Posted on May 24, 2019
SPC Armorer
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I was at a change of command formation and my phone went off due to an alarm I forgot i set. The app made me answer math questions to turn it off and I was panicking. My PSG took my phone to turn the alarm, but 1sgt took it and threw it the other direction. The whole battalion knows what happen and not going to lie it was funny. My phone did have a damaged screen but it was still 100% functional till I got it back from another soldier who found it. The phone worked for a day and then just completely stopped working. I’ve been told to file a report for him to replace the screen and the back of the phone, but I’m not sure how I should go about it.
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Responses: 35
CSM Richard StCyr
24
24
0
Pretty simple answers.....
-Don't bring your phone to ceremonies, (mine stayed in the car) If there's an emergency someone will find you GUR-ON-TEED.
-Don't put ridiculously long or complex passwords on them. You won't remember what they are in an emergency.
-Get an otter box for your phone if you can't achieve one or two above so it has survivability when the 1SG launches it.
- Start the whine line up through the NCO support channel or COC until you find someone that doesn't think..... Gee sounds like something I'd have done.

Top should have just put the phone in his pocket and walked off the field and had you do front, back, go's after the ceremony. But hey, bet you don't do that again.
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1SG John Highfill
1SG John Highfill
5 y
Talk to him but start out with I’m sorry and I was wrong
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SP5 Jeannie Carle
SP5 Jeannie Carle
>1 y
SGM Erik Marquez - Every word well said.
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SFC Danny Watkins
SFC Danny Watkins
>1 y
At least ya got it back, return it, and get a new one on the insurance you got on the phone. YOU DID GET THE INSURANCE, RIGHT?
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SSG Lee Bostick
SSG Lee Bostick
>1 y
SGM Erik Marquez Is I could like this a million times I would. I always enjoy your well thought answers and believe I would have enjoyed serving under your command.
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LTC Kevin B.
20
20
0
Edited 5 y ago
I'd take it straight up the Chain of Command first, to give your 1SG an opportunity to do the right thing (and pay for the repairs) without having to take it outside of the unit. If the Chain of Command isn't responsive, I would recommend going to Legal, the IG, and/or the Provost Marshal. If your description of the events is accurate (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), your 1SG damaged private property. Seems fairly clear cut. Certainly the situation could have been handled better, by everyone involved. However, that doesn't change the fact that your 1SG purposely damaged private property.
(20)
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SFC Danny Watkins
SFC Danny Watkins
>1 y
Sounds like Seargents business Sirs!
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LTC Kevin B.
LTC Kevin B.
>1 y
SFC Danny Watkins - That's just NCO code for "Officers, there's nothing to see here." If it involves a 1SG potentially doing something wrong, the Cdr should get involved. That's the next person up in the Chain of Command. Completely appropriate.
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SFC Danny Watkins
SFC Danny Watkins
>1 y
Yes Sir, its just that if i had been that 1SG, i would have gone to that SM and offered to pay for those damages. Then we wouldn't be having this discussion. Also, now we will have a 1SG with a good service record getting a letter of reprimand and probably a ART.15. Then we have a Junior SM kicking up his heels with all his buds about how he got over on the 1st Shirt. Then the other NCOs will feel they have to tread lightly in the day to day duties fearing that they will be next. I've seen this happen before. The mental impact on a unit can be very destructive. I hope this is not the case here.
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LTC Kevin B.
LTC Kevin B.
>1 y
SFC Danny Watkins - If the 1SG handled this situation the way you would have, he wouldn't be in a predicament (and no officers would need to be involved). Plus, the unit wouldn't have to deal with any of that negative fallout.
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SSG Carlos Madden
18
18
0
Honestly, try to work with your squad leader to help resolve this. It's his/her responsibility to help you take care of these types of issues and having an NCO advocate for you in front of the 1SG is going to be much better than going at it alone.
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SSG Carlos Madden
SSG Carlos Madden
5 y
CSM Richard StCyr - My old PLT SGT used to call all his NCO's phones during formations just to see who forgot to turn theirs off. Diabolical!
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CSM Richard StCyr
CSM Richard StCyr
5 y
SSG Carlos Madden - I will neither confirm nor deny having engaged in such chicanery while observing dress rehearsals to make a point. Colors NCOs, and Staff NCOs may or may not have been targeted.
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SFC Robert Falco
SFC Robert Falco
5 y
CSM Richard StCyr - I agree... fortunately people didn't live with their phones glued to their ears before I retired but we still had boneheads..LOL
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SFC Danny Watkins
SFC Danny Watkins
>1 y
Damn, just have your phone company replace the thing.
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