Posted on Jun 18, 2015
SSG Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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Ive noticed and been apart of the despair that treats Sergeants like junior enlisted. I understand that these are junior NCO's but they are NCO's in the end and have earned the rank. Vehicle searches (for E5 and below), packing layouts (E5 and below), having to buddy up to go to the px (or needing an E6 or higher to go with) etc....Im not oppose to any of this stuff but I just feel like when I was at that rank I earned the respect and confidence of my leadership and the army as a whole.
Posted in these groups: Armyssg SSGArmysgt SGTArmy usa or 07.svg SFCArmy usa or 08b.svg MSGArmy usa or 09b.svg CSM
Edited 9 y ago
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MSG Operations Sergeant
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Sergeant E5s are working supervisors. They are with their Soliders 100 percent of the time. Therefore, they work where the rubber meets the road and lead from the front. If a Staff Sergeant orders a layout, then Team Leaders lead the way in the care and presentation of their equipment and teaching the Soldiers what the standard is... If a Sergeant First Class orders the layout, then Squad Leaders layout equipment too. Your job as a Sergeant is to lead, train, teach junior enlisted Soldiers. You will be with them all the time. This doesn't mean you are a junior enlisted Soldier - you are entrusted with accomplishment of the mission - you are in charge!
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CSM Command Sergeant Major
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>1 y
SGT Timothy Rocheleau - As a SSG/SFC/1SG/CSM, I've always supervised and had a presence... Was I painting BII as a SGM? No, but I certainly helped put up the tents... Leadership should always have a presence, but there are several tasks going on within a Squad, Platoon, Company, Batallion, etc., so unfortunately the PVT may not see their leader there. Also remember that not only are the leaders overseeing the larger operation taking place, but they are planning for the steps ahead... Unfortunately, that's not to say every leader is doing that, and I'm sure I've had my lazy days, but generally leaders are often there and it may just be overlooked. Main thing is to work as a team at whatever level you are at.
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SGT Timothy Rocheleau
SGT Timothy Rocheleau
>1 y
CSM Wilkes,
I may not have stated what I was trying to state as succinctly as I could have. In no way was my comment typed with an intent to imply that any of these ranks should be doing anything more than their required duties. My only point was that as an E-5, although you are the "first NCO" this person should still be treated as an NCO who has achieved that "supervisory" role. The sergeant should be there, front and center, guiding his troops, teaching as needed and assisting. But as that first line supervisor one can not supervise his troops if he is himself being treated as a "junior enlisted" troop. As that "first NCO" you should be afforded the proper respect by both those subordinate to yourself but also from those above you. Senior enlisted can't expect the specialist and below to respect and follow an NCO when the seniors and Commisioned are treating the NCO as a "junior enlisted". This isn't to say that there are some Sergeants who need to be treated as such, but that involves and entirely different problem of "if your NCO needs to be treated like a junior troop why did you sign off on them going to the board to be promoted". It is assumed that if a soldier makes their 5 the leadership team has signed off on them and shown a level of respect from the start, so that respect should continue. If the leadership team feels that a Sergeant needs to continue to perform as a specialist or below then that shows fault with the leaderships decision making from the start. A sergeant shouldn't have been afforded the opportunity to become such if he/she is deemed to still need to be subjected to the tasks of their lower ranking soldiers. Respect is earned, if a soldier has achieved promotion to the NCO corp then I believe they have earned that respect and should be treated as such. The Sergeant shouldn't be subjected to tasks at the level of E-4 and below, they should be getting guidance from those senior to them on their new role and potential for further advancement.
In no way was I implying that any NCO should be shoulder to shoulder with those junior in relegated tasks. If the leadership team feels an NCO still needs to be at the level of a E-4 and below then that NCO should have never been sent to Leadership Ckirses or recommended for the board for advancement.
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SGT Stephen Scott
SGT Stephen Scott
5 y
Not the way it worked in late 70'sand early 80's. We were teacher. I ran the night shift aircraft armament/missle system repair at a Direct Support unit supporting 6th ACCB, at Fort Hood. That was fun, but other than that my stripes didn't mean much to anybody.
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MSG Operations Sergeant
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>1 y
So, I retired several years ago from the Army. Having said that, I still try to help Soldiers in any capacity that I can.
Here are my thoughts regarding layouts. First and foremost layouts are conducted in order to ensure equipment is accounted for and serviceable. The company commander is ultimately signed for and responsible for all equipment and Soldiers in his command. Therefore layouts are a tool for commanders to ensure his/ her unit is prepared to meet any contingencies from from training events to combat.
As Sergeants and Staff Sergeants are part of the chain of command, they lead Soldiers through layouts. This is an opportunity for training and leadership by example. Sergeants Major, First Sergeants/Master Sergeants, and Platoon Sergeants are not part of the chain of command and are senior NCOs. The job of senior NCOs is to facilitate and resource training. Also due to their vast experience they guide and plan training events and mentor junior NCOs and Soldiers.
The thought that something is unfair displays a lack of understanding about what the event actually is accomplishing. These skills (and layouts are a skill) directly translate into combat tasks such as Pre Combat Checks (PCCs) and Pre Combat Inspections (PCIs). PCCs are conducted by squad and team leaders. PCIs are conducted by platoon leaders and platoon sergeants.
As a Sergeant and Staff Sergeant I relished the opportunity to show what the standard was to my Soldiers and team leaders. I believe that reframing what standards are meant to accomplish in one’s mind is the key to chasing the unfair attitude someone may have and guide Soldiers and junior NCOs as to what right looks like. You are preparing your Soldiers for war. This is serious business and a focus that can be lost in a garrison environment.
Finally I will close with a maxim that was old when I came in, “Soldiers don’t do what you Expect, Soldiers only do what you Inspect”.
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SFC Small Group Leader
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I was raised that Sergeant (E-5), is the most challenging and most challenged rank in the Army. Why? The Sergeant is the most resourceful, knows their Soldiers the most, and most relied upon.

When I was a PSG, I made sure that my Soldiers and NCO's understood that if you are a Sergeant (E-5), you will be a leader who counsels, trains, and provides mentorship. The Soldiers knew that their Sergeant (first line) is their financial advisor, mentor, confidant, executive administrator, spokes person, coach, expert, time keeper, librarian, writer, life representative, note keeper, supply guy, motivator, personal trainer, dietitian, support network, your biggest fan, marksmanship coach, family advisor and taxi cab.

Maybe, those Sergeant (E-5's) are not accountable and someone with higher rank had to do their job, so they were micro-managed.

Allow your Soldiers and NCO's to know exactly what you expect as their leader and they will not stray to the left or right. If they do...... Consequences and repercussions are evident..


off my soap box.
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SGT Joseph Schmalzel
SGT Joseph Schmalzel
>1 y
So well said. As an E-5 I was literally carring a Cav Troop on my shoulders. Flight Instructor, Crew Chief, Safety NCO, Fire Marshal (Barracks and Hanger), Respritory awareness NCO, Armorer, Arms Room NCO, Master Gunner, Training platoon NCO (Different from my actual Platoon) Platoon SGT. had 10 soldiers, 5 Blackhawks and 2 other E-5's.
The 2 other Platoons called us the E-15 platoon and all wanted to be a part.
The E-5 is possibly the most important of all ranks.
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PO3 John Wagner
PO3 John Wagner
>1 y
Well, maybe your uppers were,thinking of you for a promotion but,wanted to get more performance out of you...don't get me wrong...E5 is a prom,option level which does bring a greater level of responsibility however as I said perhaps your seniors,were,looking,to bring you up and saw that you had the ability in you to make it farther if some,minor "weakness" as they may have perceived it.. I say this not in judgement but to express the possibity of a wrong interpretation by yourself. Please have heart and confidence.
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SGT Ronald Minick
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Due to the fast promotion rate during the wars, we promoted Soldiers who were not ready, abused their rank or had no idea what duties and responsibilities come with the greatest rank which are those three stripes. A Sergeant leads by example. He/She is the true enforcer of our discipline and stardards- the bull dog. I seen that pride dissolve in many and in place of that.....became poor leadership. Square it away; but look in the marrior and ask yourself if you are worthy of those stripes and what those stripes mean.
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SSG Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
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A lot of that falls on us SGT, we have to ensure ur ready and prepared. We are responsible for you as you are responsible for the Soldiers. As a SSG I am responsible to ensure u know what I expect and if u overstep your lane it's my job to fix it. I also (and this is hard for me ) need to step back and let you lead. I do not criticize you in front of the Soldiers you lead that's a one on one mentoring event. Remember you should expect support from me too, don't let me fail you.
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SSG Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
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SFC (Join to see) actually what ur describing is how the Army has changed. The Lieutenants once upon a time were in the back of the formation and the NCO s were up front. The Army decided the LT s needed to lead more so it's not just bad NCO s.
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SSG Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
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SGT Timothy Rocheleau ok you've been out for a while, I had a 19 year break in service and found out in 2008 there was such a thing as automatic integration. Yes if an MOS was short staffed the cutoff would basically be is the E4 flagged? No, ok has he or she got a year TIG yes, ok do they have 4 years TIS YES OK promote to Sergeant or Staff Sergeant
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SSG Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
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SGT Ronald Minick I've seen a lot of great SPC s look crappy as SGT s just saying
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