LEADER vs COMMANDER - Would you have done the same

As a Company Commander, my first mission was to be a leader that meant stepping to the front of the formation and setting the example. The designation of Commander is always synonymous with the word Leader. People and soldiers think the words are one in the same, but they are not. A leader is a person who sets the tone and gets people to do what they would not normally do through respect and fortitude. A Commander has the authority to make someone do something, or fear legal retribution if they do not.
I was a Company Command of a M1A1 Tank Company for almost 18 months and during those 18 months I never gave out an Article 15, had a soldier show up on a blotter report and or come up hot in a urine analysis test. I never passed a soldier to another unit unless that soldier was getting an increase in rank or position that I felt he deserved. I also opened my command to all rehab transfers.
I belief there is no such thing as a poor soldier there is just poor leadership. I do believe that there are bad people that need to be kicked out of The Army for acts of violence, predatory assault and anything that has to do with Drugs, but first you have to ask how they got in The Army in the first place. That is another story. They need to place in an institution that was designed to handle the criminals they were before they entered this institution.
Here is a story I want to share with you and you tell me if I did what a leader should have done.
During my afternoon formations I noticed one of my Platoon Leaders was habitually late. I counselled him on his actions and his setting a poor example for his men. About a month later, he came to me wanting to give one of his soldiers an Article 15 for being late to formation. I asked him did he counsel the soldier on his tardiness. The Platoon Leader said no. I asked him if he asked the soldier was there something wrong or was there something happening at home that caused him to be late for formation. Again he said no.
I told him to bring the soldier to my office after final formation and that he and his Platoon Sergeant were to present the soldier to me at 17:30. At 17:20 the Company First Sergeant and I were sitting in my office to await the soldier and his leadership. The First Sergeant asked me what I was going to do. I told him was going to provide the soldier and his leadership with additional training. He began to laugh and said OK, I got to see how this works. I sad Top, I got this one.
At 17:35 the soldier and his leadership knocked on my door. They were 5 minutes late. But this was a good thing because it was a cause and effect to the additional training I was about to enforce. The Soldier and his leadership entered my office and stood in front of my desk at attention. I continued to look down at some paperwork I had on my desk. Without looking up I ask the Platoon Leader what time it was and he answered 17:35. I asked him what time I told him to be here and he answered 17:30, Sir.
I said, “you are late!” The Platoon Leader and Sergeant started to him and haw and I said, “enough!” We have an issue here gentleman, it seems that no one can tell time here in this situation, so, I am assigning the three of you some additional training. The three of them were taken back. I said that on this Saturday the three of you will report to me and the First Sergeant here in the office beginning at 0700 in PT uniform, then again at 0830 in class A’s, Then again at 0945 in BDU’s. Then at 1100 in NOMEX Uniform, and then a 1300 in in PT Gear and so on through the day until you get a T for Trained in this task from me and the First Sergeant.
Now was this punishment or extra training. I could have given the soldier an Article 15, but what example would that have set after only counseling his leadership for the same offense. No, I got my point across without Non Judicial Punishment and not ruining a good soldier with a lapse in judgment. I taught a lesson to the leadership about counseling, training and setting the example.
I was being a effective Commander and a good leader and that is what soldiers want and deserve.