Posted on Aug 31, 2023
SPC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
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Is there a policy in the Army or Military in general regarding unprofessionalism in a Signal group chat?

Due to an INDIVIDUAL leaving the AO there were formations throughout the whole day for everyone.

I am part of whitecell and was detached to another part of whitecell for a detail. In the group chat we were told to put our names as "Rank Lastname, firstname" everyone did EXCEPT for the officer I've never met before in my life for all I know it could of been a E-1.

I stated "Whitecell child correctional facility status: *green check mark emoji*" in the group chat

After a SGT pushed out all the hit times I sent in the group saying "LMAOOOOO"

The SGT ONLY quoted the Lmao message and said to delete it and I did once I seen it a couple minute after.

The 1LT(I had no idea who it was at the time it could of been an E-1 for all I know at the time)
Asked after if I wanted to join.
I replied "Yes. I'll be there Thursday" since that's when my detail ended and we were regrouping with them then.
The 1LT said I'll be there now
I packed and got drove from my detail.

And he then said I was going to be getting a counseling for disrespecting an officer and recommended UCMJ action.

The reason for the counseling was "Disrespecting an officer" Marked First time offense

The counseling statement is SOLELY based on the conversation above and he added in that I was laughing at others suffering which is crazy since why would I want to say yes to joining if it's suffering. If anything it would be considered unprofessionalism at best.
I checked disagree and signed

Id also like to note that I've NEVER disrespected ANYONE especially any officer during my length of service.

I ETS in December (4 years 6 months of service AD) I completed capstone and signed reserve orders and going to start clearing soon.
The only (negative) counselings I've ever received was 1 FTR and then this one I'm currently talking about. During my length of service.

I'd appreciate any feedback from a perspective of individuals higher than me that could share their standpoint and outside view.

Thank you for your time.
Posted in these groups: Enlisted logo EnlistedHelp1%281%29 Counseling
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Responses: 9
CSM Darieus ZaGara
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Group chat (if military groups for purpose of sharing work requirements) conversation carry with then the same as if in a room physically, there is no fire wall of safety. If the officer believed you knew that he was an officer and knew your grade he can of course counsel you and recommend whatever he likes. If the Company Commander agreed he would forward the request for the AR15 packet. From there he would have to speak to you, he may before, in order to determine the facts before rendering a secision, which you can appeal if you feel you have been wrongly judged.

Is he petty, not petty, feeling disrespected is what will be evaluated.

There is something to the fact that many folks feel more comfortable saying things in a chat as apposed to in person. This should be a lesson learned regardless of the outcome. Maintain your military bearing at all times.
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SPC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
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Understood Sergeant Major.I agree and see where you are coming from I also don't think he's being petty from my stand point. The whole reason for the post is for guidance and outside views and I do appreciate your view. I do get where you are coming from and a lesson has been learned. Thank you for your response Sergeant Major.
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Edited 1 y ago
To my knowledge, there isn't a specific U.S. Army regulation that explicitly covers conversations in group chats on messaging platforms. As CSM Darieus ZaGara stated, you would conduct yourself online as if speaking face-to-face with the person or the group. In this regard, I think AR 600-20 (Army Command Policy) is a relevant reg, and the broader principles of maintaining professionalism would logically extend to how soldiers engage on social media platforms, including group chats. Army Command Policy doesn't provide detailed guidelines specifically focused on online interactions or group chats but does address the principles of professionalism and maintaining good order and discipline within the Army, which can extend to online conduct.
CSM William Everroad
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SPC (Join to see), most Senior Leaders have not had to deal with Social Media on the way up to where we are now. But dealing with technology is continually evolving. First, nothing can replace face to face conversations. However, the foundation that our tenets of professionalism are built on do not rely on understanding who you are talking to. Ask a Signal NCO who has had to manage a signet.

The unfortunate thing is young leaders have taken to use text messaging and apps like signal to replace or significantly supplement normal verbal orders and conversations. The unfortunate thing for young Soldiers is that they treat them like SM or when speaking to a colleague or friend. No matter the platform, "I am a professional". While "LMAOOOOO" in a text message may not seem like a big deal to you, the LT and probably the SGT must have felt a certain way about your lack of "taking it serious", especially given the context.

Most of us have been counseled for any number of minor infractions from talking back, smart mouthing, asking too many questions, sock drawer in disarray. They, individually, reflect the culture that leader wants to install. Is everyone 100% in line with Army values or leadership models? No, but they have the authority to enforce standards and the flexibility to be creative, to an extent.

The thing about counselings, especially the ones we might classify as "trivial", is they really don't matter when you PCS or get new leadership. I have taken previous leader counselings with a grain of salt, especially if they are written poorly.

Now, if your example was included because the LT was requesting administrative punishment, we might have a conversation about why you think professional conduct standards would not apply on Signal or if you think replicating the typed words in person is appropriate. I think laughing out loud after instructions given by a duly appointed NCO or Officer would garner a reprimand of some kind in any setting. If you did not walk away learning what the leader thinks about that, they did a poor job counseling you and the form was a way to slap your wrist. An improper use of the counseling process, IMO. My recommendation to the Commander would be ODP regarding mentorship and counseling and let me and your 1SG handle you. I could see how unprofessionalism could be constructed as disrespect to an officer, and that would be the second focus of our conversation.

All that aside, checking disagree does not do anything. By checking that box, you are disagreeing with anything that is incorrect on the counseling statement including the character of the conversation, plan of action, leader responsibilities, key points of discussion, or any errors that may be contained in the administrative portion. This is not your opportunity to grandstand about how you think the leader is wrong in counseling you in the first place. If your feedback to the counselor was not captured in the key points of discussion, you check agree and add in your remarks your side that was communicated during the counseling but left off from key points.
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SPC Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
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I appreciate you taking the time to voice your stand points and outside view. I know that it can be viewed as unprofessionalism, my major concern is the counseling reason for disrespecting an officer. My only conversation with him in the group chat was him asking if "Do you want to join them?" And my reply of "Yes, I'll be there Thursday" since that's when my detail ended. I wasn't being disrespectful or mean it in any disrespectful way. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to respond my post to share your stand points Sergeant Major. I'm taking everything into consideration to view this from a bird's eye view.
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CSM William Everroad
CSM William Everroad
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SPC (Join to see) - I am not saying you meant it that way. I am just pointing out that text messaging loses delivery compared to in person communication.

The LT could have viewed all of your statements collectively and walked away with the thought that you were unprofessional in an expected professional setting. It would be reasonable, IMO. Your viewpoint is also reasonable, especially considering you do not seem to have intended disrespect or deliberately tried to act unprofessionally.

The thing to remember is that communication is two-way and depends on the perception of the sender and receiver. In-person communication adds the dynamics of body language, tone, and facial expression. Text messages take all that away. And if this case was passed to me, that is what I would impress upon you before telling the Commander to throw the counseling in the garbage drawer.
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