SPC/Shop NCOIC being forced to pair up with new PVT in barracks?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 15:48:20 -0400

Seeking advice or some general guidance: I am the Supply Sergeant in my unit, with one soldier underneath me. I am a single, 4 year SPC and I am going to the promotion board at the end of this month. My issue is as follows: I don’t have an NCO to fight on my behalf and I am being forced to switch barracks rooms and live with a private who seemingly can’t take care of himself. I am, for the most part, running the supply room on my own, as my soldier has not been properly taught and due to the change of command that we just went through, I haven’t been able to get him up to my speed. This leaves me in a stressful spot, as running a supply room with a screwed up property book and being charged to fix it isn’t exactly easy. My motivation these long days (and nights..) of work is the fact that right now i am able to come to my barracks room where I am the sole occupant and relax stress free without some messy private stressing me out further. The unit isn’t short of rooms; There are plenty of barracks rooms that don’t have anyone in them. Doesn’t being an NCOIC of a shop have any bearing on the E4 and below being paired up with a roommate thing, or do I need to suck it up and just wait to pass the board/BLC and get promoted?

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jun 16 at 2019 4:08 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 16:08:12 -0400

As much as it sucks, only actual NCO's rate their own rooms, If there is availability, you might have a case as you ARE the Supply NCO by virtue of the position you hold, but that is up to the discretion of your command. I have been out for 4 years, and the regulations and policy letters might have changed, but when I was serving, E-1 to E-4 Specialist were bunked together. Also, as the Supply Sergeant, even as an E-4, You work for the Company XO, So you do have someone to advocate for you, as long as you are respectful, truthful, and honest.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2019 4:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 16:57:41 -0400

Just to get it out of the way, I am in no way trying to weasel out of being a soldier, complain into getting my way or making myself out to be a special case. I've simply been in this position before and I'm not looking forward to the depression that follows suit: being the Supply Sergeant, forced to live with someone who simply doesn't or can't take care of themselves. It's truly depressing to work until 7 PM (when the rest of the company got released at around 430) to come home to a sink full of dishes that aren't yours and have been there for weeks, sweaty PT gear that you've never worn on the floor, stale milk in the fridge and you don't even drink milk, and the more you bring the issue up to your chain the less something is done about it.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 16 at 2019 8:19 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 20:19:14 -0400

Sorry bud, but you're still just a Joe regardless of the job you're filling. Your "NCOIC" status means nothing until you put on real stripes in the eyes of barracks regs. You might have had a fighting chance if you were a CPL, but as a SPC you're just that...a Specialist and right along side that cherry Private in the grand scheme of things.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 17 at 2019 9:49 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 09:49:07 -0400

I have seen squared away Soldiers in the barracks saddled with the screwups for a LONG time. Hell, back in the 90s, I was the Soldier they gave the screwups too. I know it is a burden. Yes, it sucks. BUT.. try flipping your mental script. The reason your unit has given you this bonehead as a roommate is that they believe you can be a positive influence. They are expressing a level of trust and confidence in your abilities and competence. Don't view it as a burden, but rather an opportunity.

I remember seeing the wisdom in the life advice posters that read "Strive to be the person your dog thinks you are." (Still good advice' IMHO). Here, you need to strive to be the leader your 1SG thinks you are.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 11:17 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 11:17:05 -0400

One of the benefits of being an NCO.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jun 19 at 2019 12:43 AM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 00:43:11 -0400

Ok, first off... you are not an NCO. You are not promotable, you are not a corporal. You are a Specialist that is in charge of supply. That is it. Sorry to break that to you so directly.

You don't rate special treatment because you are not an NCO even though you have been tasked with the responsibility of one. It is a-typical to have specialists bunking with lower enlisted. I did it, as I am sure many others have done it as they came up through the ranks. And I hate to break it to you, even when you become promotable the situation is not likely to change. Once you pin on either corporal or Sergeant, then yes you have legitimate grounds to take to command.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Jun 19 at 2019 4:37 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:37:38 -0400

See about being made an acting E5. Acting jack.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 11:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 23:25:35 -0400

I was a 28 year old corporal serving as a squad leader and a section leader and my roommate was a PV2 from another unit. BLUF, it can suck sometimes. Consider it one of those hard life lessons. Do what I did. Get promoted as fast as you can to where you can get on the OML and move out. Yes, I put up with a year of that dude and his girls coming over at all hours of the night and waking up at 0400 and stepping over naked bodies on the floor in the morning. But guess what. It was great motivation to do those correspondence courses to make points for promotion.

Response by SGM Robert Gentner made Jun 4 at 2020 2:12 PM

SGM Robert Gentner — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 14:12:41 -0400

Why ask us? Tell you chain of command what you just said here. Order a pair of balls soldier!