Posted on Sep 12, 2017
How would you deal with a subordinate who has a constant strong body odor?
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Health
Grooming Standards
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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I've never seen this be an issue as far as letting the SM know. It typically went something like "Hey sh*tbag, you f**kin smell like sh*t. Go scrub your @ss!" And at other times it wasn't phrased this politely.
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SFC Christopher Taggart
Especially in a garrison environment, there should NOT be an excuse for not taking a shower and putting on a clean uniform after PT.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
The way I figure it You start the day with a shower and shave, If Your engaged in activities at the gym, running etc or other physical exercise You shower. If later in the day You have engaged in work for example and managed to get dirty again and sweating then take another shower and spare everyone around You the stink ! If Your NOT in a combat area where it may not be possible to shower and still don't take at least one per day then You are a pig !
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SFC Bill Snyder
Back in my Barracks days, it would be taken care of by the troops with a brown soap and brush "GI Party." Cured the problem.
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SFC Don Ward
SFC Christopher Taggart - 1984 B btry. 5/41 FA at Ft Knox, six AM morning formation in BDU's - step off battery sidewalk to drop BDU top and Soft cap, step back on company sidewalk for PT formation. Do the daily dozen then battery run of 3 to 5 miles. Come back to battery sidewalk to cool down, grab BDU top and cap, head to mess hall. 45 minutes minutes later work call in the motor pool. And nobody complained, just the way it was. BTW - running in combat boots.
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Probably not the most PC answer but I had a Soldier in Iraq that refused to clean up, whether its using baby wipe baths or bottled water. It got so bad I threatened to use simple green and a toilet brush to scrub him myself. Needless to say he was powder fresh the next day.
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SFC Christopher Taggart
"When the guys in an Infantry platoon are claiming that you smell, you really smell." Civilians are not shy about telling a person, 'you stink!'...especially women, they will not hold back telling you about your body funk!
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SFC Christopher Taggart - I can remember my wife picking me up after a long field problem and having to ride home with all the windows of the truck rolled down. No, she wasn't shy about telling me that I had to go straight from the door to the shower.
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Sgt Tammy Wallace
CPT Lawrence Cable - and i would have said, "leave your boots and uniform outside"... :)
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1SG (Join to see)
Sgt Tammy Wallace I have had to disrobe in the garage plenty of times after being in the field. Straight to the shower.
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Interested to hear the feedback here...Early in my career, I worked on a hospital unit and had one of our more seasoned RNs tell me that my perfume was too strong and could really bother someone around me who is allergy or migraine sensitive. I was kind of shocked as it was light scented, but didn't realize until years later (and suffering from migraines myself), just how offensive and disruptive another person's smell can be. I think it's fair to politely pull someone aside and mention that it's noticeable and a bit distracting...or worth sharing with HR if you're not in an appropriate position to provide such feedback.
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ENS (Join to see)
I just took over as this person's leadership. I have not had a chance to discuss this issue with them. I am going to reach out to their prior leadership for amplifying information.
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SSG (Join to see)
I've been told that perfume/cologne smells stronger to other people than the wearer when it jives with their PH or some sciency business like that.
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MCPO (Join to see)
With aromas, some noses are more susceptible to picking them up than others. What one person can barely detect (a "cloy" perfume) another can be sent from the room, gagging from the overpowering stench. I agree that diplomacy is needed first here, but, eventually, when numbers say the sole smelly person is wrong, then more pointed efforts need to be taken.
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LCpl Mark A Maggard
Unfortunately, scents mild to the wearer & migraine sufferer, can still be the catalyst for all episode. Then at times, the wearers mild is pungent to others.
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