Posted on Sep 19, 2022
SSG Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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I am in the Army Reserve and this past weekend my unit and I went to the range. While at the range, I was told that one of my AGR E5 NCOs was being very disrespectful and unprofessional towards other NCOs and Officers while he was a range safety. Afterwards, my SFC supply sergeant asked him if he cleaned his weapon and he stated that he was not going to clean his MFing weapon. The SFC brought this to my attention and I said I would handle it. Later on, when I saw him again, I has him put away some items he was carrying and instructed him to bring his weapon while we walked to a secluded area. I had my LT platoon leader come with me. While I was doing this and trying to talk to him, he continuously interrupted me and was not treating me like his senior. I put him at the position of attention then told him to get in the front leaning rest position and he said he wasn't going to effing do that. I said great, let's go see the CSM. The CSM sided with him and said I escalated things too quickly (he said this with my E5 right there). He then said that he hold his AGR Soldiers at a higher standard than just a regular reservist. My brain was boiling... Doesn't take any consideration to my prior active time, my deployment, my rank, my leadership history.

I understand I might have escalated quickly but don't demean me in front my my Soldiers. I was going to have him in the front leaning rest while I calmly talk to him. I just wanted him to be uncomfortable while I explain what professionalism is and what the NCO Creed stands for and that I won't tolerate one of my NCOs disrespecting other NCOs or Officers.

Was I wrong in what I was doing? Am I too old school for today's Army? How could I have handled things differently? Now he probably thinks he is untouchable...

Update: So that individual got promoted and is awaiting transfer. He and I talked about what happened and he apologized for how he reacted. I just left it at that. I understand where I went wrong and if something like that happens again, I will be more prepared with having paperwork ready to escalate.

To give a little more insight on my unit, we are essentially the command part of a larger unit which we oversee. Similar to an HQ or HHC. It's hospital unit and we're the hospital center. Those of you who've been in a hospital unit, you probably understand the unique dynamic. With that being said, my position is basically the 1SG but with a squad sized element. My next higher up is the CSM, which is why I went to him instead of a 1SG.
Edited 2 y ago
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SFC Dennis Rodriguez
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Unfortunately, that's how the Army reserve works. That's a problem that is Army reserve wide so it doesn't matter if you move to another unit. I was an AGR so every unit I was assigned to I was the outsider. There are bonds, clicks, groups, or whatever you want to call it that are formed and the Soldiers within them are protected regardless of rank. I remember reporting a Soldiers insubordination to a CPT. The CPTs reply was that if he is lying it would the first time of him ever doing it. Essentially, he called me a liar. The E4 smirked and I just left it at that. I imagine they had a good laugh at my expense behind my back. Chose your battles and watch your back. You never know who you are dealing with in the Army reserve. Good luck.
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MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow
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No you were not in the wrong, I would have him up on insubordination charges and asked for article 15.
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SFC Jerry McLellen
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If your answer to a conflict with a NCO that is junior to you is to put him in the front leaning rest, that is not saying much about your leadership. Why should anybody care about your prior active duty time, the number of deployments you may have had, or your rank, if you come off to them as an arrogant asshole? Sounds like you are the bigger problem. You disrespect your subordinates and they will disrespect you.
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This is disgusting and this would not fly in my former unit in the 82nd nor in any full active duty unit. You were not wrong. That CSM is a toxic leader and ought to be ashamed of himself. You do not undermine your NCO leaders in front of some buck sergeant who’s too big for his OCPs. If he had a problem with your handling of the situation he should have pulled you aside after backing you up and demanding that disrespectful E5 get in the front lean and rest like you instructed him. I would be counseling him, engaging the 1SG and pushing for an article 15
Sgt Ed Bowers
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Your CSM was wrong on a couple of counts.
1. Speaking in front of both of you. He should have addressed you separately.
2. Had I the clout I would have busted the E5 for disobeying a direct order, 2 in fact.
I would not want to serve in any outfit with a go along to get along CSM.
I may be biased but that would not have happened in the Marine Corps where I served.
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CPL Motor Transport Operator
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At this point in my career I would have shut the door and gone off the rails on that csm. Maybe I'm just tired of ncos and senior ones at that not doing the right thing. Don't want to do the right thing then gtfo and let someone who will be in that position. Maybe I'm just pissed off because I just had fusion surgery in my neck on the 10th because of ncos not doing the right thing. Maybe I'm just pissed off because I am going to be medically discharged because ncos didn't do the right thing.
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SGT Joseph Stephany
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I was ANG in the early 90's. I Understand your frustration, however I would have used my chain of command differently. Yes go to your 1st Sgt first or other NCO you trust. I would never had done a drop and give me twenty order. That is in my opinion a punishment for BCT, AIT and other schools.
would need to know more about the soldiers history but sounds like a long time problem with solider who does not want to be a solider anymore.
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SGT Talma Brown
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In some ways you were right, and in other ways you were being a power-hungry jerk. YOU escalated it, because you wanted to be treated like 'god' because of your rank. You should have asked him WHY he wasnt doing what you thought he should be doing. Your rank means nothing if your soldiers dont respect you because of YOUR conduct toward them.
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