Can I tell off an Officer/NCO in my company while not at drill or on active orders?

SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 15:41:50 -0500

The soldier in question lives near me and it is not unusual to see this person at my local grocer. They have been on my case about my military license during drill, even though I score high on PT and weapons. Every time I show up to drill I discover I am not on the driver's training list and ask what I can do to get on it. They tell me just to hurry up and wait, yadayada. That I will get on it eventually. But this soldier is constantly telling me that I'm in the wrong about this on and off work.

Response by SSG Rafael Rodriguez made Feb 12 at 2020 3:56 PM

SSG Rafael Rodriguez — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 15:56:03 -0500

Whoever that Soldier is, is he on your chain of command? If not then respectfully refer him to your squad leader or your platoon SGT., that should get him off your back. Sounds like that company needs qualified drivers for what ever reason.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Feb 12 at 2020 4:10 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:10:54 -0500

If someone is harassing you, try to handle it between you two. If he is harassing when not at drill, you can just ignore him. If it's an issue, tell someone higher in your chain. If you have gone up keep going higher - like if you told your PSG, tell the 1SG next time you're at drill.

If this happens when you're not at drill and you're just minding your own business at the store, tell him to leave you alone. If he keeps harassing you, call the police. I would if someone was harassing me no matter if they were in my chain or not. Even more so if I was National Guard or Reserve and not at drill and someone with a complex harassed me when not at drill or on orders.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 12 at 2020 4:15 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:15:26 -0500

If it is about service related manners and you've line up your ducks, conduct yourself as a calm rational professional adult, I wouldn't mind discussing any military issue. But I wouldn't mind that even during the drill period as long as there was not some over-riding need to focus on something else. Keep in mind that when the senior says "we're done," the best course is to politely walk away.

The same should hold true in the civilian world when this soldier constantly tells you that you're in the wrong about this on and off work." He/she regardless of rank should conduct them self as a calm rational professional adult, and if you tell them you really don't want to discuss it at that time and that place, they should respect your wishes.

If you think it is a no ranks, emotional, disrespectful, bitch session where you get to let off some steam and then claim that you get a "free pass" because "we're "Jody and Jack back on the block," be prepared to find out that being a jerk is never free.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2020 5:55 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 17:55:44 -0500

You're a Leader so use your Chain of Command and show that you know how to be one. Get your inputs, form a plan, execute. It will become old hat eventually. Enjoy it and do your best always.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2020 8:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 20:15:39 -0500

I would caution you to tell anyone off. Ask yourself, are the repercussions worth it?

Also, the fact that just correlated your high PT and Weapons scores to ability and potential shows that you probably don't understand the "Whole Soldier Concept" and there are some underlying issues that is causing you to be treated the way you are.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Feb 12 at 2020 10:31 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 22:31:36 -0500

Telling off an Officer/NCO while off duty on or off post is not the best approach. Though you may be off duty or even off post, the possibility of that backfiring on you when on duty is good. If you get to the point where you think things have gone too far, go up the chain of command to handle the situation

Response by SFC David Dean made Feb 12 at 2020 10:36 PM

SFC David Dean — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 22:36:07 -0500

Let me ask. Why bother? If you allow this person to have this much influence and control over your situation you will not gain any of that control back by acting inappropriately. Actually acting that way accords and affords that person even more control over you.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Feb 13 at 2020 1:29 AM

TSgt David Holman — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 01:29:25 -0500

Can you, yes. Should you, probably not. Remember that even when you are not on active orders or at drill, you are still bound by the UCMJ and should adhere to policies involving professionalism. Not only that, but it is NEVER a good idea to tell of an NCO, much less an officer regardless of situation... that lack of professionalism would be remembered for a long time.
I would recommend that if you are having an issue with this NCO, take it up the chain. If it is an issue with getting into training, maybe someone with a little more clout might be able to get you on the training list a little sooner.

Response by SMSgt Ronald B. made Feb 13 at 2020 2:51 AM

SMSgt Ronald B. — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 02:51:06 -0500

Whatever you do - be the professional - don't let emotions get the best of you - take a Socratic approach - ask this guy questions that lead him to your conclusion... You got this!

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Feb 7 at 2021 9:41 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 21:41:33 -0500

Maybe go to your company Gunny, or offer him to step into the woods, Old time fixes to problems that shouldn’t probably exist.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 8 at 2021 8:20 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 08:20:52 -0500

Disrespect is disrespect regardless of the clothes the NCO or Officer is wearing. The guideline is that you know it is an NCO or Officer so yes you can be held accountable for what comes out of your mouth. I would try to handle it with the individual first and if that does not work, talk to someone in your chain of command. I would think the 1SG would be especially interested this is going on and might want to have a chat with the individual in my view (though he might not tell you that is what he will do).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 2:53 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:53:50 -0500

It's not in your best interest to escalate the situation. I would use your COC. Your NCO knows he shouldn't harass soldiers outside of drill.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2022 9:12 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 09:12:06 -0500

I did. That's why I was demoted. This Sgt called me three times a day for two weeks telling me I was shitbag for not volunteering to go on role player orders while I was in school. I was a nursing student. It didn't matter who I called. It didn't matter what said. No one in my chain command stepped in to stop it. Apparently he put me in for the orders anyway knowing I was a active student. Then he called me over and over again during one of my test days. I was accused of cheating and kicked out of the class. My SGT that knew I was in class called and asked where I was. When I told him he said I was AWOL. We calmly had a talk about how he knew I was in school, he knew I was talking a test, he knew about the harassment, and nothing was being done. I cussed both of them for 30 minutes straight. I made a comment that if I was a female or in cop training than my school wouldn't be a problem right? I was demoted. I changed my number and bought a extra phone. Now I have a national guard phone and a everything else phone. My national guard phone stays in the car while I am at work or in class.