Questioning authority If someone who out ranks you tells you to execute and perform a task should that lower enlisted Soldier ask "why"? Should you stop and explain? If we were deployed and being fired upon and that leader says "get down" are you going to need to explain "why" then?

Questioning authority

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Posted 12 y ago

If a soldier is asking you why, 99% of the time, it's because you didn't provide PURPOSE, direction, and motivation. If you constantly explain why and give proper purpose, then that one time in the firefight when you have to be abrupt, they will trust you.

disclaimer: there is always that 1% of Soldiers that are just trying to get under your skin, hopefully you have identified these people before hand and can discriminate a legit "why" (maybe you forgot to give purpose) and someone trying to get in the way of the mission.

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WO1 (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

An occasional “WHY” isn’t as bad as many may attempt to make
it. “Leadership is influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and
motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.”
This may involve answering the WHYs out there.

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SSG (Join to see)

12 y

I think it really depends on the situation & how the "Why" was presented. If time/situation permits, The answered "Why" could help them better understand and better complete the task. However if the explanation is not required because the task is blatantly obvious enough, there is no need to explain. Also it depends on if it was presented in such a manner of "SGT may I ask why?" (With Tact)or if it's "Why should I" (With Attitude)

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WO1 (Join to see)

12 y

Agreed!

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I think it comes down to this: if I tell my soldier to do something, and in the process of executing the task he asks me why we do it (or do it a certain way, etc.), I see that as a soldier trying to grow, and trying to be a sponge...which is what we all want! If I give PVT Smith a task, and he shrugs and asks "why?" that's a different story. I think your original question is a loaded one. Context is everything with a soldier asking "why" to us.

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SPC (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I enlisted with the knowledge that in some instances I would have to follow orders with unquestioning obeidence. I believe that an explanation should be given but if I'm not afforded one I will follow the order regardless. I understand that sometimes someone might be under pressure or a time restraint and they may not have a moment to go into an explanation on why they're tasking me to do something so with that in mind I'm not going to demand a reason. I'm in charge of a detail I always try to tell the other soldiers why they need to do this or that but if time doesn't permit an explanation I expect them to comply.

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SFC Jason Porter

Posted 12 y ago

Include a task and purpose. You cannot go wrong with that. Never say because I said so. You open up doors for the breaded why questions.

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

<p>I think it is a rare occasion when the question "why" is meant to question your authority. I've found over the years that as long as I'm providing Purpose, Direction, and Motivation that the majority of the time my Soldiers have not needed to ask me why. It's the times that a task is spit out and the intent or purpose is lacking that I've heard the "why", and sometimes I just think it's the younger generation hungry for knowledge asking "why". Either way like stated previously, there is a time to tell them to simply move out and draw fire and there is a time to explain the task and purpose so that they understand the intent and are motivated to accomplish the task.</p><p> </p>

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GySgt (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

There is a time, place, and method for asking the question "why"? For the Corps, we really emphasize on do or die, instant obedience to orders so the question of "why?" does not come up that often.

As a team player who loves pushing small unit leadership, my goal when giving orders to my NCO's is to receive the response "aye aye Staff Sergeant" because I have given the order in a certain manner and with enough information for them to receive it, understand it, and comply.

This isn't always the case and the question "why?" does come up but only when it's the right time and place, and the Marines do it with tact.

I don't want mindless Marines, I want smart Marines, and in order to have that, they need the knowledge and understanding.

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1SG Steven Stankovich

12 y

Thank you for the response SSgt Fair. It brings valuable perspective from The Corps.

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SFC Jim Neel

Edited 12 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

Sometimes explanations lend themselves to maximum situational awareness for the junior enlisted Soldier/subordinate. We have to be ready to convey information and knowledge with everything that we do. A leader that isn't willing to share knowledge with their Soldiers is doing them a disservice, and is also assuming that in a combat environment that they will always be there to lead.

In instances where there is a short-lead time the leader must be able to convey information in an explicit and concise manner. Sometimes that takes practice, and we learn best by repetition. Using TLPs, even in the most mundane circumstances, for the most minor taskings will give leaders practice. Another aspect is positive habit transfer (setting the example). If junior enlisted Soldiers see TLPs being used to convey information, when they assume leadership positions they will use them too.

I think sometimes the question "why" is asked because it is a natural response to not having enough information.

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1SG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

SFC Butler,

It is a peeve of mine when Soldiers ask why. A lot of people have already responded with " it depends on the situation". I disagree; I do not believe there is ever a time for why. If you don't understand the job/mission I just gave you. Then pull me off line say SGT I don't understand I need clarification. You ask me why in front of a group I just gave instructions to I am going to give you the little kid answer. Because I told you to.

I may be reading into your question a little but I see that as one of the issues of younger Soldiers. They are not asking "why" for clarification they are asking "why" because they don't think they should not have to do the thing they were just told to do.

Lastly I do not see a difference between " why" in garrison and "why" down range. The same kid that questions every order they are given in garrison is the same kid that is going to question them down range. That is one of the things a bout the military we do things to build habit, to make it a reflex.

If you hesitate in preparation for battle you will hesitate in battle. Garrison is where we prep for battle.

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CSM Mike Maynard

12 y

I agree that we don't need to be entertaining the why that is asked in order to get out of something or question whether something needs to be done or not.

The why that we need to a preemptive strike on is the "intent" why that is asked when we don't provide intent/end state. I do think we owe it to our subordinates in order to facilitate them making better decisions on accomplishing the mission when the environment changes.

Remember, we're trying to build a force of critical thinkers and problem solvers - that's what we need NCOs for and your SPC and below time is to practice/train that.

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LTC (Join to see)

12 y

CSM Maynard's response is spot on. I definitely don't entertain the "why" if asked in a manner that gives the appearance of trying to get out of something or debating whether it needs to be done.

When Soldiers are given a clear Task and Purpose - they very rarely have to ask "why".

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MSG Martinis Butler

Posted 12 y ago

Leaders are not busy 24/7 that they do not have the time to answer questions or explain certain things to the Soldiers. I strongly believe like most of the individuals that leaders should explain to their Soldiers or workers what the mission is and why it is being done in a certain manner. If that Soldier or worker messes up on the tasking that leaders quick to be engaged as to discipline or scold that young Soldier as to why he or she shouldn't have done the particular task in that order so why not explain and ensure they do it right the first time. On the other hand I believe theres a time and a place for everything. If an order is given you should move out and execute unless it is a safety issue. If we have people always asking the Why question for every little thing when is the mission going to get accomplished?

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Questioning authority

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