Who runs the platoon, the platoon sergeant or the platoon leader?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:51:33 -0400

Study: 99% Of Lieutenants In Abusive Relationship With Platoon Sergeants

WASHINGTON — Recently released statistics from a 2014 poll show that 99% of all platoon leaders are in abusive relationships with their respective platoon sergeants.

The poll, conducted by the Military Times, reinforces the enduring practice of lieutenant abuse by non-commissioned officers in platoon sergeant positions. It was nearly unanimous in respondents aged 18-38 that they openly condoned and engaged in behaviors with their platoon leaders that would be chargeable as “abuse” under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). A small cross-section even displayed behavior that would violate Article 120 of the military justice system.

Not surprisingly most platoon leaders are not coming forward, either out of fear or simple ignorance of how NCOs should be treating them.

One brave survivor, Nick Vance, a graduate of the United States Military Academy and currently attending seminary school, gave Duffel Blog an exclusive interview about living out his personal Hell.

“When I met my first platoon sergeant he was the ideal NCO. He was funny, nurturing, and supportive. He would even pick me up in the morning for PT and treat me to breakfast at the DFAC. I honestly couldn’t have been happier,” said Vance about his co-leader.

“But then, after about 3 months of working side by side, day in and day out, I started to notice things. They were little things at first. Like, he would stop talking to whoever he was speaking with when I walked up. When I would ask what he was talking about, he would say, ‘Don’t worry about it. It’s NCO business.’ Or he would make snide comments about my Hooters waitress girlfriend, saying how she was a ‘bad influence’ on me.”

Then, according to Vance, his platoon sergeant gradually became openly hostile and would randomly “fly off the handle” at the smallest remark. “He became very demeaning. After years of therapy I learned he was trying to isolate me when he forbade me from going to the company commander’s meeting or speaking with senior officers. He would rewrite my training schedules, tell me how everything I touched was ‘a clusterfuck, at best,’ and ‘out’ me on the radio. After I filled out our platoon’s range card with primary and secondary sectors of fire converging onto the company command post (CP) I knew it was only a matter of time before he took it to the next level.”

And took it the next level he did, according to Vance.

“Every time I would try to call cadence during platoon runs or organize chalks for Air Assaults I would be met with a string of profanity and flying garbage cans,” said Vance. “Where do you even put garbage cans during a 3 mile run?”

Finally, the officer was pushed to his breaking point. “I felt trapped and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I couldn’t go inside the CP without being sprayed with fire extinguishers or called ‘Lieutenant Fauntleroy.’ I finally resigned my commission when I was held down by all of the platoon sergeants while they ritualistically shaved me.”

Parker briefly stopped to compose himself, adding: “ALL of me.”

It is because of cases like Vance’s that major news outlets and human rights groups are finally taking notice and forcing senior enlisted leaders to respond. Newly appointed Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, informed of the accusations only this morning, vowed to act once he takes the top post on Jan. 30.

“I take these issues extremely seriously and will stop at nothing to resolve these allegations,” Dailey told reporters. “I will discuss these results with my staff and do my very best to bring the level back up to 100% like our forefathers intended.”

Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/12/army-platoon-sergeant-lt/#ixzz3WBfMPRDT

Study: 99% Of Lieutenants In Abusive Relationship With Platoon Sergeants

Platoon sergeants routinely engage in abusive behavior with their officer counterparts, a new study has found.

Response by CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 5:12 PM

CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:12:16 -0400

Sir, I love Duffleblog...You're a mustang, so you may be that 1% that doesn't get abused. Personally, I would not know about any kind of alleged abuse.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 5:14 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:14:23 -0400

You had me going Sir, until I read that they gave Duffle Blog the exclusive

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Apr 18 at 2015 10:32 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 10:32:29 -0400

Should add the tag "Humor" so that people don't miss it... ;)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 10:37 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 10:37:00 -0400

I hate Duffel Bag. Perhaps after we get the clown out of the WH, we can actually have some fun but it is not fun seeing our benefits eroding and tarnishing the efforts of past admins to make life better.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2015 11:33 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 11:33:33 -0400

If someone fvcks with you, fvck them back. I have a hard time believing 99% of the PLs are abused.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 1:18 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 13:18:57 -0400

Still learning how to use this properly. Thanks for the advise

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Apr 22 at 2019 7:33 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 19:33:34 -0400

I let my LT pretend to be in charge sometimes. He's a good kid

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Oct 26 at 2020 4:10 PM

SSG Brian Carpenter — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:10:20 -0400

As my granddaughter would say " MY JESUS" BWAHAHAHAHA do you realize how many civilians reading this would believe that this was actually happening in the Army?