Within the Air Force, what is the official stance or policy when it comes to "corrective training" to deal with problem airmen E-1 to E-4?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 May 2016 17:35:02 -0400

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made May 22 at 2016 6:46 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sun, 22 May 2016 18:46:39 -0400

I have not seen corrective training used at the unit level (outside of a training unit). I am curious why you asked or what event happened that caused you to ask the question.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made May 22 at 2016 7:17 PM

MSgt John Taylor — Sun, 22 May 2016 19:17:36 -0400

Whatever action you take, it must come after the individual accepts that he/she did something incorrect. The goal is to prevent it, or anything like it, from happening it again. That can only take place if they understand that it was a mistake. from there, be fair, so that the other Airmen can see that it applies to them as well.

When I was a Flt chief, I had an assistant Flt chief that always yelled. He felt that he had to be an A-hole at all times. The problem was, that when he actually needed to yell, it came off as more noise. I'm sure that he sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher to them.

Also, if you make threats, you need to make it a reality when the condition that warranted the threat exist.

Response by SMSgt Matthew Hoyer made May 22 at 2016 10:13 PM

SMSgt Matthew Hoyer — Sun, 22 May 2016 22:13:15 -0400

That question is super broad. A more specific example would probably be required in order to answer it completely. Even the unit that you're in could factor into what is appropriate (tech training TRS ,etc.) for corrective training.

Response by SSgt M. Har made May 24 at 2016 3:29 AM

SSgt M. Har — Tue, 24 May 2016 03:29:47 -0400

It's easy...ask your Chain of Command specifically your supervisor for guidance. Bring your superiors on board so when the correction is done its backed up.

Response by MSgt Darryl Holt made May 24 at 2016 8:44 AM

MSgt Darryl Holt — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:44:45 -0400

Be sure it doesn't come across as punishment because only a commander can "punish."

Response by MSgt John McGowan made May 25 at 2016 8:43 AM

MSgt John McGowan — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:43:09 -0400

SSgt- As a 1st Sgt and a Branch Chief there is always a target painted on your back. I have been both. You make judgement calls but you do not ignore a problem. You should have by now picked up on plenty of how not to do. Apply what you have learned from good and bad leaders. Just don't do what the bad ones do. Your style of leadership will come out and you will do fine. Congratulations also.

Response by CMSgt Lloyd French made May 25 at 2016 8:47 AM

CMSgt Lloyd French — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:47:04 -0400

You only have two problems with people...behavior problems and character problems. Behavior problems are usually accidents with no premeditation...character problems are bad choices someone actually had time to think about and chose to do them anyway. I'd find a way to rid the military of character problems...you'll spend 99% of your time on them. You can fix behavior problems with a LOC ... sometimes less.

Response by Maj Gary Gault made May 25 at 2016 10:56 AM

Maj Gary Gault — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:56:03 -0400

Bring back the cat-o-nine tails and give them a good flogging!

Response by Maj Gary Gault made May 25 at 2016 10:58 AM

Maj Gary Gault — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:58:38 -0400

Give them a choice of being separated from the service or 10 lashes with the cat-o-nine tails. In either case there must be some unpleasant consequences that are not too severe but severe enough to get the point across.

Response by A1C Robert Bowers made May 25 at 2016 7:59 PM

A1C Robert Bowers — Wed, 25 May 2016 19:59:00 -0400

LOR was the usual for non judicial punishment

Response by SSgt Gary Emch made May 27 at 2016 12:56 PM

SSgt Gary Emch — Fri, 27 May 2016 12:56:28 -0400

I went in the Air Force back in 75. I only remember that you were given a letter of reprimand or an article 15 which was the last step before your were thrown out.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 11:42 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:42:07 -0400

Any Corrective Training you conduct, you are supposed to do it with them. You cannot damage their delicate souls or hurt their feelings. You must disregard all Military Leadership Skills and act like an overbearing and over concerned parent.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 11:45 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 11:45:59 -0400

You are not longer allowed to take them out behind the woodshed. You have to allow them to express themselves through running amuck.

Response by SSgt Justyn Stevens made Jul 15 at 2016 10:36 AM

SSgt Justyn Stevens — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:36:47 -0400

LOC's and LOR's don't seem to sway wayward airmen anymore. DUI's were a big problem at my station overseas! When caught DUI off the installation they were punished by the host nation (SOFA). It was considered double jeopardy to persecute them with the UCMJ. All they received was confinement to barracks.

Response by CMSgt Lloyd French made Jul 21 at 2016 12:42 PM

CMSgt Lloyd French — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:42:24 -0400

In the Air Force, we couldn't afford to keep "problem" airmen. If premeditated and repeat standards violations occurred, these were "character" problems. So we administratively discharged them so they could trade Air Force blue for some other non-military uniform and/or job. The first one is the hardest...then the rest are easy when you see the positive impact it has on those who toe the line and remain. The airmen who truly made a "mistake" and learned from it usually never required a repeat visit to the 1st Sgt or Commander.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2016 6:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 18:24:10 -0500

Pretty much what it comes down to is verbal counciling and then paper work if it cometinues. Other options are pt with your subordinates or contingent rewards for desired behavior. The ways of motivational pt or "getting smoked" are gone. But the main ways are a verbal lesson with corrective instruction, and then LoC and LoR if improvements sent made