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 >1 y ago
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Responses: 173
PO3 Rod Arnold
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Your CSM was in the wrong!
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MSG Tony Hughes
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Damn, sounds like your CSM is a pussy, your LT sounds good. The E5 in question better be thanking the good Lord that he didnt pull that shit on active duty status, he would of busted down to E I Owe you one
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CPL Mortuary Affairs Specialist
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Oh yeah I forgot one important thing. I would have let that E-5 know no one is going to clean his weapon for him. And no one is getting dismissed or go home till he cleans his weapon.
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CPL Mortuary Affairs Specialist
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While AGR’s are full timers and active duty. They still have to follow rank. And the correct time to deal with disrespect of a higher rank. Is the moment it happens. And if the E-5 makes that disrespect in public the the disaplinary action comes in public. The CSM gave the E-5 cart blanch to do it agian. So I guess the CSM might have been worried about his pay getting mishandled and late.out of resentment. Just think out loud on that one. If you have to deal with this individual again I would suggest you always have a witness going forward. It’s not the Army or Army guard I was in. Good luck.
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SPC Sean Bayliss
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Time for his NCOR to reflect his actions. Including your CSM. I was active duty, we didn't act like this. If we did, a company grade article 15 was headed our way. Army reserve, or active, both are U.S. Army. There is a standard for a reason, and if you don't hold to those standards, there is no reason to have them.
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SPC Wil Whalen
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I was in the Army in the late 80s and early 90s and I don't remember not cleaning my weapon after the range was ever an option. You couldn't be released for the day until it had been inspected and locked up. This E5 should learn how to respect his chain of command. Also, the CSM siding with him is beyond ridiculous and he should have never done that in front of him. How do you side with an insubordinate E5 who won't clean his weapon? It's imperative to keep weapons clean so they fire correctly when needed. I think that CSM needs a good kick in the ass and that E5 needs a blanket party. Just kidding, blanket parties were banned before I joined.
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Sgt Russell Cherry
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That's the army for you.
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SPC Daniel Rankin
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No you are not too old for today's Army, that nco is not prepared for war. If he does not keep his weapon combat ready then when he does go to war he will be sorry and that weapon will blow up in his face. The CSM should have understood this and sided with you. He was wrong. You did not move too fast, discipline in the military is a necessary thing, and if you do not get a handle on things like this it can escalate. It would have been better for him to get down and do his leaning position then be dead one day because he refused to follow orders. A round does not know the difference between those who understand this and those who do. One day he is going to wish he had listened.
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SrA George Nahm
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No, you were not wrong. The CSM was out of this mind. When I was in (USAF) and an E-5, you were an NCO. The lower ranks had to look up to you and respect you for what you had accomplished to get the rank. You never talked back to an officer or a senior NCO. If you did there would be any Article 15 written up and you would be up in front of the 1st SGT or the commander. Some people lost at least 1 ratting and pay because of it. I guess that the NEW military is different than the time I served (1969-1973).
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1SG (Other / Not listed)
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I’d take that as high as it needs to go.

That’s a toxic CSM who doesn’t deserve the star.

This is typically not officer’s business—-but with an AGR coddled by a CSM…….you’re going to have to do something.
Document everything. Even if he doesn’t sign.

If you don’t- you’ll look like the incompetent one when you try to give him a needs improvement.

I was a career AGR—this is horse crap.
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