Platoon Sergeant
Platoon Sergeant
Posted on Apr 17, 2018
What is the best way to deal with NCO's who are the same rank as you but you are placed in a higher position within your platoon?
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I am currently serving as a platoon sergeant position. I have been having issues with some of soldiers in my platoon and one of the nco who falls under me. generally my leader ship style is approach the issue "man to man", talk about what the issue is and try and fix it there. I have done this a couple times with the SM who is the same rank as myself however still refuse to understand that I am currently serving in a higher position and I am his boss regardless of the fact that we are the same rank. I am having issues of disrepect and insubordiantion. I am wondering what your thoughts are on how to go about addressing this issue? I have spoken with senior leadership on this issue and some say to just let SM know we have to work as a team. Others say put it on paper.
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Platoon Sergeant
Leadership Development
Platoon Sergeant Leadership Development
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 12
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True story. When I was a platoon sergeant back in the day at the 11th armored Cavalry Regiment, I fired an incompetent Sergeant E-5. In his place I put a specialist as the squad leader. I was very clear to this sergeant, who shouldn't have been a sergeant to begin with, that the specialist was in charge of the squad and that he will obey his Squad leader's orders as dictated to him by his chain of command and NCO support Channel. I also made clear to the specialist that he is to respect the rank of Sergeant in issuing those orders. The sergeant complained to the first sergeant who told him that I was the platoon sergeant and he would have done the same thing.
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CPT William Jones
Top just curious as an old timer did you fire anybody in your unit. When I served a long time ago that was the Unit commanders job not anyone elses. Now that said if one of my NCO leaders discussed a problem soldier and they needed relieving it would be done. But moving people around was at my order not an enlisted member of my command. Sort of like an Article 15 the only people that can actually give one is an officer commanding a unit. Not saying a NCO cannot get one issued just a tech matter on who does it.
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You need to conduct a specific counseling making him aware of the fact that you are the platoon sergeant. As such you expect every NCO in the platoon to do what you say in follow lawful orders.
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It sounds like he thinks he should be a PS rather than working for you, but is not looking at the big picture. If he cannot follow his PS's orders, whatever the PS's rank, and instead is disrespectful and insubordinate, he may not ever get the chance to be a PS...He has an opportunity to act like an NCO right now demonstrate to everyone else that their job is to do their job, but he isn't doing it. You tried talking to him. It did not work. Your job is to fix the problem, which from the other comments appears to be to write him up.
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