Posted on Apr 29, 2015
Has a higher ranking soldier ever tried to intimidate you?
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I'd just deployed in Dec 1995 to Kaposvar, Hungary during OJE with another soldier from my unit. We were advanced party to hook up with two officers already there. I was a SSG the other was a SGT. My first day I was put on guard duty as SOG for a 24 hr duty. SGT McGee was to pull duty for the last part of my duty. At 0800 the next morning our relief never showed up. I relieved McGee of his duty and took over his position as the main entrance to the 3rd COSCOM TOC. Just after I took over, in comes a gaggle of officers, a COL was in the lead. I stood up gave the greeting of the day and asked the Colonel for his TOC I.D. badge. He didn't have one. Immediately a Major came forward and said, "This is the COSCOM Commander". I replied, "That's find sir, I need to see his TOC pass before I can admit him to the TOC." The Colonel stood there saying nothing, again the Major tried to press the issue. I came back with opening my "guard book" and showed him my special instructions which stated that no one was admitted unless they showed the proper I.D. it was signed by Colonel Brandt, Commanding (the COL standing before me). A Captain then came forward and said this is COL Brandt. I replied, looking the COL in the eyes, "Good Morning Sir, I need to see your badge or someone with a current badge can sign you in at the security desk down the hallway. " An officer got in my face and restated the facts and I stood, picking up my M16 and said no one is coming in unless I see the proper I.D. Finally one of the Captains went down the hallway, got a temp I.D. badge for the Colonel. Once he had the badge, I had him sign in with the CPT counter signing for him. All this time the Colonel never said a word, he knew I was right. I think he was pissed at his aids they hadn't gotten his I.D. squared away. Wonder what would have been said if I'd let him in?
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Responses: 39
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Oh hell yes. I had a CSM constantly harassing me about my mustache. I was a Drill Sergeant in Ft. Dix in the early 80's. The Brigade CSM hated mustaches more than anything thing else. I was part of the Brigade Color Guard among other extra duties and he was always riding me. Of course it was within regulations so he had no grounds. One day he told me he was going to kick my ass if I didn't shave, and I told him that he better bring a step ladder if he thought he was big enough to kick my ass. After that, we got along great.
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SFC Nicolas Magnum
Early 80's I was with the 11th ACR. The USAEUR CSM had a meltdown over my mustache, said I wasn't worthy of his coin.
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PO1 Tommy French
I had Lt. Cmdr try to intimidate me once. He made me muster outside his office at 0600 daily, and he wouldn't show up until 0900 or 9030 every day, yet I would have to stand there from 0600 until he showed up. Then, the MasterChief got involved and the Lt. cmdr suddenly decided I didn't need to do that anymore. LOL
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SSG (ret) William Martin
That CSM who didn't like mustaches was pushing his own personal set of norms and values.
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You did exactly the right thing. Nice work. The Colonel should have stopped by after your shift to buy you a beer, AFTER counseling his staff on the importance of security and how NOBODY is above it.
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LTC John Wilson
Great job. I know it was uncomfortable for you at the time, but think about how uncomfortable it would have been had you let him in without the proper I.D. As for the Captain and Major, both should be reprimanded and hopefully in private.
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The direct answer to the question is yes to the intimidation. I want to put a however to this as there is negative and positive in my view. Negative when it is for personal gains or asking for something which is not ethical or moral. Positive when trying to get things done for the right reasons. Examples:
Negative: General Officer had GFOQ furniture shipped when he knew it was wrong and was required to pay for the furniture before his clearance papers could be signed. He tried using his rank to bully the housing folks into signing his clearance papers.
Positive: Soldier had an emergency where he needed to get home as they did not know how much longer his mother had to live after being struck by a vehicle while she was in a cross walk. The personnel were dragging their feet on getting the soldier's paperwork for getting out on emergency leave, so the CSM stepped in and threatened to have the lunch of anyone that did not put this soldier's actions at the top of their list! He said the key word was emergency and all other requirements had been met, so there were no excuses for not getting that private taken care of at once. He did not use ASAP because he said that was a way out because their soon as possible was not his soon as possible, therefore he said at once and gave them three hours and he had better have papers in hand and on the first thing smoking to see his mom!
I think everyone is looking at the negatives, but there are times when it can be positive!
Negative: General Officer had GFOQ furniture shipped when he knew it was wrong and was required to pay for the furniture before his clearance papers could be signed. He tried using his rank to bully the housing folks into signing his clearance papers.
Positive: Soldier had an emergency where he needed to get home as they did not know how much longer his mother had to live after being struck by a vehicle while she was in a cross walk. The personnel were dragging their feet on getting the soldier's paperwork for getting out on emergency leave, so the CSM stepped in and threatened to have the lunch of anyone that did not put this soldier's actions at the top of their list! He said the key word was emergency and all other requirements had been met, so there were no excuses for not getting that private taken care of at once. He did not use ASAP because he said that was a way out because their soon as possible was not his soon as possible, therefore he said at once and gave them three hours and he had better have papers in hand and on the first thing smoking to see his mom!
I think everyone is looking at the negatives, but there are times when it can be positive!
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