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?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 258
Definitely Chain of Command 1st. In my opinion the only reason the IG should even be involved in this is if the CoC doesn't do anything.
I've always been of the mind you praise in public and take a$$ chewing's private.
From what I can gather from reading, it was done in public and that to me is a big he$$ no. Sounds like the Capt. needs some counseling on how to handle herself in public. Then the CoC needs to ensure she gives a class to the entire unit on how to conduct yourself in a military manner with special emphasis while in a public setting.
I've always been of the mind you praise in public and take a$$ chewing's private.
From what I can gather from reading, it was done in public and that to me is a big he$$ no. Sounds like the Capt. needs some counseling on how to handle herself in public. Then the CoC needs to ensure she gives a class to the entire unit on how to conduct yourself in a military manner with special emphasis while in a public setting.
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Oofda. My recommendations is to get everything documented and go through the Chain of Command, and keep going higher until this CPT is squared away.
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I’m sure this was asked “What did the SFC do?”
I’ve heard similar things said about a SNCO/Officer using grade and position to get into a lower enlisted soldiers pants.
From a SFC to a PV2 who was caught drinking with his buddy on guard(the buddy was passed out in the snow) in Kosovo.
Any number of Team Leaders and SPCs being the cocaine connection in the barracks resulting in major combat power loss due to chapters.
No CPT should be smirking and bragging about cutting into anyone(if they deserved it or not) Actions like that degrade the Officer Corps.
On the other hand, I have found myself wanting to confront a SNCO for bringing discredit on the Corps of Non Commisioned Officers by being unprofessional, arrogant, insubordinate and/or insulting because of last nights bender and this mornings coffee recharge(preferably in the wood line or behind the dumpsters)
I’ve heard similar things said about a SNCO/Officer using grade and position to get into a lower enlisted soldiers pants.
From a SFC to a PV2 who was caught drinking with his buddy on guard(the buddy was passed out in the snow) in Kosovo.
Any number of Team Leaders and SPCs being the cocaine connection in the barracks resulting in major combat power loss due to chapters.
No CPT should be smirking and bragging about cutting into anyone(if they deserved it or not) Actions like that degrade the Officer Corps.
On the other hand, I have found myself wanting to confront a SNCO for bringing discredit on the Corps of Non Commisioned Officers by being unprofessional, arrogant, insubordinate and/or insulting because of last nights bender and this mornings coffee recharge(preferably in the wood line or behind the dumpsters)
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I would inform my 1sgt and proceed to contact my sargent major in order to get the battalion commander involved. That specific action will guaranteed an outcome regarding the conduct unbecoming an officer on the CPT's part. use the change of command always.
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I surmise that a person that had a good formal education with knowledge of psychology and social skills may use those skills to undermind the person taunting them.. I believe though that person better have me more than “just some” knowledge but to have a lot of it, because it might backfire on them and they be in deeper than they want to be.. So the best deal is follow the chain of command and let them deal with the bully. What I
know is what common sense taught me and to let the professionals handle it..
know is what common sense taught me and to let the professionals handle it..
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Always give your chain of command a chance to handle a situation. You can cause major problems if you don’t.
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Through the Chain of Command. If you go to the IG you'd be on the CO's S*** List for going over his/her head. Even the few times (twice) I went over my COs head I insured he knew it in advance and that he knew why. The bottom line is this CPT (or Navy LT) was dead wrong and was just trying to establish herself in the pecking order. I once heard a female National Guard BG give a USA CW5 an order to which the CW5 looked at her and said "Are you out of your rabbit ass mind?" She laughed at him and said well I thought I'd try to give you an order. The BG was the CW5's wife.
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Chain of Command first unless the issue is the chain of command give them a chance to fix it
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SSG Madden--Take this to your 1st Sergeant, and let him deal with it through the unit commander. If it's the commander doing this, the 1st Sergeant should speak to the Sergeant Major. In this way a subordinate officer will be counseled for their conduct toward NCO's. Don't directly interject yourself into this situation. Let the people above you deal with it. In the long run it works out better that way
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Always start with the COC... if there is a conflict there, I would suggest talking with your EO representative.
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Always start with the lowest form of resolution possible. An IG complaint would be jumping the gun a little bit. Don't blindside the entire command.
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I've known a few officers and NCO's in my day who did the same thing. They immediately lost respect in the eyes of those around them, both above, equal to and below. Because they lost their military bearing, those in their immediate chain of command found them to be unable to properly lead. While not knowing the entire situation, I can surmise that this officer either had the ego of rank complex, was trying to address a negative situation without proper understanding of how to do so, or just has no idea of how to be a strong and effective leader.
There are many discipline and codes of conduct issues in our military and there always has been. A good leader uses tact and diplomacy to correct any given situation. To use bearing such as this is to show weakness and lack of respect for the individual they are addressing.
I would hope that in retrospect this officer realized that aggressive action is not always the most effective, especially when trying to lead by example.
There are many discipline and codes of conduct issues in our military and there always has been. A good leader uses tact and diplomacy to correct any given situation. To use bearing such as this is to show weakness and lack of respect for the individual they are addressing.
I would hope that in retrospect this officer realized that aggressive action is not always the most effective, especially when trying to lead by example.
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Get the a tuall specifics. Maybe she was right, if not she EEDS to be counceld, possibly lose command if she has again if circumstances warrant ut atleast re-trained on how to and when repremand a SFC...... as they were probably older and in the Army yrs longer than the Captain. Nkt enough info to actually give full opinion, just a short summization of what should bappen. But FIRST more info.
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The Marines on this post are out there bad! Lol! Especially the navy guy... I always new there are clicks in upper level officer core that hate some folks! And would conspire to throw folks overboard! Just saying!
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The Captain must be having personal issues. Some task may be so simple.. When confronted with an inability to professionally accomplish a simple task, when already upset, anyone would snap.
All that could happen, since there was not any physical violence, is a reprimand or a simple apology.
I want to know why he snapped!
Although, his reaction was unprofessional
All that could happen, since there was not any physical violence, is a reprimand or a simple apology.
I want to know why he snapped!
Although, his reaction was unprofessional
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They have been teaching us to confront the person one on one and then if things escalate then you should use the CoC but with it being someone higher ranking than you I would personally talk to the CoC
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Forgive my presumption as a Junior Enlisted, but I've held rank in excess of my position and I just want to make the point that "behind closed doors anything goes." I've had nasty, epic, knock down, drag out conflicts with leadership before. We've gotten heated. Said F-'D up, nasty things to each other and still worked things out and come to a satisfactory conclusion but that's only possible when you separate the personal aspect of the confrontation/counseling from the professional development aspect. I mean... who cares how it's said the fact that "it" needs to be said indicates that there's room for improvement on one end at least that's what the focus should be, not petty, whiny butt-hurt.
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Unfortunately this is where friendly fire comes from. Whether on the battle field or on the home front. You can't treat your subordinates like this and expect them to have your back
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That capt was unprofessional as hell and lost respect of any witnessing this. It will get up the chain of command...always does
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