What is the best way for a new 2LT to counsel a platoon sergeant?

I had one really awesome experience being counseled by my platoon leader when I was a platoon sergeant. He asked me for advice from me to conduct my initial counseling. I gave him the counseling I used for the squad leaders and told him he could use that as a base document but to taylor it specifically to my duties and his expectations. Once he was ready to give the counseling, I gave him feedback on better ways to deliver the counseling as well as some minor revisions. In the end, we both felt confident that my duties and his expectations had been well outlined. I did not feel spoken down to and he felt far more confident about counseling NCO’s after that.

In 2006, my daughter got her "butter bars". When I told a co-worker who had been in the USMC (enlisted), he told me the best conversation between a new 2LT and a SFC was "Do you need me to do anything, SGT?". The test of her survival skills was being dropped into a National Guard unit that was going through "reorganization", which meant she was the command onsite. When she told me about that, she told me she sought out the oldest SGT as a mentor. (she had gone from spec to OCS, so she had a head start on relating).

The underlying principle is mutual respect. Discuss the platoon more than individual performance. The platoon sergeant knows more about the organization than the new PL ever will. Ask about unit strengths and weaknesses. Talk about how you, the officer, can best support the platoon sergeant. What top cover does he or she need? Ask how to improve on the platoon’s weaknesses. Listen to his or her plan. DeveLop performance standards from that plan. End with a good natured request for the sergeant to help you stay out of trouble.

The PLT SGT is responsible but the 2LT is accountable. The 2LT needs to make sure the SGT understands they are going to trust them but that they will also question them. Do not let the PLT SGT run the show. I had a young LT who's career I blame myself for ending. I considered myself a very good NCO, to the point that this LT never questioned me. He always excepted my paperwork, explanations, and decisions. He was promoted into a Company Commander position in the BN, however his new 1SG was NOT of the greatest caliber. He ended up being relived due to some decisions the 1SG made and didn't inform him of.

From then on, with a new LT, I would present the issues, several possible courses of actions, and talk through the decision making process with them. Most of the time, they would come to the same decision I would have made on my own.

When they left my care, I wanted to to learn 1 critical thing, no mater who they are or how good they seam, "Trust, but verify".

I can not imagine a 2LT counseling a PSG... MAYBE an 01E. If the PSG is worth their salt, he or she will be counseling and mentoring the junior officer.

i havent been plt ldr nor plt sgt, but how about this : (firmly not aggressively) 'Sergeant i need your experience to learn about my job and yours ... ' ? easier for me to say than do, i havent been in leadership position .

Four key points (which by the way goes both ways)
1. Honest and effective communications
2. Share bad news and issues before they blow up. Hiding them only amplifies the opportunities for bigger problems.
3. Both of you need to live by "Mission First-People Always". Focus on what matters, but ALWAYS take care of all the troops...particularly junior enlisted.
4. Share mutual trust and respect

Realize your limitations and inexperience abd defer to his counsel. That way, if he gets you killed, you died doing the right thing.

My view is the reverse! The SFC should be counseling the 2LT!

I remember my new 2LT, we shook hands and had a brief Conversation from where are you from, what school you attend to, etc. But when it came down to my job and responsibilities as a Platoon Sergeant. We have gone out to lunch to learn each other’s values and expectations. Even though, the 2LT will counseled that Platoon Sergeant. You need that Clerical of understanding how to manage your soldiers both leaders need to talk and have that understanding. Guarantee, when it comes down to that counseling, it would come out with ease on both ends. Best of luck!