When you’re a PVT or PV2 in charge of soldiers who rank higher than you, does it get frustrating?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:15:07 -0400

I’m only asking because I don’t know if I might be put into a leadership position early on in my military career. I want to prepared as much as possible by asking you guys.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2019 8:24 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:24:16 -0400

You will not and should not be put in a leadership position over Soldiers of a higher rank than you. Hope that helps

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2019 8:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:26:57 -0400

Generally speaking, you won’t be “in charge” of those that outrank you. That said, there will be numerous times (if you stick around) that you will lead your peers. Remember, while with rank comes general military authority, you don’t want to rely on that alone. Be professional, be competent, be engaged. Make those you work with believe in and want to follow your lead. That’s the beat I can give you.

Response by SGT De'Vonte Johnson made Oct 21 at 2019 8:29 PM

SGT De'Vonte Johnson — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:29:05 -0400

Usually this sort of thing doesn’t happen, but occasionally it does. What my old 1SG use to do was, some days he’d step to the side and allow his junior enlisted soldiers to take charge of the formations during battalion and regular company formation. Some didn’t like it, but at the end of the day YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE POSITION. It may be frustrating but think about how the person that’s in charge at the time may feel. You’ll hear some folk say this true statement “it’s not about the rank, it more about the position one holds that gets the most respect”.

Response by SPC Corey Blue made Oct 21 at 2019 8:44 PM

SPC Corey Blue — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:44:23 -0400

Gonna give you the keys to success:
• Treat your soldiers with respect, it’s earned not given, but make it clear that no matter what you call the shots.
• Make it clear there’s a reason why you’re chosen to be their first line, to include a stern policy on treating you the same way as that would treat a SPC/NCO if they were in charge.
• Take care of your soldiers, and they will take care of you
• You’re not their best friend, but you are that person they will look up to so make sure you gain their trust, they rely on you to guide them in the right direction.
• Make sure you know what your job is, you can’t lead a group of joes/janes if they can’t retain the right information from the one who is supposed to be the most experienced.
• Being a Leader is a privilege and not something given, so don’t take it for granted.
• You’re not a Drill Sergeant (not yet, if you wanna be then thats fine) but in the meantime there’s multiple ways to be a disciplinarian without having an aneurysm over a small infraction.
• Yes, your soldiers have to stay motivated, but they may need a push sometimes. Don’t hold their hands the whole way, but make sure you can point them in the right direction.
• Feel your guys out, no two soldiers are alike. At the end of the day these are human beings with personalities, and they will know when you don’t know how to handle them.
•We are in an Army that isn’t as forgiving, and most soldiers are getting out because they can’t seem to find or see a leader they can count on so they give up or the Army gives up on them. Your responsibility is your joes and nobody messes with your joes, period. Keep the toxicity out of the work area.
• You’re gonna get a lot of flak for being such a lower rank in a leadership position, this is when you have to quite literally show that you aren’t scared to be the person in that position.
• SOME guys/gals will mess things up for you, that’s fine, corrective action can be taken to make sure they know that your squad is not for individuals.
That’s all I got right now bud, they put you in charge for a reason, be that First Line that soldier tells his soldiers about a few years down the line.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 21 at 2019 8:48 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:48:22 -0400

Not if you simply give mission guidance to Soldiers who have been briefed upon and understand the mission. PFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2019 9:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 21:17:04 -0400

Stay professional and only give guidance for the tasks you were put in charge of. You will be ok if you stick to this outline.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Oct 21 at 2019 9:21 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 21:21:34 -0400

They are not going to put you in charge of a soldier that outranks you. Another PVT or PFC yes but not a E-4.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Oct 21 at 2019 9:24 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 21:24:47 -0400

They may do that in basic training. Not in the real army. At 7th army NCO academy in 1968, I was put in charge because the maintenance guys kept failing. I ended up number 2 out of 100 soldiers. As a SP/4. Made SP/5 the day I got back to my unit.

Response by COL David Turk made Oct 21 at 2019 9:38 PM

COL David Turk — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 21:38:32 -0400

In my experience, that never happened in the PVT thru PFC ranks. Occasionally, you’ll see it in the officer ranks. I was the acting commander of a USACE district, initially as a EN LTC(P). The IT chief, who reported to me, was a COL (Finance).
The other instance of this occurring (temporary and indirectly) is with MPs. Again, from personal experience, MPs often give direction to others much more senior to them. As the Duty Officer once said to a Captain we had pulled over and refuse to acknowledge us (two SP/4’s), “Captain, don’t confuse rank with authority!” And a few other choice sayings.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Oct 21 at 2019 9:54 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 21:54:14 -0400

I can't imagine an E2 in that position outside of training

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2019 11:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 23:24:26 -0400

You wont be in charge of them. My guess is you be the lead tech or something along those lines. If so, just be respectful and try to make it fun. Do not talk down to anyone. EVER!

Response by SSG George Holtje made Oct 21 at 2019 11:43 PM

SSG George Holtje — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 23:43:14 -0400

Don’t expect It to last forever. Don’t go on a power trip. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes to remind more senior soldiers that they’re being slackers. Sometimes because you know more about the task at hand(ie construction or carpentry experience before the military). Remember toes you step on can be connected to a butt you will have to...well you get the idea.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 22 at 2019 12:41 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 00:41:29 -0400

Maybe on CQ

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Oct 22 at 2019 3:33 AM

LCpl Cody Collins — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 03:33:03 -0400

That might seem commendable, but no you are not ready. You might think you are, but your not. Because there's a ton of things about Leadership you haven't a clue, The first thing is real experience .

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 22 at 2019 5:11 AM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 05:11:54 -0400

Yes, while this sort of thing does not happen often, it can and does happen and yes it gets frustrating. You have to respect their rank but you are in charge of them. If you are placed in this situation it is usually for a reason. Be clear on what that is and learn from it. Usually it is a in preparation for greater authority down the line.

We used to use this all the time in Germany.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2019 5:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 05:14:40 -0400

A PVT is not in charge of anyone. If anything, you are a liaison between your office and the NCO who is in charge.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2019 8:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 08:20:43 -0400

Position over rank.... without being disrespectful.

Response by SSG William Zopff III made Oct 22 at 2019 8:59 AM

SSG William Zopff III — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 08:59:42 -0400

Take the opportunity to lead in stride, its one way leaders develop your leadership skills. A good leader prepares his troops to continue to function effectively in the leader’s absence. During non-stress training opportunities, your peers will challenge you, this also ensures they know you and learn to trust your abilities. Have fun too, as they rib you and make life real!

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Oct 22 at 2019 8:58 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:58:40 -0400

Yes, but you have been put in a position of authority and they will try your authority. It’s not about them, it’s about your potential.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 7:26 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 19:26:13 -0400

Chaplain BOLC. We were all direct commission LTs and CPTs being instructed on basic Army tasks by SSGs and SFCs, as it was most of our initial military training. The Chaplain training was taught by Majors. If I remember correctly, they referred to us as “Chaplains” instead of “Sir” or “Ma’am” until the 3 month training finished.

Response by SPC Kendall Metcalf made Oct 24 at 2019 10:35 PM

SPC Kendall Metcalf — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 22:35:58 -0400

It happens. More than often in class settings and the SME is an E-4 teaching on a topic not only has he had first hand knowledge from combat but as well the Army cirt saying he’s qualified to teach it. Some SFC’s don’t take it too well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 7:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 19:14:56 -0400

So I am in this particular issue myself. I am a cadre member in the position of squad leader of 8 soldiers. As a staff sergeant I am in charge of the health, welfare and transition back to or out of the Army. I have a LT COL, CPT, SFC among the squad. I can tell you that as a squad leader you still counsel them, facilitate administrative action and deal with their personal or professional issues. It’s a tough job but it gives you a real big wake up call on how you approach situations.
This is the case in every Warrior Transition Battalion. Oh and it’s a mix of active, reserve, and NG on bothe sides of the formation. If I can be successful anyone can.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2019 2:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 14:46:35 -0500

When I was an E2 I was put in charge of E4's and E5's for a short period because of my experience in construction. We were moving barracks and had to prepare to turn in the ones we had been living in for years. I had the most recent experience with building codes in the platoon. At first there was a lot of resentment, however after I shared my knowledge and experience, things smoothed out. If it ever happens to you, remember to be professional in all your interactions. Except for a situation like that you will probably not have to worry about leading Soldiers who out rank you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2019 9:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 21:26:38 -0500

You will definitely go up in ranks as you progress in your military career so always exercise initiative in the absence of orders in all that you do by taking charge of other privates your with with and also taking responsibility for your actions at all time

Response by CPT William Jones made May 23 at 2020 8:58 PM

CPT William Jones — Sat, 23 May 2020 20:58:34 -0400

that should never happen to a Private of any sort.

Response by CW5 Jack Gaudet made Jul 5 at 2021 10:33 AM

CW5 Jack Gaudet — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:33:20 -0400

When I was a WOC going through my basic course, we had a CW4 in our class being rebranded. One day an cadre E5 came into our room and started chewing us out for something the previous class had done and they would not put up with it from us. Long story short, there was a meeting afterwards with the school commander which the CW4 reminded the E5, he respected him being in charge of our class but that he would still be respectful when addressing an officer. Comes down to pick your battles. Respect the position, I have seen where individuals of a lesser ranks are put in charge for mentoring or for them to see that those positions are not always as gravy as they think.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 1 at 2023 8:12 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:12:23 -0400

I'm a Marine infantry guy. I can't remember this happening once. I never even heard of such a thing. Nor would I have allowed it in my command. If I had a Marine with superior technical skill and had to form a detail with a Marine of senior rank in the detail, the senior would be in charge, but I'd let him know that he's smart if he asks the technically superior guy a lot of questions and LISTENS.