Trouble with a junior enlisted soldier. Any advice?

The Army doesn't require Soldiers to carry cell phones; therefore, your text messages or calls mean nothing in the long run. My advice: assign the task. Tell him that when complete, he returns to you. If he doesn't.. 4856. Have corrective actions for the offense.. Then on the next issue, CLOSE OUT the previous counseling and continue the process. Become smart (not by Google or wiki) on regs like 'separations, UCMJ, flags, and the like. Seek the help of your closest PSG. If not available, open door the 1SG. But before all this, ask those open ended, fact finding questions to hopefully find the true source of the issue and ESCORT him to the appropriate military assistance office. Good luck!

Along with the counseling that everyone's mentioned, so some research to be better informed. Talk with other NCOs in the soldier's sphere of influence to see if these issues have preceded your promotion or assignment.

There may be outside circumstances that are influencing the negative behavior that needs to be addressed.

Seek input from PSG, 1SG, and a junior enlisted peer that you trust and may provide a point of view from that level

What I did with my worst no call/no show 'problem soldier' was a process in counseling statements. Gave initial counseling, problem started, next counseling statement laid out the consequences for next issue. Happened again, took 1 UTA from the soldier, the plan laid out the next steps as 2 UTA's, 4 UTA's, then separation. After the first UTA went missing from the soldiers check, never had another issue. Soldier became a valuable part of the company and went on deployment.

Your the NCO you bring him in for remedial training and put it in writing then you stay there until he is done. If he lives off post move him into the barracks then you PT him until someone in his family dies.

SGT, I assume from your post you are having 2 separate issues...#1 command and control during drill #2 sufficient communication between drills.
#1 is pretty straight forward. Counsel on expectations first and then counsel when he/she doesn't live up to your expectations. You could also have them report directly to you however often you need. Try holding squad formation after lunch or at 1400 to get a compass check on your folks.
#2 is more complicated. Again, During your initial counseling session, you can manage expectations by laying out your communication standard for between drills. Remember that between drills the soldier has other responsibilities outside the military and your authority is greatly limited. That said, most soldiers understand that some communication is necessary to ensure readiness and unit success. Discuss with the soldier what is reasonable....weekly or bi-weekly email or text etc. Perhaps a team phone call 3-5 days before drill to make sure everyone is tracking upcoming events, packing lists, schedules etc. I'd start there and if you're not getting results, document through counseling and take the issue to the squad leader...section sergeant etc. It's great that you're concerned and willing to take action appropriately. Good luck!

He's testing your AUTHORITY SGT. Hit him hard then reel him back in. Just my thoughts... To give you proper guidance I would have to give you a face to face counseling myself. However if you are relying on smart devices as a main way to communicate please fix that. I understand things may change after C.O.B and we can't argue over spilled milk, but understand that texting shouldn't be replaced with face to face because you are trying to give Soldiers time because it will bite you in the end.

The first thing that comes to mind is how the use of counseling instantly resolves these types of situations. Counseling is the most important tool available for a Non Commissioned Officer to be successful. ATP 6-22.1 depicts the types of counselings leaders can use to get their intent across. Write down and map out your expectations, goals and standards of communication for this Soldier. Give the Soldier a timeline of when you expect this change to take place and if the Soldier does not improve then you can utilize these DA 4856s as packets for separation or a Summarized Article 15.

I see lots of good advice being offered here. I'm not sure I can add anything new or relevant but here's what I'd try in your place:

1. Sit the PV2 down for an honest feedback/counseling session
2. Make sure s/he understands your exact expectations of them
3. Make sure they understand the consequences of failing to meet those expectations
4. DO point out the things s/he is doing correctly and emphasize your appreciation for those actions
5. Find out what s/he expects from YOU as a leader
6. Document, document, document. Did I mention document?

We've all had that one problem troop we have to deal with. It may be as simple as finding out what motivates that individual. I had a troop once that all it took to get them to square away was for me to walk by every now and then and say, "Hey. Great job on this". Get to know your troops. You might be pleasantly surprised at how easily they can be turned around.

Thanks for all the advice. It was all very well received. Thanks again.

Have you completed an initial counseling on that Soldier? If you have or not, go ahead and do another counseling statement outlining what is expected of him. Obviously, he is young and he needs some maturing to do. I do not think you need to come down hard on him, yet. Help him grow professionally and personally. Find out what was his home life like. I am willing to bet, he treats the same way he treated his parents when was living at home. You must also have him realize, this is the real world where we must act like adult but conduct ourselves as Soldiers.