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?

2015-10-10T09:22:10-04:00

It seems more and more that an NCO cannot handle his troops without someone breathing down his neck about it. However, who SHOULD know that soldier better than any other leader? His NCO. So why not let that leader tend his soldiers his way? If it gets to a point that it needs to go above him then by all means, but got the most part, NCOS need to be allowed to lead and train their troops.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 10 at 2015 9:23 AM

2015-10-10T09:23:34-04:00

I am a big believer in solving things at the lowest possible level.... it shows trust in your subordinates

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 9:32 AM

2015-10-10T09:32:40-04:00

You need to be little more specific, The only authorized by law to punish is the Commander. Legally you can preform EMI, but to cover your ass, I would advise your Plt Cmdr/Plt Sgt and have prior counselling to back up you play.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-10-10T09:52:47-04:00

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.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 10 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-10-10T11:22:44-04:00

Of course. That being said, my last command made that nearly impossible, so I adapted and just handled everything at my level. Paid a pretty big price (career wise), but my section was the most efficient and we were the ones people came to with questions.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-10-10T11:54:31-04:00

Every situation is different. I also believe that each problem needs to be solve at the lowest level depending of the situation. Junior NCOs are not going to learn anything if you are always there breathing down thier necks telling them what to do. Oh course the PL, PSG and SL are always there for advice when needed. Is called professional development and taking care of your Soldiers.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 10 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-10-10T12:12:22-04:00

I think some parts of the Army has gone corporate, and there exist leaders who overstep their bounds because it makes them relevant.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-10-10T13:56:01-04:00

I agree with you it should be but NCOs have given away their power either do to incompetence or abuse of such power! When it comes to handling things at the lowest level it should not ever reach those over you because you should know your Soldiers. If I had a senior leader questioning or second guess every decision I made he doesn't need me! When it come to Soldiers in needs I doubt there is Mich a 2nd LT can teach you about life unless he was a prior NCO. When it comes to discipline that is another matter and should be handled accordingly!

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 10 at 2015 2:18 PM

2015-10-10T14:18:26-04:00

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.

Response by SSG Eric Eck made Oct 10 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-10-10T14:36:47-04:00

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.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 5:47 PM

2015-10-10T17:47:36-04:00

I am a big supporter of handling things at the lowest level. But what I have found out growing and getting mentored by people senior to me is that they want to know what is going on and to see if it is something they could use as a tool to mentor the junior NCO.. Some NCOs when they first pin on the stripes do not know how to separate themselves. There are some that get power hungry and end up in more trouble than the soldier they are correcting. You have to learn how to handle each situation differently, you have different soldiers and some respond differently than others so you have to take a look at what corrective action would best benefit that soldier for his crime. Seniors need to know what is going on with their Soldiers and NCOs underneath him or her so he or she knows what is going on in their platoon or company. Sometimes they will leave it alone other they might see something that younger NCO did not and use that as a mentoring situation to try to make that NCO better and look at every angle instead looking at the situation at one direction.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 8:32 PM

2015-10-10T20:32:58-04:00

These types of questions rise rather frequently on RP. It appears that your superiors don't trust you. I've seen a unit where that was culture (a terrible culture). Where I am now, my leadership makes it a habit to trust subordinates. I appreciate it, and do my best to use it, not abuse it.
All you can do, is self examine, ensure that you are trustworthy. Are other junior leaders empowered? If, it's not you, the only thing you can do is wait for a PCS, and remember how it feels, so that when you're a SFC or Top, you remember to empower you junior leaders.

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Oct 10 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-10-10T20:36:01-04:00

No really sure how you can't take care of your own squad when you are supposed to be in charge. Can you not counsel them and deal with them as their squad leader?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2015 9:51 PM

2015-10-11T21:51:57-04:00

Ncos should solve issues on the lowest level before its goes up the chain especially if its minor and easily to fix. Yes, it may be times where you might need advice from Senior Nco's but at the end of the day use that key advice or mentorship to solve squad issues at the lowest level.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 7 at 2015 5:52 PM

2015-12-07T17:52:13-05:00

I will share an example of old army leadership. A 2LT misplaced his side arm in a train that took off. He was punished by the battalion. The side arm was found and he retired with 4 stars.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 2 at 2016 1:12 PM

2016-03-02T13:12:23-05:00

A wise old SGT once told me when I was but a buck sergeant "when it comes to your Soldiers, the infamous "they" can only take away what you're willing to let go". So when they said in the 90's no NCOs in the barracks I went anyway, just changed my approach from inspecting to visiting. Same result, just that the Soldiers didn't feel threatened, "Clean your room" became gee snuffy folks would be more apt to visit you if your hootch was cleaner and didn't smell bad, result- snuffy cleaned his room. Fast forward to OIF/OEF era, Troops are killing themselves "oh my what can we do" ....Wander the area and visit with the troops see who's bummed out/ acting out and ask the tough questions. NCOs who bemoan the loss of power/ authority/ input loose it because they give it away.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made May 10 at 2016 7:23 AM

2016-05-10T07:23:48-04:00

CLP: I for one believe I was given my promotions to lead my crews, shops or branches. There is no need to take a man to the 1ST SGT for every small infraction. If a NCO can't handle the small stuff just how will he ever be able to handle the bigger picture. Maybe it was a difference time but I never had to take a man to the 1ST SGT because I couldn't handle the problem.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jun 15 at 2018 5:09 PM

2018-06-15T17:09:14-04:00

You have a chain of command and a support channel if there is a personnel problem. Someone will always be breathing down your neck no matter what NCO rank you are. Get your gear together and drive on! The two hardest ranks in the army are CPL and SGT depending on the MOS. It gets better the higher you go. However, even the SMA has someone to account to.