Would you speak out against your Commander or Platoon Leader, knowing they're wrong, or would you keep quiet?

PVT William Bresch — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 09:30:27 -0400

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 13 at 2016 10:37 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 10:37:06 -0400

Yes, I did it to many times to count. You just need to know what you're talking about and use a little tact.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 13 at 2016 10:51 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 10:51:16 -0400

I have been in positions were it was my job to know regulations and ensure my unit was compliant. Part of that responsibility was to keep my superiors out of trouble, because they are ultimately responsible. Commanders are not always subject matter experts of the regulations, that is why they have a staff to do that for them. If somebody was wrong, it got pointed out and the regulation was cited. If there was a disagreement on interpretation, then it was ultimately up to them to make a decision, with all the facts and evidence presented.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2016 11:11 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:11:29 -0400

As METT-TC dictates actions in the military, let the situation determine the level of tact and discretion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2016 11:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:20:51 -0400

The devil is in the details here, what happens if I don't speak up and how can I best convey my beliefs without causing additional problems.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2016 3:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 15:26:47 -0400

Fortunately, the Army issues us a Chain-of-Command to address issues such as this. If the CO is making an error (or a perceived error), a well-placed question can clarify intent and give the commander options he did not consider. Most decent leaders allow for this as they are executing Troop Leading Procedures.

Response by LTC Sonya Friday made Jul 13 at 2016 4:56 PM

LTC Sonya Friday — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 16:56:15 -0400

I would say something to them but in private not in front of everyone.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jul 13 at 2016 6:39 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 18:39:11 -0400

Wrong is relative. Illegal or immoral you have an obligation to. If it is just less than optimal or a way of doing things you don't really like, you can raise a point or try to reason with them. However, doing something in less than an optimal way is not illegal and we follow lawful orders even the ones we don't like.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Jul 13 at 2016 10:49 PM

Col Dona Marie Iversen — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 22:49:56 -0400

Best to have a private conversation vs. an open forum

Response by SSG Roderick Smith made Jul 14 at 2016 6:32 AM

SSG Roderick Smith — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 06:32:10 -0400

I wouldn't speak OUT, but I would definitely speak TO. There's a huge difference, especially in a professional environment.

The key is to use tact and maintain your military bearing. It also helps to come armed with knowledge of the situation. If you don't know all the facts, keep your mouth shut until you do. Do your research, and be able to give factual reasons and references why they are wrong.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jul 14 at 2016 7:42 AM

SPC James Harsh — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 07:42:39 -0400

No. I wouldn't speak out against the commander or a PL although if it was open forum I don't see why not and respect the decision without any more fret. I was lucky to have an NCO for awhile that took care of me against many newly promoted e-5 that where trying to push papers on me. During a high stress time on deployment I had an attitude with my SQD LDR a SSG and there were witnesses it was while loading up and getting rushed to a brief. Soon as I realized I had got loud I STFU and locked it up, didn't happen again. I wouldn't mess advise messing around with higher ranks.

*also @ my home station unit, IDK if it was part of the ROTC but we had a high turnover rate of PL 2nd Lt, to learn ropes of being PL and in some cases actual to become 1Lt under the CO

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jul 14 at 2016 6:53 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 18:53:55 -0400

I WOULD CALL HIM TO SIDE AND ADDRESS HIM IN A VERY TACFUL WAY. AWAY OTHER PEOPLE. I WOULD NOT KEEP IT QUIET IT AFFECTS THE MORAL.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jul 16 at 2016 2:12 AM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 02:12:11 -0400

As this was started by a PVT, you need to shut the fuck up until you start to understand what is going on around you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 7:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 19:47:32 -0400

In a heartbeat. They are human beings, therefore, they are not infallible. And if they think they are, then I don't want them as my leader.

The key is doing it in an appropriate manner and the correct venue based on the situation.

I've called out a Commander in the middle of a formation because he gave the wrong time for an MWR event. I simply raised my hand and called out, "Sir, the information I have says this time!" He double checked and corrected himself and thanked me.

Another time, I felt the commander was abusing his authority and making requirements that I felt were outside his power. I took it up with my first line, clarified what I felt he was doing. My leadership took it to IG for clarification, they backed them up, went to the CO to request clarification on his orders and intent, showed him that he was acting outside his authority, and the CO adjusted his orders. CO didn't even know it was me that took issue with his orders.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2016 1:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:24:09 -0400

Unfortunately, I would argue that it depends on the leader. I am not stating this to criticize or to appear as if I would intentionally allow my leaders to blunder, but I have met those who truly believe they are infallible, and no matter the manner or level or tact utilized, they will never be wrong. When I come across these types of leaders, I have found that the only thing one can do is attempt to correct, listen to their infallible rebuttal, and wait for the next higher up to "red ink" the action and return it for correction. Even then, the junior will not be in the right.

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made Jul 25 at 2016 4:29 PM

CMSgt Mike Esser — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 16:29:56 -0400

It depends upon the infraction. It could be a career ender, this is why we have 1st Sergeants, Chaplains the IG which allows anonymous reporting......

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 1:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:10:09 -0400

I would speak. Wrong is wrong, and as soldiers, we are expected to uphold the standard, regardless of rank or position. I would expect even a PVT to correct me (when I make it to the end of my road, hopefully as a CSM) if I am wrong.