Posted on Aug 3, 2021
Should a SSG assume PSG responsibilities over an E-5(P) if the SSG will only hold the position for 30 days?
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Leaders, I am currently in the middle of in-processing into my gaming unit.
My gaining PLT currently has a E5 (P) holding the PSG position. They do have a SFC arrives to the unit which will be in about 30 days.
Should I assume the PSG duties and responsibilities for the short duration, or let operations resume to prevent any confusion for the SFC who is enroute.
My gaining PLT currently has a E5 (P) holding the PSG position. They do have a SFC arrives to the unit which will be in about 30 days.
Should I assume the PSG duties and responsibilities for the short duration, or let operations resume to prevent any confusion for the SFC who is enroute.
Posted in these groups: 
AR 600-20
Leadership
AR 600-20 Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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Sorry, but you cannot "assume" that duty without authorization from the COC. You can lobby for it -- that is, you can ask to be assigned. But neither the CO nor the 1SG are obliged to give you that position. It's their prerogative to assign that position to any qualified soldier they want -- even if you outrank them.
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SSG Dale London
SSG (Join to see) - It would not hurt to ask your 1SG. You might say something like, "Hey, Top. Do you want me to handle that PSG slot that SGT Snuffy's holding down just now?"
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SGT Herbert Bollum
As an E-5 in Germany I had an E-6 in the platoon and when my PSG took leave I was moved to acting PSG. I had some difficulty with that assignment as I had recently written up our FSG and knew he was out to get even, all went well though.
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MSG William Wold
If I was top, I'd say relax, the Sgt(P) is doing fine, he needs the experience. I used to do Plt sgt for a day to about each of my potentials.
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This must be a bigger issue in the Army than the Marine Corps. If a SSgt rolls in and is being placed in the Platoon they would be assigned that billet until they are either replaced or fired. In the Marine Corps you wouldn't have a SSgt in a Platoon and a Sgt be above them as Platoon Sgt. Regardless of how many days until the E7 arrives.
I would recommend speaking to the Plt Commander and potentially the 1st Sgt to get this sorted out. Seems like a quick solution to me
I would recommend speaking to the Plt Commander and potentially the 1st Sgt to get this sorted out. Seems like a quick solution to me
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GySgt Kenneth Pepper
Concur. This problem would not happen in a Marine unit. Senior man gets the position. If he or she fails they get canned and sent to a FAP position.
I also can't even imagine being relegated to a Plt Sgt (or equivalent) position as an E-7. Seems like an extremely top heavy structure.
I also can't even imagine being relegated to a Plt Sgt (or equivalent) position as an E-7. Seems like an extremely top heavy structure.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
GySgt Kenneth Pepper - The Army way of assigning folks to positions always seems so top heavy. We did a relief in place with an Army unit while I was in Afghanistan. I was a Cpl serving as a vehicle Commander in a CAAT Platoon and my Army counterpart I was turning over with was a SSgt. The guy got all indignant because a Cpl was asking him questions during the RIP process and we had a few words.
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MSG Thomas Currie
It isn't an issue in the Army either -- or at least it wasn't an issue until apparently we now have some "woke" millennials wearing NCO rank insignia worrying about hurting each other's feelings.
There is absolutely no provision in Army Regulations that would support a E6 being assigned in a platoon with an E5(P) in charge.
Yes, in the real world it can happen BRIEFLY (I'm talking about hours, or maybe a day or two) in very unusual circumstances, such as a unit actively in combat when a brand new soldier somehow joins the unit. But that's not what we are talking about here.
There is absolutely no provision in Army Regulations that would support a E6 being assigned in a platoon with an E5(P) in charge.
Yes, in the real world it can happen BRIEFLY (I'm talking about hours, or maybe a day or two) in very unusual circumstances, such as a unit actively in combat when a brand new soldier somehow joins the unit. But that's not what we are talking about here.
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As SSG Dale London was referencing, that is not your call, at all. That is up to the Company and BN Level leadership. Commander, with input from the 1SG, will decide whether SGT (P) stays in the role, or you take it over. BN Level is in charge of slotting people in the MTOE / TDE / UML / whatever acronym they are using for organizational rosters these days. Which menas the CO will make the decision, but the BN Level (in this case, usually the CSM) has veto power.
Based on your other responses, I am guessing that neither of you will actually be SLOTTED as the PSG, as the "real PSG" is that SFC out on maternity leave. Which makes whoever it is "acting" PSG. This more or less takes the BN out of the fight (although CSM is still likely to weigh in). You will likely be slotted into a Squad/section leader assignment. As whoever it is will be *acting* PSG rather than slotted PSG, it is likely the Commander will have you, as the senior person, fill in the acting PSG role until such time as someone more senior than you comes in.
There are a few situations where this would not be true. First, if that SGT(P) is slotted in the role, and is being rated as the PSG, they may well leave him/her there because it is much easier on the rating scheme. Especially if that NCO has been there more than 60 days, but less than 90. Second, if that SGT (P) is performing awesome, and the leadership does not want to screw up the mojo, the leaders may decide it is best to leave the SGT(P) in position for a few extra weeks to keep the Platoon on track.. This is especially true if the Platoon has a historically bad reputation, but this SGT (P) has given them a good name.
Regardless of which position you are placed with, do that SGT (P) a solid and respect him/her and the job (s)he did running the PLT until you got there. If the leaders leave the SGT (P) in position, be the most trustworthy, loyal, and dedicated squad leader in the PLT. Make it obvious to the entire PLT that you support the PSG and have no issues with taking orders/direction from him/her. If the leaders place you in the position, acknowledge the work the SGT (P) has done. Rely on him/her for insight and input. Do NOT get in a public pissing contest over how things used to be done or how things are going to go now that *you* are in charge. Run your PLT, absolutely. But don't crush that NCO just to prove you are in charge.
Based on your other responses, I am guessing that neither of you will actually be SLOTTED as the PSG, as the "real PSG" is that SFC out on maternity leave. Which makes whoever it is "acting" PSG. This more or less takes the BN out of the fight (although CSM is still likely to weigh in). You will likely be slotted into a Squad/section leader assignment. As whoever it is will be *acting* PSG rather than slotted PSG, it is likely the Commander will have you, as the senior person, fill in the acting PSG role until such time as someone more senior than you comes in.
There are a few situations where this would not be true. First, if that SGT(P) is slotted in the role, and is being rated as the PSG, they may well leave him/her there because it is much easier on the rating scheme. Especially if that NCO has been there more than 60 days, but less than 90. Second, if that SGT (P) is performing awesome, and the leadership does not want to screw up the mojo, the leaders may decide it is best to leave the SGT(P) in position for a few extra weeks to keep the Platoon on track.. This is especially true if the Platoon has a historically bad reputation, but this SGT (P) has given them a good name.
Regardless of which position you are placed with, do that SGT (P) a solid and respect him/her and the job (s)he did running the PLT until you got there. If the leaders leave the SGT (P) in position, be the most trustworthy, loyal, and dedicated squad leader in the PLT. Make it obvious to the entire PLT that you support the PSG and have no issues with taking orders/direction from him/her. If the leaders place you in the position, acknowledge the work the SGT (P) has done. Rely on him/her for insight and input. Do NOT get in a public pissing contest over how things used to be done or how things are going to go now that *you* are in charge. Run your PLT, absolutely. But don't crush that NCO just to prove you are in charge.
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CSM William Everroad
SSG (Join to see), SFC Casey O'Mally mentions an interesting point about the time period and I felt the need to expand a bit. The reason he mentions the 60-90 days timeframe is because that is about the threshold for an "acting" appointment, in which a letter of input for evaluation would be needed for every NCO the absent NCO rates. It would be improper for a lower rank NCO (SGT(P) to provide that input for a SSG to the SFC (outside of MSAF360).
However, as with all things in the Army, the best leaders handle adversity as professionals and engage their leadership with their concerns.
However, as with all things in the Army, the best leaders handle adversity as professionals and engage their leadership with their concerns.
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