What should someone do when they see an officer disrespecting soldiers?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 23:36:13 -0400

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 7 at 2016 11:44 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 23:44:48 -0400

Start with your 1SGT. But be sure that you're right -- be very sure that you're not just butthurt. (Collective you, not YOU you.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 11:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 23:52:58 -0400

Fill out a http://www.blackfive.net/files/hurt-feelings-report-da_form_imt_wf1.pdfhurt feelings report if your first line leaders on the NCO side don't back you up.

hurt-feelings-report-da_form_imt_wf1.pdfhurt

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 12:07 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 00:07:47 -0400

If it is serious, you can go to the Inspector General but before that you must talk to the Chaplain, go through every step Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, 1SG, Platoon Leader and Company Commander.

Normally the Platoon Sergant and the 1SG would back you up if the PL is out of line.

If its something to do with corrpution or something unethical, go to Chaplain. You need to have your facts straight. Usually its praise in public scold in private. I don't have enough information to give you more input.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 12:12 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 00:12:32 -0400

Give us a back story so you can get a proper response

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Sep 8 at 2016 12:24 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 00:24:46 -0400

Tell your Sr. NCO. 1SG preferably.

I once made a comment (jokingly with funny intentions) that a Jr enlisted in my team did not appreciate. He told my Sr NCO who then told me. Immediately I went to the soldier with my Sr. NCO to apologize to him because he was right regardless of my intentions.

This may not be the situation you are in. The take away is to talk to your Sr. NCO. Make sure it is legit.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 8 at 2016 8:58 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 08:58:36 -0400

Straighten that ass out.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 8 at 2016 10:53 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:53:31 -0400

Unless the behavior is so outrageous, tell the soldier to just let it roll off their back. In this world, disrespect is in no short supply.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 11:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:13:54 -0400

Thank for the information

Response by SGT Jamie Gregory made Sep 8 at 2016 1:25 PM

SGT Jamie Gregory — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 13:25:59 -0400

First thing I learned in the military is if you call someone out for this in a respectful manner it will stop. If a person is wrong regardless of rank they can't rebel because they only make their situation worse. Key word in this phrase is respectful manner. Pull them to the side and call them out in private. You have to let them know that the situation is NCO business and NCOs will handle it. If he gets irrational about it then let him or her push it further. If they are dumb enough to bring their ignorance to higher command then so be it. if an article 15 comes up then tell them you want a court martial. It is your right and trust me the issue will end. It is every soilders duty to keep another soilder to the standerd regardless of rank, race, or gender.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 8 at 2016 1:32 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 13:32:33 -0400

Tell the Chaplain?

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 10:04 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 22:04:17 -0400

I'd personally talk to the Officer about it, regardless of rank. You can question an O6 pretty easily if you go about it the right way - I've personally done it. Perhaps you are misinterpreting the situation. However, if it is blatant disrespect, I'd use my Chain of Command. Inform them that you are bothered by this behavior and you think it is unbecoming and unprofessional of an Officer - that usually gets the ball rolling. Most Officers have good intentions, however some have bad social skills and even fewer think they are "better" than you and think you don't deserve respect. These type of Officers are eventually straightened out or processed out. The best Officers, and Officers with long careers tend to care about the men and women they command.

Response by SMSgt Matthew Hoyer made Sep 8 at 2016 10:23 PM

SMSgt Matthew Hoyer — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 22:23:27 -0400

Well, for me personally, i would take the Officer aside and let them know exactly how they screwed up. Basic counseling stuff like they were a brand-new Airman; this is the standard (respect and dignity for all), this is what you did (acted extremely unprofessionally) and this is the delta (you have now LOST the ability to lead that human). The officer corps, be it CGO or FGO, need mentoring by the SNCOs that have been in a while. Our perspective is different, and they might not see what they are doing and how it is screwed up. And at the end of the day, what is the O going to do to me, get pissed? I'm right, I've been yelled at before so I don't care, and unless you have 3 stars at a minimum on your shoulder, you don't have the authority to demote me anyway. So stop being a dick to my Airmen...sir.

ADDED: Oh yeah, it's also in AFI 36-2618 that it is no-shit my job to do this, so if I don't then i am actually not fulfilling my responsibilities as a SNCO. No need to cuss at them (though very satisfying at times) to get the point across, either.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 12:35 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 00:35:44 -0400

In the "old" days, we called that discipline or leadership training. In today's Politicaly Correct militaries, I suppose it would be grounds for a complete Psych Eval on the officer and a transfer to Diego Garcia, followed by a year-long counseling tour for the aggrieved soldiers!!!