Posted on May 17, 2014
Is it ok to conduct an on the spot correction on Soldiers from another unit or Service?
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I was walking down the sidewalk with a Sergeant Major in Afghanistan. He stopped a young Soldier from our unit and told him to put his eye pro on as it is a requirement at all time in Afghanistan. The Soldier said roger SGM, put hi eye pro on and moved out. A few steps later there was another Soldier from another unit and I stopped him made the correction and moved out. The SGM then told me he usually only corrects Soldiers from his unit.
Just wanted to get the opinion on this as I believe it is a huge part of the discipline problem in the Military today. Thanks
Just wanted to get the opinion on this as I believe it is a huge part of the discipline problem in the Military today. Thanks
Discipline
Values
Standards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 70
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You better be squared away, yourself before you do it; but an on the spot correction, in my opinion, is never uncalled for. Subordinates should learn the tactic called "Roger" and move on.
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SPC Matthew Birkinbine
I definitely understand that, 1stSgt. I had a subordinate in Korea that didn't seem to understand that concept and consistently showed his backside whenever our section sergeant corrected him. It irked me to no end.
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SSG Robert Spear
"Rogering up" is not only usually the best response in the military, but at work in the civilian world as well, why make your own life harder?
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SGT (Join to see)
I've noticed a growing trend of two things which are discouraging in the militay. From the leadership side, people unwilling to make corrections or point things out to soldiers and on the flip coin soldiers who cope an attitude or disregard the leaderships corrections outright. If you look right and know what your correcting it's not on you if someone else tries to chew you out. You know your right and your enforcing the standards. Just today I assisted a Major in fixing his uniform and he didn't mind because I was respectful. I think it all boils down to knowing what your talking about, respecting those around you and keeping yourself to the standard.
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The problem I see here is in the unit SOPs and policy letters. Often enough, a different unit means different standards.
My NCOIC told me when you're wearing a winter IPFU jacket, you're suppose to be wearing your fleece cap and gloves.
After she and I looked into it, we both learned in her prior unit, that was the standard however in my prior unit the IPFU uniform standard adjusted with the weather and the uniform was put out by our 1SG.
My NCOIC told me when you're wearing a winter IPFU jacket, you're suppose to be wearing your fleece cap and gloves.
After she and I looked into it, we both learned in her prior unit, that was the standard however in my prior unit the IPFU uniform standard adjusted with the weather and the uniform was put out by our 1SG.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
There are more univesral standards that all bramches share like safety concerns like seats belts, posted speed limited signs, pointing your firearms in a safe direction, and even failing to look both ways when crossing the street which many young SMs don't do.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SSG Williams
True but those rules are universal for everyone including civilians. If a civilian isn't practicing muzzle awareness, I will tackle them to the ground and politely say "no one outranks safety".
True but those rules are universal for everyone including civilians. If a civilian isn't practicing muzzle awareness, I will tackle them to the ground and politely say "no one outranks safety".
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PO1 (Join to see)
It was funny that many of my Navy Brothers that served IA with the Army knew there Uniform Regulations far better than Army Personnel.
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I clicked "Yes, it is vital to discipline in the military."
However, If I have not educated myself on a sister-service's regulation, I will not try to correct a Soldier/Sailor/Marine on something that may be permitted according to their regs but not according to mine. I must be sure before I correct.
The basic things such as General Orders, leaning on the wall, walking and drinking/chewing/talking on the phone, flashy sunglasses, etc.--Those are pretty much universal for the services.
However, If I have not educated myself on a sister-service's regulation, I will not try to correct a Soldier/Sailor/Marine on something that may be permitted according to their regs but not according to mine. I must be sure before I correct.
The basic things such as General Orders, leaning on the wall, walking and drinking/chewing/talking on the phone, flashy sunglasses, etc.--Those are pretty much universal for the services.
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1SG Chris Brown
1SG Michael Blount - I agree. I am on a Joint Base with Air Force and Navy personnel. Correcting Army personnel is easy. For other services, there is the obvious stuff. But try watching Airmen run around in PTs with black socks. It makes me cringe haha.
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CSM (Join to see)
I was going through the gate at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and an Airman said to me have a good day "Sarge" well needless to say an on the spot correction happened that morning.
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SGT Curtis Earl
TL:DR: If you know WTF you're talking about, please mentor young soldiers and make sure we maintain the standard. If you're just being a jerk and picking on folk because you outrank them, then please be professional and keep yourself to yourself.
I'l list 3 quick examples of NCOs going off the deep end for absolutely no reason. My experiences as AC and RC have soured me towards on-the-spot corrections except in extreme cases.
As junior enlisted, I got into it with an E-7 over my eye color. This SFC thought that grey eyes was an unnatural eye color for Blacks - and he even said that. So according to 670-1, I had to take them out. But I wasn't wearing contact lenses. I was young, so I tried to argue - which was my fault. Either way, he needlessly humiliated me in front of everyone. I actually had to touch my eyeball and to prove to him I wasn't wearing contacts. He walked away without so much as an apology. I followed up with my CSM - another black male with light eyes - and he handled that SFC. He wasn't even in my chain, and this was an unnecessary confrontation.
As a Bandsmen, we had a CSM storm across the parade field shouting about why the musicians in the front rank weren't playing in unison. They were trombonists and their slides aren't even moving together! Just another example of an NCO getting all out of pocket in a field he had no business butting into. He walked by my 1SG and my CW5 to yell at us... and he was wrong. My CW5 actually had to lock him up before he'd shut up. I don't know what set him off, but it was ridiculous.
Most recently at Fort Benning, a CPT nearly fell running out of a building to yell at me about my equipment, which was blue. He fussed for 5 minutes. An older soldier, I patiently waited. I didn't interrupt him or even say a word. When he was done, I just walked away. My bag - issued to me by the army - was blue because that's the only color they come in for my particular instrument. It was on my back because my equipment weighed 65+lbs and my hands were full. I had this bag because my Supply SGT issued it to me. Not only was that an unnecessary correction, the CPT didn't know what he was talking about. He could have at least offered to help me carry something.
I'l list 3 quick examples of NCOs going off the deep end for absolutely no reason. My experiences as AC and RC have soured me towards on-the-spot corrections except in extreme cases.
As junior enlisted, I got into it with an E-7 over my eye color. This SFC thought that grey eyes was an unnatural eye color for Blacks - and he even said that. So according to 670-1, I had to take them out. But I wasn't wearing contact lenses. I was young, so I tried to argue - which was my fault. Either way, he needlessly humiliated me in front of everyone. I actually had to touch my eyeball and to prove to him I wasn't wearing contacts. He walked away without so much as an apology. I followed up with my CSM - another black male with light eyes - and he handled that SFC. He wasn't even in my chain, and this was an unnecessary confrontation.
As a Bandsmen, we had a CSM storm across the parade field shouting about why the musicians in the front rank weren't playing in unison. They were trombonists and their slides aren't even moving together! Just another example of an NCO getting all out of pocket in a field he had no business butting into. He walked by my 1SG and my CW5 to yell at us... and he was wrong. My CW5 actually had to lock him up before he'd shut up. I don't know what set him off, but it was ridiculous.
Most recently at Fort Benning, a CPT nearly fell running out of a building to yell at me about my equipment, which was blue. He fussed for 5 minutes. An older soldier, I patiently waited. I didn't interrupt him or even say a word. When he was done, I just walked away. My bag - issued to me by the army - was blue because that's the only color they come in for my particular instrument. It was on my back because my equipment weighed 65+lbs and my hands were full. I had this bag because my Supply SGT issued it to me. Not only was that an unnecessary correction, the CPT didn't know what he was talking about. He could have at least offered to help me carry something.
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