Posted on Jan 4, 2014

Questioning authority

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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?

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Authority

Posted 12 y ago

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

it should be junior enlisted and not lower enlisted to be politically correct. as a NCO it better to explain why and how to do it. soldiers will not question your authority if you provide them direction and purpose.

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SSG James Flynn

Posted 12 y ago

If leadership gives the mission correctly, there would be no excuse for the "why". For instance, if you tell the Soldiers that we are going to the field and need to dispatch the vehicles, there is no doubt why it needs to happen. However, many Soldiers are coming to my unit and they want to question why all the time. It gets frustrating when we as leaders give clear instructions and still get asked why. I understand that some Soldiers do this to be funny, but if noone puts a stop to it, they will continue. Those are the ones we need to set straight or the pattern continues. As a young Soldier, whenever I was told to do something it was always "Hooah" and I would execute.

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SGT Bryon Sergent

Posted 12 y ago

Well SFC Butler, I ask my squadleader WHY alot. It isn't that I am questioning his authority as much as I am looking for the end game. If you say that we are in a fire fight and to get down then there is no WHY. If you say take the hill is it part of the mission, is it that we are flanking, is it that there is better cover there? The why just helps to get to the end of the statement and how I think you want it done as a team leader. .

If it is like one of my former team mates that just though I was an old guy, new to the unit, that got put in his team leader slot that he has been trying to get and is questioning my authority? I took it to my squadleader and then to the PLT Sergeant. once we went out on training mission and he seen I had my act together, he quit asking why. I try and get all the info that I can as to keep my joe's as informed as I can, if they ask why then I have the knoweldge to tell them, if I dont then I go back and ask the why I missed and then keep them up to date.

I think it goes back to the NCO creed where it says "I will communicate with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed."

This is my take and really questioning wether or not I am on the right track. Not quoting the creed to you as I think you know and stand by it. If I am off track then please help me to understand, as I want to be a good NCO.

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MSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

Depending on the task. Some Soldiers will go above and beyond what's required if that Soldier knows the "why" behind it. If knowing is half the battle, we as leaders should incorporate the "why" into what we are delegating or directing. Now if it's a mundane task or some type of corrective action/training then situation dictates.

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SGT (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

SFC,

I believe you are taking the situation to the extreme. I would imagine in a forward environment you have the leadership clout to be able have your men jump at a moments notice. But i would like to ask, in a garrison environment how would you expect your young Soldiers to develop by only knowing how to "do" something and not understanding how it impacts the unit and the big picture?

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MSG Martinis Butler

Posted 12 y ago

I've seen times where the "WHY" turns into "WHO" said we should do this and then "WHERE" is this this person while I'm doing this and then "WHAT" is this suppose to accomplish when its all done. This could very well roll over into a disastrous snow ball when its all said and done. In many cases I've witnessed the end result to this type of questioning go south and not a healthy conversation at the end of the day.

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MSG Martinis Butler

Posted 12 y ago

Would leaders be more offended if their Soldies were to not only ask them why but tell them that another leader is not delegating that order to their Soldiers so why should they be doing it? Or they tell you " my old leader or unit didnt do it that way so why are they doing it?

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MSG (Join to see)

12 y

As Leaders we need to start putting out orders in our own name. It starts at the lowest level of leadership. SGT/CPL Joe Snuffy needs to say "We're doing this because I said so" not pass the buck by saying the PSG or 1SG said so. Take ownership of your orders... that's how you foster true leadership

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SGT Bryon Sergent

12 y

Then that would be challenging the order, and I agree with SFC Rieck. I use the phase on my child. but have never used it in the military, I guess one could see the joe's as your children and use the same mentallity.

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SSG (ret) William Martin

Posted 12 y ago

SFC Butler, I can not guage the reason to question authority which can be reasonable depending on the situation for all incidents. There are times to ask and there are times not to ask. My soldiers no when I need something 5 minutes ago and when its an emergency. Also, some leader confusing asking questions and questing one's authority. If I tell me soldiers to do something and it is obvious I do not have the authority to give them that order I may welcome them question my authority for it may save my career. On the other hand, if I told my soldier to sweep and mop the floor and he told me all I do is sit at a desk while he works in the motorpool that is a different situation. I like to be given purpose, direction and motivation which enhanses my leader's own leadership ability. I like to do the same with my own soldiers. I hope I have responded correctly to your question.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I think the manner in which an order is questioned also plays into how I react to a soldier questioning it. An order being met with "Why?!" or "What?!" is much more likely to receive a "Just do it!" or "Because I said so!". I myself question the orders given to me sometimes so I know where they're coming from, but as long as the questioning is articulated so that I know the soldier is probably just wanting details on the desired end result, it's all good in my book.

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MSG Martinis Butler

12 y

Questioning how to do something is one thing but questioning why you need to be doing it is something I have the problem with.

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1SG Johnny Carter

Posted 12 y ago

This is a great question!! I remember when my PLT SGT came to me and told me to doing a task, it was a crazy task and I asked why and he said do push ups and do as your told. So I used to think damn why the heck are we doing this. As leaders we all question why at times and as stated before it is human nature. We have to understand that the Army is changing everyday. Skiers don't question to be disrespectful, they have to understand what it is they are doing and for what cause. We as leaders need to understand this and give our Soldiers all the info they want to accomplish all mission successfully. They deserve that much from us and it send a positive attitude. If we explain why and what the affects are they will understand and doing it to the best of their abilities!! Army's changed for the better and we have to be great leaders to develop our future!

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MSG Martinis Butler

12 y

1SG ,

I was just like you asking the why question until I had to do pushups as well. I learned quick that there was a time and a place for everything. By no means are we saying do ask why but waiting for the right time would be more beneficial.

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Questioning authority

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