Posted on Jul 7, 2015
How do you handle abuse of power from NCO's and Officers?
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I'm sure we've all ran across one or two or probably more NCO's or Officers at some point in our military career who had been known to abuse power entrusted to them. What are your thoughts on this and some possible tips to combat such abuse of power as a junior enlisted man?
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Chain of Command
Chain of Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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I think you might need to define "abuse of power". One man's abuse of power is another man's legal order. Not saying that is the case here but telling folks to clean the barracks or some other task no one wants to do is not abuse of power. A little detail here (no names etc) might help folks give you better advice.
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Cpl Jeff N.
PFC (Join to see) . The only reason they have authority is not to "further their subordinates". They also have a job/mission to complete. In the completion of that job/mission you will likely receive some development. Not everyone likes to follow but being a good follower is one step toward being a good leader.
If they are asking/ordering you to do unethical, illegal or immoral acts then you need to start documenting them. Can you provide and example or two of what you are talking about without revealing enough detail to make it obvious who you might be talking about etc?
If they are asking/ordering you to do unethical, illegal or immoral acts then you need to start documenting them. Can you provide and example or two of what you are talking about without revealing enough detail to make it obvious who you might be talking about etc?
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PFC (Join to see)
Oh this is nothing I've dealt with personally. It was a hypothetical question, but I asked in the case that this should happen
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Cpl Jeff N.
Well, it is hard to deal with hypotheticals because there are simply too many possibilities. Broadly speaking, if asked to do something illegal, I wouldn't do it and would ask to speak to staff NCO or Officer. You better be sure you are correct though.
A violation of your "character" might not be an unlawful order.
My advice is tread carefully. If you start questioning orders frequently on a moral, ethical or legal basis and you are found to be incorrect, you could do real damage to yourself. You don't want to end up being "that guy".
A violation of your "character" might not be an unlawful order.
My advice is tread carefully. If you start questioning orders frequently on a moral, ethical or legal basis and you are found to be incorrect, you could do real damage to yourself. You don't want to end up being "that guy".
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TSgt Paul Dionne
Cpl Jeff N. - Being retired USAF I have dealt with this one multiple occasions. In on instance I was placed in a situation where, during peace time, I was exposed to situations where safety was ignored and the NCOIC caused me to fear for my life because of his unconscionable actions, which placed my life in danger. remember this was during peace time and if it were combat it would be different. The individual caused me to fear that my life were in danger because of unsafe actions on his part. After he acted in a way where I felt my life were in danger, I exited the building and refused to reenter as long as he was there. He ordered me to get back into the building and to resume my actions. I told him that he was causing a safety issue and I refused as long as he was present. He again ordered me to return to the facility and resume what I was doing. I refused and he stated I was being charged with disobeying a direct order. I remained in the vehicle until he had left which at that time I did not remember what I did till some time after the incident. I remember drinking coffee at the other site when the individual entered the building with his uniform torn and obviously in pain. He claimed I tried to kill him, but I did not remember any such incident. What I did remember is having a cut on my head caused by his actions where he caused me to strike my head on the entrance of a high voltage panel that I had to place my head into to see the color of the tubes relating to the adjustment I was making. The voltage was 10,000 volts and if I had jerked my head off to the side I would have been electrocuted. I do not remember doing anything that would have injured him, but based on the abuse we had endured at his doing I believe my actions were justified.
In any case, he was demoted and I was not charged even though he wanted me charged with attempted murder. Luckily we had a good commander who believed justice and truth overrode regulations. The NCOIC was demoted and I went on my way.
In any case, he was demoted and I was not charged even though he wanted me charged with attempted murder. Luckily we had a good commander who believed justice and truth overrode regulations. The NCOIC was demoted and I went on my way.
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The first thing I would recommend is to take copious notes privately detailing the incidents. Is this NCO doing it to everyone? Or singling folks out? Is there a common denominator to the folks that he/she is singling out (they are taking long lunches, showing up late for work/PT/formations, etc.). I am not saying that NCO's behavior is correct, yet pointing out what may be causing his/her behavior. From there, armed with support documentation, see your next in CoC.
It very well could be the NCO; I have had my fair share of awful ones. But, a distinguished General once said, “When things go wrong in your command, start wading for the reason in increasing larger concentric circles around your own desk.” When I have an issue, I start with the mirror. "Have I contributed to this?" If so, nothing wrong with that, as long as you identify it and take the chance to unf*ck it.
It very well could be the NCO; I have had my fair share of awful ones. But, a distinguished General once said, “When things go wrong in your command, start wading for the reason in increasing larger concentric circles around your own desk.” When I have an issue, I start with the mirror. "Have I contributed to this?" If so, nothing wrong with that, as long as you identify it and take the chance to unf*ck it.
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1stSgt (Join to see)
Better yet the question should be why would anyone want to do business with a company or business that doesn't want to do business with them? If you were a business owner and felt strongly about an issue for or against it would you want to do business with that group or individual that had an opposing stance and if you did it for the money anyway what does that say about you and your principles and integrity? Forcing a business to work for someone or something they dont agree with is simply not American.
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Being that you are a PFC and here on RP we love to see young enlisted that are engaged I am going to try to work both sides of this. As a MP investigator I have seen my share of these investigations. Being as this is a hypothetical, you need to tread lightly when thinking of accusing an NCO or an Officer of unethical conduct. If it is not black and white you may be getting yourself into a shit storm that only a change of duty is going to make things better for you. I am by no means encouraging you not to live by the army values. Just sometimes just because you believe you are correct does not mean it is going to go well for you.
As a PFC you know just enough about how the Army works to get yourself into trouble. What you may take as abuse, may be a lawful order. With that being said, if a NCO asked you to lie for them, or cover up something (that kind of stuff), write that down, date, time, location and what was said. DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT. It may be your word against a higher ranking individual. You better look like you got your poo poo together.
Before you take something official you need to run it by somebody that has a little time under their belt. If you don't have someone, go see the chaplain. I can honestly say that I have never gotten bad advice from anybody that is a chaplain.
I also encourage you to get yourself a copy of FM 7-22.7 The NCO Guide. You need to read it as it will make you a better leader and get you ready for your strips.
As a PFC you know just enough about how the Army works to get yourself into trouble. What you may take as abuse, may be a lawful order. With that being said, if a NCO asked you to lie for them, or cover up something (that kind of stuff), write that down, date, time, location and what was said. DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT. It may be your word against a higher ranking individual. You better look like you got your poo poo together.
Before you take something official you need to run it by somebody that has a little time under their belt. If you don't have someone, go see the chaplain. I can honestly say that I have never gotten bad advice from anybody that is a chaplain.
I also encourage you to get yourself a copy of FM 7-22.7 The NCO Guide. You need to read it as it will make you a better leader and get you ready for your strips.
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