Posted on Apr 3, 2015
Am I being singled out for using the open door policy? Or am I in the wrong here? Any advice would be appreciated.
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First I have to explain a little bit about myself and my situation.
I have always been a great soldier and began moving up pretty fast. I completed every task with speed and efficiency and was always in the top 2 of any training event, I received my first ARCOM as a PFC and have been sent to Soldier of the Month multiple times.
Then I was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which put me in the hospital two different times now for over a month combined. So unfortunately I have been on profile recovering. My profile also states that I take medication that is non-conducive during PT hours, and I was also "recommended" to do bloodwork on an almost daily basis. It's not an appointment and I can go any time but don't have to go if I do not want, I am slowly getting Better though.
Shortly after being back we gained new leadership, A new PSG and PL. They were filled in on my medical condition and what kind of soldier that I am. Ever since they took over the discipline and morale of the PLT has dropped significantly. So,everytime training events came up I pleaded to go and train and always volunteered for any task, school, or event. I even explained several times that I don't have to do the bloodwork and I can re-schedule any appointments and was denied because of my profile, which I can understand. But one thing I did notice was the guys complaining after every training event or field problem about how they are treated by the PSG and PL.
While they were gone all the time I had turned in my leave form and after a while of not hearing anything I figured it just got lost in the shuffle of paperwork. So I submitted it again to my SL. He signed it and gave it directly to the 1SG. So 2 days prior to my leave the PSG told me he needed my les for my leave, then later he told me he didn't need it because it was already turned in. ( so he "was" tracking my leave). On leave day I went to staff duty, signed out, and got a copy of my da31 and left for leave.
While on leave I received a call from a fellow soldier telling me I had to report to brigade field at 06 for SRP, I told him I was on leave, the PSG got on the phone and pretended he had no idea I was on leave and asked if I had my da31 and if box 16 was signed. I told him it was in my bag and I was currently driving, he told me to send it to him and my SL when I stopped, when I got it out I noticed the box was not signed so I sent it to him and my SL and asked my SL what action I should take next and he said it was not a big issue since they had accountability for me and knew I was on leave, and that if anything the SDNCO is at fault ( I never knew that the SDNCO was supposed to sign the form because throughout my career everytime I took leave I have only ever signed the leave log sheet and got a copy of the leave and went on my way)
So I completed my leave and returned, No issues. So I heard more from the guys about how they were being treated. So I decided to gather the guys and write all the issues out on paper and I decided to use the open door policy. Which I planned for the following day.
So the following day I went upstairs and before I could speak they began questioning me about my leave, I explained the situation and asked if I could use the open door policy to talk about some issues within the PLT while we were talking, they said ok and I printed them each a copy that I had prepared the night before. We went over all the issues and talked for 5 hours, at the end they shook my hand and thanked me for bringing them to their attention.
The following day they decided to gather the PLT to have an open forum with no rank to discuss the issues as a PLT. Shortly into the discussion it turned into a not so open forum when one of the guys brought an issue forward and the PSG jumped down his throat and repeatedly told him to watch what came out of his mouth next and just humiliated the soldier, from that point no one else wanted to say anything out of fear of punishment. The LT decided to add in the fact that we are all just numbers and expendable and basically he did not need any of us.. Which is true in a manner and everyone knows that which i explained to him, but it's the fact that you constantly say that which brings morale down and cohesion within the PLT. I told him that the guys don't feel like their part of a team and without morale, trust, and cohesion that a unit will fall apart. I was cut off by the PSG and the forum ended.
The following day I got a call from a soldier that they wanted to talk to me immediately and that they have been pulling the soldiers aside asking them if it was solely my idea to do all of this. So when I arrived and went to the office the PSG said I know what your doing... And he said were sending you to a different PLT, I respectfully asked why. He then told me for the fact that I have been lying about everything to where I've been daily, about my condition, the fact that I can take leave for 5 days but not do any training ( which like I explained earlier, I have pleaded to train and volunteered for any task I can do), According to them I have never said that to them, and the fact that I went AWOL by going on leave. And they were trying to say that I made up all the issues in the PLT as a smoke screen for going AWOL. Now even if I had been AWOL like he stated, wasn't it his responsibility to contact me after I sent him a copy of my leave form or have a squad leader contact me telling me to return? Instead of letting me complete leave, come back, talk about the leave form again, and only after me bringing those issues forward a couple days later he tries to say I'm AWOL. So now I feel there trying to set an example by moving me so no other soldier speaks up.
On a side note, they never have accountability for their soldiers and never know what's going on within the PLT and are constantly just out of it.
What is my next course of action to take here? Technically there not punishing me but there using their rank and found another way to punish me without actually punishing me by getting rid of me....
I have always been a great soldier and began moving up pretty fast. I completed every task with speed and efficiency and was always in the top 2 of any training event, I received my first ARCOM as a PFC and have been sent to Soldier of the Month multiple times.
Then I was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which put me in the hospital two different times now for over a month combined. So unfortunately I have been on profile recovering. My profile also states that I take medication that is non-conducive during PT hours, and I was also "recommended" to do bloodwork on an almost daily basis. It's not an appointment and I can go any time but don't have to go if I do not want, I am slowly getting Better though.
Shortly after being back we gained new leadership, A new PSG and PL. They were filled in on my medical condition and what kind of soldier that I am. Ever since they took over the discipline and morale of the PLT has dropped significantly. So,everytime training events came up I pleaded to go and train and always volunteered for any task, school, or event. I even explained several times that I don't have to do the bloodwork and I can re-schedule any appointments and was denied because of my profile, which I can understand. But one thing I did notice was the guys complaining after every training event or field problem about how they are treated by the PSG and PL.
While they were gone all the time I had turned in my leave form and after a while of not hearing anything I figured it just got lost in the shuffle of paperwork. So I submitted it again to my SL. He signed it and gave it directly to the 1SG. So 2 days prior to my leave the PSG told me he needed my les for my leave, then later he told me he didn't need it because it was already turned in. ( so he "was" tracking my leave). On leave day I went to staff duty, signed out, and got a copy of my da31 and left for leave.
While on leave I received a call from a fellow soldier telling me I had to report to brigade field at 06 for SRP, I told him I was on leave, the PSG got on the phone and pretended he had no idea I was on leave and asked if I had my da31 and if box 16 was signed. I told him it was in my bag and I was currently driving, he told me to send it to him and my SL when I stopped, when I got it out I noticed the box was not signed so I sent it to him and my SL and asked my SL what action I should take next and he said it was not a big issue since they had accountability for me and knew I was on leave, and that if anything the SDNCO is at fault ( I never knew that the SDNCO was supposed to sign the form because throughout my career everytime I took leave I have only ever signed the leave log sheet and got a copy of the leave and went on my way)
So I completed my leave and returned, No issues. So I heard more from the guys about how they were being treated. So I decided to gather the guys and write all the issues out on paper and I decided to use the open door policy. Which I planned for the following day.
So the following day I went upstairs and before I could speak they began questioning me about my leave, I explained the situation and asked if I could use the open door policy to talk about some issues within the PLT while we were talking, they said ok and I printed them each a copy that I had prepared the night before. We went over all the issues and talked for 5 hours, at the end they shook my hand and thanked me for bringing them to their attention.
The following day they decided to gather the PLT to have an open forum with no rank to discuss the issues as a PLT. Shortly into the discussion it turned into a not so open forum when one of the guys brought an issue forward and the PSG jumped down his throat and repeatedly told him to watch what came out of his mouth next and just humiliated the soldier, from that point no one else wanted to say anything out of fear of punishment. The LT decided to add in the fact that we are all just numbers and expendable and basically he did not need any of us.. Which is true in a manner and everyone knows that which i explained to him, but it's the fact that you constantly say that which brings morale down and cohesion within the PLT. I told him that the guys don't feel like their part of a team and without morale, trust, and cohesion that a unit will fall apart. I was cut off by the PSG and the forum ended.
The following day I got a call from a soldier that they wanted to talk to me immediately and that they have been pulling the soldiers aside asking them if it was solely my idea to do all of this. So when I arrived and went to the office the PSG said I know what your doing... And he said were sending you to a different PLT, I respectfully asked why. He then told me for the fact that I have been lying about everything to where I've been daily, about my condition, the fact that I can take leave for 5 days but not do any training ( which like I explained earlier, I have pleaded to train and volunteered for any task I can do), According to them I have never said that to them, and the fact that I went AWOL by going on leave. And they were trying to say that I made up all the issues in the PLT as a smoke screen for going AWOL. Now even if I had been AWOL like he stated, wasn't it his responsibility to contact me after I sent him a copy of my leave form or have a squad leader contact me telling me to return? Instead of letting me complete leave, come back, talk about the leave form again, and only after me bringing those issues forward a couple days later he tries to say I'm AWOL. So now I feel there trying to set an example by moving me so no other soldier speaks up.
On a side note, they never have accountability for their soldiers and never know what's going on within the PLT and are constantly just out of it.
What is my next course of action to take here? Technically there not punishing me but there using their rank and found another way to punish me without actually punishing me by getting rid of me....
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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I wouldn't say you were being punished by moving you to another platoon. In my mind I see it as them saying "Hey, we don't want conflict."
I also believe it is the SM responsibility to ensure your da 31 is filled out properly before leaving.
I also believe it is the SM responsibility to ensure your da 31 is filled out properly before leaving.
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Take advantage of the transfer to make a "fresh start" in your new platoon. Make sure the medical issues are clearly understood by your new leadership, then keep you head down and work your ass off. Odds are good that you'll do well in a different unit. Also, be sure you check with your leadership on any request for leave making sure it is properly authorized before you depart your duty station. You're probably lucky they didn't NJP you for being AWOL.
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1. Spc, this not meant to sound denigrating. I'm only giving you helpful advice as I have been done this road too. Please don't post this on rallypoint. Command can, and in fact does, patrol online social media. I believe you have a good heart, but sometimes that doesn't matter.
2. Honestly, there good be any number of reasons for these thing to happen. You know, maybe going to the other platoon might be better, make new friends. Think positive a least on these points.
Distrust can be read a mile away bro. Be careful with it. They may be toxic leaders, sure, but you are still a soldier and you gotta rise above it. Keep the facts, do a good job of keeping an account of things. If you are in the right an they are in the wrong, there ways will catch up eventually.
2. Honestly, there good be any number of reasons for these thing to happen. You know, maybe going to the other platoon might be better, make new friends. Think positive a least on these points.
Distrust can be read a mile away bro. Be careful with it. They may be toxic leaders, sure, but you are still a soldier and you gotta rise above it. Keep the facts, do a good job of keeping an account of things. If you are in the right an they are in the wrong, there ways will catch up eventually.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thanks for the advice, my command is already tracking the issues as my SL advised me to use the 1sg open door policy which I did and both the 1SG and CO are tracking.
I don't have any problems moving PLTs, like you said it could be better for me in my current situation and condition. I am more worried about my guys I'll be leaving behind and to hope I at least opened the eyes of the command and got the ball rolling.
I only posted on this forum for all the military knowledge all the members have and not to rant or complain but just to get an outside view. If my command does patrol this forum they can clearly see that I'm only seeking advice. I'm not using names or bashing anyone. My military bearing is in tact, and I only had good intention to use the open door policy to bring the PLT issues forward and speak for myself and the guys. I'm 30 years old so I'm not just a young private posting on Facebook, but in a professional forum, in a professional manner, just seeking outside advice.
I don't have any problems moving PLTs, like you said it could be better for me in my current situation and condition. I am more worried about my guys I'll be leaving behind and to hope I at least opened the eyes of the command and got the ball rolling.
I only posted on this forum for all the military knowledge all the members have and not to rant or complain but just to get an outside view. If my command does patrol this forum they can clearly see that I'm only seeking advice. I'm not using names or bashing anyone. My military bearing is in tact, and I only had good intention to use the open door policy to bring the PLT issues forward and speak for myself and the guys. I'm 30 years old so I'm not just a young private posting on Facebook, but in a professional forum, in a professional manner, just seeking outside advice.
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