Counseling, the good, the bad and the ugly.

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:03:39 -0500

Counseling is an integral part to effective leadership. Counseling is extremely effective when done in a professional and proper manner. Negative counselings seem to be pushed and endorsed by PSG and above when the situation seems necessary. Have Army leaders forgotten about the positives? I am not saying I am the greatest soldier, because I am far from it. What leaders do not seem to realize is, when things happen and all that represents a soldier to BN level command and above, all that is seen is the standard monthly counseling and the negative ones that the leader was forced to write. This is all good and dandy for soldiers who do NOTHING good whatsoever. To be honest, though, I have not seen anymore than a handful of soldiers like that in my three plus years in the Army. Do you think junior leaders need to take a step back from the daily grind and realize that a soldiers counseling packet is looked at with the same conviction as that NCO's NCOER. It is a wonder that leaders do everything in their power to get that one over one that they feel they deserve, yet they will not take an hour to write a counseling for PVT Joe Snuffy for doing a great job conducting PT. Give me your thoughts on this topic and if you are a junior leader who already does this, please let it be known. I would not mind getting advice from an effective and dedicated leader.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 6:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:00:41 -0500

PFC Morrow I actually put out more positive counselings than negative. I have found that if you treat your soldiers good they will in return treat you good. Everytime I notice a soldier or young SGT doing an outstanding job I let them know about it with a 4856.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 8:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 20:47:10 -0500

This is a tough one PFC Morrow, mostly because in my experience my Soldiers are doing great things 99% of the time. Soldiers do not always needs a 4856 as a pat on the back. As a good leader you will acknowledge your Soldiers achievements verbally and through your actions. There is just not enough time in the day to write a 4856 for every Soldier that is doing great things. The same goes for Soldiers that mess up as well depending on the situation. You don't always have to write a counseling to get the point across to a Soldier. When the problem happens repeatedly you need to document it as another step in helping that Soldier make the needed corrections. Basically what it boils down to is knowing your Soldiers and interacting with them on a daily and personal basis. They will know when they are doing good.

On a side note I am not sure a Soldiers counseling packet is looked at with the same conviction as an NCOER. However I believe I understand what you are getting at.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 9:08 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:08:17 -0500

I concur PFC Marrow, there's never a bad time to let a subordinate formally know that they have done something great. Unfortunately, I also have to concur that positive counseling happens less often than negative counselings and of course that accolade is often forgotten by the time end of month counseling time rolls around. It sounds like to me you have identified a leader trait that you will carry with you as you move up the ranks. Just remember, teach, coach, and mentor your junior leaders down the road to take that little extra time to say job well done.

Response by SSG James Flynn made Mar 29 at 2014 10:10 AM

SSG James Flynn — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 10:10:00 -0400

PFC Morrow, one thing you have to remember is that not all counselings are written. A simple "job well done" from your NCO is considered a verbal counseling. That being said, as a leader, if I see a soldier do his/her normal, everyday duties and the soldier does a good job, I will give that soldier a verbal counseling. However, if a soldier goes above and beyond what is expected, I will not hesitate to take the time to put it on a 4856. If you have a good leader, and your counselling packet goes to BN for UCMJ, most commanders will get the NCOs input on the type of soldier you are. They do not rely just on your counselings. I have been in these situations with my soldiers and most commanders will take the recommendations of their NCOs. With that said, I also realize that their are leaders out there with the mentality that one "screw up" will get rid of all your "attaboys". We as leaders need to stop this type of thinking. We need to remember all the good thing a soldier does when we bring a soldier before a commander for UCMJ. Although most NCOs have an unwritten no pity clause for certain infractions like alcohol or drug related offences. I've heard many say to their soldiers that if the are caught in either of those situations, the only response to the command is max punishment. i hope this helps.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Apr 4 at 2015 3:49 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 15:49:03 -0400

Verbal counselings are just as important. I made a habit to have a daily (or as regular as possible) gathering of my soldiers to discuss the good and bad of any given day.

So whenever a soldier did good, it was mentioned for everyone to hear and cheer. Negatives were discussed and improved upon.

Written positive counselings are important when it comes times to put in a recommendation for award. Having a trail of paperwork showing how a soldier is consistently outstanding can only strenghten your case for an award.

Cheers.