Posted on Jul 2, 2015
PFC Unit Supply Specialist
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Last AT, we had this brand new Private joining our Battery. We had this problem with his MOS being phased out. So our 1sgt placed him with diffrent sections. From rader, to the gun line, then to my section. Supply. My battle buddy from rader told me he was a Charlie Foxtrot and explained to me that this private is always on his doggone phone. I found out this to be true when I gave him a lesson on tearing down Mk. 19, M2, M9, and even PMCS the LMTV. Every step I explained, I would look at him to make sure he understand. Instead he is texting this girl just so he can have a one night thing. My enacting supply sergeant even caught him walking with his phone and gave him a talk. What power am I allowed to utilize to fix this situation without escalating this to the next level? I tried calmly talking to him saying "if you want to stay off the shit detail then stay off the phone" but he told me to mind my own business. Am I allowed to tear him to pieces or is that a NCO thing only? How about a consoling statement? Can I make him push or do I need to get down with him like my buddies keep telling me?
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Responses: 29
SFC(P) Jonathan P.
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First thing is first, e1-e3 practically are the same thing so if your assuming smoking the soldier or even trying anything with in that nature then your wrong.

Secondly, it's a junior enlisted as a specialist or sgts, job to correct this matter I know it's annoying and it is disrespectful. But the truth be told not much you can do besides take it up the chain if he isn't listening to you then have others means of disciplinary actions taken. talk to his ncoic or his nco and have them handle it. Just avid getting your self in a situation over something that's out of your hands.
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SGT Infantryman
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
PFC(P)? Lmao. Funniest thing I've seen all week.
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SGT Infantryman
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Unless said e-3 has a ranger tab (and is in a unit requiring
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
9 y
SPC Pichardo, thanks for updating your rank. That PFC(P) was hurting my head and making me raise an eyebrow.
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SFC(P) Jonathan P.
SFC(P) Jonathan P.
9 y
Ssgt Thomas Livingston

I was waiting on my advancement orders for two weeks and just checked my all and received them.
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SGT Journeyman Plumber
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The answer to this depends on the culture of your unit. I've been assigned to infantry units that had a very strict interpretation of the rank structure and would routinely see PVTs and PV2s standing at parade rest for PFCs, and even saw on occasion PFCs smoking their lower ranking peers.

The fact that you have asked this question at all, whether you have any real authority to fix this soldier, implies to me that you do not come from a unit with this type of culture. This is one of those things where if you did have the power you would know it and be exercising that power.

Anyone can write a counseling statement, but what this problem soldiers NCO does with that 4857 is up to them. They can add it to the soldiers packet as is, ignore it, or redo the counseling themselves. Unless explicitly given to you by an NCO you do not have the authority to administer any kind of corrective training.

I can only recommend two things for you to do. First, go to the soldier in question and tell them in polite but firm terms that they are jacked up and need to fix themselves. From what you've said you've done this. If this fails to fix the problem then request a private one on one conversation with your first line supervisor and explain the situation. What that NCO does from there is ultimately their call, but you've done what you could and should take pride in your actions.
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PFC Unit Supply Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
9 y
Thank you. You are correct about the culture. The individual soldier are a bit laid back when it is on our own time, but when it is time for formation, ceremony, ect. Everyone snap into a semi strict culture. That being said, we do follow the guidelines set by the army regs. With a slight wiggle room.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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PFC (Join to see) that is a tough one. I know what I would have done and did do when I was PV2 in Basic Training and I had a squad leader causing the platoon trouble with the DIs, but that was a different time. I definitely don't want to give you direction and advice that would get you into trouble. Here's my take on it. You have done everything you can do - you have talked to him and you have given him good advice. At this point you need to keep your hat on straight and continue to perform at the level you want to perform at and not let this "dirt bag" bring you down. In due time the right NCO or Section Sergeant will take this young man under their wing and fix his stuff. Hey, I was enlisted once, so I know a little something, but not as much as these great CSMs, SGMs, 1SGs, MSG, SFCs, SSGs, and SGTs out there in RP land. They probably have some better ideas. NCOs jump in and help this PFC! This is NCO business!
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PFC Unit Supply Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
9 y
Thank you sir, what most of the NCO here suggest either escalating this issue to the next chain of command. It just irks me that someone is on their phone trying to nail a girl when this was not the place or time to do it. Especially when everyone else is working hard to get ready for deployment.
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LTC Bink Romanick
LTC Bink Romanick
9 y
Do I hear "blanket party" COL?
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
9 y
Nope, this was a one-on-one encounter if you know what I mean when lights were out and (39) other men were watching and waiting from their bunks. It ended good and the other squad leader got the message! The rest of basic went smooth and we never got dropped again. I won't tell anyone what I said - use your imagination!
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