Posted on Dec 2, 2013
Why don't NCOs give Soldiers positive counseling statements when they're doing a good job?
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Human nature - It's easier to criticize than compliment.<br><br>Not saying it's right, but unless we get the negative stigma away from 'counseling', it'll remain this way.
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SSG (Join to see)
I've always emphasized this to my junior NCOS. You don't have to wait for monthly counseling to praise the soldier for a job well done. A CSM years ago handed this piece of advice when I was an E-4P, and I stuck it in my toolbox and take it out at every duty station I've been to since.
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SSG (Join to see)
I've always emphasized this to my junior NCOS. You don't have to wait for monthly counseling to praise the soldier for a job well done. A CSM years ago handed this piece of advice when I was an E-4P, and I stuck it in my toolbox and take it out at every duty station I've been to since.
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SFC Rick H
As the good LTC wrote- does anyone check for these positive documents which can help our soldiers achieve promotions? In most of the units I was assigned with, and during my NCO years, I was almost always in a leadership position in some way. Either squad leader or platoon SGT or NCOIC of a Maintenance Shop. If I'm running a shop and I have soldiers working in that shop, who has the job of counseling those soldiers?
When we know the answer to that question, my other question is, if that NCO is not providing positive counseling and closeout counseling, who is the NCO that should be watching that NCO? We all have a boss - don't we?
When we know the answer to that question, my other question is, if that NCO is not providing positive counseling and closeout counseling, who is the NCO that should be watching that NCO? We all have a boss - don't we?
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SPC (Join to see)
As a junior enlisted soldier in a National Guard unit, I had never heard of a positive counseling statement. When I asked the junior enlisted of my unit if they had ever received such counsel they responded with a resounding no. When I asked a trusted NCO I was given the response that NCOs do not have time to give them, or that they are not concerned with giving counseling statements unless a soldier has done wrong. This is discouraging, NCOs are inadvertently saying professional development is pointing out their soldiers wrongdoings without recognizing positive performance. I am appreciative of this experience since I am a part of the next generation of the NCO Corps. Becoming an NCO will give me the opportunity to encourage positive behavior. As the creed states "I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment." A positive counseling statement is a wonderful teaching tool along with being a reward to your soldiers for a job well done. NCOs, with all due respect, I charge you to fulfill the duties of your creed and begin encouraging your soldiers with Positive performance related counseling statements!
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<p>SFC,</p><p> </p><p>I think I'm one in a small number of NCO's that give positive counseling statements. I remember when I was a PV2 and there was a promotion waiver available for PFC in my section. My squad leader told the PSG that he wanted me to get the waiver. Another squad leader wanted his Soldier to get the waiver. The PSG said that he wanted to see the counseling packets on each of us. The other Soldier received the waiver because his squad leader had numerous counseling statements for the good things that the Soldier had done. I had done good things as well, but it wasn't documented on a 4856 and put in my counseling packet. </p><p> </p><p>A pat on the back is a "in the moment" recognition and only lasts as long as you're standing there. A positive counseling is something that will last and could be the difference in getting promoted or not. NCO's seem to be quick to whip out a 4856 when a Soldier has done something wrong. NCO's need to take that same energy and recognize the good performance that their Soldiers give them.</p>
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SGT (Join to see)
1SG Carter,
I completely agree that Soldiers need positive reinforcement. All to often it seems that Soldiers are only counseled, either formal or informal, for poor performance. NCO's need to take the time to ensure that their Soldiers feel appreciated for their efforts.
This is a crude example, but if you tell someone that they are a dirtbag enough times, eventually they will start to think that they are in fact a dirtbag. Once something like this has happened to a Soldier it will take a long time, even for a good NCO, to build the confidence in the Soldier again.
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CPO Terry Ashmore
I agree. In fact my only positive counseling in my career was after 18 years of service. It was a downer, but it reaffirmed the idea the I can't make anyone completely happy. Results: Less stress.
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SPC David Tabor
Wait there were positive counseling statements?? I always thought those were like Sasquatch ... lots of rumors about them but no evidence of their existence. :)
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Unfortunately the disconnect often sits with the rapidly promoted NCO's of today's Army. A 4 year SSG barely learned how to be a SPC let alone a SGT. How can we expect NCO's who have not been mentored or trained to know how to do anything? There is a reason that the Army is going back to an extended eligibility for promotion system, it is to allow time for NCOs to grow and learn before they are thrust into positions they are not ready/able to handle. My $.02 take time to prepare yourself then take time to mentor and prepare your Soldiers to become NCOs don't promote on Time promote on competency and potential.
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SFC Rocky Gannon
SSG W very well said, and I agree. We can't get NCO's to go to school and we want them to counsel soldiers!!!
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
SSG Whisler,
I don't think that rapid promotions are entirely the problem. It seems that the larger problem would be like you said NCO's not knowing how to be NCOs. I have some NCOs in my unit who are only still in the Army because they just barely made points, so that they didn't get RCP'ed.
I digress though, I have only had my strips for a few weeks, but I make it a habit to give my soldiers praise and reprimand when they deserve either, whether it is on a 4856 or not.
I think that there are NCOs who think that something that a Soldier does that is good or right doesn't need to be acknowledged, because "it is what they are supposed to do." As was told to me by a former NCO of mine.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT, while I a free somewhat to praising a Soldier for a job we'll done, you have to ask yourself was it above and beyond what was expected or required? Praising a Soldier for just doing their job isn't necessarily a good thing it teaches that that meeting the minimums is ok. Positive counselings, coins, awards, and attaboys are reserved for those that exceed the standard and go above an beyond. So in many ways holding your praise is a good thing, it can be used as a training reinforcer to say, " you met the standard, now shoot for above the standard". At the same time not correcting a substandard performance of duties has the same effect it tells the Soldier that a substandard performance is acceptable, the 4856 is a tool use it to track your Soldiers performance on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly period of time. Many Soldiers coming out if AIT see counselings as negative it's your duty to change the stigma and teach them that counseling is both and with enough excellent performance counselings that's how awards are justified.
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