Manning within the platoon.

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:54:27 -0400

I know we are over strength and the army is downsizing, but how are the platoon leadership (PSG and below) dealing with challenges. My last platoon had a Ssg for PSG, 1Ssg and 2 Sgt's for sqd Ldrs, and only 2 SGT TL. There were a lot of baby specialists put into TL spots. It was tough as a squad leader with only 1 TL that I could count on. Is anybody else having these issues?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 11 at 2015 5:04 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:04:33 -0400

There are some serious manning issues in your unit SFC Private RallyPoint Member...Sounds as if the unit is inactivating or just being stood up. When a SSG is the senior enlisted leader in a company sized unit, there are some extreme changes happening in the unit, this IS NOT what is going on across the rest of the force. Stay strong and continue to uphold and enforce standards!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 11 at 2015 5:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:20:24 -0400

Can you explain to me a 1SG as a squad leader. I have never seen that.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 9:59 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:59:27 -0400

The Army and military for that matter are trying to get Leaders used to talent management. I know that isn't an answer you want to hear but any given unit will have Soldiers that step up to fill the next position. It has always happened like that but what makes it look different to us is the fact that we are downsizing and doing more with less.

Our Battalion is so over strength right now (inactivated an Aviation Brigade) it isn't even funny but even before the current deployment we had 2 SFCs filling 1SG positions. Doing more with less isn't perfect but look at it this way, we are growing our own. We are being forced to heavily rely on those junior to us to fill a much needed position and it may seem frustrating or overwhelming but it is the way of the military.

We just have to make sure the right Leaders get to the top and continue to mentor and groom the others.