What is the proper way of dealing with Senior NCOs as a Junior Officer?

Best of luck, I had two that were completely incompetent and three that were inspirational.

Was their behavior like this from day 1 or was there a triggering event?

With disrespect and insubordination there isn't much that you can actually accomplish quickly and alone. (they disrespect you so the don't care what you have to say)

So that leaves you with two options, top down or bottom up. You need to earn the respect of your subordinates and your superiors. If your subordinates are willing to follow you over the Senior NCO you'll be fine (that is a difficult road when your PSG is the disrespectful one, most of those NCO's have their support groups and ostracize the remaining members of the platoon, give it time, work hard, and always keep a positive attitude and you'll will over the platoon eventually)

The other way is the top down where the 1SG is the key player. Convince him and the rest of the NCO's will fall in line. Watch what you say and how it will be interpreted, work harder than your subordinates and most importantly make them feel that you value their opinions and experience, valuing them isn't enough they need to feel that you value them. Ask for their opinions and ask them how they would like to accomplish the mission and what you can do to help.

Try to sit down with them behind closed and have a candid discussion with them. You are correct that the BC probably has the Bn Sgt Maj back, but if he is disrespecting you in front of the troops, it needs to be corrected. If you do it publicly, I think you will lose what is effectively going to become a shitshow. Good luck.

This is from the NCO's point of view. Remember that we are an extension of you but more importantly OUR JOB (Our Purpose, Our Duty) is to the Health and Welfare of the Soldiers that we lead. With that in mind, listen to the NCO but BY ALL MEANS "KNOW" THIS and INFORM HIM/HER THAT YOU KNOW IT! The Newest 2nd LT in the US ARMY has AUTHORITY over the MOST SENOR SERGEANTS MAJOR in the MILITARY! Now, challenging him / her would not be recommended until you have learned "A Bit" of what this NCO KNOWS! On the Other side of the coin, ANY NCO (NOT ANY SERGEANT and THERE IS A BIG BIG DIFFERENCE) worth a Hill of Beans, know when to Educate his or her Officer and HOW TO DO SO! I had a couple of Jr Officers that had this concept that 4 years of college and OCS made them a LEADER.. NOT THE CASE!!!!!! Not any more than BLC/PLC/PNCOC/PNCOC/ANCOC/NCO Academy or any other leadership course makes an enlisted person a NON COM! That is an Ongoing Process that I DONT FEEL CAN BE DONE EVER... well until ONE is No Longer in Uniform... then a Decision can be make if HE OR SHE was a LEADER or JUST AN OFFICER OR SERGEANT...

Oh when and where to "Educate" or "Train" my Officer? Same type of Place A NCO gives Negative Counseling: A place appropriate of 2 way communication and discussion. Training an Officer is more difficult than raising Junior NCOs. Think about it, they make the Hard Decisons... we make them Happen!

Just an ole Crusty NCO's Opinion.

~ole Sarge~

Amazing how many Officer’s look upon Sr NCO’s with the respect many of you have shown and as an NCO I appreciate that. I myself always felt I could work with Jr. Grade Officer’s, take them under my wing so to speak as a big brother image, knowing they are new to the military they are just as frightened as any new soldier, yet many are eager to flex their puny little muscles of authority just to satisfy their ego. That’s fine for I expected that. Once they finish their little cock walk I always tried to calm them down and use a little psychology to reassure them as an Officer, he is expected to strive for excellence and set the example, a trait great leaders possess. I would reassure him that I am there to support him and in return requested he ask questions preferably in private and to weigh whatever I explained to him pertaining to our work and come to a decision. I was one to challenge his mind giving him situations that was within keeping of training standards asking for solutions and any possible alternatives, to think not only outside the box, but the surrounding area as well. After three or four months, these Officer’s were mean green fighting machines. Mutual understanding is a valuable tool. There are no reasons why any NCO should demonstrate insubordination towards any Officer, however it does occur and the Officer must take immediate control of the situation for failure to do so will cause continued insubordination. Regardless how many years or experience the NCO has, he still must be disciplined at what ever level the young Officer considers. No if’s, and’s, or but’s.

I am a retired USAF Master Sergeant, so my experience is likely VERY different from my brothers and sisters in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy or Coast Guard.

Discussions about the behavior need to be done quietly and behind CLOSED DOORS. You did not share a specific incident, so I would only assume (and remember that is ASS, U & ME) that there are "little things" that have been building up.

Please look first to your own behavior, work ethic and personal standards. You are a JUNIOR OFFICER and so much more is expected from you, even though age wise you may be a "peer" to some of the junior enlisted and the most junior NCOs/POs. I have encountered in my career several junior officers that wanted to be "buddies" with the junior enlisted, and countermanded instructions from the sections Senior NCOs. Always my first action would be to try to have a "closed door" private conversation to explain and educate the young officer. If that did not work, I upped it on the SNCO side BEFORE going to the junior officer's rater.

Many new "Butter Bars" are guilty of this, and just another reminder that the UCMJ thing about "Fraternization" is MORE than forbidding "dating" between the ranks.

The TRUTH is, the Senior NCOs WANT you to succeed! We need not good, but GREAT Leadership, and where does that come from? The junior officers that survive the willowing and weaning process.

This is something that is widely accepted. It is almost cool to mess with the new PL. What is dangerous is when it becomes toxic. It does happen. It is ok to have have a joke here and there but often it goes beyond that. I thought being prior service I wouldn't have to deal with that. That wasn't the case. I don't think the PSG was trying to do it on purpose. I blame the Army. That is what happens when you have soldiers advancing too fast.

Now, there are NCOs out that are anti-officer. They are dangerous. What they fail to believe is that you are their rater. I would make sure to do a good initial counseling at start. You may be past this already. But one way to do this is to avoid being put on the spot. I try to let the PSG cement his role. It is may be difficult but you are in charge of your platoon while you are not in charge of the platoon. What you have to do is concede some power to the PSG. So often we come in wanting to change the world. That is going to mess up some things. It takes having a good relationship with your PSG. My PSG has greatly helped me out to realize this.

Now I think I came in too hard charging and that could have made the situation worse. This is an important lesson on how to deal with soldiers.

An officer is an officer is an officer. I am prior enlisted and I spoke to NCOs, regardless of rank, with the same respect that I showed them as an NCO and expected the same as an officer. Now, in the same token, a butter bar is a butter bar and like a private, they have to earn the respect of their leaders, subordinates and peers. If a CSM/SGM speaks down to an officer, you may not have command authority, but you have general military authority and have the right to make a correction. Most NCOs (just like most officers) are professionals and NCOs live by the creed, especially the first line..."NO ONE IS MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN I". We know the reality that you speak of, but if someone doesn't start changing it, it will continue.

I generally have had excellent relationships with my junior officers but I have had the few that have had the chip on their shoulder and we struggled until they realized what I could accomplish for them. I think once you become a seasoned Capt, and beyond, you will look in the rearview and realize that the SNCOs were your best friend and that is why the Capt and FGOs above you are "protecting" the SNCO. Now, if it's an E9...you need to just bite your tongue and take it. That individual didn't make E9 by accident and they deserve the respect that comes with the position. If you are having issues with someone other than an E9, then talk to that E9 and ask them to assist you. I promise, if my CMSgt comes to me and tells me to cut the noise it will happen WAY faster than if 2nd Lt Snuffy says it to me. In the end, I promise, you won't get anything accomplished without the support of your SNCOs so if you are having an issue with one of them, address it...but I would get an E9 or E8 to assist you and guide you on the correct way to handle it.

CPT (Join to see)
If the senior NCO is being disrespectful in public the situation needs to be brought up to a commanding officer who is over both you and the NCO(s) whether at Bn or Co level or if need be Brigade level.
If the NCO is in your platoon, the person needs to be counseled verbally in the presence of a trustworthy witness. An informal note should be recorded about this counseling. A second offense should be dealt with a formal counseling statement hopefully administered by the commanding officer of both of you.
Do your best to be professional and learn as much as you can from your soldiers and NCO's but don't let them abuse you.

1LT... Sir no disrespect but as a 1 SGT I had some dealing with Jr. Officers. Look at it this way, I did not bow to a E9 and had loud disagreements but I was always careful. I have run across those that would test you, so watch those, they are trying to teach. Odd way to do it but once you have it figured out you will be able to hold your own better. In early Thailand we had all difference people from everywhere. We had a E-9 tell a young Capt. He shouldn't leave work. The Captain told him to look where each wore their rank. Settled that real fast. You will get the hang fast. You just can'let them push you around.. Now if you do something stupid, you won't win. Luck to you Sir.