When correcting a subordinate, do you give a mild, but stern rebuke, or is yelling necessary, depending on the offense?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/when-correcting-a-subordinate-do-you-give-a-mild-but-stern-rebuke-or-is-yelling-necessary-depending-on-the-offense
<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As an example, there were occasions when I honestly didn't see an officer's insignia, and passed them without saluting. Now some officers corrected me in a firm manner without raising their voice, others handled it with a little humor, and others went completely ballistic as if I insulted their mother. Now, I admit I was completely in the wrong and deserved to be corrected and apologized to the officer for my mistake.<br /><br /> As leaders, does your method of discipline depend on the offense, the attitude of the subordinate, or some other factors?Sun, 09 Jun 2019 20:14:04 -0400When correcting a subordinate, do you give a mild, but stern rebuke, or is yelling necessary, depending on the offense?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/when-correcting-a-subordinate-do-you-give-a-mild-but-stern-rebuke-or-is-yelling-necessary-depending-on-the-offense
<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As an example, there were occasions when I honestly didn't see an officer's insignia, and passed them without saluting. Now some officers corrected me in a firm manner without raising their voice, others handled it with a little humor, and others went completely ballistic as if I insulted their mother. Now, I admit I was completely in the wrong and deserved to be corrected and apologized to the officer for my mistake.<br /><br /> As leaders, does your method of discipline depend on the offense, the attitude of the subordinate, or some other factors?Cpl Kevin HendersonSun, 09 Jun 2019 20:14:04 -04002019-06-09T20:14:04-04:00Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 9 at 2019 8:49 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Is yelling going to make someone listen better?Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MSSun, 09 Jun 2019 20:49:42 -04002019-06-09T20:49:42-04:00Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jun 9 at 2019 8:56 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In my experience (both military and civilian), a stern rebuke is mostly all I need at most to correct someone. I typically reserve raising my voice for occasions where I need to get someone's attention in a hurry to prevent serious injury, death, or severe equipment damage - basically when there's an urgent need to impress upon them the severity of the situation. <br /><br />Given that I'm normally soft-spoken and a man of few words, raising my voice usually gets peoples' attention in a hurry.SGT Matthew S.Sun, 09 Jun 2019 20:56:40 -04002019-06-09T20:56:40-04:00Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 9 at 2019 9:00 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As a young lieutenant I was lucky enough to have the two greatest natural leaders I have ever met as my platoon sergeant and as the company 1stSgt. One was a Vietnam Vet; the other, Korea and Vietnam. They both had multiple medals for valor. (They became natural leaders, because it is natural when you do multiple combat tours to either become a good leader or find another line of work.)<br /><br />They taught me that if you lose your mind and are frothing at the mouth emotionally amped up, when nobody is going to get hurt and nothing is going to get broke, you just sent a message. The message is that you can't keep calm in a non-crisis. The smart troops are going to wonder how bad you will unravel in a combat crap sandwich. Most high volume corrections are theater, and may not be the best way to go. I always assume a Marine did not intend to screw up, unless he proves otherwise.<br /><br />Thereafter, I raised my voice to get someone's attention over a lot of background noise, to prevent imminent physical harm/injury, or to prevent property damage. I learned how to present a firm, serious explanation of what was expected, why it was expected, and the consequences of non-compliance. I also didn't jump someone's shit because of an unintended mistake. I just offered a calm, well-meant, appropriate reminder to keep aware.Maj John BellSun, 09 Jun 2019 21:00:04 -04002019-06-09T21:00:04-04:00Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2019 9:21 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Discretion is keySCPO Private RallyPoint MemberSun, 09 Jun 2019 21:21:47 -04002019-06-09T21:21:47-04:00Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2019 9:54 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I've always found that the more often and louder you yell, the less people listen. I save the yelling for when it's something serious that I need them to remember. Yelling for a purpose gets a desired result. Yelling because you're angry just tells people you can't control your emotions.SFC Private RallyPoint MemberSun, 09 Jun 2019 21:54:06 -04002019-06-09T21:54:06-04:00Response by SSG Brian G. made Jun 10 at 2019 12:32 AM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Depends on the situation and the tact required. A quiet word is often enough. Yelling only makes a spectacle and shows others what not to be. Yelling is reserved for those times when a point needs to be made then and now and in a hurry, most often when danger or loss of property is imminent or involved. <br /><br />There are some officers like that, that are just ate up and think just because they have that commission that they are gods gift and will go to lengths to show it. Those grow up for the most part and grow into their rank and learn a bit of respect for themselves, their rank and those they lead. Which leads to them being either one of the other two types you mention. <br /><br />The method depends on the offense, the attitude and other factors. An E-1 is going to get more leeway than a specialist would simply because that E-1 is barely fresh out of AIT while that specialist has been out a while and should well and above know better. They are junior leaders.SSG Brian G.Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:32:19 -04002019-06-10T00:32:19-04:00Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 10 at 2019 12:48 AM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Safety issue, yell as necessary and then stick a cork in it. Otherwise praise publicly and chastise privately. It moves the ball forward either way and doesn't send out errant messages to the crew. My first O-4 boss told me that very early on and I took it to heart. Even so, if you do a whole career doing the right thing, there will be some who think you're an Alpha Hotel. Their perception problem isn't yours to solve. Just keep taking care of your people, including the rocks and move on. Senior NCOs will help you out with the rocks. By the time it got to my level, the NCO community already knew what I was going to do. The betting pool was more driven by how fast it would happen.CAPT Kevin B.Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:48:07 -04002019-06-10T00:48:07-04:00Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2019 7:20 AM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I was an NCO I yelled a lot. I mean A LOT. Did it get me results? I don't know, maybe. But I realized as I moved on that I, myself do not respond to yelling (and even laughed sometimes when superiors were in my face yelling at me which got me in more trouble.) I figured if I don't respond to yelling and looking like I'm losing my cool, then my subordinates probably do not as well. Since becoming an officer, I have yelled once and that was to a Lieutenant who pushed back for four days when told to provide a piece of equipment he was signed for to the brigade commander. I still feel bad about losing my cool to this day and that incident was 4 years ago. When I worked in an S3 shop, the S3 actual had a way of not raising his voice, looking completely cool when he was not happy with you. His demeanor always spoke to me in a deep way that made me feel like I really disappointed him and that I need to do 10 times better. In my opinion, there's a lot of yelling in the military. So much so, that it loses its intended effect as people desensitize to it. I think temper flares and loud voices when used as a technique is like a scalpel, only appropriate in very specific situations. Perhaps when all else has failed do you resort to this. But I am definitely in favor of the very interactive, get it on written counseling (because subordinates really wake up when things are written down), "here's why I am not happy with you, and here's our plan to fix it" type of subordinate interaction.MAJ Private RallyPoint MemberMon, 10 Jun 2019 07:20:35 -04002019-06-10T07:20:35-04:00Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2019 10:04 AM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>For me, it depends on the audience and their infraction. I've had to raise my voice and got results. I've given a low toned verbal ass chewing and got results. Other times, I've just given looks and got results.MSG Private RallyPoint MemberMon, 10 Jun 2019 10:04:18 -04002019-06-10T10:04:18-04:00Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2019 2:32 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Had the same thing happen to me when I was a SSgt in the USAF. TDY and it was late, coming in from a long day at the construction site (we were Red Horse and building a new firing range complex at Shaw AFB) it was getting dark and I passed an Army LTC in BDUs. I honestly couldn't see well enough to distinguish his insignia and by the time I got close enough to see it, too late. I was in a no win situation. Fail to salute an officer and get reamed for it or salute a SNCO and get reamed for it.LTC Private RallyPoint MemberMon, 10 Jun 2019 14:32:17 -04002019-06-10T14:32:17-04:00Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jun 10 at 2019 10:19 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Depends upon the individual offender. Never lose your presence, but some just need a reminder, others a longer instruction. Remember, you are trying to correct and prevent reoccurance. In more serious situations, shoot them quietly.LtCol Robert QuinterMon, 10 Jun 2019 22:19:37 -04002019-06-10T22:19:37-04:00Response by AA Aki Christian made Jun 11 at 2019 12:08 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Depends on the situation, reserve your strength for when you need itAA Aki ChristianTue, 11 Jun 2019 12:08:48 -04002019-06-11T12:08:48-04:00Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jun 11 at 2019 1:07 PM
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<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Situational dependentSFC Melvin BrandenburgTue, 11 Jun 2019 13:07:23 -04002019-06-11T13:07:23-04:002019-06-09T20:14:04-04:00