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
Definitely a punishable offense under the UCMJ, I would have recommended Court Martial and NOT article 15.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Does the CPT have an approachable boss? The question I am asking myself is what is wrong with her? I have ripped into Soldiers but it stays there and to include family is disgracefully unprofessional. I know that the officer corps is far from perfect but this does have to be dealt with or it does not stop, let your nco support channel know you are going to IG if she does not have a boss to put her in line and go from there.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Must be a bigger difference in times than I thought. When I was in, early-mid 90's, I observed a few Chiefs (E7) make a Lt. (O3), back pedal. The O1-O3 ranks would have VERY seldom, if ever, thought about trying to dress down a E7-E9!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Well first off, in respect to Unit Command Team working together to be an effective Command; I would have spoken to the Cpt offline and explain to her that she has created doubt in her ability to lead. Calling a SENIOR NCO in her unit clearly show toxic leadership. I will get back to this part later.
Next I would speak with the SENIOR NCO and ask him if he thinks she was right in which she did, and let him know that what took place was WRONG, plan and simple. And that I have spoken with her about her conduct, and that I will be speaking with BN Command Team about the incident. I would have him write out a detailed statement of what happened.
Then I would address the Unit as a whole squash any animosity toward my Cpt. Because unit cohesion is more important that personal pride.
As a leader, you have to remember that Soldier will NOT forget a Cpt berating a SENIOR NCO. Not to mention any fallout that may come from it. Could you imagine all the Soldiers undermining that SENIOR NCO and Cpt authority? It would be total chaos.
This is how would handle this situation if this happened in my unit.
Next I would speak with the SENIOR NCO and ask him if he thinks she was right in which she did, and let him know that what took place was WRONG, plan and simple. And that I have spoken with her about her conduct, and that I will be speaking with BN Command Team about the incident. I would have him write out a detailed statement of what happened.
Then I would address the Unit as a whole squash any animosity toward my Cpt. Because unit cohesion is more important that personal pride.
As a leader, you have to remember that Soldier will NOT forget a Cpt berating a SENIOR NCO. Not to mention any fallout that may come from it. Could you imagine all the Soldiers undermining that SENIOR NCO and Cpt authority? It would be total chaos.
This is how would handle this situation if this happened in my unit.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Chain of command needs to be utilized. The SFC needs to admit to any errors in his/her judgement/actions. IG should only be a last resort
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
If this was done in open forum than it needs to be reported. That is unacceptable no matter what the captain needs to be put in check.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
as a veteran myself, I would recommend you go to the CPT's superior.. privately and let him/her know what happened.. there may be circumstances that you may be unaware about, training, disrespect..etc.. let them know that it troubled you, and that is why you went to them. Respectfully, and with tact, let them know that if something isn't done to ensure this CPT isn't straightened out, you will continue to take it up the chain until its resolved. This does 2 things. 1. it keeps you from looking like you went around the "chain of command" (chain of command is vital in the military) and 2. Shows the CPT's boss that you are serious and want action. However, you going straight to the IG would diminish anything that the chain can do and bring in an outside entity into problems of your command that could possibly be handled within house..
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Report her dumb ass.. Or drop her name and unit here and Ill give her a piece of my mind. As I am sure there are a lot of others who would do the same.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Not much of an Senior NCO.I would have taken her Ass outside and finished the discussion.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Any "leader" that disrespects a link in the chain in front of others like that does not have the temperament to be entrusted with the sons and daughters of America.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
There is no excuse for such poor conduct, I have worked for very senior officers and they would not tolerate it. They apreciated the NCO corps way too much. As Squadron Chief, I would have a heart to heart conversation with that officer and if necessary ensure that leadership take the necessary steps against the Captain. My recommendation would be for the SFC to bring it up to their SGM. Disparaging the family is off limits!!!!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
This needs to be resolved quickly. These type of situations can divide the company/section into several different groups. Report this to the next higher and dig in. I hope both soldiers get what they deserve.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
There are always two sides to a story, and somewhere in there is the truth. At the end of the day, if the CPT continues in such a manner, she will not have the support of her senior NCO's, will eventually do something stupid again, and be left out to hang. We as NCOs are tasked with training our junior officers. Handle it at the lowest level. Privately talk and give new perspective to the JO which helps shape them for success moving forward and leaves them appreciating the advice their NCOs have to offer. If it doesn’t work, then go the IG route, because talking that way about a person's family is way off the reservation.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
If I was that NCO, I would take the "butt chewing" until when that CPT talk about family members. Right then and there, that CPT cross the line and I would turn around and give that CPT an butt chewing the NCO way telling that CPT do not ever talk about my family members, I would not stand for it period. Do not care what rank you are. You can say anything about me, but family members is way off limits. I would also bring this up to my COC (1st line supervisor, PSG, 1SGT, Company CDR) ASAP. I also agree with Col Joseph Lenertz
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Firstly, a junior or for that matter any officer shows disrespect to themselves and their troops by chewing out a senior noncom in public. Secondly, I don't know why an SSG would need advise on this matter as most I have known would have been sitting across from the Commander or Sgt Major asap on this issue. Lastly, families are out of bounds regardless of feelings toward an individual and she the Captain is lucky the individual retained their professional composure unlike her and didn't clock her ass.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
COC. Will need the CSM and BC to mediate. What the heck is the 1SG doing? I find it hard to believe he/she would let this dirty laundry out of the company AO. Family should always be off limits. Devil's advocate, is the senior NCO good to go? It seems like the CO might have been tolerant up to a point and then blew up. Still not a reason to involve the family or belittle the NCO.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
That's a pretty poor leader. CoC should definitely be utilized first to try to handle this at the lowest level possible. That is absolutely unprofessional and she is way out of line.
(0)
(0)
0
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 
