Have you ever found it diffcult to carry out an order because of your rank?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:18:48 -0400

So during drill my sergeant gave me an order to find 7 people to help with detail after the chain of command ceremony. I found all the people I could and went back to the leader. All the people I asked they either said "sure be their in a minute", looked at me like I was crazy, ignored me or told other people to do it while they just sat their. My leader said don't worry about it I should have did it. Sometimes it's hard having to pass an order down to other people cause everyone else outranks you. Has this ever happened to you?

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Mar 13 at 2017 8:53 PM

PO2 Robert M. — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:53:08 -0400

i honestly did not find any problems, mind you, that was 30 years ago.........I am certain things have changed in recent days!!!!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 13 at 2017 9:55 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:55:56 -0400

Oh Yeah! Suck It Up, Not Long after becoming CTO1 E-6 I was assigned as Master at Arms to COMSPAWARSYSCOM Ceremonial Cop to a 2 Star. Being 6'5" comes in Handy Occasionally. I am a Nice Guy but if I have to be the Devil Incarnate! I've done that Role Too! Quiet, Aloof and Explosive! Quiet Intellectual and Bad Tempered Kraut in One Package!

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 13 at 2017 10:00 PM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 22:00:02 -0400

Welcome to reality...
next Time them Tell that Sgt. " Whom Ever" is Looking for them and wants them Now...
The response will be Much better...

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Mar 13 at 2017 10:11 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 22:11:41 -0400

I personally would have went to find the volunteers/ voluntolds myself, knowing a PFC doesn't have enough clout. The more I think about your post the more I see a leadership failure. That you SGT was tasked with finding the detail and pawned it off on you.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 13 at 2017 10:28 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 22:28:07 -0400

Peer Leadership is the real test of a leader. I like SFC George Smith 's answer...

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 14 at 2017 12:09 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:09:28 -0400

Tell them you were ordered to do so by your SGT. Also, PFC, (don't take this wrong, I'm educating, not diss'n) it's 'there', in both instances where you used 'their'. As you gain rank, such small things in paperwork might affect future outcomes.

Response by SPC Saundra Teater made Mar 14 at 2017 2:51 AM

SPC Saundra Teater — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 02:51:26 -0400

More because I knew it was just wrong. Someone from public relations, civilian part, had proof that someone in day care was a known sex offender. I was there when it was first brought up. I was ordered by the two higher up civilians to not mention this as it could get ugly. I made the decision to disobey and tell when they kept the guy in the day care, just moved him down the hall into an office. I knew I was going to have some punishment, but I just couldn't live with no one else knowing. So I told my COL.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 3:26 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:26:12 -0400

Like SFC Smith said, you can use the Rank of the person giving the order. For example if MSG says he needs XYZ, you go and tell XYZ, "MSG needs you in his office at this time for this task". Just make sure you don't abuse that. Don't ever use someone's rank to get them to do something if they never said it.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 3:27 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:27:50 -0400

You'll get those orders at times. Dealing with it is part of growing as a mature adult and progressing as a leader. DHs don't exactly like it when I need to task them with things, but they'll do it because they understand that's how it works at times.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 3:43 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:43:33 -0400

At that point you shotgun and head crush two Monsters and snort a packet of MRE drink flavoring in front of them to show you mean business.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 14 at 2017 8:49 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 08:49:16 -0400

First of all, as your NCO discovered, he was in the wrong for putting you in that position.
Its not bad leadership to tell the junior SM, go find X, Y and Z, tell them to come find me in the MP.
Its improper to tell the junior SM, "go find some people for detail and get the MP clean".Thats not leadership, thats crap.
In a small, tight knit group..say inside a platoon, it might be different for the PSG to tell his PV2 driver, or 3rd Sqds PFC gunner.. "PVT Marquez, go up to the bay and tell the first person from each Sqd you see, get down to the MP and find me" Thats passing a directive, not tasking a junior person to task others.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 10:56 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 10:56:34 -0400

First of all, as they teach you in NCOES: "When in charge, BE in charge." That means that, if put in the position to command anything, own it, and do what you need to do in order to accomplish the mission.

Secondly, position trumps rank. So if a junior is put in a position of leadership, someone of higher rank (within that group) must obey the person put in the leadership position. They don't have to like it, they just have to do it.

Being timid in the Army will never help you out. Most of the Army is full of Type A personalities. In order to establish your authority, you need to look and play the part. If no one believes you're in charge, you're not.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 6:08 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 18:08:05 -0400

I've noticed this everywhere in the Army, as others have mentioned "you don't ask them, you tell them." There is no discussion and it's not open to debate. Also, never walk away and hope they come around, make them move and make ensure they start the task. Leadership requires bringing yourself out of your comfort zone, it may require raising your voice or using the infamous NCO hand gesture. Don't be physical or threatening, just be firm and stand your ground.

Understand people will test you, and they will try to see what they can get away with. Perception is key, you may not have the aspiration to be an NCO or Officer, but you should aspire to earn the respect of your peers.