What would you do if your Sergeant didn't know how to load a magazine?

We were on an evaluated exercise at Baumholder while I was Anti-Tank Platoon Leander. I had 3 SSG’s, each leading a group of 6 ITV’s. I got word that one of the E-6’s was blocking traffic in one of the local towns. He was kneeling in the middle of the intersection of 2 highways, map spread out on the ground, trying to orient the map. I really liked the guy but had to relieve him. Demonstrated incompetence in front of the troops never ends well.

If I was their supervisor, I would immediately provide OJT. I then would have made sure those under her were also capable of loading a magazine. I would then hold an individual counseling session to find out what else she us not aware of that an NCO should be aware of and be prepared to provide additional training.

They don't teach you to field strip, breakdown and reassemble your weapons?

Get that NCO up to speed ASAP if not sooner. Privates expect their NCO’s to know these MOS skills
SFC Ecker USANG (Ret)

Sadly I had to train more then one officer and multiple troops how. It should be extremely embarrassing when your medic knows more about your rifle or machine gun then you

This is one of those moments you pull the Sgt aside and give some training discreetly. Such as " dumbass the fuckin clip goes in like this or you can just throw it at the Target!" Had to have a few loving chats with a couple of my pilots when I was crewing on Huey's. But I would never put it on public display, that's bullshit and does no one any good.

When did they military become a "me" society? When I was in you helped your fellow soldier learn so the whole unit flourished. It seems like whoever took this video and posted it to social media is just being an asshole and trying to cause problems. Maybe that person should be knocked down a peg or two. The strength of a unit doesn't rest on the one weak or strong spot, it rests on the whole. To become a strong whole unit you have to help one another and not tear each other down. So she didn't know how to load a magazine? then teach her. That is the only way to learn. There isn't a single person out there that came shooting out the birth canal with all the knowledge to know how to do everything. As far as having a combat patch well I know someone that made it as far as Germany, broke their leg, sat in Germany for 2 months, was sent back to the U.S. Never saw any combat with their unit and still got combat patch because the whole unit got one.

NCOs lead from the front guard or active. Most reserve units has annual weapons qual. Not only would she be off the line. Other NCOs need to give her remedial training. SSG (Ret.) A.J. McCarthy

how in the hell did she become an no, matter of fact how did bergdahl become on when he deserted as a spec, you go to a board

FORGIVE ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT ISN'T THAT THE NEW "SAW" MACHINE GUN? IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S AN AMMO BELT HANGING DOWN AND ISN'T THAT A MALE FIRING THE WEAPON, WITH A FEMALE ON HIS LEFT? UNLESS I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG PIC. AND I CAN'T SEE A COMBAT PATCH ON EITHER SOLDIER.

While this is humiliating to the Corps of NonCommisioned Officers,it is the unit that needs to be examined.

I am currently apart of a detachment, this being said, for the most part we play by big boy and girl rules such as; mission above all else. We are short manned and overworked, this training in basic soldier skills is pushed to the side to ensure we can accomplish our mission. But, we do not EVER miss the opportunity to train each and every soldier under us in what is at least a basic requirement for service

Send his ass back to boot camp, or send him to the Navy where he won't be around firearms.

Show him how to do it correctly and move on.

Remedial training. My question is “How the hell did she get promoted”? How did she make it out of basic? This in my days was failure to progress which can stall promotions. Did this individual go through PLC/PLDC? This is a poor excuse from the 1SG down to the squad leader. If this individual is in any type of leadership position, I think as a first shirt, it’s time to put someone else in that leadership role. Maybe assign a mentor trainer. There is a solution an$ it’s up to fellow NCOs to not allow this NCO to fail. This is especially important within the NCO leadership.

What's the old adage? Praise in public, punish in private! Although as a old retired "Puddle Pirate" who knows how to load, even loading and firing a Ma Deuce. By the time someone reaches the rank of Sergeant they should know the basics; however not knowing her MOS, job, or training - I'd cut her some (not a lot though) slack; then see the next paragraph. I know that in Basic (I was in Navy Boot Camp) we were exposed to the M1 Garand then sent to the range to shoot. Somehow Sarge either forgot what she learned in Basic or she really didn't know how to load a magazine.

I'd pull her off to the side, ask her if she is sure she knows how to load a magazine, then show her. I would also ensure that she fully understands that range safety is paramount...

I don't consider it professional conduct to rag on the Guard or Reserve. that having been said, I find it hard to believe she went through basic without knowing how to load a magazine. There has to be something more going on here

I am shocked by the response of all these officerS and senior enlisted. Granted, I served at a different time (Vietnam) but to have a Sgt that doesn't know how to load a magazine???? That person is a danger to herself and all those around her! I am literally stunned at the excuses made for her. Times sure have changed! I believe that poor training, lax attitude and the concern for sensitivity is a major component of increase of suicide in solders. I served with the infantry (LRRP) in Vietnam. Solders that were not well trained, disciplined and mentally prepared did not fair well. The concern that I am reading about embarrassing the Sgt and minimizing the seriousness of what happened is inexcusable. To hear this coming from senior officers and senior NCOs? The enemy could care less about your sensitivity.

This would be my response to her. "Get the Hell off my line until you learn what you're supposed to be doing out here!"

About a week or two before the start of the Iraq War (Feb/Mar 2003), I was teaching classes on how to clear a 9mil and how to put on MOPP gear. It does not surprise me that this is the case when talking about Reservists, depending on their Rate/MOS.

If she was on a range that I was running, she would un-ass my range, ringht now, and not come back until she had proper PMI, no ifs, ands or buts.