Posted on Mar 15, 2016
Should I report unprofessional behavior through the Chain of Command or an IG complaint?
111K
1.56K
468
33
33
0
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
0
0
0
From your comments, it appears that the SFC conducted himself professionally and then reported it up the chain of command. Why would you be getting involved, beyond giving a statement of your observations if asked to do so?
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Begin by routing a complaint through the NCO chain of concern (BN CSM) and get the CSM in on this. If the abuse can be proven then the Officer is guilty of conduct unbecoming.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
I see a lot of good advice from officers and NCOs in the comments.
If there is a need to address a problem NCO, I suggest they get some training from their MRT. The IDEAL model would apply here. Also, SMART applies to goal setting, but it also applies to criticism.
Having said that, if this CPT thinks they don't need NCOs, or consistently gets into NCO business, their career will likely be capped at MAJ (we tend to promote incompetence, sadly).
If there is a need to address a problem NCO, I suggest they get some training from their MRT. The IDEAL model would apply here. Also, SMART applies to goal setting, but it also applies to criticism.
Having said that, if this CPT thinks they don't need NCOs, or consistently gets into NCO business, their career will likely be capped at MAJ (we tend to promote incompetence, sadly).
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In this situation would document what happened then I would have a conversation with the first shirt and my supervisor about the situation and send it up the chain. If that did not work then I would swing over to the IG office.
1. Even if the Senior NCO was in the wrong she handled it wrong. There is never a good reason to bring up anyone's family.
2. If it was in public in front of junior service member it undermines the Senior NCOs authority on top of make her ineffective as a leader acting in such an unprofessional manner.
3. Her going around bragging to service member about how she chewed someone out is unprofessional and completely immature.
I think the commander will have a field day with her.
1. Even if the Senior NCO was in the wrong she handled it wrong. There is never a good reason to bring up anyone's family.
2. If it was in public in front of junior service member it undermines the Senior NCOs authority on top of make her ineffective as a leader acting in such an unprofessional manner.
3. Her going around bragging to service member about how she chewed someone out is unprofessional and completely immature.
I think the commander will have a field day with her.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
You shouldn't treat this CPT as a sniper nest and simply take it out and be done with it. I see a possibility for something much more interesting. While the story leaves out any sign of motive for the Captains behavior, This is were the real story is hidden and should be found. Romance gone wrong, one of them caught in a compromising situation, or is there a third persons involvement? This act is a indicator of a failing and subpar unit. For the CPT to think that they can talk with enlisted personal in this manner and convey this information shows a complete break down of the unit chain of command, as there is no way any respect can be earned. I believe that this should be taken to the 1SG or CSM first. They will know the best way to deliver the situation to the BN Cmdr. It is case study such as this, that make great training opportunities and I hope that what ever the resolution is, that not only is issue handled between the two individuals, but with the environment that allowed this to happen within the unit.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SSG Madden, I'm currently serving as a detailed IG and the comments below are spot on. It needs to be addressed through the CoC first. By CoC I mean the CPT's supervisor who I'm assuming is a BN-level commander. The BN-level commander, he or she may be, should have an open door policy where the SFC can go in and address his grievance. The SFC can go to the IG but again the IG will refer it to the command and since it's a CPT involved it will be the BN CDR. The IG can facilitate a meeting with the BN CDR on the Soldier's behalf. Hope this helps.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Chain of Command 1st, IG if that fails.
0
0
0
My initial response. If he took it, he probably is a POS. Still she (the CPT) took it too far.
I had one CPT try to curse at me. I stopped him in mid-sentence and said; "Captain, do not curse at me. I'm not your child." That was it and that was all it took.
I was never a POS, though. Not sure how I would react if a person tried to yell at me and was correct about me but rude about it.
I had one CPT try to curse at me. I stopped him in mid-sentence and said; "Captain, do not curse at me. I'm not your child." That was it and that was all it took.
I was never a POS, though. Not sure how I would react if a person tried to yell at me and was correct about me but rude about it.
(0)
(0)
LtCol Mac McCarty
That would have been the last thing you said to me before your court-martial, Staff Sergeant. Grow some and take it like a man.
(0)
(0)
SSG David Kaelin
And I'd have ended your career.
Be a man and treat people with dignity.
This Captain was in the wrong. I had him by the balls and he knew it. I'd have had you by the balls as well and you would have known it.
Officers are not Gods. Though many of you do seem to believe that you are.
The problem is that you never know who you are talking to and to whom that person might be related or to whom that person might be connected. This is not the old days when Enlisted personnel were uneducated and easy prey.
Be a man and treat people with dignity.
This Captain was in the wrong. I had him by the balls and he knew it. I'd have had you by the balls as well and you would have known it.
Officers are not Gods. Though many of you do seem to believe that you are.
The problem is that you never know who you are talking to and to whom that person might be related or to whom that person might be connected. This is not the old days when Enlisted personnel were uneducated and easy prey.
(0)
(0)
SSG David Kaelin
Oh...and I've been out of the Army for over a decade. I've seen Officers from the other side. I know how the system works. I know how you guys cover for each other. That veil was lifted long ago.
There are some Great Officers out there. There are also many duds. I wonder which one are you. From that ignorant statement, I can surmise. You are probably the reason that many good people leave the Service.
There are some Great Officers out there. There are also many duds. I wonder which one are you. From that ignorant statement, I can surmise. You are probably the reason that many good people leave the Service.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I know me as a person I would not have allowed this Captain to berate me in such a disrespectful manner especially if I had already obtained the rank of SFC. Obviously her CoC approved enough to give her good enough NCOER ratings to get her to this position. Many people suggest that this should go through the CoC but there are cases that the CoC covers the incident to avoid being publicly exposed or to protect that Captain. If this Captain was let’s say a Company Commander of mine I would definitely want this to go outside the CoC for the main fact this person possibly signs my NCOER’s, how convenient! I would want this to go on public record in order to avoid future endeavors with this individual. In a perfect world as Soldiers’ we should suck it up and move on but in the real world there are those individuals who hide behind the rank both on the NCO and Officer side of the house. These are the individuals that need to be taken behind the shed for wall to wall counseling. I will end this by saying I am concerned this SFC was unable to figure out how to file appropriate procedures against this Captain.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Officers like this one eventually self destruct, but they do a lot of damage before they get run out of the service. Always enjoy reading some of the Navy Times articles about some of the goofballs who got rolled up who were actually given command at sea. Those jobs are few and far between, and I'm always puzzled that no one identified those people as being unfit long before they were actually given a ship and crew to lead.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
I'm pretty sure my wife would have whipped her loud fat mouth butt just for s & g and I would have had to go on the carpet for that most eventful episode. But I'm old school and never had to deal with an 0-3 that ignorant.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
What was the action, what was done, there are pieces of crap out there that get thru the cracks and are on the well fear system. There are soldiers that do not need too be in. So as we say in asymmetric operations look at all angles befor you JDam the target.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The IG is not your friend. They aren't the commands friend either. If your punished unjustly or against regulations the IG is your route. First step is always chain of command. If this was an ass chewing and non punitive then you won't get much satisfaction from any outcome. Was the CPT wrong sure. Did it negatively impact your career? Document and take it one step higher.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
