Posted on Jan 21, 2020
How can I better understand civilian and military cultural differences in the workplace?
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I’m currently working as a civilian contractor on a Naval base. This is a hospital environment and every so often I have to work in the capacity of charge nurse on top of staff nurse (I do not get paid extra when assigned charge duties). I find a few of the Naval officers I work with expect the charge nurse to properly train and even discipline the military members. I was recently told I needed to yell at the corpsmen if they stepped out of line, etc. I was also spoken to about allowing a corpsman to work autonomously when he was still in training status (yet I was never briefed on the length of his training or what expectations were for training him. When I was in the Air Force Reserves you were assigned a military supervisor who coordinated your training with you). Is this my responsibility as a civilian contractor to discipline and even oversee the training of enlisted personnel? Didn’t it used to be the a military person had troops under him or her and they were your responsibility? Why pass the buck? I’m confused and wanted some feedback from other military members. Seems like poor leadership to me that military leadership roles are being delegated to non-military members. Or am I out of line? Thanks for the feedback and the forum to vent. ?
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 4
As a Contractor you CAN NOT supervise or discipline government / military personnel. That does not mean you aren't allowed to train them, develop training plans, provide guidance, make on the spot corrections or anything else in your job description. If you are given direction to "yell at" enlisted members by someone, that person is probably a piss poor leader for several reasons.
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As a contractor you normally wouldn’t supervise Gov’t personnel. Check with KO or COR for the deliverables on your contract.
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Sounds like you have some lazy staff nurses who don't want to do supervisory things. You are a contractor. You do the job you are contracted to do, and that isn't supervisory duties for military I can guarantee you.
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