Posted on Feb 2, 2020
SSG Platoon Sergeant
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What to do when a SL and TL cant seem to have cohesion, have huge different views on things, and can't see eye to eye? Ik some solutions but would like some extra guidance on the matter. Also on what to do when your SL cannot uphold the same standard as you do as a team leader?
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Responses: 19
LTC Jason Mackay
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Great news! Unless it’s illegal immoral dangerous or just plain stupid, SL wins everytime. Army of the Potomac Poker rules apply.

Otherwise need some examples.
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Maj John Bell
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As a subordinate, you do the best you are able with the soldiers under your command. Unless the Squad Leader gives direction that is illegal, against command policy, or counter to the commander's intent the Squad Leader is the problem of the Plt Sgt and the Plt Ldr.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
1SG (Join to see)
5 y
^This^
First Sergeant approved!
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SFC Bde Ops Sgm Oc/T
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So is the SL just big headed and not doing things to standard/doctrine? An “example” would help.
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SFC Bde Ops Sgm Oc/T
SFC (Join to see)
5 y
SSG (Join to see) yeah it’s hard to get a SL to do something when they already made up their mind. Regardless if it’s training or real-life, everything needs to be treated as it’s really happening. That type of attitude is counter-productive and could leak onto other subordinates. Then when the time comes for real-life and they blew the training off, they will freeze up or SMs could get hurt or worse. I’d bring it up to the PSG/PL. if I was the PSG/PL, I’d want to know that and squash it immediately. There’s zero room for that kind of attitude in a PLT.
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SFC James Cameron
SFC James Cameron
5 y
SSG (Join to see)

Personality clashes are going to happen throughout your career. There is no way to avoid that. Learning how to work through that kind of personal conflict will only help you in the future.

Fraternization needs to be brought to the attention of your PSG, but needs to be legitimate and lack any pettiness that may exist due to the earlier mentioned personality conflict.

The mission mindset is pretty clear as you have a METL and a Commander’s Intent. If the SL is meeting both and is effective there isn’t any room for compromise.
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1SG First Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
5 y
SSG (Join to see)
Those are areas where “different views” just aren’t acceptable. That’s not a difference in leadership styles, which happens and is usually okay, but a difference in professionalism. That needs to be fixed ASAP.
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CPT Daniel Cox
CPT Daniel Cox
>1 y
SFC James Cameron - As a 1LT, S-2 for an Artillery BN, my Battalion Commander and I really clashed. I don't know if it was me or the fact that I was a Chemical Officer filling an Artillery Officer's slot. As I learned, LTC's and 1LT's do not have Personality Conflicts. He was the Personality, therefore, there was no Conflict.
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