New Squadron SgtMaj secret inspection.

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Mon, 12 May 2014 18:11:42 -0400

Curious to see how people feel about this. At Cherry Point one time I was barracks NCO. We were having the roof done so there were lots of civilians passing through the main hallway. Most were a little plump and dare I say, Hispanic. Well one day a plump hispanic guy popped his head in the door and said hi, hows it going, or something similar.
As it turned out, that was our new squadron SgtMaj who had never been introduced to the troops. Nobody knew the face, he was not in uniform as required for an inspection and he never identified himself.
Well, to make a long story short, me and my fellow duty were severely chastised and punished for "not reporting our post".
I was fairly certain if I appealed it to higher up, my time at Cherry Pt would not be a good one.
This SgtMaj, who I won't say his name, was only there for a short while and also on remedial PT before leaving. I think he was denied reenlistment.

Whats your take on this? Officers, especially CO's, should I have taken this higher?

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 12 at 2014 6:31 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Mon, 12 May 2014 18:31:42 -0400

I don't know if you should have taken it higher but you should have confrinted the Sgtmaj after he ripped into you. He should have identified himself and at that point you should have reported your post. Most guys don't recognize thier Sgtmaj in civilian attire especially if they are new to the unit because they never deal with the guy on a day to day basis.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 6:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 May 2014 18:31:44 -0400

By "severely chastised" do you mean in army terms "a royal ass chewing"? And by "punished" what do you mean?

I have also failed to notice or recognize a senior. I have received an "ass chewing" for it. I just shrug it off, take it as a leasoned learned. I usually notify my chain of command so they are not blind sided if they got a phone call from their higher about what happened.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 12 at 2014 7:00 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Mon, 12 May 2014 19:00:43 -0400

He could have given you the common courtesy of who he was. I'm sure as a Marine you would have given proper respect had you known who he was. As far as I some might say, that could have easily been a lost civilian looking for directions to the restroom.