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Why do I see more and more brand new Soldiers coming to the unit with an ungrateful attitude, talking shit to NCOs, disrespecting fellow Soldiers?
Posted in these groups: 
NCOs
New Soldiers
NCOs New Soldiers
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 42
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I respect every NCO I come across however, the number of those who have actually earned the respect are few and far between. In my line of work we do not use a lot of the BIG ARMY parade rest (unless a formal situation) talking to an NCO or anything else. We work so closely and in the same position of work that it would become tedious to do so. But that from an outsiders perspective would be seen as disrespectful when in fact it is not.
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I was easy-going but if you pushed me, I would let you know what time it was. Likewise I showed that same respect to my peers and my leaders. This kind of thing becomes ingrained and this aspect appeals to everyone.
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WOW, This was a good topic, But, I think the number one problem is the NCO CORP! we do not want to take the time to counsel Soldiers from the day we get them till the time we start seeing problems with the Soldier. We and I say we because I am a proud member of the NCO CORP and hate the direction that it is headed. We owe it to every Soldier and NCO that we are accountable for to counsel them, and to make sure we let them know what we expect and what they can expect if they meet our intentions or if they don't. But we are on here saying it is the lack of DS in AIT and lack of home training, instead of excepting the responsibilty we inherited when put the stripes on and wanted to be NCOs. So I think the first stop we need to make is at the mirror and see if we are setting the standard and are we enforcing the policies and standards set for us.
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I am Old School enough to know respect is earned. I DEMAND it from my BCT Privates and Drill Sergeants. And I usually get what I want. I believe it was Machiavelli who said the occasional use of terrorism is an effective management tool. In the context of BCT, the frequent use of PT serves the same purpose.
I believe Privates learn LACK of respect starting at home, then escalate that crap until their own parents don't want them and hope the Army fixes it at BCT. We have 10 weeks to unclog years of learned behavior - doesn't always work. Best we can do is to hope the Privates leave BCT thinking they want to grow up and be just like their Drill Sergeant.
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I believe there are a lot of things that the Army has changed for the better and a lot that should have stayed the same. On the respect angle there are a lot of NCO's living in the "Old Army" mentality where they believe respect only flows one way and that's "UP". But respect is a "360 Degree" platform that everyone should be standing on as equals. Also the new soldiers need to realize that the world does not owe them anything and that like the rest of us they need to work for everything they get so that they can feel that same great accomplishment that we have all felt.
P.S. Thank you to all of you who are serving and have served. Also any and all your comments and advice is appreciated.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT McMullan, I agree with most of what you said but I would add that the flowing of respect being one way is not contained within the "old timers". I have seen many younger and newer NCOs who do the same thing.
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1SG Michael Blount
SSG Redondo ... I call them out every chance I get. To say nothing is to accept that kind of behavior, and I just won't accept it.
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SSG (Join to see)
1SG Blount hit this on the head, we as the NCO corp have the power to fix a lot of the issues we have in the ARMY but standing by while we witness a lack of respect or any deficiency and not correcting it right there on the spot we have failed our selves and accepted a new standard.
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SSG (Join to see)
SSG Redondo, 1SG Blount and SSG Osinski thank you all very much and I will definitely take all of your responses to heart. Like a horse in training I sometimes forget I have blinders on.
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I'll have 11 years time in service 6 May.... and I have been hearing about new junior enlisted having no respect the entire time. I think old timers always look at the new crew as young and disrespectful!
Also, I'm intrigued that this is a topic brought up by someone approaching 3 years time in service! You're a new soldier!
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SFC (Join to see)
TSgt, I see it all the time. I know as a previous AIT instructor that our hands were tied and currently I am in a class taught by Air Force Instructors with new Airmen in the class and they were completely disrespectful until I put my foot down a few minutes into class. The instructor might have had his hands tied but I don't have mine tied in this situation.
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MSgt (Join to see)
You have to earn respect in order to get respect - remember that this goes both ways. Some should be automatic - like an instructor leading a training class, in this example. But what tone did that instructor establish on day one? Was it one of professionalism and leadership or was it something else?
Take a class on generational differences. The same things were said by the "old heads" when I was a young Airman and the same was said as I became an 'old head'. Each generation of new Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine had grown up in a different environment than the last. This, I believe, is a big part of what leads to this "The younger generation doesn't respect us like we did our superiors".
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SFC Gates
I understand it's hard worrying about shiny boots when you're doing back to back rotations but since those are slowing down for most, I figure you're right about uniforms.
I can only assume since so many senior NCOs agree how starched uniforms and spit shine boots helped instill discipline (which makes sense) it would be downright stupid of DA to not listen to your recommendations.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
What really frustrates me about Fort Bragg are the soldiers here who brag (ha) about how squared away and high-speed this post is. As an Army photojournalist, I use photos to back up what I'm saying lol. <div>Hands in pockets strolling down the street. I get it, if your hands are cold it's stupid to not put them in your pocket but the Army says otherwise. </div>
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
You're not stupid SFC Gates! Don't say that!
As far as what good it does, honestly it keeps me warm. That's not sarcasm either. SGT Cox does bring up a good point and it just reinforces the ever-present miscommunication problem across the Army.
But I understand your frustration. I have never been advised on correct and incorrect ways to wear the fleece but it's something I'll look into.
As far as Bragg goes...I believe a lot of soldiers here are claiming credit for this super squared-away reputation Bragg has. That reputation of course stems from people like yourself and others who gave it said reputation. I have hope it will get better though! If we could just get our hands on that cryptic and elusive new AR...
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Well...if it makes you feel any better, I don't think there is anything cool or sexy about the fleece. That guy definitely didn't look cool or sexy.
I've only been in five years so I can't answer about what they did before that or why it is the way it is now. I wear the gortex when it's snowing or raining for the reasons you listed. Please don't be upset over this SFC Gates. We'll get everything figured out (fingers crossed) and until then I'll burn that dang fleece because I really don't want out veterans upset :(
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Suspended Profile
Whatever happened to a night in the brig/stockade - reassignment to motivational company?
SGT (Join to see)
<p>Trust me Ma'am we will be end up on the NEWS with all the hazing complaints. Soldiers nowadays can't take a good motivational session. </p><p> </p>
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MSgt (Join to see)
Not true. Well not completely true, as someone may complain outside the chain to the media. A properly handled action will not leave the Chain of Command. A 'Hazing' episode however will.
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1SG Michael Blount
I've found poutting somebody in the front leaning rest (no pushup, just the front leaning rest) is about as far as I can go without getting into trouble.
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^This is all correct. As a squad leader I had a CoC that did empower their subordinate leaders. The first day of each week I performed an in ranks inspection for my squad (6-9 soldiers), I made the decision to send my troops home with a half day if they had the best uniform, and could adequately answer any questions I asked about the subject of the week ( I gave out a publication the week before to study). If none of them excelled that week then no one went home. If they didn't prepare at all they were counseled and I was backed by my command on any corrective action I deemed necessary. The last 6 months of my time there my battery got a new 1SG, and my platoon got a new Platoon Sergeant. I continued my weekly inspections and about three weeks in my Platoon Sergeant said that I could no longer do things like that, he said that it was not my call to send my soldiers home. (Keep in mind I always took into account mission first and any soldier I sent home was always on call if they were needed).<div><br></div><div>My point is that even though situations like this might not seem like a big deal, it is things like this that reinforces the power of the NCO. I don;t know if it is a lack of trust or what but something is broken and until it is fixed and power is given back to the lower levels, the indiscipline cannot be truly fixed. (keep in mind that this is just one example, the same could be said of a negative situation). </div>
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SFC (Join to see)
I was a PSG at Fort Bliss and I would come in on weekends to either catch up or get ahead of work. As a young NCO I was taught to check the Bs on weekends because that is when Soldiers are up to no good. So here I am on a Saturday afternoon around 1330-1400 about to head home and I stop by the "sandlot" (if you ever been to Biggs/East Bliss you know what I'm talking about) to check out the Bs. I just go down the line knocking on doors of Soldiers in our company (I'm a little ol' skoo, if you're in the same company you're my Soldier) If they were home, I checked the room tell them to clean up, throw out the thrash, etc. If not, I kept it moving.
Got told by my 1SG, I can't be disturbing the Soldiers on the weekends....
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SSG (Join to see)
an unempowered first line leader leads to a weaker, Less trained unit.... I say Hooah!
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SSG (Join to see)
an unempowered first line leader leads to a weaker, Less trained unit.... I say Hooah!
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CSM Mike Maynard
SSG Love, the issue is that the Training Schedule is a contract between the unit and Bn Cdrs. Only they have the authority to make changes and only Cdrs have authority to grant pass/leave.
With that said, I agree that if we have folks that are exceeding expectations and are being recognized as the best, then yes, they do deserve some type of reward/recognition.
There are ways to build the kind of rewards that you talk about into your training/inspection programs.
We can't let whole echelons go, but I know as a CSM or 1SG I could probably support a CO/PLT-sized echelon recognizing that best Soldier in the Co/Plt - similar to how used to do the Supernumerary for Guard Mount.
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I think it is because they were brought up thinking they were entitled to everything. That is why it seems hard for them to fit in. Because they want everything delivered on a silver platter.
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG Blount, I have to respectfully disagree with you about the "metrics". I am an instructor at the Initial Military Training Leadership School. All new Brigade and Battalion Commanders and CSMs come to my two week course before assuming command within TRADOC. There is no metric established for graduation rates. Attrition rates range from 8%-25% within BCT. Not a single DS or Command team at any level has been reprimanded because of a high or low attrition rate.
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MSG (Join to see)
I believe the current atmosphere in the Army has gone to soft. I'm not saying lets beat them all down with hours of PT smoke sessions like most of us grew up in, but we seriously need to reevaluate this kinder gentler army we are currently in.....We aren't cooperate America and this isn't the boy scouts!!!!
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SSG (Join to see)
as for what 1SG Blount stated, he is correct. Although there's not be a "quota" per se', I cannot tell you how many times we will present a full and complete packet to the COC for UCMJ/ Chapter of a Soldier, and they just sweep it under the rug because they needed people to graduate. I do agree with most of the comments in here so far from all of you, but it DOES happen, from what I have seen at least.
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SFC Aaron Calmes
SSG Broadbent, I have to agree. Especially since the Army loves to play with words. When I went to recruiting school they swore up and down recruiters don't have a quota to fill, they have "missions". Though there may not be quotas at Basic/AIT saying 1SG/CPT snuffy graduated 75% of their class isn't exactly an Excellent Bullet on the OER/NCOER.
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