What would you do if you had a junior Sailor that will not adhere to simple regulations and "forgets" to do what he is told?

COL Jean (John) F. B. Sir. That is A WAY, but I'm going to have to disagree. I was in a similar situation with a Soldier of mine. He was "beyond" any type of help. Didn't know how to properly do laundry, shower, etc. Pretty much NO life skills period. Def not military material, but during 14 yrs of war we get dealt crappy hands.

Myself, his Squad Leader, and Team Leader were finally at wits end with him so we had a "come to Jesus" sit down with him. After talking with him (no rank per say just man to man). We got to the root of the problems. A. His family life growing up was non exitent. B. Since he joined he was pretty much giving all of his money to his family(yes he was being manipulated). After we got the whole story we asked him what HE wanted. He WANTED to be a Soldier. He WANTED to do the right thing, but really didn't know how.

BLUF. We all took him under our collective wings. Showed him how to budget(after we cut the ATM to the family. He wanted that and we in no way forced him to make any decisions). It was almost like raising our own son. Did he turn into a stellar Soldier? No, but at least he had the basics of life down. He ended up ETS'ing after 6 yrs still a PV2, but he was more prepared for life after the military. To me that is success. Maybe not for the military, but for helping him grow up and be a man.

SFC (Join to see) - I agree with you to a point. If the sailor (soldier) was interested in doing the right thing, it may be worth the effort. My understanding from the post (and follow-on info from the original poster) is that the sailor purposefully disobeys, makes no effort at all to correct his ways, and has shown absolutely no interest in doing so.

I used to have the same mind-set as you espouse (and think it is admirable). I did not support administrative discharges and expected my subordinates (and myself) to work with problem soldiers and, if that failed, I told them that they volunteered for the Army and they were going to serve their time. It would be their choice if it was at Ft. XX (wherever I was at the time) or in the Disciplinary Barracks at Ft Leavenworth. As I got older and wiser (and less patient, probably), I found that it was not really worth my time and effort, nor that of my subordinates, to spend the time with recalcitrant soldiers. My rationale, we are the US Army, not the Salvation Army, nor is it a day care center. We have some very good soldiers who can't stay in as long as they want to because of drawdowns, etc. Why keep those who don't measure up?

I understand leadership, compassion, etc... I also understand reality. I would bend over backwards to help anybody who wants to help themselves, however, I have no time, nor sympathy, for those who won't.

If the young sailor shows any interest in shaping up, I am 100% with you. If not, I am 100% for booting him out and taking the time saved with having to deal with him in working withy soldiers who want to do the right thing.

Agreed Sir. I've also been reading additional posts since I posted mine. Yes it does seem he needs to be shown the door. My situation was 5yrs ago. Def different times.

COL Jean (John) F. B. Walk the plank, tar and feather, keelhaul, hoist them on the yardarm... are we really that old school???

But seriously, I've seen more than a few personnel, enlisted and officer, for whom these types of responses sure felt appropriate...

Take his pass privileges away, he can live in the barracks, restrict his phone use on duty, set a schedule that he has to brief you at lunch, and at supper. If his tasks are not complete to your liking keep him there till he gets the job done.

PO1 (Join to see) - Sounds like maybe he needs a medical checkup, if he forgets to even eat...

At some point ine late 60's/early 70's the Navy did away with Liberty Cards, thereby eliminating a major means of control by supervisors. I personally saw attitudes worsen on the part of junior enlisted.

I am not being funny, has he been checked for a special needs issue? I had a Soldier when I was in the Army sounded just like that. She wouldn't take showers if she wasn't ordered; didn't know when chow was even though everyone was moving to the DFAC, etc.. Turns out she had functioning autism and slipped through at the recruiters because she had incredibly high ASVAB scores.

Kid?

SCPO (Join to see)
That's what I said. Did you have a relevant question?