved himself one of the most reliable and hard-working soldiers in my platoon during our Iraq deployment.
** RallyPoint members: What actions of mine did you agree with, and what else would you have done differently? **
//
Tag: SGM Matthew Quick 1SG Steven Stankovich SFC Mark Merino SSG Laureano Pabon LTC Jason Strickland SSG Robert Burns SSG Scott Williams SSG V. Michelle Woods CPT (Join to see) Col (Join to see) Capt Brandon Charters SSgt Gregory Guina CMSgt James Nolan 1SG (Join to see) SSG (Join to see) 1LT John Martin TSgt Joshua Copeland 1SG (Join to see) SFC William Swartz Jr SFC (Join to see) Cpl (Join to see) SFC (Join to see) SGT Thomas Lucken SGT Richard H. MAJ (Join to see) SGM Charles Brainard CPT Gregory Wagoner CMSgt James Nolan SFC (Join to see) SCPO (Join to see) MSG Wade Huffman SSG (Join to see) SFC (Join to see) SPC Brian Aranda Cpl (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) SFC(P) (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see) SFC William Swartz Jr SFC (Join to see) 1LT John Martin A1C Nathanial Snyder MSgt Allan Folsom CMDCM Gene Treants CWO2 (Join to see) LCpl Russell Velzen LTC Paul Labrador MSgt Allan Folsom CWO4 (Join to see) SGT Chris Stock SSG Justin McCoy CPT Michael Barden SSgt Alexander Ingram SGT Richard H. CMSgt James Nolan COL Steve Maranian SSG V. Michelle Woods SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SSG Peter Muse MSG Sean Hayes MAJ (Join to see) SPC(P) Micah Lavigne SFC(P) (Join to see) SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS 1LT (Join to see) SFC (Join to see)
// CONCLUSION BELOW //
…Upon recognizing Sergeant Jones’ unfortunate trend, I preempted his removal from Alpha Company by reporting to my commander and taking full responsibility for working directly with Sergeant Jones. Over the next four months, I addressed Sergeant Jones’ personal and professional challenges by focusing him on positive future opportunities through which he could prove himself a loving husband and motivated soldier. I convinced my commander to allow Sergeant Jones and his wife to attend marriage counseling during duty hours, promising that I would work one-on-one with him in the evening to improve his job competence.
By showing Sergeant Jones that I was sincerely concerned about him, I was able to build a foundation of trust with him that proved vital to developing his on-the-job performance. Sergeant Jones’ life gradually reached a positive balance, and he proved himself one of the most reliable and hard-working soldiers in my platoon during our Iraq deployment.
** RallyPoint members: What actions of mine did you agree with, and what else would you have done differently? **
//
Tag: SGM Matthew Quick 1SG Steven Stankovich SFC Mark Merino SSG Laureano Pabon LTC Jason Strickland SSG Robert Burns SSG Scott Williams SSG V. Michelle Woods CPT (Join to see) Col (Join to see) Capt Brandon Charters SSgt Gregory Guina CMSgt James Nolan 1SG (Join to see) SSG (Join to see) 1LT John Martin TSgt Joshua Copeland 1SG (Join to see) SFC William Swartz Jr SFC (Join to see) Cpl (Join to see) SFC (Join to see) SGT Thomas Lucken SGT Richard H. MAJ (Join to see) SGM Charles Brainard CPT Gregory Wagoner CMSgt James Nolan SFC (Join to see) SCPO (Join to see) MSG Wade Huffman SSG (Join to see) SFC (Join to see) SPC Brian Aranda Cpl (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) SFC(P) (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see) SFC William Swartz Jr SFC (Join to see) 1LT John Martin A1C Nathanial Snyder MSgt Allan Folsom CMDCM Gene Treants CWO2 (Join to see) LCpl Russell Velzen LTC Paul Labrador MSgt Allan Folsom CWO4 (Join to see) SGT Chris Stock SSG Justin McCoy CPT Michael Barden SSgt Alexander Ingram SGT Richard H. CMSgt James Nolan COL Steve Maranian SSG V. Michelle Woods SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SSG Peter Muse MSG Sean Hayes MAJ (Join to see) SPC(P) Micah Lavigne SFC(P) (Join to see) SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS 1LT (Join to see) SFC (Join to see)
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Values
Leadership Values
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 18
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I actually like the way you handled it all the way around, I hate that it took an officer to turn around an NCO as that is something that his PSG/1SG should have handled at their levels..."Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties, they will not have to accomplish mine." But, I see nothing wrong with the manner in which you handled things.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SFC William Swartz Jr You hit it. As a young NCO, I do believe that I would have held you in high regard (based upon what I have seen you post as an old Soldier).
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SFC William Swartz Jr
CMSgt James Nolan you actually probably wouldn't have lol....when I became an NCO in 1989, a young CPL, I was a complete asshole, I hadn't been trained to be an NCO yet, and was told to emulate the young SGTs in my Platoon and Company...probably not a good idea as they were assholes too!! It took a lot of seasoning for me to become a decent NCO, but I like to think that I reached that point at sometime!!
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CMSgt James Nolan
SFC William Swartz Jr Well....I what I was inferring was you as an old dog, and me as a young NCO-you would have learned your lessons and show what you show today, and I would have appreciated the insight! LOL.
And to show how things are, I somewhat regularly hear the phrase 1stSgt you are not in the Marines anymore...I take it as a compliment.
I remind them that while I may be an *sshole, I am their *sshole.
And to show how things are, I somewhat regularly hear the phrase 1stSgt you are not in the Marines anymore...I take it as a compliment.
I remind them that while I may be an *sshole, I am their *sshole.
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Good job sir. I think that you hit all points with regards to SGT Jones.
I am still a little disappointed in the ownership from your NCOs. I hope that you and your PSG had a long sit down concerning SGT Jones and the reasons you chose the COA that you did. Hopefully that sparked further discussion about taking care of Soldiers, leadership philosophies, and how to mutually support each other. I would further hope that your PSG had a talk with the NCOs in your PLT to ensure that all were on the same page as the way ahead was forged.
I am still a little disappointed in the ownership from your NCOs. I hope that you and your PSG had a long sit down concerning SGT Jones and the reasons you chose the COA that you did. Hopefully that sparked further discussion about taking care of Soldiers, leadership philosophies, and how to mutually support each other. I would further hope that your PSG had a talk with the NCOs in your PLT to ensure that all were on the same page as the way ahead was forged.
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Sir, by investing your personal time and consistent leadership presence, you demonstrated you genuine concern and care. Inside the uniform, Soldiers are actually people and people have needs and want to be able to trust those around them. Too many times (unfortunately) leaders are caught up in looking out for themselves instead of what is really important, the people around them! Job well done.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing, you obviously made a positive impact on SGT Jones. That was great. And you kept your commander informed.
But did you keep his NCO chain informed? You don't mention that, and I'll bet that could cause hard feelings, and feelings that the LT was doing NCO business.
Also, I wonder what SGT Jones's peers thought of SGT Jones being taken under the LT's wing? Did they see it as favoritism being shown to SGT Jones? I'm guessing there had to be some of that, which could cause problems.
But did you keep his NCO chain informed? You don't mention that, and I'll bet that could cause hard feelings, and feelings that the LT was doing NCO business.
Also, I wonder what SGT Jones's peers thought of SGT Jones being taken under the LT's wing? Did they see it as favoritism being shown to SGT Jones? I'm guessing there had to be some of that, which could cause problems.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CW5 (Join to see) If (and I say if) I recall the previous situation, had not the NCOs pretty much written him off? If not, I agree, that those NCOs should have been apprised, but then, they should also have stepped up..
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CW5 (Join to see)
Yes, CMSgt James Nolan, that was the case. You're right about that.
Nevertheless, I think the NCO chain should be kept in the loop (and maybe it was) -- if for no other reason than to teach them how to rehabilitate an errant junior NCO.
Nevertheless, I think the NCO chain should be kept in the loop (and maybe it was) -- if for no other reason than to teach them how to rehabilitate an errant junior NCO.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CW5 (Join to see) No doubt sir. There was a host of lesson giving going on, school was in session in this case. It would have paid for everyone to have their eyes open.
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The only thing I would add to what you did here is giving all the SNCOs involved a ton of hell for not having done any of this. Good on you for succeeding where they quite conspicuously failed.
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One of my favorite things I have learned in the military is to develop the ability to distinguish between problem Soldiers and Soldiers with problems. It's NOT the same thing.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing Well done! Step 1: Talk to the solider (from my response to your last post) appears to have been fulfilled, along with even more powerful follow-through actions than I had considered.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing, Sir, all I can say is OUTSTANDING! I would be proud to serve under your command. We far to often see a "Sherman's march to the sea" mentality of slash and burn their career when a troop stumbles, you showed what REAL Leadership is!
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
That is Outstanding, Thank you for sharing this experience.
Pleas provide us with some of the details that helped your NCO redirect himself personally and professionally.
That is Outstanding, Thank you for sharing this experience.
Pleas provide us with some of the details that helped your NCO redirect himself personally and professionally.
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I agree....good to see a young soldier get his focus back and life in order....also agree with NCO's....this should have been part of their challenge prior to you getting involved...but it worked out....for future apps, consult the chain first and then act...Good job!
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