Have you ever done anything in your military career that was the "right" thing to do but could have possibly impacted or ended your career?

2014-10-30T16:14:14-04:00

Many of us may have done things in our careers that, in our minds, were the right things to do, but, technically, could have impacted or ended our careers if the "wrong" people found out about them. For example, I used to sometimes give good soldiers who simply made a mistake Article 15s, but never process them, resulting in them doing extra duty and walking around with the wrong rank for a few weeks, without putting a permanent black mark in their records.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, so be careful how you reply, especially if you are still on active duty. I could fill a book with "out of the box" things I did, so I will start this off with a couple, just to get the discussion started.

Case #1

While assigned as an Army ROTC instructor at a public university, I received a phone call from an irate mother of one of our female cadets. She had tried to call our Professor of Military Science, a Colonel who had just been assigned to the ROTC Detachment, but he was out, so the call was transferred to me.

The mother related to me that she had just found out that her daughter (as I said, a cadet in our ROTC Program) was dating one of the NCOs assigned to our detachment and she was irate about it. She stated that she wanted the NCO fired and that she was going to file an official complaint with the university. I asked her to please wait and not do anything until I had the opportunity to look into it and that I would get back to her with what I was able to find out about her allegations.

I called the NCO (SFC, Training NCO) in and discussed the allegation with him, advising him that it was against Army policy, as well as university policy, for him to be dating a cadet/student. He did not deny the allegation and told me that he had been dating her for over a year, without anybody’s knowledge, as they had kept it very close hold, but that the cadet had finally confided in her mother that they were dating because they had recently talked about getting married. He stated that he knew it was wrong, as far as the military and university were concerned, but that he could not help who he fell in love with and just had to accept the consequences of his choice.

I should state, at this point, that the SFC was one of the most outstanding NCOs I have ever served with and that we had served together previously in the Ranger Department at Ft. Benning. I knew that the “right thing to do” was to report this incident to my PMS and the university and let the chips fall where they may, which would have resulted in immediate relief of duty, reassignment out of the university and cause a permanent black mark on his record that would be with him throughout his career.

I decided, instead, to see if I could get this “back in the box”, without anyone getting hurt (including myself). I talked to the cadet and she verified that she intended to marry the SFC, regardless of what happened with this situation, which is the same thing the SFC told me. As such, I requested to meet with the cadet’s parent s and laid out the possible scenarios for them.

I told them that I could follow policy and report this infraction, explaining what would happen to the SFC and his career in the Army. I told them that I was prepared to do that, if that is what they wanted. I reminded them that their daughter was going to marry him, regardless of what happened. I asked them if they would prefer that their daughter marry a senior NCO with a promising career ahead of him or an NCO who would be lucky to retain his rank and would probably end up being put out of the Army over this.

The parents thought this over and decided to not pursue their complaint about the SFC.

Since I could not knowingly allow this situation to continue, I required the cadet to drop out of the ROTC Program and transfer to another school, if I was going to go along with this. She and her parents agreed and the plan was implemented as soon as that semester ended. I made them promise to not see each other (as in dating) for the approximately six weeks until the semester was over.

Months later, when my Colonel found out about it (by way of a wedding announcement), he almost blew a cork. He “counseled” me rather severely and said all the right things about my violation of orders/policy, etc., however, he later confided that I had done the right thing to save this outstanding NCO’s career.

The SFC and former cadet were married and still are today, more than 30 years later.

The SFC continued to do very well in his Army career and served as the Corps Command Sergeant Major of the most elite Corps in the Army and later was one of three candidates seriously being considered for the position of Sergeant Major of the Army a few years back.

Case #2

While assigned as a battalion commander, I was notified that one of my SFC/E-7 had been selected for a Quality Management Program (QMP) discharge by the E-8 Promotion Board and that he was going to be discharged from the Army in the next 90 days (as I recall). My instructions were to notify him of his selection for QMP and have him sign the paperwork. I was informed that time was of the essence in that he would soon have 18 years of service and that, if he was not notified of this QMP action within 7 days, he would be locked in for retirement.

I argued on the SFC’s behalf and told them that it was unconscionable to be doing this to him when he was so close to being locked in for retirement. I was advised that the decision was final and that there was nothing that could be done about it.

The SFC in question was an outstanding NCO and I did not have a clue what could have been in his records to have caused him to be selected for QMP action. I asked someone I knew at Military Police Enlisted Branch and he told me that the only thing he could find in the record was a DUI about 15 years earlier, when the SFC was an E-4. Other than that, his record was spotless and above average as far as evaluations and assignments were concerned.

I called my Command Sergeant Major in my office and told him what was going on. I instructed him to contact SFC X and tell him to immediately go on leave. I told him that he had to be gone for at least 10 days and that he was to ensure that nobody knew where he was and that nobody could contact him.

Once I got confirmation that the SFC was gone, I called hi company commander and told him that I needed him to bring the SFC to my office. I was told that the SFC was on leave, to which I replied that I did not care, that he was to contact him and tell him to report to me as soon as possible. I told the company commander to keep a record of any and all attempts to contact him. The commander tried several times to contact him by phone, by sending someone to his quarters, etc., all to no avail. This went on for several days, each time keeping copious notes of our attempt to contact him.

I told DA that I had been trying to contact the SFC, but had been unable to, as of yet, but that I would keep trying.

After about 10 days, the SFC signed in off leave and was brought to my office. I “reamed him out” for being out of contact and then advised him of the QMP action but that I was not sure of his status since he was now inside his “lock-in” period. (of course, we both knew the answer to that question, but I had to play the part so the company commander and First Sergeant – who, to my knowledge, did not know what we had done -- could hear me say it and testify to that, if it became necessary).

The end result was that he was not QMP’d, deployed to Operation Desert Storm with the battalion, and was selected for E-8 by the next promotion board. I lost track of him after I left the battalion, but I assume he did very well until his retirement.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Oct 30 at 2014 5:39 PM

2014-10-30T17:39:16-04:00

Yes I had the company clerk tear up 2 article 15s on his way to headquarters in 73 for a few hundred..

Response by PFC Michael Sims made Oct 30 at 2014 8:13 PM

2014-10-30T20:13:02-04:00

Sir,
I have been in a similar situation on the enlisted side. While my military service was shorter than I initially intended, I tend to think back on ways I could have improved myself and often come to the conclusion that I would like to have an opportunity to make things right to prove my loyalty, to show respect, and to have the opportunity to become an effective leader. Though I doubt I will ever have the opportunity to do so (then again sometimes I don't) I still find myself trying to think of ways to give back to the U.S. Army because I am thankful to have the opportunity to have served along with fine ladies and gentleman that is also my family; at the time of my false actions I did not realize how much it really meant to me or I did but couldn’t really find the right way to express it, and I wanted to paint stuff, I like painting stuff, and I didn’t have any pictures, I think I should have become an Army artist but I didn’t think it was “cool” enough, I wanted to be a Ranger, Special Forces, Air Assault, all kinds of things while I was in the Army . So I cried. I cried because I knew better. In the end since I noticed this post, I would like to know if it is possible that I could have the opportunity to be an American Soldier again while I am still in school studying graphic design? Also could I find out about this process?

P.S. I am not joking I dried for real, and I tried to throw a few jokes in there too.

Michael A. Sims

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 21 at 2014 9:57 PM

2014-11-21T21:57:21-05:00

Good stuff, COL Jean (John) F. B.. I suspect that your people would have loved you for things like that. Despite the fact that the things you listed are contrary to regulation, and certainly punishable, I don't think you did the wrong thing in either instance. In bot stories, I see creative thinking for the good of Soldiers without harming good order in the Army. Based on the long-term outcomes, one could even surmise that it was for the good of the Army as well.

I don't have anything quite that big, but I did have an instance where one of my soldiers was arrested for public intoxication. He was actually in the passenger seat during a traffic stop, with a driver who had had one or two beers, but ultimately didn't get a DUI. My soldier sat quietly in the passenger seat and one of the police officers asked him to step out of the car. He replied that he'd rather not. The officer asked him why not, and he stated that he was intoxicated, and whil in the car was not in public, and that if he stepped out of the car, he would then BE in public, and be breaking the law. The cop demanded that he exit the car, so he did, and you guessed it...got arrested for public intoxication. Fast forward a week, and my soldier gets called in front of the CO with me, the PSG, and the PL for an Article 15 for it. He explained the situation, and the CO looked at me and asked me if I believed him. I said that I did. He then asked me what I would do about it if it were up to me. I said "Sir, I believe that he acted responsibly, and was only in trouble for doing something that the officer forced him to do, and that if the SPC was punished in any way, that he may as well do the same to me, because I would have done the same. The CO smiled and said "Get out of my office". End of matter. I suppose I could have easily dropped a stripe over that one, but I knew my CO pretty well, and had a pretty strong sense that it would go the way it did.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 10:09 PM

2014-11-21T22:09:49-05:00

Sir,

As far as I can remember I was never put into a position where I had to chose what was morally right and what was right insofar as the rules were concerned, but I have to say that after reading your two scenarios you could not have acted in a better manner. You did those two soldiers, and yourself, proud. The Army needs more leaders like you.

Response by CPT Erik Eriksen made Nov 24 at 2014 3:39 PM

2014-11-24T15:39:35-05:00

When I was an infantry platoon leader in Bamberg, Germany in the early 80's, we had lots of race related problems. One of them was a gang of whites that called themselves "The Cowboys" that would routinely attack blacks. One day we had a new Private sign in, a young black kid, and that night he was blindfolded and hung outside the 3rd story window of the barracks upside down with his feet tied to the radiator with a bed sheet.

The next day I found out that one of the perpetrators was a SP4 in my platoon whose DEROS date was less than 90 days away. He was a huge young man from Tennessee that had always been one of my best soldiers.

I marched my entire platoon (half white and half black) out to a secluded area where we could not be seen, circled them up, and took my place in the center. I took off my cap and fatigue shirt (the old fashioned way of erasing the inequality of rank) and called the young man into the circle. I tried to discuss the situation rationally, but, ultimately, he just really believed that black people were inferior and I wasn't making a dent. I then simply ordered him to stop participating in any events with The Cowboys. He just laughed.

So, I challenged him to my version of a duel. I told him that he could choose and sport and we would compete. Then I would choose a sport and we would compete. The platoon would decide the winner. If I lost, I would drop this and he could go on about his business. But, if I won, then he would have to quit The Cowboys and act in an appropriate military manner until he DEROS'd.

He agreed to the challenge and chose wrestling. We did three one-minute rounds and, while he never pinned me, he tore me up. (I was sore for about three days. It turned out that he was the Tennessee State Heavyweight Wrestling Champ in high school, while I only ever took wrestling in gym class at West Point and did poorly.) The platoon declared him the winner.

I then challenged him to a three-jump round of parachuting...just simple 'crash and dash'. He refused to jump out of a plane. So I gave him a second choice, underwater navigation with SCUBA. Again he refused. So I gave him one last choice, a speed climb followed by a rappel at the local 50 foot cliff. Again he refused.

So I put it to the platoon to decide and they chose me as the winner. The SP4 freely admitted defeat and, surprisingly, was true to his word and became a straight arrow until his DEROS date.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 11:21 AM

2014-12-24T11:21:58-05:00

Thank you Sir for your service to our great nation! And thank you for taking care of people. In my 15 years, I have only known leaders like yourself a handful of times. It saddens me to witness how cutthroat the Army has become and how some treat it like their own personal game. However, I believe good people will prevail and the toxic, self serving "leaders" will be pushed out.

I am actually dealing with my own ramifications from a toxic environment nearly 4 years ago. It is amazing how one person can have such a dramatic impact on a Soldiers life, either good or bad. While I am putting together my packet and justifying my existence, I am uplifted by your post. I know in my heart that I have given the Army my best, and I believe I will come out stronger on the other side.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 8 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-01-08T13:44:00-05:00

I have said this on another thread but it fits this one too.... I was new to Baumholder Germany, was always straight leg and knew nothing about Mech. My orders were re-cut and instead of going to Manhiem to a 11B unit I wound up going to "THE ROCK". I was there for not even a week when my PLT SGT informed me the Co had slotted me to go down range in Hohenfels to be rated at being a track commander. I protested the best I could but wound up going anyways. Our briefing when we got there was that we had a bounding partner (another track with members of my PLT) that would be to our left and that the targets would ONLY be on the right.I had my PLT SGT riding with me to evaluate me 1st hand. we started out late, the sun was low and glared making it hard to see anything.I had told my gunner to look for movers (targets) on the right and to engage at will.All of the sudden my PLT SGT starts bellowing out that we had a mover to the left and for my gunner to engage ( live 50 cal).what ensued was a massive argument between myself and the PLT SGT as I was telling my gunner to disregard the PLT SGT's order. we wound up getting yanked off the range by the BN CDR who heard it all through a keyed mic on someones helmet. I was congratulated by the BN CDR but hated by my chain after that, but think I slept better knowing that a few blow hard slugs got their feathers bent VS killing fellow soldiers because someone didnt know their jobs.... Hey !!!! it just hit me !!! shouldnt I get an award for that ?????? I know I wasnt surfing the web and all but still.........

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 8 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-01-08T19:30:34-05:00

I got into a heated "discussion" with a Navy LTC because he refused to treat a Marine with a hyperextended knee after PT.

It was at a Navy hospital and they "only treat retired servicemen and dependants".

Seriously, what gives when retired and dependants get treatment and we can't.

I won the argument and my Marine was treated for serious knee injury. Still, I could have been charged with disrespect. He would have had to wait 3 days to be seen at sick call.

Another reason I have NO RESPECT for Navy medical at any level.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 12:22 AM

2015-01-19T00:22:53-05:00

Always trust your gut and morals. I had an incident in OIF I, that I won't talk about, especially in open forum; but the fact that I did the right thing lets me sleep at night. Others involved that day weren't aren't so lucky.

Response by COL Jonas Vogelhut made Jun 9 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-06-09T09:11:54-04:00

While a company commander, we had our smoke generation vehicles supporting a brigade training event in the field. Our tracks were the oldest in the division, and constantly being broken and on the deadline report. With three days left in the reporting period, my battalion commander, LTC S., told me to park the vehicles and not use them until the rating period was over, so we could keep above 80%. I informed him that I had to support the brigade training, and could not tell the COL I was parking my vehicles.

We busted readiness that month down to 75%, and the LTC was upset, but a month later the Acquisition folks called me and stated they were moving up the replacement of my vehicles by a full year, and we had them in time for a real world deployment.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 9:57 AM

2015-06-09T09:57:22-04:00

I was confronted by a senior ranking officer from an outside unit while on a deployment about the status of my sidearm. This officer told me that my safety was off and that I was to place it on safe. He began to lecture me about knowing the status of my weapon at all times and I cut him off. I told him that not only did I know that my weapon was "not on safe", there was also a round in the chamber. At this point he lost his temper a bit and ordered me to place my weapon on safe which I politely refused. I informed him it was our unit SOP to have our sidearms always loaded, holstered when not in use, with the cocking/de-cocking lever in the "up" position (the safety for the unenlightened) and the hammer forward. He then began demanding to know who my commander was and what screwed up unit had this "unlawful" SOP that was in direct violation of Army regulations. I gave him my commander's POC and continued to refuse to put the cocking/de-cocking lever on my sidearm in the down position and walked off leaving the quite clearly enraged senior officer on the verge of an aneurism.

Needless to say, he called my commander, who outranked the eraged senior officer. My commander not only informed him that not only was I correct about the unit SOP for this particular sidearm (an M9 Beretta) but the SOP was a command wide SOP endorsed by a 4 star. He then proceeded to inform the officer that he was to come to our compound to receive training on the M9, from me on my personal time (as a punishment of sorts) which the officer reluctantly agreed to.

After an hour on the range, he was so blown away by what he didn't know that he asked if we could begin teaching some of the NCOs from his unit on how to properly use a sidearm and turned out to be a real likeable guy.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 9 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-06-09T15:04:30-04:00

I was commander of a Finance Detachment that supported Ft Riley. We belonged to an Engineering Brigade. I had about 40 soldiers but were assigned gate guard, funeral detail, and post clean up. I told the COL that I had one soldier in the office. He gave me this look like I am not a team player. I took over as the funeral detail OIC and worked with the gate guard duty. Sometimes subordinates assume that superiors actually give a damn.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-06-25T12:03:54-04:00

The Army's policies on the consumption of alcohol have become progressively more draconian over the past decade or so; the so-called "de-glamorization" of drinking has dramatically impacted the way the Army treats alcohol-related incidents. What used to be punished with a summarized or company-grade Article 15 now often results in the termination of a soldier's career, especially in the lower-enlisted ranks. That said, any leader who doesn't have his head in the sand knows that soldiers have always and will always be the largest single group of functional alcoholics in the world - for better or for worse, alcohol is part of the Army culture and tradition (a great many of the instances where I received valuable mentor-ship from senior leaders was over a beer, for example). The guidance from my chain has always been to tell underage soldiers that there is a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking. What I actually tell them is that if they find themselves without a ride, and they've been drinking, to call me for a ride, and nothing more will be said of the incident (unless it becomes a habit, in which case I'll verbally counsel them on making better plans to get themselves home at the end of a night, instead of trying to figure things out last-minute). I'd rather prevent my soldiers from bringing harm to themselves or others than do things "by the book" and have my soldiers feel that they can't be forthright with me about where they are and what they're doing. I've provided this service on many occasions and I can rest easy in the knowledge that I've prevented soldiers from making career-ending decisions.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 25 at 2015 5:40 PM

2015-06-25T17:40:38-04:00

I was running a Finance Unit and 1SG told me an E-7 wanted to talk to me. She had a masters degree and 17 years in the service, and explained she was non deployable due to her legs. Her branch wanted to send her to a deploying unit, and there was the possibility I should initiate a MEDBOARD for her. I looked at her eyes and weary face as she illuminated the situation with discomfort as she wanted stay in. She said she wanted to make it to the finish line. I immediately started weighing what is best for her and the Army. I concluded she had great value to the Army. 1SG contacted branch to find her next assignment which would be her place of sanctuary. Leaders should fight for their troops.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 5:55 PM

2015-06-25T17:55:16-04:00

As a young PFC on active duty in Germany, I refused to drive when I knew I was drunk. The one insisting I drive was a 2LT looking for a duty driver. I wound up getting a summarized Article 15 for it, because the 2LT became belligerent and was pulling rank, so like the snot-nosed kid I was, I told him to kiss my ass and slammed the barracks room door in his face. (It was a Saturday evening, and I was *NOT* on duty...this was just a 'hey you' kind of deal)

Response by MG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 5:15 PM

2015-07-02T17:15:04-04:00

When I was the CG of the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and Schools in 1995-1997, we uncovered an abuse of power by primarily drill sergeants to see how many AIT students they could have sex with. We made taking care of the survivors (victims) our number one priority. It became a national media topic. The leadership in Washington appeared to make protecting the image of the Army their number one priority. Ended my career, but would do it all again in a heartbeat. We did the hard right not the easy wrong. Made soldiers our top priority, not our egos. Details are spelled out in "The GAMe: Unravelling a Military Sex Scandal." MG(Ret) Robert D. Shadley

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 7 at 2015 3:43 PM

2015-07-07T15:43:12-04:00

I wish I had had the chance to serve with you. You have my utmost respect and sincere apologies. That's some good stuff Sir!

By the way we're to talking about III Corps? lol .

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jul 7 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-07-07T16:51:30-04:00

I have done things that the APA says is unethical , but f##k it I saved American lives, and I can live with that

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:07 PM

2015-07-07T17:07:08-04:00

Oh wow, lets see. In 2006, I was a SSG(P) and a selected Warrant Officer candidate and as a Platoon SGT, I had a stud 92A SGT(P) in my motor pool. This guy was promotable for 3 years trying to achieve a 798 and he was off by 2 points and the reason being, he received a 148 on the promotion board. Why did he get recommended for promotion and only got a 148 is for another discussion, but he didn't want to go back to the board because he feared that he couldn't achieve a 300 on his APFT anymore and he didn't want to lose more points. After careful observation of his performance as a Leader, I decided to talk to the 1SG and let him know that was I going to send him back to the board and that he would have new APFT card with a score of 300 and that we need to just get a formalized 150 from the board and get him promoted. We were doing the SGT, his family and the Army a disservice by not taking care of him and this is what I told the 1SG and the CSM too. The CSM chewed my behind for about 10 minutes but in the end he agreed and was on my side about awarding the 150 and getting the SGT promoted. I am extremely grateful for what happened and that SGT is now a MSG and we talk all the time. This scenario could have gone entirely different but I am glad that it didn't.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jul 25 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-07-25T19:42:51-04:00

I was a recruiter, so that pretty much covers it. I'll leave the specifics out per your excellent advice, as I am still on active duty.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 25 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-07-25T19:53:00-04:00

Roger that, during Iraq 2003-2005, when I was trucking. My convoy would give the Iraqis MREs and Water going up and down the MSR(roads) during the outlaw days. Yes I am glad I did it, you gotta have a heart for the poor and needy begging for food.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 28 at 2015 7:41 AM

2015-07-28T07:41:45-04:00

Sometimes the grey area is the right place to be. There is the correct way to do something but there's also a right way. Not all situations have rules that are cut and dry.

Response by SPC Robert Patrick made Jul 29 at 2015 8:45 AM

2015-07-29T08:45:21-04:00

COL Burleson about 3 years back shortly after arriving to my new unit I discovered some Soldiers who were smoking spice now I was well aware of the Army's Policy but at the same time I looked at these soldiers some of whom had some potential to be great leaders if they got back on track. Before going to the command I attempted to get the Soldiers to self-refer to ASAP knowing full well that if they were caught during a urinalysis it would most likely be an other than honorable discharge but if they were to go and self-refer to ASAP they may still get put out of the Army but to my knowledge (I may be wrong) the worse the command could have given them was a general. I tried getting these Soldiers to get help on their own first unfortunately they would not heed my advice. I finally went to my supervisor (then SPC Promotable) and asked him for advice on how to handle this situation which led to him going to one of his mentors. Unfortunately I ended up having to do a sworn statement with the CO and CID. Initially my command seemed as if they were going chastise me with these Soldiers but ended up taking note that I initially was trying to solve this at the lowest level. I was offered reassignment due to the inevitable backlash that was to come from my peers but I decided to decline. Though my name was never mentioned to any of these Soldiers they new it was me who told because I was the only one outside their circle who knew what they were doing. I still stuck around to help them. Come to find out we had NCO's who had suspicions and never acted on it because they had no proof. I seriously thought initially that for as long as I had withheld this information, trying to help these Soldiers so life on the outside would be easier, that I was going to go down with them. It was not a success story but given the same situation I would still try and get them to get help through the appropriate means before possibly letting a bad choice ruin someones life.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 31 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-07-31T11:57:48-04:00

I was always a habitual line crosser when it came to the supply chain. My tolerance for red tape is in the negative. I operated by the motto "Mission First, Troops Always, and Fuck the Red Tape." I remember going to a supply dump in Baghdad. We were needing Humvee tires bad. All of our M1140s were running on bald tires and should have been dead lined weeks before. I asked the Supply SGT for some and I got the standard answer that there was none to spare while I am looking at 200 tires sitting in the yard. So I told the guys to load up all they could when I distracted the Supply SGT. I took a map and went to get directions to some place I had been a million times on BIAP. While he was giving me directions my guys are loading up two tires at a time. We came home with 30+ tires. They were never the wiser and we were able to continue on with our daily missions.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Oct 26 at 2015 2:31 PM

2015-10-26T14:31:21-04:00

I like that method and have used it before. When told I want to see a charge sheet before the end of the day from an unmedicated bi-polar senior I produced it, but somehow lost it after the fact. When he flipped to the depressive side he forgot about it after the fact. Terrible leader.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 8:36 AM

2016-02-29T08:36:22-05:00

Stood up to the HHD and BN CO while in Iraq because the HHD CO wanted to force all E4 and below to take R&R leave whether they wanted to or not.

Response by LTC Terrence Farrier, PhD made Mar 31 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-03-31T10:24:32-04:00

Yes, as a "mustang" I see more than one side of the argument. At times you will meet people who emulate ego and are self-centered and will think only of their next promotion and not the people who could help them get there. Some of these will not have the ability to develop others while achieving that goal. So, yes...I have...and yes it was costly...and yes I would do it again. I loved my troops and they knew they could trust me.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 31 at 2016 3:57 PM

2016-03-31T15:57:37-04:00

I found a way to shave about $45K out of a $320K travel budget by changing the Detachment inspection sequences and flight routes and return the money to battalion. My CO was of the opinion that you never return money, because you won't get it next year. He specifically told me to forget my research and to not bring my concept up with HHQ.

At an OpsO Conference My CO's CO specifically asked us to discuss ways to save money within our budgets. I opened my mouth. I was ordered to submit a written AAR that would explain what I did and to share it with the other OpsO's. The net result was that Battalion was able to shave almost $300K from its travel budget, and I was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal. My CO informed me that I was "disloyal".

Previously, I had never received a fitness report from any CO (including the current one) that did not place me in the top 10% of officers in my rank. The three following fitness reports marked me in the bottom 25%. But were crafted so that I could not submit a rebuttal. I also received a negative endorsement when I volunteered for "stand by status" for casualty company during Operation Desert Storm (standby status meant that I would maintain readiness to be transferred to the combat zone on 12 hour notice, should casualties necessitate) The negative endorsement was based on my "inadequate performance" not the needs of the command.

I was selected for promotion to Major, despite the negative reports and endorsement. Upon a PCS move I returned to top10% status, but my monitor advised me that I was selected because the Reviewing officer (the CO's CO) refuted the reporting officers evaluation. The monitor also advised me that, if at any point in the remainder of my career, should I receive a single fitness report that did not place me in the top 25%, my career was most likely over. I decided it was time to move on. I resigned prior to promotion to Major, but picked it up in the Reserves.

I never found out why, but the Lt Col was PCS'd six months early and was assigned to a billet in 2nd MarDiv that was normally held by a Major. He EAS'd on the 20th anniversary of his commissioning.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Apr 7 at 2016 9:54 AM

2016-04-07T09:54:24-04:00

A Regional Forces (RF) NCO and his wife came to me holding their severely infected infant daughter and explaining that the (Cambodian border in II Corps) Province doctors had told them that the child was beyond their ability to save. With a bird coming in from--and to return to--Cam Rhan Bay on the Coast of Vietnam, I advised my team chief to ask for an evac. "You're too soft with these people, Jones. They just want a free ride to the Coast. No." He then turned back to his board game in the team house bar. I acknowledged him with a, "Yes, Sir" and immediately went back to the TOC where I made the call counter to and in spite of my Captain's guidance. A couple of weeks later, that NCO and his wife again approached me with tears in their eyes but this time they were carrying their recovering child in their arms. Their gift of gratitude was a box of six small rice cakes; a sacrifice at his pay grade. I was back in the States when, surprised, I got the "Stars and Stripes" article in the mail from our Team Operations NCO detailing how the C-130 crew had gotten the child the help she needed from the USAF doctors at CRB. NOTE: this is the same incident that is also posted as "My proudest moment" elsewhere on Rallypoint.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Apr 7 at 2016 4:13 PM

2016-04-07T16:13:28-04:00

When I was 1 of 2 in the anesthesia department at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune I noticed using the laryngoscopes with incandescent bulbs, they broke frequently when they were trying to put a breathing tube in the atient's throat. You have to have a reliable light source when doing that or you risk injury to vocals, improper tube placement at best. At worst it means failure resulting in an oxygen deficit harming the patient. Fiber optic scopes were available and did not have any reliability issues. I put in a request to change out all scopes in a single purchase to improve patient safety. It was denied due to cost.
I decided the issue was just too important to let it go, and ordered a handle and a blade for the scope, or two blades a day for the next 2 months until the OR was properly equipped. The anesthesia providers never had an issue with seeing what they were doing again. We experienced no more equipment failures either. By spreading out the cost over two months the purchases were not noticed. Had they been I would have had to account for why as a 3rd Class Petty Officer I knew better than my seniors what needed to happen. Modernizing the OR that way was too important to let go.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Apr 7 at 2016 4:24 PM

2016-04-07T16:24:18-04:00

As a 3rd Class HM at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune I ran across the need to fund two clinical areas from 1 budget fund. It wasn't working out. If I took too much from the anesthesia budget to support pain management we wouldn't be funded for doing our job for surgery. I rearranged some of the mobile shelving we used to create a space for the pain clinic to put supplies like the specialized needles they need for spinal injections. Once created I spoke with the supply runner to create a separate label for the pain clinic so it was no longer assiciated with the anesthesia budget. With that done I talked with the fiscal department and managed to talk them into putting in temporary funds specific to the pain clinic. Then, with their own account and funding what was created was a pain clinic for our hospital. It was badly needed, and there had been tremendous push back not to even though the Marine population we served had a clearly established need. Going around the officers involved in developing services to create that certainly coud have ended me. Instead, when I presented the current scenario to the pain management Captain, he saw the opportunity and drove forward. There were official channels to get all that accomplished, but every day they delayed the men and women we were responsible for suffered. I was willing to risk that for them. Good times.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Apr 14 at 2016 8:58 PM

2016-04-14T20:58:35-04:00

I did nothing and got 6 month illegal detention because I was a witness to amurder the co ordered

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Apr 22 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-04-22T20:30:57-04:00

trusting co

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 9:25 PM

2016-06-03T21:25:10-04:00

As an EEO officer I was asked to meet with some airmen. They were complaining about being treated badly by a NCO because of their race. I found their complain legit and wrote a report. My CO looked at it threw in the trash can and said ridiculous. The NCO is black. I took it out of the trash, informed him he had 10 days to respond or I would take it over his head.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 6 at 2017 1:06 AM

2017-03-06T01:06:57-05:00

Colonel, what You proved is You cared about Your people and I feel You did the right thing. Human beings are not perfect, they make mistakes and if some had done 25 good things then makes a mistake then the other things don't count ? Like You I feel they should and not end a career for a single mistake. What is important also is equal treatment of everyone although consistent problems and repeat offense are another matter unless of course a certain line was crossed over where it was so serious there was no remedy. I feel You did the right thing in both cases. I have worked for some fine Commanders Who also thought like You did during My Military career and took care of their troops Who in return would do anything they even thought the Commander wanted. There units were very much in their control but the respect they gave have a return in respect for the person they were. Of course the rank itself was already respected but this caring made a better team and better moral for everyone. I may add those Officers all had outstanding careers and all rose either Lt. Colonel or Full Colonel during their career. I can think of one however that didn't take care of His people and was forced to retire and wasn't missed. He was the exception and it seems a Lt. General also noticed that and relieved Him of Command and ordered Him not to even enter any building that our unit used and the retirement was effective in two weeks. He gave Him a desk to sit at until He retired and told Him He had no duties, just sit there. He I'm glad to say was the exception and Unit Officers, Senior NCOs, other NCOs and Airman as well as His seniors had the same view of Him.

Response by Cpl Tom Surdi made Mar 10 at 2017 1:28 PM

2017-03-10T13:28:34-05:00

I shoved my platoon Sgt after he got in my face because I didn't make a Pvt move all the furniture out of his room because he failed field day. Sometimes an ass chewing is warranted and needed, sometimes it's not and just makes you a douche.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2017 10:09 AM

2017-03-12T10:09:44-04:00

Stood up to a HHC BN CO because he wanted to place his Soldier in extremely close quarters while waiting for mobilization back home. I was a Preventive med Officer. There was no need for crowding Male and Female Soldiers together when were available quarter a short walking (one row of tents in between) distance away. There were sick SM (the had the FLU) and I wanted to minimize the likelihood for other to also get sick. I won, however I became the troublemaker of my unit... After that I wrote a research proposal for the benefits of a hot tub as a distressing MWR tool for SM; a feasibility study in cold areas of Iraq. But the hot tub did not go well with the Brigade Commander. I already lost my deployment medal, making the Soldiers life better became my extra duty, within the regulation which I read before attempting any of my projects.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Jul 12 at 2017 1:12 AM

2017-07-12T01:12:24-04:00

Although Army regulations can be quite explicit and thorough, sometimes a human element is required. It's an enormous machine held together by his members and is only as strong as its weakest link.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Aug 2 at 2017 11:56 PM

2017-08-02T23:56:32-04:00

I defended a man at a court-martial once and gave testimony that contradicted another NCO. My command spared no effort to derail my career. It was a very trying time and I have always believed that I did the right thing.

Response by SPC Nathan Barnes made Oct 31 at 2017 11:58 AM

2017-10-31T11:58:46-04:00

I would like to thank you Sir. In my mind you did the right thing on both accounts.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Oct 31 at 2017 1:32 PM

2017-10-31T13:32:20-04:00

I jumped the COC from Platoon to BG CO and CC’d a go zillion people on the Email scolding colleagues and defending one of my Soldiers....

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Jan 22 at 2018 1:46 AM

2018-01-22T01:46:06-05:00

You did the correct thing,

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Feb 4 at 2018 3:27 PM

2018-02-04T15:27:36-05:00

During the days of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I protected a soldier I knew was gay, but a good troop. We worked with a Department of the Army civilian that tried to make his life a living hell. I ran interference for him and allowed him to continue serving.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 4 at 2018 4:12 PM

2018-02-04T16:12:17-05:00

Regularly.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Feb 4 at 2018 11:01 PM

2018-02-04T23:01:29-05:00

Colonel Burleson, that was impressive remedial action in both cases by you! I think you called the shots in an expert fashion with good old compassion and reason in both instances. The Army needs more commanders as you--in my opinion--who is ready to back up hard working subordinates in lieu of messing careers despite the letters of the law to fulfill. You went by the spirit of the law in both cases. To me, decisions such as you made, however risky going against regulations and your own career, were done in good faith.

Giant kudos to you!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2018 9:23 PM

2018-03-29T21:23:40-04:00

That's so awesome! We need more leaders like this!

Response by SGT Keith Smith made Sep 1 at 2019 9:35 PM

2019-09-01T21:35:12-04:00

I was stationed in Korea. I was detailed out with another soldier to JAG at division for tax season. My one and only soldier started getting drunk every night. After talking with him about his disturbing behavior, I found out that his girlfriend had decided to end the relationship. He took it hard. I recommended counseling, talking with the chaplain, or just going and talking with his 1st SGT. All of this he declined said the only person he felt comfortable talking with was me. After thinking what I needed to do, I came up with this. I knew he needed to get out of his room. He needed to be out and somewhere that he could take his mind off his troubles. Korea doesn’t really have many options so I told him we were heading out that night. I watched over him all night. I kept him out of trouble and he seemed to have put the problems out of his mind. His work performance improved and his attitude. I however got called on the carpet and was canceled by my supervisor for abusing my rank. A SM put it in perspective for me. I got a counseling statement, my board was canceled but I saved a soldier who most likely would have taken his own life. I did the right thing, took care of my soldier but because other NCOs, who did not know the situation, thought I was doing the wrong thing, stopped me from going to my board. This said I could not have lived with myself if my soldier had committed suicide and he had come to me for help and I had refused to progress in rank.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2020 8:47 PM

2020-07-05T20:47:52-04:00

not in my military career, as of yet.. but, I did yell at the Fire Chief when he tried to move and roll my Patient who was ejected from a car, without a collar or anyone to hold and stabilize their CSpine..

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 9 at 2020 9:54 AM

2020-09-09T09:54:03-04:00

Sir, that was nothing less than inspiring. Revelations like these restore my faith in humanity. Thank you for being one of the good ones.