Posted on Jun 16, 2019
SPC/Shop NCOIC being forced to pair up with new PVT in barracks?
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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?
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Barracks
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG Robert Perrotto - SSG, I suppose when you put it that way I don't really have a leg to stand on. I thank you for the wise words and guidance.
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SSG Brian G.
SGT (Join to see) - Ok, couple of things here. You signed the same basic contract as the rest of us. Just because someone in your unit told you that your day ends at say 1630 does not mean it does. You are in the army 24/7 and you are always on duty, just not always doing your job.
This mentality that your responsibilities should end when you log off for the day and hit your room is a bit nuts. Also, as to your private that is un-trained, that is the breaks of Army life sometimes. You work him in and with him as you can.
This private is not a child, do not treat him as such. You are the ranking person in that room. Give him an order to square his shit away and keep it squared away. Make sure your shit is squared away and carry on. If he cannot, then go to HIS NCO and make him aware of the situation and request action. IF nothing is done then step up the chain to his PSG, the First Sergeant Etc., someone will do something but you are likely not going to get out of the bunking situation until you promote.
This mentality that your responsibilities should end when you log off for the day and hit your room is a bit nuts. Also, as to your private that is un-trained, that is the breaks of Army life sometimes. You work him in and with him as you can.
This private is not a child, do not treat him as such. You are the ranking person in that room. Give him an order to square his shit away and keep it squared away. Make sure your shit is squared away and carry on. If he cannot, then go to HIS NCO and make him aware of the situation and request action. IF nothing is done then step up the chain to his PSG, the First Sergeant Etc., someone will do something but you are likely not going to get out of the bunking situation until you promote.
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SGM Robert Gentner
SSG Robert Perrotto - But is it HIS responsibility? Does the soldier work directly under him? Can't he go and wake the private up rather than live with him. I don't think the decision was well thought out. With logic and the right approach he may have the decision reversed.
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SSG Robert Perrotto
SGM Robert Gentner - SGM - If you decide that it is a Soldiers responsibility to influence and lead other Soldiers, then it is so. Command Authority gives you that power to determine, and grow, future leaders by placing them in positions of responsibility. If 1SG and the Commander has faith trust and confidence that this Supply Specialist can influence his room mate in a positive manner, utilizing Be, Know, Do, then they should try it. Responsibility is what Command decides.
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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.
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.
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Why ask us? Tell you chain of command what you just said here. Order a pair of balls soldier!
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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.
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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.
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SGT James LeFebvre
You got me thinking, there. It depends on how he's slotted, IF he's actually slotted in the MTOE in an NCO position, then he can make the case for a lateral appointment to CPL, which would at least solve the barracks issue.
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SGT Christopher Hayden
SGT James LeFebvre True, but there are some units out there that just don't bother with CPL. My first one never did (with an exception here and there but they preferred just to have the SPC in leadership positions be SPC)
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SGT James LeFebvre
SGT Christopher Hayden - I know, I've seen the same thing. It's always worth an ask, at least.
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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.
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.
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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.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Why in the world would anyone accept these living conditions. If you would allow your roommate to live like this no matter what your or their rank is; there are some underlying problems. if you cant address your roommate you are going to have problems after getting promoted.
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SGT James LeFebvre
SGT (Join to see) , one suggestion I have, piggybacks on my earlier comment above. When you speak to S-1, and look at where you are on the MTOE, if you are truly slotted in a position for a SGT or above, the case can be made that you should receive a lateral appointment to CPL. As you work for the XO, you can make a case to him using that, and if he agrees, he can drop a bug in the Co's ear about it, or make the case to your PSG, and he may agree and make the case to 1SG. Worth an ask, you never know. I know it doesn't change your pay, but at least it could help with the barracks issue.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSgt (Join to see) - SSgt, I said something to the individual in question almost every day. There really wasn't much to be done in that particular situation.
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