What are the possible consequences for a battalion that hasn't conducted a command and climate survey?

2015-06-19T19:13:08-04:00

There is no battalion command presence, focus is elsewhere, and mission demand outweighs soldier morale by far. This is the climate that I live in right now. I've seen some of my best soldiers preparing to ETS now, all because command climate is suffering, they hate the unit, and feel as if though the command could care less about them. There has been no initial DEOCS for the battalion initiated, and it's been well over 1 year. I am only a Company EOL, but this concerns me seeing as to how my soldiers and peers view the organization or lack thereof, all because of further internal issues. How would not having a battalion command and climate survey affect the battalion command team, and is it too late to initiate one? What steps should I take to avoid any form of reprisal?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 19 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-06-19T19:24:56-04:00

Your BDE EOA should be all over this to get it on the BDE CDR radar. You have options:

- ask for an open door with the BN CDR or CCSM

- ask the company leadership to bring the subject up (based on concerns), while keeping you anonymous

- address it at the command & staff, in the open so that it is out there (recommend addressing it on an open door meeting first)

- go through the BDE EOA (with the assurance you remain anonymous), get him/her to pressure the unit leadership to get win compliance

- you also have your local IG....

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 19 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-06-19T19:28:09-04:00

I can go direct to your CSM if you'd like.....without mentioning your name/unit! I would not do that without you asking me to engage, if you'd like that, just PM me and let me know....do not put it out here.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Jun 19 at 2015 7:43 PM

2015-06-19T19:43:37-04:00

My 2 cents

Dig into the regs. Then approach the company command team... Yes the company... As that is your lane... With a non emotional presentation as to your concerns for the company and the battalion climate. Im not sure how effective the Bn or Bde NCO will be; however, discuss the preceived challenge with them and get their perspective. Their position/perspective could add emphasis to your position and could even result in a two pronged approach to deal with the challenge. After you talk to the company team ask the CO teams support in talking to the BN team. Here you will find out if the Company Team is worth its salt. If they are... Great.. if their not... No big deal. Use the open door policy. Remember... Do not make this personal. Keep it to the facts and the preceptions that the company survey has provided. If that fails to garner support and recognition... Talk to the IG.

Lastly. Your a SSG in the US Army. You are a leader. No one is more professional.... Take a stand and do the hard right over the easy wrong... And dont worry about reprisals... Simply be on guard for them.

Thats the best i have for you. Good Luck and take care of the soldiers.... Subordinate and seniors

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-06-24T12:15:48-04:00

Realistically nothing.....but....It would be up to the directing authority (Rater or S Rater) in the Battalion Commanders chain to take any action.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 24 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-06-24T13:00:40-04:00

Damn. Where's your 1SG? If the problem isn't obvious to him, s/he's either not fixing it OR is being shouted down by higher-ups.

Response by SPC Corie Davis made Jun 24 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-06-24T13:04:22-04:00

That's exactly why I ETS out because the rear detachment command was letting soldiers get slandered by the NCO's and the command didn't even know what they where doing. A lot of soldiers where getting to the point where they just wanted out. They where letting one NCO just go when she wanted to and leave because she couldn't deal with the stress of work. The way she talked to subordinates and higher it was killing the moral of others. When your only a SPC you had to put up with it especially when she was having a real bad day all other NCO's just telling you to play the game what is a soldier to do but get out.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-06-24T14:01:39-04:00

I have been in three different units, and experienced numerous others during deployment/training. I think that the problem you are describing is army wide, based off of the leadership I have experienced. I don't think command climate surveys matter, because there doesn't ever seem to be a change. Just excuses, and quitely sweeping things under the table. I hope I'm just being a bitter, pessimistic person... But based on my experiences, that is not the case.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Jun 24 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-06-24T14:21:33-04:00

If you really are interested in this topic
Go to the DEOMI website has all the regulations and power points you can handle
I personally visit the website as this aspect of the military seriously interests me

Just type in DEOMI In your browser and it will find it

Great question

Here is the website for all policies concerning this

http://www.deocs.net/public/index.cfm

DEOCS

Response by CSM James Winslow made Jun 24 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-06-24T14:32:22-04:00

Talk to the inspector generals office. Tell them your concerns and ask what the best way to bring this up to your chain of command is. If enough Soldiers lodge complaints, the IG's office can recommend to the commander that he conduct a survey.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-06-24T14:35:42-04:00

The consequences are that they must conduct the survey.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 2:42 PM

2015-06-24T14:42:02-04:00

When a command climate is not conducted it continues to foster climate of favoritism and hostility as soldiers may see it. It can be a detriment to all leaders that are a part of the command because it does not allow those being led to voice their concerns about issues such as promotion, training schools and the overall unit atmosphere. It would make retention nearly impossible and continue to serve as a cesspool for toxic leadership in and out once those individuals PCS they go on to other units and military schools with a "that's how we did things at my last unit" mentality. In truth it is a requirement to the point not being an option, you can ill afford not to as a commander as the Quarterly Narrative Statistical Report will tell a different story especially if there have been reports from the command about certain issues that soldiers may think are problematic.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-06-24T14:43:28-04:00

It is required and highly recommended that a Commander conduct a CCS( Command Climate Survey) within 90 days of taking a command. This is not only for the soldiers well being but also for the commanders. The CCS will give insight to the mental readiness and functional stability of a unit from a soldiers perspective. This allows the soldiers to voice their conclusions, feelings and observations to the commander without fear of retaliation. This also allows the commander to gain knowledge of the health of his unit without filtration(taking out what is presumed to be not important enough to bother the commander with) . This information will be used to address potential problems he/she may not be made aware of in briefings and can be compared to information similar categories Army wide. No one likes walking into a smoldering situation just waiting to explode. The CCS will help alleviate that situation.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-06-24T15:22:51-04:00

You have access to the Company Command Team. Sit down with both of them with a recommended plan of action, talk with BN CMD Team and BDE EOL. It is important to recommend a plan of action so there is a point of departure...good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-06-24T15:25:27-04:00

Aside from the fact that AR 600-20 requires you to conduct a command climate survey annual and within 90 days of taking command and its punishable under the UCMJ as such, including being relieved of command or responsibility, respectively, if required.? If the command is as bad as you say and the command, EOA, and chaplain are not aware of it they should all be relieved. The best thing you can do initially as the EOL is to talk to your Company Commander, EOA and BN chaplain. If you get no response there you can elevate it to the BDE level. Still no dice? Take it to the IG or DIV. As with anything the best thing to do is handle it at the lowest level.

Response by SGM(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 5:07 PM

2015-06-24T17:07:05-04:00

As a Noncommissioned Officer, what are you doing at your level, for your Soldiers, to foster a positive climate? As a Staff Sergeant, you have the responsibility to your Soldiers to FOSTER a positive command presence. You are at the SQUAD level. You cannot control what happens at the battalion level. If you are assigned as a PSG, then you need to address your issues with your 1SG. Throwing the entire battalion command team under the bus, is not going to look good. EVER.

You say your Soldiers feel like the command could care less about them. Do you mean because your battalion goes to the field for training more than other battalions? Or do you mean your battalion / company works later than others? You left a lot of substantial information from your post.

A command climate survey will only work if the command puts the 'perceived' shortcomings into action and tries to address them with positive outcome. Otherwise, it's up to the NCOs in your unit to right the wrong.

Do you have any idea how the Inspector General works? I.G. will call your 1SG/CSM and CDR / BN CDR and tell they received a call from a Soldier / Soldiers spouse from your unit. The company / BN leadership will tell I.G. thanks for the call and they will look into it. The Company / BN leadership must send I.G. a response within 14 days as to the action takin for addressing the original complaint. In most cases, the issue is addressed and fixed the same day.

Handle what you can at your level. Remember, you are the backbone of the Army, and you lead by example.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 5:53 PM

2015-06-24T17:53:56-04:00

Question.....how long have climate surveys been around?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-06-24T18:25:37-04:00

The consequences for the BC is relief. We recently had a similar circumstance in the Army Medical Department. http://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/13/suspended-general-at-jblm-wont-get-his-post-back.html

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 2:39 AM

2015-06-25T02:39:46-04:00

Well your commander should have an open door policy but notify your leadership that you would like to use it or you can talk to the chaplain about it and he/she could talk to the command. Also your FRSA could help, or you could always contact your batallion S-3 ncoic or oic and notify them as it was always S-3's job to track that completion status anyways.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 25 at 2015 11:55 AM

2015-06-25T11:55:02-04:00

Morale is crap in broad sectors of the military. You have to look at what the front office strategy is. The strategy isn't how to improve morale, better the life of the soldier, sailor, etc. The strategy is what's necessary to not wind up in the bottom 30% on any climate survey so Flag attention is focused elsewhere. I've seen that play out in most DoD military and civilian organizations ever since these surveys came out 20 years or so ago. You get slightly less attention if the bottom third rates higher than other organizations.

The other indicator as to how bad it can get is denial of Flags to look at themselves in the mirror to see they are driving the problem, not helping solve it. I didn't chase Flag myself as I just wanted to get the job done while taking care of my people. That meant pushing back hard up line when being tossed mission requirements with inadequate force protection resources. Flags don't like being told they're not getting the big picture. I didn't get relieved, but also didn't get an invite to the Club.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-06-25T14:56:57-04:00

Without a Command Climate survey it doesn't give the incoming Commander a real assessment on the moral of his unit. He will not know any existing issues and definitely will not have the opportunity to correct any problems the unit may be experiencing. The new commander can't fix a problem he doesn't know exists.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 12:06 AM

2015-06-28T00:06:06-04:00

File a anonymous IG complain, this will get the unit Command and HQ involved immediately. it will get the ball rolling and sit back and watch the changes happen.