Should NCOs have their power to deal with their squad returned to them? Should they really be allowed to handle things at the lowest level?

I've read some comments on here and it seems the higher up the chain, the more they want to know what is going on. I will say this to those people, no, you don't need to know everything, you promoted these people to be NCOs for a reason, if you don't trust them, don't promote them, furthermore, we don't need some private straight out of basic getting Art. 15 for spitting on the sidewalk when his/her NCO could have made an on the spot correction. And no you don't need a written counseling for every little infraction, that is just leaderships way of screwing over an otherwise good soldier.

CPL Wichman - to me I want nothing more than Team Leaders and Squad Leaders solving problems - as many of them as possible. However, you'd have to be more specific about you not being able to handle problems at your level. I expect to be informed on the discipline of the Soldiers in the Platoon, and your Squad.

When I am working with the PSG to develop the Platoon's NCOs, I want to know how they wish to solve the problems in their Squad - and challenging them to think about all of the options they have available to enforce discipline in the ranks. Often a brand new CPL or SGT's "react to contact" method may not be the right answer, and our PSG understands he has to grow them now that they've put on the stripes. These small disciplinary fractions then become a developmental moment for young NCOs as well as for the Soldiers in the Squad. It also serves as development for me as a Lieutenant because I am learning the leaders and Soldiers in the Platoon and how they solve problems - and how the Platoon Sergeant builds our NCOs. Would you consider this breathing down your neck?

If by 'breathing down your neck', you mean that you want to handle corrective training and problem solving without anyone asking what you are doing - then you are asking for leadership that is disengaged. If you are asking to have more input in what action is taken against one of your Soldiers when he needs to receive corrective training, or punishment, then your concern is more with your immediate chain of command than the actual Army system.

First of all, remember the UCMJ and the how and whens. Second, your authority is limited, very limited. I as a PS expect to be kept informed on all discipline matters in my platoon, no matter how slight. If one of my SL is having a problem, I expect him to inform me of it, and in our talk I'll ask if "you got it or not", and let you know I've got your back. I expect it to be documented properly, and kept up dated on the situation. I'm not going to get in your weeds, but I'm not going to let you fail.