Posted on Mar 15, 2016
Should I report unprofessional behavior through the Chain of Command or an IG complaint?
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NOTE: Member wished to be disassociated from this subject so it has been reposted here with the original comments.
Thank you,
-RP Staff
Recently was involved in an one way exchange with a CPT in which she directed towards a Senior NCO (SFC) in a derogatory, belittling and denigrating expressing her personal feelings toward such SFC. Since this is to get get a general consensus of what should be done, I would like to leave out names and places out but can include that the CPT's comments towards the SFC included: "you are a sorry a$$ excuse of an NCO", " you are the biggest piece of $hit I know" and continued to go on not just about such Senior NCO but included the family members.
Considering that if this was a lower to an NCO doing this, the Soldier would be crucified. If this was an NCO to an officer?, someone would be out of a job.
I heard one day that the moment you lose your bearing you lost the argument. So the SFC did the right thing by keeping professionally quiet and bringing up to the supervisor. Situation is now: such CPT has gone around telling Soldiers how "she ripped in to this SFC with a grin"...
What would be some appropriate ways to handle this situation?
Thank you,
-RP Staff
Recently was involved in an one way exchange with a CPT in which she directed towards a Senior NCO (SFC) in a derogatory, belittling and denigrating expressing her personal feelings toward such SFC. Since this is to get get a general consensus of what should be done, I would like to leave out names and places out but can include that the CPT's comments towards the SFC included: "you are a sorry a$$ excuse of an NCO", " you are the biggest piece of $hit I know" and continued to go on not just about such Senior NCO but included the family members.
Considering that if this was a lower to an NCO doing this, the Soldier would be crucified. If this was an NCO to an officer?, someone would be out of a job.
I heard one day that the moment you lose your bearing you lost the argument. So the SFC did the right thing by keeping professionally quiet and bringing up to the supervisor. Situation is now: such CPT has gone around telling Soldiers how "she ripped in to this SFC with a grin"...
What would be some appropriate ways to handle this situation?
Chain of Command
JAG
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 258
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Approach the Chain of Command first, go up the Chain if nothing happens, then go to the IG.
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This is entirely inappropriate for Captain to act like that, even if the SFC is a poor NCO. The Captain must never serve in a command position.
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Well, sorry to say this was how it seemed to be when I came in in the 70's. But, without the comments about the NCO's Family. That crossed the line.
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There are many approaches I would take,but as soon as the CPT started referring to my Family that takes it form being a professional conversation to being a personal interaction. At that point I would have ended the conversation and informed the 1SG that I would be making an IG complaint regarding the CPT and the lack of professionalism and personal attack.
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Sounds like that NCO could be ROAD and long overdue for a stern taking to. This is why I hart a peacetime military. We concern ourselves with all the wrong things. Mission, that's the only thing that matters.
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I would report as soon as you could and as mentioned previous ok document as much as you can. If I were the NCO, I would have taken the yelling right up o the point where my family was brought into, then I would have spent the night in jail.
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Embarrassed as a fellow CPT. How many times has any given senior NCO made me look good when I did not deserve it? More than the grains of sands of Myrtle Beach! I have watched those same NCOs turn around and make mistakes. The answer isn't to rip them but to cover down on them as we're partners in the same fight - taking care of our soldiers so that they can execute my bosses' intent.
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No officer has the right to publicly rip anyone in that manner. This is certainly a chain of command issue that I am more than sure would get resolved. Personally, I would request a meeting with said officer and the sergeant major to address issues of professionalism. If the SFC is out of standards then that can be addressed too, but there is a way to resolve this without it being an IG issue. Now, if said captain continues to be critical of family members, then that is out of line and has other consequences that I'm sure the captain wouldn't like. Bottom line: The captain and SFC need to be grownups and find a way to agree to disagree. This should not escalate any further.
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Definitely chain of command. I had a similar incident with a major in 1991. The major (also my boss) was screaming at me in the hallway of our squadron over decisions I had made in his absence while I was left in charge of the division while he was TDY. I immediately went to his boss (squadron commander) and told him I refuse to be treated like that. The commander asked me to stay calm and carry on. The major was fired the following day. For the rest of the story, see the Sep 1991 entry in Military Experiences in my profile.
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Having experienced similar situations in the past, I believe the best route to go is to use the CofC. If I were the SFC, I would start by having a conversation with my SGM/CSM. Bring out all the points and ask that the SGM/CSM discuss this with the CPT's relevant SGM/CSM if the CPT is in another unit. If same unit, I would let the SGM/CSM discuss with the Commander and let the Commander deal with the CPT. Nothing gets an obnoxious, self indulgent Captains attention like an 06 who will scorch them. Totally uncalled for!
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Wouldn't that depend upon whom you are complaining against? If the situation involves a person who is within your immediate unit structure, I say that requires a direct chain of command inquiry and resolution. If it, say, involves a high ranking officer and the issue is very volatile or has a detrimental impact to the operational integrity of a much greater expanse of personnel, a ship's entire crew or a brigade, for example, might need to navigate that complaint to an outside entity designed specifically to handle that kind of situation, the Office of the Inspector General. My vote, anyway.
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Thanks Carlos, What a great example of RP's value to SMs. SSG Carlos Madden That is a major breakthrough and should be promogulated throughout the RP and service community!
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It's unfortunate that these situations happen, yet are becoming far too common. The best action for the SFC to take is to bring this behavior up to the 1SG and the CSM and get them involved. While I have seen a CPT or two attempt to go off on a CSM, usually the Battalion Commander is near by and he/she tends to nip this behavior. If this action fails, the SFC would be in his right to bring charges against in the CPT in a formal complaint due to her inflammatory comments that sound as though they are being stated in front of Junior Enlisted. While the IG can get involved, I believe the above courses of action are better suited to this scenario for faster resolution.
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SSG Carlos Madden I agree, "the moment you lose your bearing you lost the argument". The SFC did the right thing. How to handle the subsequent comments by the CPT are debatable. What she said cannot be unheard and it undermines the authority of the NCO within the unit. I think the SFC could make a reasonable argument the CPT's actions are detrimental to the good conduct and morale of the unit. Go to IG Just my two cents.
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My thought was a good response to such is to simply say. "Thank you. I do my best to go where my leaders show I should go."
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You are pretty well stuck with the COC and the CAPT knows it. The COC might give you lukewarm mouth-service but investigate? who knows. Were there any witnesses? Your First Sgt will certainly love taking this to the CO. The CO will/may try to assuage your feelings, rationalize the misbehavior or recommend you avoid the offender for awhile. If the incident is later brought to the CAPT's attention informally ("heads up so & so is bad mouthing you") she will be embarrassed and make it a point be more careful the next time she chews out someone, and to get back at you in any way she can in the future. As COL Jean (John) F. Burleson says if you go to the IG or such they will only buck it back to your brigade-type commander(05 or 06), who will also be embarrassed and made to look bad, to handle. Pls let RP know what you decide to do and how this works out for future reference..
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Always utilize the Chain of Command and NCO Support Channel.
If these statements we made in the presence of other Soldiers that is unacceptable.
Do not retaliate verbally or physically. This will nullify any complaint you have to whomever you make it to.
Documentation! From hence forth, make a log of situations in which similar statements are made to you or others. Just like counseling a Soldier, if there is no paper trail, the actions will not be considered without the documentation.
Do not provoke the CPT in question. Make it a point to steer clear and go about your business with as little interaction as possible.
Hope these suggestions help.
If these statements we made in the presence of other Soldiers that is unacceptable.
Do not retaliate verbally or physically. This will nullify any complaint you have to whomever you make it to.
Documentation! From hence forth, make a log of situations in which similar statements are made to you or others. Just like counseling a Soldier, if there is no paper trail, the actions will not be considered without the documentation.
Do not provoke the CPT in question. Make it a point to steer clear and go about your business with as little interaction as possible.
Hope these suggestions help.
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