Posted on Sep 5, 2019
Scenario 1: How do you handle a Soldier who threatens another Soldier under your charge?
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Bottom line, this is a scenario-based leadership study I am conducting to determine how different Senior Leaders handle tough situations.
Let's say you receive a call from a mental health professional who cites that a patient of theirs, a Soldier under your charge, made a threat against another Soldier under your charge. What is your immediate reaction and what actions do you take moving forward?
Please give me your best answer and try to back it with regulatory guidance. No knee jerk responses.
Let's say you receive a call from a mental health professional who cites that a patient of theirs, a Soldier under your charge, made a threat against another Soldier under your charge. What is your immediate reaction and what actions do you take moving forward?
Please give me your best answer and try to back it with regulatory guidance. No knee jerk responses.
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Leadership
Leadership
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 8
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The severity and intensity of the threat would make some difference in how I would react. The mental health professional may be required to report the threat to law enforcement. If not, they are being very smart contacting me as the Soldiers' supervisor. Here generally what I'd do:
-Evaluate the need to contact law enforcement based on current regulations, the nature of the threat, and the intensity of the threat.
-Set up meetings with both Soldiers involved to gather more facts and provide counseling
-Meet with threatened soldier first. Explain situation.
Listen to- their story as to why Soldier would threaten them. Advise them to contact me immediately if they believe they are threatened by the Soldier.
Talk with the soldier who made the threat. Listen to their side of the story carefully. Advise them that threatening another Soldier is unacceptable. Contact the JAG Officer to check on soldier's right. Place them in a situation where encountering the threatened soldier is unlikely. Instruct intermediate and immediate supervisors on the actions they should take to let you know if any further threats are make.
-Evaluate the need to contact law enforcement based on current regulations, the nature of the threat, and the intensity of the threat.
-Set up meetings with both Soldiers involved to gather more facts and provide counseling
-Meet with threatened soldier first. Explain situation.
Listen to- their story as to why Soldier would threaten them. Advise them to contact me immediately if they believe they are threatened by the Soldier.
Talk with the soldier who made the threat. Listen to their side of the story carefully. Advise them that threatening another Soldier is unacceptable. Contact the JAG Officer to check on soldier's right. Place them in a situation where encountering the threatened soldier is unlikely. Instruct intermediate and immediate supervisors on the actions they should take to let you know if any further threats are make.
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MSG (Join to see)
Sir, thank you for a great response! I appreciate the detail used and of course, I appreciate the time you took out of your day to type everything out. My gut is telling me you have experienced this under your watch a time or two.
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Although you didn't indicate the level of the threat, this is the book answer from HRC if it involves a threat to the other soldier's life.
The Human Resources Command (HRC) receives threat-to-life cases from Soldiers, commanders, third parties, and other government agencies for investigation and determination if a change of assignment is necessary.
The local installation commander will provide security for the Soldier. A LTC or above in the Soldier’s chain of command will provide written supporting documentation to HRC, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate (EPMD), Special Actions Branch (SAB), who will review submitted documentation and make a final decision on reassignment. This is not a station of choice assignment. All requests will be submitted on a DA Form 4187 and must be signed by the Soldier and the first O-5 in the Soldier’s chain of command.
Telephonic coordination of all threat-to-life cases with HRC, EPMD, and SAB is authorized.
The point of contact is [login to see] at COMM: [login to see] or DSN: 983-5195. Please include grade, full name, SSN and MOS with all e-mail requests.
The Human Resources Command (HRC) receives threat-to-life cases from Soldiers, commanders, third parties, and other government agencies for investigation and determination if a change of assignment is necessary.
The local installation commander will provide security for the Soldier. A LTC or above in the Soldier’s chain of command will provide written supporting documentation to HRC, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate (EPMD), Special Actions Branch (SAB), who will review submitted documentation and make a final decision on reassignment. This is not a station of choice assignment. All requests will be submitted on a DA Form 4187 and must be signed by the Soldier and the first O-5 in the Soldier’s chain of command.
Telephonic coordination of all threat-to-life cases with HRC, EPMD, and SAB is authorized.
The point of contact is [login to see] at COMM: [login to see] or DSN: 983-5195. Please include grade, full name, SSN and MOS with all e-mail requests.
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Because of HIPAA, a real Mentah Health Professonal wouldn't disclose that to you. The Soldier, depending on severity, would be detained on an emergency detention. Probably admitted to a Psych ward and treated. You probably wouldn't ever see that Soldier again.
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SFC Michael D.
SGT Javier Silva - Sorry, I just follow the rules of the State hospital where I work. We live by a different set of guidlines.
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SFC Michael D.
SGT Javier Silva - If they don't disclose anything further from that Soldiers file, that in it self shows that HIPAA does apply.
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SFC Michael D.
Now on a different note, we had a patient call the White House and threaten the Presidents life. Of course they didn't get to talk to him personally but two Secret Service agents came to have a little chat with the patient. That is only because he gave name and of course they can trace the phone call to us. These guys make threats everyday but they are sick. We don't go and call dad everytime the patients says he wants to kill his dad. "credible threats" is the key word here. A sick psych patient is not credible. That's why they are our guests.
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SGT Russell Chewning
SFC Michael D. Any threat from a service member who is not in a psych ward under lock and key should be considered creditable, though. I do see how your situation is different, as your pztients don't generally have the ability to execute on any threats.
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