How can I explain to Soldiers that are not directly under me that I have authority over them?

2020-05-08T16:56:21-04:00

There is a Soldier in my company that is not in my team. We had to clean the barracks and I was the only NCO in the detail. I told this Soldier very nicely to sweep the hallway. He told he was not going to do it because I was not his direct NCO. What is the best way I can explain to him and any future Soldiers that I can tell him what to do even if I am not directly over him. He is a PFC by the way.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2020 5:11 PM

2020-05-08T17:11:30-04:00

It seems like over and over again i hear stories about newer enlisted solders saying this. Maybe explain to him that any command given by an NCO should be followed unless it is illegal. maybe ask him "If the SMA was in charge of said detail would you listen to his order to sweep? or the CSM, or 1SG" and work your way down. ask him why your order is any different than coming from the CSM.

Some young guns, don't quite understand how a CoC works( i was there at one point in time), maybe explain that too. That once he was put on your detail that you because his CoC

SGT Private RallyPoint Member hope that helps.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2020 5:20 PM

2020-05-08T17:20:27-04:00

It's called General Military Authority.

References are: TC 7-22.7 Noncommissioned Officers Guide, Manual of Courts Martial Article 91, and AR 600-20 Army Command Policy

Also, I would highly recommend you either counsel this Soldier on paper (and yes you can do it...see above) or address this issue with the Team Leader of this SM and let them address it.

Response by COL John McClellan made May 8 at 2020 8:38 PM

2020-05-08T20:38:28-04:00

Were you leading the detail? Who assigned the detail - did that person put you in charge?

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made May 9 at 2020 2:05 PM

2020-05-09T14:05:50-04:00

Someone in Basic Recruit Training failed their mission horribly! How the "F" did this Soldier graduate initial training without understanding the most rudimentary functioning of rank structure and authority? Hell, even the AF understands basic rank/authority.

To answer your question, UCMJ Article 91 is a good place to start. AR600-20 (not sure of exact chapters) would also be another good resource. I don't know what rank this goober's team leader is but it sounds like both are in need of formal counseling on following orders of higher ranking members. The PFC needs it for apparently not understanding basic military authority and his team leader for not better instructing him.

Response by 1SG James R. made May 10 at 2020 11:02 PM

2020-05-10T23:02:33-04:00

It seems to me you haven't learned how to use your potential leadership. When you were assigned a mission and Soldiers to perform the task your first move should be letting all Soldiers assigned to the mission, regardless if they are normally assigned or not, that they will be reporting any difficulties to you, and that you will be making assignments to them until you relieve them or return them. If you discover resistance to your leadership it must be addressed immediately by making a command decision on course of action, i.e. using command authority, releasing Soldier back to his/her normal leadership along with a report to the leader AND this leaders chain of command, or another reasonable action as situation dictates. Regardless, you must make decisions be they right, wrong or indifferent; this your job but not your only job.

Take authority early, quickly explain the mission and assign tasks to your team. Monitor progress and be flexible, do not micromanage. Let Soldiers learn "how to's" on their own unless they are not trained or if there is a safety, regulatory, or legal reason not to. Be sure to publicly give credit to deserving Soldiers and privately make adjustments where necessary. Give feedback to their normal first line leadership, if possible in the Soldiers presence. Report mission accomplishment to your leader or assigner of task as-soon-as-possible.