Posted on Feb 7, 2022
As a new section NCO, what would be the best way to deal with squad leaders who skipped the chain of command (myself)?
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Higher ups i.e. my PSG & PL Want to know what will I do
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 28
I see you are a Corporal, and based on comments you had not updated your rank prior to posting so I will go from there.
You are a Corporal and yes that means you're an NCO. Now while I don't know where you are at in your section, whether you're a Team Leader or a Squad Leader, or in charge of a few Privates and Specialists in your section, etc; how you handle this is going to alter how your troops perceive you.
You said you're a new section NCO, how new? Are your guys just used to going through the other NCO's in the chain? If that's the case you'll have to have a sit down and explain the new chain, but not before you talk with your SGT or SSG as applicable about how that chain functions. No need for you to be putting out false information. I can tell you smart PFC's and SPC's will pick up on that false info quick whether you intended for it to be false or not.
So get with your NCO and work out a plan for who exactly are your Soldiers and how you fit into that structure as a Corporal, then get to know your guys, then start building your leaders book with all of the information you'll need about developing your Soldiers (again, NCO chain for good examples and advice), then have that sit down about the new structure as it applies to you and to them.
If there's issues after that, again, get with your NCO chain about how to conduct your first counseling. As a Corporal you're learning how to become an NCO, hell even as a SGT you're learning all the time, and probably screwing things up along the way. So walk into this knowing you don't know what you're doing all the time and just try to be level headed and learn as much as you're trying to lead.
As a Corporal are you owed respect by virtue of your rank? The quick answer is yes. The real question is, what are you doing to earn that respect? If you come down like a hammer over this probable miscommunication or misunderstanding about where you and they fall in the chain then they might "respect" the rank, but they certainly won't respect you.
You are a Corporal and yes that means you're an NCO. Now while I don't know where you are at in your section, whether you're a Team Leader or a Squad Leader, or in charge of a few Privates and Specialists in your section, etc; how you handle this is going to alter how your troops perceive you.
You said you're a new section NCO, how new? Are your guys just used to going through the other NCO's in the chain? If that's the case you'll have to have a sit down and explain the new chain, but not before you talk with your SGT or SSG as applicable about how that chain functions. No need for you to be putting out false information. I can tell you smart PFC's and SPC's will pick up on that false info quick whether you intended for it to be false or not.
So get with your NCO and work out a plan for who exactly are your Soldiers and how you fit into that structure as a Corporal, then get to know your guys, then start building your leaders book with all of the information you'll need about developing your Soldiers (again, NCO chain for good examples and advice), then have that sit down about the new structure as it applies to you and to them.
If there's issues after that, again, get with your NCO chain about how to conduct your first counseling. As a Corporal you're learning how to become an NCO, hell even as a SGT you're learning all the time, and probably screwing things up along the way. So walk into this knowing you don't know what you're doing all the time and just try to be level headed and learn as much as you're trying to lead.
As a Corporal are you owed respect by virtue of your rank? The quick answer is yes. The real question is, what are you doing to earn that respect? If you come down like a hammer over this probable miscommunication or misunderstanding about where you and they fall in the chain then they might "respect" the rank, but they certainly won't respect you.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
SPC (Join to see) - I'm just saying that's why people were saying "you're a private..." because that's what his rank was at first. That's all.
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SPC Kevin Moon
Regardless his reason he needs to understand that just because they become an nco doesn’t mean that’s the end of the chain of command everyone has someone they answer to regardless of rank. A simple team meeting, sharing something about yourself and admitting hey I’m new to this and asking subordinates for their support and help in your transition to an nco as well as getting to know your soldier ie: pv2 snuffys wife is pregnant and due any day will move mountains in earning their respect. They respect the rank but you have to earn their respect as people i wish you luck in your journey
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SGT Michael Frachiseur
I would have to have a talk with that soldier, if his problem was with me, I still need to know that they are going. They had better have talked with me about the problem first, if it comes back down the chain and they haven't they will feel like their world ended !
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Learning how to effectively utilize your chain of command is fundamental in properly it for its designed purpose. The provides a certain decorum in addressing issues at the appropriate level and fosters communication with a leader who should be addressing the issue at hand.
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We would have a come to Jesus meeting to set.ground rules on how we should conduct our business.
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