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
WO1(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)
>1 y
PFC(P)? Lmao. Funniest thing I've seen all week.
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SGT Infantryman
SGT (Join to see)
>1 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)
>1 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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WO1(P) Jonathan P.
WO1(P) Jonathan P.
>1 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)
>1 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)
>1 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
>1 y
Do I hear "blanket party" COL?
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
>1 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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What power do I have as an E3 to fix this E2?
MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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This certainly made for an interesting read for an interesting situation. As for what authority you have over him, that all depends on what authority you were given over him. Were you placed as his immediate supervisor, or just had him handed to you to keep him occupied? If, you were placed as his immediate supervisor, then your authority is as this: You have tried talking with him, showing him, advising him....now it is time to start counseling him. Put it all in writing. Of course, find an NCO and ask for assistance on how to write a proper event oriented counseling form. There are also many examples you can find online. As his supervisor, as long as you continually counsel him on his performance, good and bad (although it would appear that it will be more bad), there is always that chance he may see the light when it is all put in writing. Especially when you put in those counseling sessions that his continued poor conduct and behavior can and will lead to negative actions (flagging and even possible removal from service). If he continues this poor behavior (and you have it all in writing), take those counseling forms to YOUR next immediate supervisor and explain the situation and show them the forms to show what you have done to try and correct the errors of his ways. If, by some chance, there is a no joy with your immediate NCO, then you have the ability to go to the next NCO in your chain (as long as you inform your immediate of such actions). In the long run (and it may take some time), two courses of action will happen....either the kid gets his head out of his fourth point of contact or he is booted from service. As for making him push, that is not always the answer. Find other corrective actions for him to perform. One of my favorites is essays. Having him do this (again, only if you are designated as his immediate supervisor), can possibly make him see the light by his own hand and enlighten you as to why he does the things he does, which could help you better guide him. I would also recommend that you do heed your friends advice and get on his level and find out why he is acting the way he does. It could very well be due to his MOS being phased out. And, this is something you can possibly work with in regards to helping him find another MOS that he is interested in and qualified to do. Regardless, put it all in writing. Now, if you are not the designated immediate supervisor, then your authority is extremely limited. If he is acting the fool and not doing any work, then document it all (and maybe get some pics/videos of him not pulling his weight), and then take that to your squad leader. Being told of another Soldiers inactions is one thing, being SHOWN the inactions definitely brings things to better light. Again, it all comes down to getting things in writing. I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor of yours.
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PFC Unit Supply Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Thank you for the advice. The 1sgt told my NCO to show the private how supply is done and then my NCO told me to put him to work. Hence me teaching him tearing apart all the crew served weapon. At this point my only order was to show him what a 92Y do. So I do not know what my authority is over him.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
CW3 Kevin Storm
>1 y
PFC (Join to see) - Its a grey area, Authority comes from two places: rank and position. Your Supply Sergeant in effect has given you authority to supervise this individual for a specified task. In as such, you could tell PV2 Snuffy turn off the phone, we have work to do. When he doesn't ask the Platoon Supply Sergeant to hold on to it. If you are at and in the Field it can be considered a compromising piece of equipment as the GPS unit can give away your position. Of course in Gun Battery I am surprised the Chief of Smoke didn't deal with this fool already.
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PFC Unit Supply Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
It came down to me requesting my NCO to tell the private to leave his phone in the supply tent. I think this private was too busy pulling tail to pay attention to his phone.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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>1 y
PFC (Join to see) - had he been my Soldier, he would have been too tired after all the work given to him, for him to be chasing anything, let alone have the arm strength to pick up his phone.
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SSG Trevor S.
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Edited >1 y ago
The "power" you have depends on your level of assigned authority. If you have been assigned authority over this PV2 then you most certainly can write him a counseling statement. If your NCO's trust you with a position of leadership by placing you in charge then you are in charge. Most times, however, there are levels of authority that have been delegated. What I would suggest is that you ask your supervisor to give you a counseling, in writing, that explains your authority in detail. This will help you know your boundaries and will give you a great azimuth to navigate these tricky leadership waters.
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COL Charles Williams
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PFC (Join to see) ... only peer leadership... Unless you are in a position that grants you positional power (like team leader), you have none...
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MSG Gerry Poe
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Be an outstanding peer and pull him aside. Give him some advice on military bearing. If that doesn't work, hopefully his first line leader will involve himself in the situation.
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SSgt Charles Edwards
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Observe, brief, document and report. You've already tried to keep things at the lowest level, but it's obvious he has no respect for the uniform, the job or his peers. Talk with your supervisor and let him know what's going on. He may give you some advice and instructions to carry out or he could step in and handle the situation personally. Take these lessons to heart. They'll prepare you for when you become a supervisor.
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PFC Unit Supply Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Hopefully, the situation would resolve itself before my NCO steps in.
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SPC Aircraft Structural Repairer
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1
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How about you read the regulations and find out!
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MSG Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Intelligence Sergeant
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1
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PFC,
First, you two are peers. Take him aside peer to peer and explain to him that you've noticed some decisions he's made that are not in line with how a soldier is supposed to operate. You're going to have to find a way to effectively communicate with this guy. Ten or so years ago you could have just engaged him with your fist for a little while and beaten the message into him. But that is not how the Army operates anymore, and in most units this action will result in you being subjected to UCMJ. So a physical conflict with this guy isn't in your interest. Or maybe it is if you think it is worth it. If he gives you a hard time, you privately bring the issues to your team lead, NCOIC, or OIC. Document the things you see that this soldier does or fails to do, and if it is consistent, provide that documentation to your leadership. They are the ones with the (power) authority and responsibility to correct this soldier's malfunction. In the interim, you take of yourself, perform at a higher standard, and try and remain a positive influence on the team. Be a leader, know your job, do the right thing, and kickass to advance your team and yourself.
-MSG Reeve
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LCpl Rifleman
LCpl (Join to see)
10 y
I agree MSG. It's hard because during my boot year I was ligitimately hazed to the point of fear and it's flipped on its head since then. I don't believe in hazing for no reason, but if a guy can't run or pay attention, it might be time for some corrective training. All you can do now is congratulate them when the do a good job and negotiate council them when they do bad. It doesn't work as well, but this is peace time.
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