Posted on Oct 6, 2020
Does it reflect poorly on me as a leader for leaving work when the work is done, rather than sticking around to chit chat?
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So, I'm the platoon Sergeant for a Brigade Company S3 shop. I'm the type of person that works to live, not lives to work. So if our work is complete, I will leave at 1700 or whenever we are released. HOWEVER, I notice that some of my troops love to just stick around and chit chat. Like what are they waiting on? Does it reflect poorly on me if I leave? What are your thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Leadership
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 17
I was a BN S3 SGM in predeployment train up and deployed to Iraq
I was a DIV SGM for a deployed Region command East Joint TACOP center
I was a DIV G3 SGM
We worked if there was work that NEEDED to be done, but if it was not needed, neither were the staff. as a young BN SGM, my CSM and CDR taught me through personal example..... GO HOME, get, be gone, it will still be here tomorrow and no one needs it tonight.
I was a DIV SGM for a deployed Region command East Joint TACOP center
I was a DIV G3 SGM
We worked if there was work that NEEDED to be done, but if it was not needed, neither were the staff. as a young BN SGM, my CSM and CDR taught me through personal example..... GO HOME, get, be gone, it will still be here tomorrow and no one needs it tonight.
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We are salaried, there is no "must stay until 1700". If work is done at 1300 then it's done.
Those who stay forever are why morale is trash, and when CSM sees people hanging around doing nothing they immediately want to fill that time with work. Snake eats tail.
I believe if something new comes down after 1600, then it can wait for the next day (typically).
We expect Soldiers to stay late some days, we should send em home "early" when we can in expectation that it will be made up by late days. It will all even out if the leadership uses that thinking.
Those who stay forever are why morale is trash, and when CSM sees people hanging around doing nothing they immediately want to fill that time with work. Snake eats tail.
I believe if something new comes down after 1600, then it can wait for the next day (typically).
We expect Soldiers to stay late some days, we should send em home "early" when we can in expectation that it will be made up by late days. It will all even out if the leadership uses that thinking.
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SGM Erik Marquez
"CSM sees people hanging around doing nothing they immediately want to fill that time with work."
Disagree with you there Sir..that may be your experience, but it is not mine other then by exception. In my time as a senior NCO , I had one CSM that felt the longer he and the staff stayed the better he looked to his boss...... He was an idiot, and was relieved and retired in lue of investigation and likely CM
Disagree with you there Sir..that may be your experience, but it is not mine other then by exception. In my time as a senior NCO , I had one CSM that felt the longer he and the staff stayed the better he looked to his boss...... He was an idiot, and was relieved and retired in lue of investigation and likely CM
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CW2 (Join to see)
SGM Erik Marquez typically speaking, not an all inclusive statement. I have seen the occasional CSM that is about getting Soldiers home, just more often than not its 09-17. Work work work, even if that means cleaning the latrines 4 times a day and having a formation before having a formation.
And somehow wonder why morale is low and divorce and suicide are high
And somehow wonder why morale is low and divorce and suicide are high
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CW2 (Join to see)
But the mission is still priority, just needs better thinking about the time constraints and use.
Just because 1SG has to stay for something doesn't mean he/she can't send the subordinates home. All it takes is one sentence to a PSG.
Just because 1SG has to stay for something doesn't mean he/she can't send the subordinates home. All it takes is one sentence to a PSG.
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In my last section (when I had soldiers - it's just me and LT in this one) the few times I got to let them go at 1700 (which would be early there), they'd just hang around the office. Or the rare 1630 release. I'm like "Wow you guys complain about working late but then you get to go early and you wanna hang out." Then they rush off.
If they wanna hang out in the parking lot and chit chat, let them. If they're hanging out in the office, I'd tell them to just go home, doesn't matter where they go but they can't stay there.
At this point when someone tells me to go home, I'm out the door. I'm not waiting around for someone to change their mind.
If they wanna hang out in the parking lot and chit chat, let them. If they're hanging out in the office, I'd tell them to just go home, doesn't matter where they go but they can't stay there.
At this point when someone tells me to go home, I'm out the door. I'm not waiting around for someone to change their mind.
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SPC Phillip Vossler
Out of sight, out of mind, is what i learned. When time to go, i go. If my chain of command wants me, im on the recall roster.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Some people don’t know the difference between productivity and activity. I’m always accessible and ready to do the work, but at the end of the day, when it was all done, you are taking your life in your hands if you get between me and the gate.
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