Posted on Jul 1, 2016
What are your thoughts on NCOs hanging out with Soldiers after work?
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Fraternization
NCOs
Chain of Command
Military Life
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 210
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There is a line which is not crossed. An NCO getting together with the guys once in a while is nothing wrong. You'd be surprised how much you can learn about your guys after hours this way. It's on the NCO to know where the line is and when not to cross it. It is also up to the NCO to let the guys know even though they are having a beer, coffee or what, it doesn't mean they are close buddies, but the NCO and the soldiers are a team.
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CW4 Brian Haas
I am so glad to see someone other than E5s and 6s commenting on this at their junior level. It’s called team building. As a W3 and 4, I’d go have a drink with my guys. There was NEVER a question as to whether this changed our relationship at work in a negative way. I’m fact, it built the team...my guys always had my back. Anyone calling this fraternization needs to be educated by some better NCOs and officers
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CW4 Brian Haas
You need to work on your leadership skills then. My guys were definitely my friends. And there was no question as to whether or not they were my subordinates. CPO Bill Penrod
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CW4 Brian Haas
That makes me question your leadership, then, to be honest. If they tried to get away with something the next day...that’s on YOU. CSM Halford Dudley
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WO1 (Join to see)
AR 600-20 spells it out. Once in a while is okay as long as the thin line is not crossed.
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We had a Chaplain (LTC) assigned to our unit and he was always the one of the first ones to get to the Club/bar and normally the last to leave. He would nurse no more than two beers over the course of the entire evening. Damn that had to be warm ass beer..... Anyway, I talked to him about his routine and he NAILED it. Nothing makes a person talk more than beer/liquor. His theory was to show that he was there to listen and he was an average guy just like everyone else. It worked. Everyone knew and trusted him. From the Privates to the COL's..
THAT is knowing and doing your Job.
THAT is knowing and doing your Job.
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SFC Russell Shaw
The key here is that people trusted him. That chaplain may not have to charge enemy troops but because of the trust that was developed that soldier would do more because he wanted to not because he had to. That soldier would have charged after whatever the Chaplain would even if he had only a water pistol. We could all learn a lot from people that take the time to listen to others. Take time to listen to others and listen on a higher level where you are not thinking about what you are going to say. Listen and what you need to say will come to you. You will not need to be thinking into the words you need.
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Suspended Profile
get's paid to hand out at the bar and drink - makes me want to be a chaplain!
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It has it's place. This is how you really get to know your Soldiers, and often how you pick up something that isn't right. There is a line, of course. So long as you don't cross it and maintain professionalism, "hanging out" with the Joes is good leadership.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Top, you hit the nail on the head in my opinion. Also because when you're in a garrison environment is completely different than being in a combat zone with your troops. In a combat zone you need to be able to pick up right away when there is something off with one of your soldiers to make sure there well-being isn't affected. You also don't want to imply any favoritism and have other soldiers lose some respect for you. I've been a team leader and squad leader for over 8 years and it has brought me great pleasure when a soldier confides in me and feels that they can talk to me about anything. It shows trust and respect that they would want my opinion and guidance.
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1SG (Join to see)
SGT(P) (Join to see) - That means that you are doing something right, Sergeant. The minute your Soldiers stop asking you for your guidance is the minute that you've stopped leading them.
To get there, you have to know them first.
To get there, you have to know them first.
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