Posted on Apr 9, 2017
MAJ Telecommunications Systems Engineer
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Some officers are meant to command and lead, and others probably should never be allowed the opportunity. I'm a witness to the case of an ousted ex-commander now working as a staff-O "leading" a highly technical department - his lack of technical competence and inability to mentor and lead others is obvious. Should such an officer be "encouraged" to separate or retire early to make room?
Posted in these groups: 200210106b CommandGeneral of the army rank insignia OfficerDod color DoD
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Capt John Schmitt
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Two separate issues to me. Technical competence is likely not needed to head up and lead the unit. A basic understanding, definitely.
Leadership to counsel and mentor those in his-her unit, absolute requirement.
Also, being previously relieved of command would depend on circumstances. May not have significance in different billet, particularly a purely staff function.
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SSG(P) Danielle Birtha
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The Military has a way of dealing with that... Performance Review should address his shortcomings.
If he is not capable, he shouldn't be leading anyone.
If it's that bad, he should be denied re-enlistment.
Too many lives depend on leaders doing the right thing...
Why allow him to continue to lead?
Government Issue that is defective should be replaced ;)
my opinion
caveat: I served under two who should not have been commissioned, imo...
One was delusional and would have gotten our entire unit slaughtered if we went into combat (gung ho busted Pathfinder who was certain an air traffic control unit should be Ranger qualified)... the other was fraternizing on and off duty with his E-4 aide.
Both are probably still serving.
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CMDCM Steve Ketchum
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It depends upon why the officer was relieved. Having said that, officers have a senior enlisted who should be keeping them on the right path along with a senior officer who should be giving guidance and corrective steps. If an officer or senior enlisted leader fails it's usually because they entered an environment that they weren't qualified to be in but there are always those who always think they know better than everyone else and soon find themselves on a raft in the middle of the pond without a paddle.
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Lt Col Leo Shockley
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I’ve seen top leaders being “fired” because of mistakes of those under them. If eligible, they may have to retire or else be moved somewhere else, not everyone is a leader but remember, if those under the leaders do not do those best, the leaders may pay the price,
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SSG J F Texas
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They will run an enlisted member out of the service so the same standard should start within the officer corps too. Incompetence, lack of leadership ability or just a dirt bag, officers need to police their ranks instead of just shuffling their undesirables out of sight.
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Lt Col Bill Fletcher
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There is no blanket correct answer. Why was the officer relieved is the start point. Was it it for his bad acts? If so then that officer should be released. If it was for other factors then it depends what they are. Was the officer promoted to a position he could not handle, but he was a good staff officer? If so return to staff position and allow him to continue until retirement. We all know his promotion opportunities have ended, but he may still provide a benefit to the service.
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Lt Col Bill Fletcher
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There is no blanket correct answer. Why was the officer relieved of command? His personal bad acts, then no, he should be encouraged to retire. Perhaps he was a better staff officer( who was promoted to a job above his ability) who could actually provide benefit to the Service by returning to a Staff position. Is that officer going to go much further, probably not, but no reason to waste his ability by an early release.
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SPC Joe Greco
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No they should not command well my time in the military in the 70s we had so many command his sergeant majors that were alcoholics and they were no good
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SSgt Fuels
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Unfortunately, it happens all the time just to allow scumbags to make it to retirement. Billets created, etc., just to give them a place to quietly hide until they can squeak out to save face for a commander/unit/whatever.
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SPC Human Resources Specialist
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I've seen plenty of awesome leaders at the platoon and company levels that completely bombed at the higher levels. Especially as they moved farther away from regular interactions with the junior enlisted. They lost that connection with the foundation of their command as the administrative portion of their duties overrode those times to connect.
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LTC Lee Bouchard
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I'd like to see his OER's over the last 10 years. Both the rater and sr. rater. How he was rated and why? One of the purposes of the rating system is to evaluate the potential of the individual and contribution to the Army etc. Another purpose is to weed out those who are not qualified to lead or command. Too many raters and sr. raters want to evaluate with their hearts instead of what is best for the individual and the Army. We need to promote and replace ourselves with those who are in many ways better, smarter and will take the organization further into the future. In another words, we become "Head Hunters" for the future. All NCO raters and Sr. NCO Raters need to do the same in order to protect the proud NCO Corps tradition today and for tomorrow. This applies to E-6 and above. Officers. O-2 to O-6.

Keeping mediocre performers is not in the best interest of the nation and the service, Officer or NCO.

When rating a Mid-level field grade officer on his OER I made the following statement.
"This individual has never failed to accomplish the mediocre standards he has set for himself".
Within a year...he was gone.
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Cpl Bernard Bates
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I was in the 54th Ord. Co. (Ammo) in 63-65 It was newly formed to go to Vietnam. We had a Captain who was our Company Co. I don't where he come from but the company couldn't pass an inspection. I was just out of the Marine Corp. Their carbines were dirty gasmasks were filthy. The co. didn't know the first thing about running a company. He had been passed over three times for promotion, So he had to resign. Then we got a New Co. and we finally started passing inspections. Semper Fi.
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SPC Jesse Jack
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If it was for a court martial type of offense absolutely NO.
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CPO Kenneth Keane
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Yes
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PFC George Warm
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Leaders can deligate authority, but they cannot deligate responsibility.
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PFC George Warm
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I served with good officers and NCOs. Also the power hungry ones who love to bark orders and pass out article 15s like candy on holloween. But when things go bad they blame those under them and never accepting responsibility. Those people need to relieved of duty.
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PFC George Warm
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Put the officer with grave registration
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TSgt Don Mott
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I also worked under a great commander. He inspired and led in an extremely ballanced personal and mission oriented way!
That being said, he was also a womanizer, a bigot and a narcissist! Cross him and he would spend every moment he could making you miserable!
I Guess what I am saying, is even individuals that are born leaders should not necessarily be in positions of authority!
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LCDR Robert Turner
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Being relieved of command is a crushing blow that should not necessarily be the free fall to unemployment. Everyone needs to be put to their highest and best use. Leaders lead, administrators administer, teachers teach. We flush a lot of good people and loose the investment in training and experience every time.
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SGT Kurt Lembcke
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It’s called RIF, reduction in force. Not a matter of choice.
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
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riff is an entirely different thing young sgt. It is used on officers in large numbers when Congress mandates a fast draw down in the size of the military. It was used after korea, Then RVN and literally thousands were cut then and lastly after SWA episodes
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