Enlisted and Officers: Do your junior enlisted and senior enlisted trust you?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 02:32:37 -0500

There is a lot of talk about toxic leaders, room inspections, etc. But can your subordinates come to you? If they have a major issue do you let them speak first? Do they think you are fair and what are your ways of encouraging and supporting them? Do you really have an open door policy?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 3:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 03:00:26 -0500

Although fictional Sgt Carter was sharp dressed and professional, though his run-ins with the protagonists actually showed some of the issues that the military has, like shady car dealers and landlords, and whatever else.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 3:20 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 03:20:07 -0500

I always considered myself very fair and my guys knew they could come to me with problems. And I would try and help them through it. It's just what we do.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 11:11 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 11:11:14 -0500

Pyyyyyyyyyyyyyyle!!!!!! LOL

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Nov 28 at 2014 11:08 PM

1LT William Clardy — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 23:08:06 -0500

My favorite compliment paid by a subordinate was, and still is, "You're an a**hole, but you're not a two-faced a**hole."

I think what he said -- and even more so the fact that he felt able to say it -- says something, along with the fact that it was not uncommon for other NCOs' soldiers to ask my advice. They knew that they might not like whatever answer I provided, but it would be the best answer I could give.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Nov 29 at 2014 2:25 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 14:25:40 -0500

I suppose senior enlisted would have to actually ask their subordinates this question...in the form of a box where they could leave anonymous post-its lol.

Response by 1stLt Kevin Paige made Nov 29 at 2014 3:28 PM

1stLt Kevin Paige — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 15:28:07 -0500

Greatest compliment I have ever received: Several of my Marines paid me a surprise visit some 25 years after we served together. Saluted me and toasted with a shot of Jack Daniels " I would still follow you to hell and back Semper Fi" What a day that was. I love those guys.

Response by SSG Everett Wilson made Nov 29 at 2014 3:58 PM

SSG Everett Wilson — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 15:58:47 -0500

My subordinates would always come up to me, they were usually the ones to start, usually with a question or straight to the point. I felt like that I was very supportive of my soldiers. I really never had an open door policy, my soldiers felt that they could come up at anytime and ask questions. As a Assistant S-4 NCO I would assign tasks that would challenge the soldiers in the section. During Training sessions, if I didn't think that a soldier was getting points across, I would ask them questions to get to that point. After the training was over I would go over with them on what they did good on or where did they need to improve and explain why I asked these questions.
My soldiers trusted me, they knew I would support them and I was preparing them to take my place. The Senior Enlisted trusted me, because they know I would steer them wrong, most of the time I was the expert in dealing with logistics. They knew if I didn't know the answer, I would get the answer back to them without delay.

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Apr 17 at 2018 6:55 PM

SGT Jack Stevens — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 18:55:32 -0400

Every soldier in any unit, knew they could come talk to me at anytime. Todays leaders dont comprehend that if they are recommending UCMJ Punishment, they as a leader should be questioned as well. I as leader, recommended UCMJ only 3 times. Only because the infraction warrant it. And through those 3 soldiers punishment, i was right there with them. I even had a 1SG ask me what was i doing. I explained to him that i had failed that soldier and this was part of showing the soldier i had failed to enstill the discipline the soldier needed not to have commited the infraction.