Taking care of Soldiers: whose job is it?

2014-09-01T23:39:36-04:00

I know what my answer is. It is everyone up and down the chain. It is every NCO's and officer's job to ensure that Soldiers are taken care of.

However, I have constantly heard "that is NCOs business, Sir" or "taking care of Soldiers is NCOs' job". Where does that leave officers in the picture? Who is there to take care of NCOs?

Believe it or not, not ever NCO can take care of themselves and/or their Soldiers or choose to do so. Officers are there to support and ensure that their NCOs are taken care of as well as their Soldiers. Hence why officers should eat last, not the 1SG or CSM, but the officers.

Just my thoughts. What are yours?

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Sep 2 at 2014 5:06 AM

2014-09-02T05:06:05-04:00

Since I became a WO, I have run into Senior NCOs who have asked me to back off because it was no longer my lane to take care of Soldiers. I generally do, but when I see that the NCO is either not taking care of the Soldier or is taking advantage of them, I basically go into attack mode. I was an NCO for 8 years so I can't really shake what I learned during that time. I don't stand for NCOs mistreating their Troops, and I act accordingly. Some stuff isn't in my lane and I get that, but some stuff is. I have stepped in when I have seen personal grudges keeping otherwise qualified Soldiers from being promoted and I have gotten those Troops the stripes they earned.

Officers shouldn't be discounted because we don't wear stripes. I wore them longer than most of my NCOs have been in the Army so I kind of know what I am talking about.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 10:39 AM

2014-09-02T10:39:31-04:00

I totally agree with you Sir,

Let me give you my quick bio. I am a new commissioned officer thanks to the Green to Gold Active Duty option. As a NCO, I prided myself on having a backbone that was never afraid of telling anyone, no matter what rank they were that if something was wrong or out of place to fix it. When I see something wrong now as a officer, and I try to correct the action, I get "Sir, you need to stay in your lane" I kindly and tacitly call that NCO or whomever that told me that, and ask "if it's not my lane and it's yours, why did you let the situation come to where it currently is at?" They never have a response. I feel like this, no matter what it is, who it is, if you see wrong, correct it, and prevent it from being a A: casualty B: a Bad knock against the Army C: a point of no return. I say that we are all responsible. A Soldier who turns their backs to wrong doing, is just as liable, so if I see a Soldier, NCO, Officer doing wrong, I will correct it!!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 2 at 2014 12:09 PM

2014-09-02T12:09:27-04:00

While it has traditionally been an NCOs job to ensure that the soldiers under his or her charge are taken care of, it is ultimately a LEADERSHIP responsibility. If you are a leader (Officer, NCO, Warrant, makes no difference) it is your responsibility.
Now.. when it come to the care and maintenance of 2LTs; that is NCO business! lol!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 8:16 PM

2014-09-02T20:16:48-04:00

I don't believe in the premise of "It's NCO Business." That is like saying to your mom that it is me and daddy business. If left unchecked a PSG will unwittingly curtail the power of the PL and step out of his lane. I am always check them when I hear this. I would much rather hear "Hey Sir, this is what happend........ We are taking care of this." I will merely let that NCO handle this. But there are times when I was asked about a soldier from my CO and I never knew the issue. When questioning around I was told that it was NCO business.

Times like this I revert to my civilian experience in management. When would you ever tell your boss that it is not his business. To be honest the PL is incharge of the platoon. At the least the NCO should have the courtesy of talking to the PL. I had a situation that a soldier got screwed because of an NCO doing something that he didn't realize the consequences.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 2 at 2014 9:29 PM

2014-09-02T21:29:54-04:00

I agree that taking care of Soldiers is the NCO's job. Where the Officer fits in is making sure that the NCO's are doing their jobs. For NCO's that aren't, you take care of business. For NCOs that are, you just sit back and let the magic happen.

Honestly, if the term "NCO Business" ever comes out of my mouth, the above is how that works...at least in my world.

Which pretty much fits with what you just said, LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 3 at 2014 7:28 AM

2014-09-03T07:28:30-04:00

I agree with LTC Private RallyPoint Member, it is both O & E business to take care of lower enlisted SMs. A lot of great points have been made here! IMHO the NCO is there to see to the day to day individual issues and there are times when some SM and discipline items fall into the "Sir/Ma'am, I got this" category, so long as the NCO makes you aware of the issue and its resolution. It's also an O's business to not leave themselves in the dark, look around. look at records, talk to your Es, look for trends/patterns. Your SNCOs are your right hand and as the old saying goes, "if the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" then the situation needs to be addressed.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 7:52 AM

2014-09-03T07:52:41-04:00

First off, the soldier has to take care of him/herself. I've seen to many times where the soldier wants everything done for him/her, we cannot hold their hands everyday. The NCO's in my unit will ensure that the soldier is doing what need to be done in getting things accomplished (mission, duties, family, personal, ect...). A soldier who takes care of him/herself seems to have a more sense of accomplishment and responsibility. Seems to be working at A Co 777 ASB (ASLT), my NCOs are making some fine JR. Enlisted and JR NCOs.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 3 at 2014 9:31 AM

2014-09-03T09:31:03-04:00

Truth be told, it starts with peers and then every single person above another rank has in my opinion an inherent responsibility to look after those of lower rank and experience. Do you have to be a direct supervisor in order to take care of a Soldier, Airman, Marine or Sailor? I think not. Warrant Officers typically have no one working FOR them or under them in aviation, but I would be derelict in duty and the Army Values if I did not take care of Soldiers. Frankly speaking if anyone is in trouble or needs help regardless or rank, I do what I can to assist and take care of things that need to be done.

From a service perspective, we all should take care of folks regardless of rank. If you work in the administrative section, take pride in what you do and service the Soldiers and Officers who require your assistance. It goes a long way and folks remember the professionalism and courtesy one extends to them.

That's my two cents as it has worked for me the last few decades.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 7:05 PM

2014-09-03T19:05:59-04:00

Sir,

I agree with you, it is everyone in the chain's job. "Mission, Men, Me". Obviously it gets complicated when we have "E's" and "O's" that cannot take care of themselves.

You are spot on about chow, juniors eat first and work up the line.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 8:24 PM

2014-09-03T20:24:46-04:00

Spot on, Sir.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 3 at 2014 9:22 PM

2014-09-03T21:22:46-04:00

CPT Brian Maurelli,
I agree. It is everyone's responsibility. In my experience, I try to let the NCOs handle the day to day business, but I've never considered it beneath me to lend an ear or a shoulder to a Soldier who needs it. And yes, because I'm female, and some men that I've served with do not feel comfortable correcting another female, especially on the uniform or such, I have jumped in to assist where needed.

The simply fact is, the best years of my career were when I had the opportunity to work with Soldiers. Its all just a matter of knowing when you are needed and when you are not. I normally let my NCOs handle the business of taking care of Soldiers, and I took care of my NCOs so they could do their job. In other words, I made sure they knew I had their back, but I would discipline if I needed to. And yes, I do eat last. :-)

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 2 at 2015 4:29 PM

2015-01-02T16:29:05-05:00

In my opinion depends on what stage of your career. If you are brand new soldier, it is the duty of the first-line supervisor to teach you the ropes and make sure you are mentored well. As you rise up through the ranks, especially NCOs and officers, only you can be responsible for taking care of your own career.

It is still the duty of higher-ranked NCOs and Officers to help guide and mentor, but in the end nobody can do it better than you can. I have seen officers who were vigilant in making sure their OPFM, DA photos, ORBs, and other important docs are updated, and those who barely cared. When it came time to promotions, the former got things done quicker while the latter complained that they were being shafted.

I don't deny that some do, it is the nature of a large bureaucracy, but in the end I really believe that taking the initiative and being proactive are key to being taken care of, and taking care of others!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-01-02T18:41:39-05:00

It's a team effort, but I believe it starts at the very top at the Pentagon.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jan 2 at 2015 6:37 PM

2015-01-02T18:37:59-05:00

Leaders and everyone that stands to your left and right

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 7:46 PM

2015-01-02T19:46:00-05:00

Everybody does, its just at different levels, Junior Enlisted take care of them by being a good battle buddy. Team Leaders should have the biggest job in this, slowly climbing down to Squad Leader, PLT SGT, 1SG..... Officers take care of em be ensuring NCOs are actually doing what they are suppose to and provide additional help/guidance as needed. The TL and SL though should be doing the bulk of this work, BUT THATS NOT TOO SAY OTHERS (PL'S, CO'S, PLT SGT, 1SG) DO NOT CARE...that's usually everyone's argument with this when there is a caring contest going on

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 3 at 2015 4:59 AM

2015-01-03T04:59:00-05:00

I had a platoon leader who had an education in nutrition. I had a few Soldiers that had poor eating habits. Sure, I can give them some great advice but my PL gave them better advice and with information to back it up to why eating healthy was important with technical information. I facilitated their eating journals for him, and he evaluated the Soldiers' eating habits and gave them pointers and advice. Was it NCO business? Yes, my Soldiers health and well-being is my responsibility but my PL was a good resource to turn to because of his education, training, and of his on experiences so I employed him to help me.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-01-03T13:08:44-05:00

Its a team effort. Everyone needs to be involved when it comes to taking care of soldiers from Battle Buddies, NCOs, Warrants, Officers and civilians. I think we get short sighted and limit soldiers to being E-6 and below, but its all of us.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Jan 4 at 2015 12:29 AM

2015-01-04T00:29:45-05:00

Everyone should look after each other.

Lord knows once you get out, it's tough to find anyone -- including government agencies -- that will.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-01-06T14:40:39-05:00

Gentlemen,

I am pleased to see such earnest effort from the place holders. There are two parts of this.

First and most importantly The military is a dynamic system it has to operate in balance. Officers are managers, (only platoon leaders are called 'Leaders' for a reason) they are responsible for the long term planning and management of the force. To that end they do spend time in direct control of troops, but the vast majority of their career is conducting long term operations and coordinating with other officers.

NCOs are leaders. NCOs are directly responsible for a job and people doing that job. On a construction site the officers make the plans and buy th e land and ensure the materials are delivered. NCOs ensure the cuts are straight and the plans are followed and the workers are doing their job.

As a junior officer you do not have the experience to to make sure the cut is straight. Seriously the CPL has more direct experience in doing the job than you do. However this is a learning time. the lieutenant should be seeing how the job is done and what will be expected to make that job happen.

In that case saying 'This is NCO business' is a polite way of saying that you need to put down the saw and back away from the board.

Secondly there are cases where you can not know what is going on. I am responsible for Low and middle justice, you get the capital cases. For example there is a rule about curfew being 2200, SPC Snuffy is late so he should be punished. Thee stated punishment is Article 15 and reduction in grade. I know that Snuffy was out with this girl he just met and that he is a great troop and his personal life has been crap. I will have him making power point slides and spreadsheets for the next week and probably some other duty.

If you come along and stick your nose in it I MUST have him article 15'd because the threat was made if you do not carry it out then your authority is undermined. I have seen it happen. This does not mean that I won't tell you later. However there are things that happen like the misplacement of 30 M40 protective masks that you don't need to know about. The army wants them tracked as sensitive items. I know that they disappeared on return from deployment. My boss knows why. We both know that the whole mask is Class 9 and so we have enough parts to put 30 together. When you walk by and we are putting together 30 Pro Masks and insist that it is not NCO business you are placed in a bad place.

Anyone who hears the conversation will know that either you are not enforcing regulations and that you (because as often as not we are protecting you) didn't catch the loss on the last inspection. If we just take care of it then later we can explain how we did it.

So translation, "NCO business" means:

This situation is delicate and I need a minute to handle it ask me later.

You don't want to know about this because then you would have to act.

What I am doing is not strictly within regulations and I would like you ask me in private or not at all.

And sometimes it means. "Sir you are about to cut off your and someone else's leg off could you put down the saw."

Most senior officers I know have learned to look at sicky, murky problems turn to us and say "Looks like NCO business to me. Call me when it is solved."

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jan 7 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-01-07T19:10:36-05:00

I believe it is the NCOs' jobs to take care of the junior enlisted, the SNCOs' jobs to take care of the NCOs, and the junior officers' jobs to help the SNCOs and NCOs and to seek help from SNCOs and NCOs when needed. The field grade officers should be concerned more with the big picture, they should trust that their Captains and below are taking care of things. But the first step in a enlisted member's line is their NCOs. That is where the care begins and in most cases should end. For more serious matters obviously a SNCO has to become involved and so on depending on the seriousness. But if a military personnel's issues go straight from them to an officer, there is obviously a chain of command issue as well as a trust issue.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-01-07T19:30:18-05:00

Mine