Posted on Jan 6, 2015
Be professional, pick your battles, admit when you're wrong.
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Current service members I applaud your professionalism, standards of conduct and desire to make on the spot corrections.
However ... Please critically look at the situation, context and be professional in your on the spot corrections. And always be prepared to admit your mistaken.
I teach motorcycle safety on post as a contractor. Today I was eating lunch in the shoppette (Blimpie sub sandwich next door).
I look the part of a Senior soldier for the most part mannerisms, please, thank you, yes Ma'am, clean moderate clothing, well within weight standards, no piercings, (not that i have an issue with it) no Tats (again not that I see it as an issue), .. In civilian clothes of course, though needing a haircut and a shave.
A young 1SG decided I needed an on the spot correction.. I was informed I needed to keep a military appearance even when off duty or on leave.
I smiled and asked him if he was aware retirees are allowed to eat in the shoppette? And if I looked like a subordinate soldier whose behavior could be modified with an on the spot correction from him, in the manner to which he addressed me?
He responded that he did not care what rank I was I needed to "fix myself" The retiree question went over his head.
I told him thanks for his concern but I'm a retired SGM and no longer subject to grooming standards of the U.S. Army...
Furthermore he may want to consider who he is addressing and how before being snide and speaking down to a soldier (it was more how went about it, than what was said... .. It was a you had to be there)
The 1SG refused to acknowledge he mistake which was bad form to say the least and walked away in a huff.
Morel of the story ... Active duty folks please continue policing your own... But what you say and how you say it is just as important as the why. And always be a professional even if you make an honest mistake.
I wonder if that 1SG knows I had lunch with his bde CSM last week?
However ... Please critically look at the situation, context and be professional in your on the spot corrections. And always be prepared to admit your mistaken.
I teach motorcycle safety on post as a contractor. Today I was eating lunch in the shoppette (Blimpie sub sandwich next door).
I look the part of a Senior soldier for the most part mannerisms, please, thank you, yes Ma'am, clean moderate clothing, well within weight standards, no piercings, (not that i have an issue with it) no Tats (again not that I see it as an issue), .. In civilian clothes of course, though needing a haircut and a shave.
A young 1SG decided I needed an on the spot correction.. I was informed I needed to keep a military appearance even when off duty or on leave.
I smiled and asked him if he was aware retirees are allowed to eat in the shoppette? And if I looked like a subordinate soldier whose behavior could be modified with an on the spot correction from him, in the manner to which he addressed me?
He responded that he did not care what rank I was I needed to "fix myself" The retiree question went over his head.
I told him thanks for his concern but I'm a retired SGM and no longer subject to grooming standards of the U.S. Army...
Furthermore he may want to consider who he is addressing and how before being snide and speaking down to a soldier (it was more how went about it, than what was said... .. It was a you had to be there)
The 1SG refused to acknowledge he mistake which was bad form to say the least and walked away in a huff.
Morel of the story ... Active duty folks please continue policing your own... But what you say and how you say it is just as important as the why. And always be a professional even if you make an honest mistake.
I wonder if that 1SG knows I had lunch with his bde CSM last week?
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Responses: 21
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My favorite was in a deployed location, where we decided we were going to salute wearing PT gear. Friend of mine was entering the chow hall in PT gear, arriving at the door about the same time as a captain and a TSgt. The TSgt said "hey, aren't you going to salute the captain? Last time I checked, we salute officers in the Air Force". My friend responded by producing his ID card, which listed his rank as "major", and asked, "do you think I should salute him?"
This was my constant problem with the on-the-spot corrections in the deployed location. A complete lack of common courtesy and respect. I wouldn't talk to the most junior airman the way these SNCOs often addressed officers.
This was my constant problem with the on-the-spot corrections in the deployed location. A complete lack of common courtesy and respect. I wouldn't talk to the most junior airman the way these SNCOs often addressed officers.
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CPT (Join to see)
If you only had the PT belt rank on it you would have been fine. Yet another complex situation where the PT belt is the answer.
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COL Ted Mc
Lt Col (Join to see) A very good answer and not quite so soul crushing as "Quite right Sergeant, and they haven't changed the rules one bit since the last time you checked." AFTER the TSGT has had a chance to read the ID card.
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Classic tale, SGM Erik Marquez! I especially liked the ending about your having lunch with the 1SG's Brigade CSM. Doesn't get much better than that.
Thanks for sharing your story and outstanding advice. People can get a little over-motivated and forget about tact and professionalism.
Thanks for sharing your story and outstanding advice. People can get a little over-motivated and forget about tact and professionalism.
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SGM Erik Marquez
Chief CW5 (Join to see) that was just good luck... I asked him as I was exiting to go back to my range.. what unit he was in, he kept quite but his buddy sensing a response was a better idea, told me the unit.. I smiled and said "oh, CSM........ Brigade" and left it at that. I have/ Had no intention of running to an old friend to tell tails.. This 1SG may have been having a bad day, what he did out of character .. we have all done that a time or too, he might have been silently kicking himself for coming off as a jerk...and in the end, we are not talking about an illagle act.. An endangering act.. .. If he uses it as a learning point, Task done. If he has always been, still will be a jerk,, His Bde CSM already knows,, cuz that dude knows everything. He is like Cpl Radar O'reilly only with more stripes..... well and not a TV fictional Character (yes I dated myself,, you younguns go Google that and get back to me after watching a few episodes on Netfilcks or Youtube)
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CPL Rick Stasny
I just can't believe this guy had nothing better to do than cruise the base to correct people in civilian clothes. If it had been a mini PX in a training area and you were sporting a shaved head looking about 16 then I could see it. What's next, a trip around the housing area to tell a few dependants they don't meet the weight requirements. I would like to see how that worked out. Lol
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That goes to all ranks. Treat soldiers with respect, get respect. That doesn't mean you have to be soft. It doesn't mean you can't uphold the standards. It doesn't even mean you can't be hard. I really have a hard time describing what I feel, but respect goes a long ways. And it's unfortunate when soldiers and leaders confuse respect with softness, or simply lack respect.
SGM Erik Marquez, thanks for this post, SGM.
SGM Erik Marquez, thanks for this post, SGM.
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