Posted on Feb 6, 2019
Does it get any easier to discipline a Soldier? As much as I don’t like him I don’t want to take his rank, but why?
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I have a Soldier that has put me in the position where we will be taking his rank from him. He lacks motivation, discipline, etc. He’s even been AWOL the last two Drills. I want to fix his problems, and realize that I can’t do it for him. I don’t have any options left but to take rank and re-establish the standard for my platoon. I don’t even like him personally, so why do I find myself not wanting to do this part of my job?
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Leadership
Leadership
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 14
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A few things to consider before filing UCMJ to take away rank...
1. Do you have written counselings to support along with record of no-show for drill?
2. How supportive are your PSG, 1SG and unit commander for Article 15 (reserves/guard are sometimes more reluctant based on time and processing)?
3. Do you have local JAG to provide legal counseling as part of defense check-the-box?
4. Do you anticipate any possible rebuttal during hearing?
I have been the decision maker for Article 15s as a former CO CDR and previously saw some successful appeals while prior enlisted. While UCMJ is sometimes necessary, ensure that you cover yourself before taking action to avoid administrative egg on face...
1. Do you have written counselings to support along with record of no-show for drill?
2. How supportive are your PSG, 1SG and unit commander for Article 15 (reserves/guard are sometimes more reluctant based on time and processing)?
3. Do you have local JAG to provide legal counseling as part of defense check-the-box?
4. Do you anticipate any possible rebuttal during hearing?
I have been the decision maker for Article 15s as a former CO CDR and previously saw some successful appeals while prior enlisted. While UCMJ is sometimes necessary, ensure that you cover yourself before taking action to avoid administrative egg on face...
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir,
Since he has been AWOL for the last two months we have been unable to perform the counseling for the first AWOL, and are currently working on the second. At current the Chain of Command is united on the reduction. As the Battalion has had a problem in the past the Battalion Leadership has stated that reductions following AWOL will happen. My PSG and I are working to get our Squad leaders counseled on this so that they can push that down to their squads in turn. I haven't heard of a JAG rep at our BN, but I believe there ay be one at Brigade should this be the chosen course of action. I honestly do not expect there to be a rebuttal on his part as we are doing our part to ensure that all the paperwork is done prior to proceeding.
We have made repeated attempts to contact him regarding his absences, all of wich we can provide documentation as evidence of us reaching out him.
Since he has been AWOL for the last two months we have been unable to perform the counseling for the first AWOL, and are currently working on the second. At current the Chain of Command is united on the reduction. As the Battalion has had a problem in the past the Battalion Leadership has stated that reductions following AWOL will happen. My PSG and I are working to get our Squad leaders counseled on this so that they can push that down to their squads in turn. I haven't heard of a JAG rep at our BN, but I believe there ay be one at Brigade should this be the chosen course of action. I honestly do not expect there to be a rebuttal on his part as we are doing our part to ensure that all the paperwork is done prior to proceeding.
We have made repeated attempts to contact him regarding his absences, all of wich we can provide documentation as evidence of us reaching out him.
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Good advice given. I'll add that a problem child is dealt with by the Command, not lowercase command. You may wind up as the tip of the spear, but you want to make sure upline has your six. Consequences are actually selected by the SM through their actions. Happens all the time and this stuff should be looked at as a business decision. And most importantly, you don't go into martyr mode over it. Second most important, get it done quickly so everyone can move on.
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Nobody wants to be the bad guy. Especially the bad guy that ends up taking rank. It's not a matter of like or dislike, it's about what needs to be done. If you feel rank reduction needs to happen, then submit your recommendation to the Commander and let them make that final call. And, I'm guessing the NCO's have tried everything to help turn this Soldier around?
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1LT (Join to see)
It's more a requirement from higher now. The BC is taking a hardline on AWOLs in the battalion and as an NCO, the Soldier knows the standard. This is new for him. Usually he is at least showing up and being accountable as far as I can see. As a squad leader he reports directly to my PSG and we have done everything we can aside from going to his house and picking him up. Maybe it's just that it is my first time to have to deal with a situation like this, but I don't like it. The way the Guard is, a Soldier can only miss nine MUTAs and can be processed out for AWOL, so the eight that he has already missed have put in a very tight spot. If he goes AWOL next month the justification is there to discharge him. I don't want to seem like I don't care about his situation, but at the same time he has abandoned his Soldiers and I also have to think about them and the rest of the platoon.
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MSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - Oh? This is an NCO doing this? Sounds like he has given up. Well, as long as everything is documented and all attempts at redemption have been tried and failed, then as much as I hate to say it, put their feet to the fire. As the Platoon Leader, I'd recommend discussing with your PSG and maybe remove this NCO from Squad Leader and sit them in a corner doing the most menial tasks possible. And once they hit that magic #9 MUTA missed, submit that chapter separation rikky tik.
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1LT (Join to see)
Sadly I believe that is what will happen. I just don't understand why I feel like I am doing something bad. I'm doing my job.The admin stuff is done and handled, but just just feel bad about it. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Due to y prior service in the BN admin realm, I know what's coming, and I don't want it to happen, but it's my job to do it.
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