Posted on Oct 1, 2015
What is the proper way of dealing with Senior NCOs as a Junior Officer?
83.8K
387
83
19
19
0
What is the proper way of addressing and dealing with Senior/Staff NCOs who are on the verge of insubordination to ones who are down right belligerent as a Junior officer?
I have felt with many Senior/Staff NCOs throughout my career and have seen many have a distain for Junior Officers it doesn't matter if they are new to the military or are mustangs. It just seems like they feel they are better then them and because of their experience or time in service they seem to feel that they do not need to listen to a Junior Officer. In my personal experience I have seen some of these NCOs "protected" by CPTs or Field Grade Officers. Now I know in the true order of things where I sit in the hierarchy of the military, and though I outrank all enlisted and warrant officer ranks I now that they have an inherent authority based on their positions such as a Sergeant Major etc... and due to the fact I have no command authority even as a PL. How would I or any other Junior Officer handle these individuals when they are truly out of line or bordering it?
I have felt with many Senior/Staff NCOs throughout my career and have seen many have a distain for Junior Officers it doesn't matter if they are new to the military or are mustangs. It just seems like they feel they are better then them and because of their experience or time in service they seem to feel that they do not need to listen to a Junior Officer. In my personal experience I have seen some of these NCOs "protected" by CPTs or Field Grade Officers. Now I know in the true order of things where I sit in the hierarchy of the military, and though I outrank all enlisted and warrant officer ranks I now that they have an inherent authority based on their positions such as a Sergeant Major etc... and due to the fact I have no command authority even as a PL. How would I or any other Junior Officer handle these individuals when they are truly out of line or bordering it?
Officers
Senior NCO
NCOs
Advice
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 61
1
1
0
The best thing to do is ask questions and listen. The NCOs are your best resource. the proper way is to address them as sergeant or their rank. Good luck CPT (Join to see)
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I'd have my chain, CPT, probably talk with the NCOs MSG. Chances are some perspectives would be disseminated and advised to the LT and NCO after they came up with a plan. Don't resolve this in isolation.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Sit down with them over a beer and ask how can we work together and how am I screwing up. A good NCO will finish his beer,buy the next round and let you know what you need to do to learn to command. Remember, he's been in the military a lot longer than you and just because you have a butter bar doesn't earn respect. He will teach you how to gain that. My advice has always been to young officers, "Latch on to a good NCO and ask him to teach you."
(1)
(0)
LTC Jason Wendell
I disagree with the "how I am screwing up" as this places blame. The leader is the one to blame, not the subordinate. A good leader knows his troops and therefore motivates each in their own way. I'd have the beer and ask (as the Sr. to the Jr.): "what do I need to do to be a better leader/commander/boss/supervisor?" This removes blame.
The good NCOs will teach/coach/train ANYONE willing to learn and officers who are willing to learn make the best officers.
The good NCOs will teach/coach/train ANYONE willing to learn and officers who are willing to learn make the best officers.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Respectfully. They can teach you more than you can lead them. If integrity is an issue make sure that you document discrepancies. Always respect. It flows both ways.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Well let’s put it this way. Your rank has to be recognized but respect is earned. That being said, I worked with junior officers if they were willing to listen and learn - some didn’t. I had one 2LT who I saw years later as a COL thanked me very much for my help in his development.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SFC (Join to see)
A lot of times that wont work well for 2LT's LTC (Join to see) I prefer a 2x4 myself.....
Oh wait thats the LT swinging the chair..N/M
Oh wait thats the LT swinging the chair..N/M
(2)
(0)
0
0
0
CPT (Join to see) - I have read all the comments posted and they all contain good advice.
I believe the consensus, and I fully subscribe to and recommend it, is that you talk to the individual(s) privately and let them know, in a calm and professional manner, that what they are doing is not right and that you will no longer tolerate it. If it continues, I would do an on-the-spot correction and follow-up with my company commander.
I believe the consensus, and I fully subscribe to and recommend it, is that you talk to the individual(s) privately and let them know, in a calm and professional manner, that what they are doing is not right and that you will no longer tolerate it. If it continues, I would do an on-the-spot correction and follow-up with my company commander.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Can you provide some more background information and specifics? It is hard to advise you without knowing the full story. A lot of these types of situations are complex and both groups may have some fault.
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
This is more of a general how to question based on what I have seen through out my time in uniform and some similar experiences.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Well I have not had to truly deal with this issue it was more of a what if this happens question and how to properly handle it. What I have dealt with is a Senior NCO from a S-shop who does not stay in his lane and when addressed about that or when working with him directly and he does not like if you question him, he gets right on the edge of insubordinate, but he is protected by a senior CPT who will always back him. So it is a loosing battle in that regards.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Great topic I've witnessed this first hand & the only thing I know to do is to "Talk It Through"...or we have had a Mediator try to bring the two to sit down and work out their problems... First is to identify the problems and let the two air their differences... However when this doesn't work the CO will have to make a decision and often it means transferring the Senior/Staff NCO out of his organization.. Mediators earn their monthly pay when they have a lot of these cases to try and resolve... From what I recall very few are resolved and the Senior/Staff NCO is shown the door..
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google