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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.
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
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 167
Praise in public, reprimand in private, don't demean fellow NCOs in front of subordinates, no matter what the ranks involved are, not and SFC in front of a SSG, or a SSG in front of a Sgt. I am so glad I am older. The last conflict I had was, I was giving the pre-range class, safety procedures etc. I was writing on the board, I turned around and a PFC had a bead on me, and was holding it. I was nonchalant, got within range grabbed the weapon, cussed him out and was about to take him out back. He told me he was going to report me, and I said let's go, I will take you to the old man's office. It was in the day when I knew the Sr. Command would have my back. When I was retiring, I saw the erosion of discipline, respect and levels of narcissism occurring in the ranks. I can't even imagine being in a conflict with some of the pukes in now, I imagine, "leave no man behind" is only a suggestion, or a hope, because I don't see selfish individuals sacrificing themselves to get the body of an already dead soldier, with the attitude, "he's already dead, why should I die getting his body" or something of that nature. Not getting that support from your CSM, AND, being corrected in front of a subordinate is doubly disgusting. Good people aren't staying in, the ones getting promoted are getting there too quickly, and I have no idea what they're teaching at the leadership schools now days. It certainly isn't, if you want to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower. I'm sorry that happened to you SSG.
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Please forgive me if I'm reading this post wrong, but last time I checked, you didn't have the option of whether you liked someone or not. ( It sounds like that's what's going on here with this E-5). A strict stern reprimand might be needed here.
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You should have simply ordered him to break down and clean his weapon. And, he seems like a a-hole, when he refused write him up and send it up the chain.
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I get it, I was in a unit 1 drill, the next drill they told me I was amazing, and I was being named 1SG as an SSG and all of my PSGs were SFC (AGR) they didn't want any more responsibility and to be fair they had their own jobs to deal with. It's a very weird dynamic. I guess I should have been less amazing while I in-processed :) ......... Your situation... the SFC that brought it to your attention is garbage for not handling it right then and there, shame on him. Your CSM telling you in front of the E5 that you escalated to quickly, just makes me sick to my stomach. Drive on SSG! Keep up the good work!!
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Let me tell you what I see. You have an E-5 as range safety. You have NCO's and officers complaining probably because the E-5 was running a tight no nonsense range which the complainers were unaccustomed and this is something I've experienced first hand. As things were heating up in the sandbox our company went through all of its soldier skills. I had the NBC station. I flunked 99.9% of the company because they could not meet the standard. Everyone that outranked me went to TOP's office and complained. I got called in and asked to explain myself. I told TOP they can fail to meet standard in garrison and not get injured or die but on the battlefield, failure to make standard can cause them injury or death. So that is why I was very strict. I will say this though the biggest crybabies I've ever seen have been E-7's and E-8's.
My guess is there was a lot of retaliation against the E-5 for running a squared away range.
My guess is there was a lot of retaliation against the E-5 for running a squared away range.
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Totally wrong of the CSM, this soldier disobeyed your orders, he should be written up and discplined. Semper Fi
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Yeah, you were wrong for not taking that punk to the nearest treeline. This is not my Army anymore.
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Ah the subtle joys of the old Navy, where there is always a secluded fan room and a dogging wrench available for attitude adjustment. Alternately there is always the possibility of assignment to duties one would find less than attractive but completely legal; for example, assign the young lad the opportunity to inspect and clean ALL of the weapons from the range... just sayin... nuttin but love and attention to detail...
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Being disrespectful of a senior is completely wrong and the CSM should have backed you in front of the E5 then dismiss him and talk to you and LT platoon leader together and explain what he expects from both of you in the future.
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And this E-5 is the guy that will be responsible for his troops when the lead flies. Wouldn't trust him at all. He is an insubordinate POG that needs to be out.
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