Should we have a Sergeant's Request to match the Soldier's Request?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 23:51:43 -0500

When I was inducted into the NCO corps, I heard the Soldier's Request. For those of you who haven't heard or read it, Here it is.<div><br></div><div>A Soldier's Request:</div><div>Treat me with respect, Sergeant. For no heart in all the world is more loyal than the heart of an American Soldier. Do not beat my spirit with your words, Sergeant. For though I will do what you demand, your guidance, patience, and understanding will more quickly teach me to "Be, Know, and Do."</div><div><br></div><div>Speak with me often, Sergeant. For the praise and counseling you give is expected. I am an American Soldier, expecting to be trained. Discipline must be a part of my life. Train me for the elements, Sergeant. For I must learn to fight and win in the cold, the wet and the desert. Those who would be enemies will use these elements. I must be prepared.</div><div><br></div><div>I ask no greater glory, Sergeant, than to defend our country and our way of life, against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Allow me that privilege, Sergeant. Train me. Provide me the necessities of food and drink, Sergeant. Train me to be self-sufficient that I may lead the way and stand ready, willing and able to protect you, with my life if necessary, should your life be in danger.</div><div><br></div><div>Train me, Sergeant, that one day I too can be called Sergeant, trainer of Soldiers, backbone of the Army. Train me to accept those responsibilities that are yours. Train me to train my Soldiers to be the greatest defenders of freedom in the world. Sergeant, train me to be a Sergeant. I shall leave this Army knowing with my last step and my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. Sergeant, train me that I too can earn the title, "Sergeant."  - Frank M. McMahon, Sergeant Major</div><div><br></div><div>I propose the Sergeant's Request. What do you think?</div><div><br></div><div>The Sergeant's Request:</div><div>Trust me, Soldier. You have a mind and the will to be trained. I will tell you my highest truth if I know you are listening. Your trust is one of your most prized possessions; working to earn it makes me a better leader.</div><div><br></div><div>Follow me, Soldier, for the steps I take are taken more carefully if I know yours will follow. Personal sacrifices are easy but your safety I hold dear. Make them one and I will lead you as best I can.</div><div><br></div><div>Obey me, Soldier, not because you have to but because you want to. Your actions give my words power. A leader's influence is limited by the activity that leader can influence. Empower me so that I may use that power to your benefit.</div><div><br></div><div>Respect me, Soldier, because respect is a two-way street. It is given more easily to those from whom it is readily received. When you remind me what respect looks like, I can keep myself in line as well.</div><div><br></div><div>Soldier, I am a leader. Give me a Soldier to lead. I am at my best when you are at yours. Push yourself and thereby push me to be a better leader for you every day. I promise I will rise to the challenge.  - Marcus L. Tyler, SFC, USA</div>

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 20 at 2013 11:55 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 23:55:58 -0500

This a great thing for all new NCOs to learn and live by, it is was makes you a stronger and better leader in my opinion.

Thanks for sharing, happy holidays

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Jan 10 at 2014 2:02 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 14:02:15 -0500

I am far from an NCO, but this is inspiring. A creed does not inspire the outside group. A creed is personal, this request goes back to the very heart of the blue book, TRUST. This request is not soft by any means, it should be read during the intial counseling process in my opinion. It gives a soldier something solid to run with. This says to the soldier help me help you, but help me better myself in the process. This is a good beginning to counter act the development of toxic leadership by adding an additional layer of accountability from the ground up. Develop trust, and everything else falls into place.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 1:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 01:12:20 -0400

SFC Tyler, I had never even heard of the Soldier's Request. I like it though, and I think your Sergeant's Request is an outstanding accompaniment to it. Definitely going to use both of these.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 8:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 20:16:42 -0400

During the NCO Iinduction Ceremony we had today they had different soldiers from the crowd stand up and say one paragraph of this.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 9:10 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 21:10:15 -0400

I also had never heard of it until now. And to respond to your proposal, outstanding Sgt!

Response by SPC Michael Hunt made Mar 23 at 2014 12:05 AM

SPC Michael Hunt — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 00:05:18 -0400

No, NCO's make it happen... they don't need a request line... lol

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2014 9:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 21:28:40 -0400

I don't think it's a matter of should we or shouldn't we have one. The Soldier's Request exists because someone had the creativity to write it and share it. With social media today, your Sergeant's Request will become just as popular and familiar. I believe you did an outstanding job. It says just enough.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 4:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 04:34:57 -0500

Have any of you reflected on this since you read it the first time? Does it hold the same meaning as it did then?