How do I file a complaint for a neglectful leader or EO formally?

2019-09-21T14:38:00-04:00

My unit has very few females. During our drills away from our home station. My section leader NEVER tells me what I’m suppose doing to be doing. I don’t get briefed and I have to run around searching for them or calling them and they don’t answer and I end up just asking a different section. I have reported this issue for over a year now and it has still not been corrected. What should I do? I’m ready to file a formal complaint.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2019 2:43 PM

2019-09-21T14:43:03-04:00

I would say go to the next NCO in charge, if they blow you off too then use the commanders open door policy. It is their duty as an NCO to keep their soldiers informed. Sometimes you have those one or two bad apples but you will talk to someone who will crush it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 21 at 2019 2:45 PM

2019-09-21T14:45:19-04:00

CPL Private RallyPoint Member go see your Company Commander under the open door policy in AR600-20. Lay out the issue and your attempts to fix it.

I'm reading between the lines that you believe this is due to you being female. If your Company Command team doesn't fix it, look up your EO rep at the Co or the EOA at Battalion. Their picture should be plastered on every bulletin board in the unit area. If not, look it up on line.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2019 6:49 PM

2019-09-21T18:49:23-04:00

6-22 stuff here, NCOER Suppprt form/initial counseling form. Your rater clearly articulate their expectations. You need to address your concerns as well. Make sure it gets on paper. Reference portion leader provided and your comments. As, well as action plan on communications. If they haven't counseled you then address that with them. If after then your have more leverage as the leader is failing to develop you.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 22 at 2019 12:14 AM

2019-09-22T00:14:29-04:00

I don't know the structure of the unit you are in, but it seems to me that there should be at least a senior NCO or a SNCO between you and the LT. That senior NCO or SNCO is personally responsible for keeping you informed, not the LT. Whenever you feel out of the loop, that is who you should be going to.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Sep 22 at 2019 1:18 PM

2019-09-22T13:18:58-04:00

Its probably not because you're female, but most likely because of bad command communications between your leaders and your subordinates.
I believe in providing solutions so here is some advice to act upon as you choose:

1st: Do the daily things required of you as a soldier. Being at the correct place of duty in the (very) correct uniform. Be at your appointments on time and return immediately when done. In other words act like a soldier and maintain your discipline.
Prep and use a white board with three columns labeled, Soldier, Office/Place of Duty, Future.

2nd: Under 'Soldier' write your name at the top, then put down a to do list that you have responsibility for (housekeeping chores, sweep/mop, empty trash, post changes to manuals, do PMCS at the MP). Line through them as you finish.

3rd: Under 'Office/Place of duty. Put a short message box (answer the phone and write down a SALUTE report, then make sure it gets to the proper person through your chain of command) for names to get the message. Always note on the board where you and others are going to be elsewhere if they're not there in the office/place of duty. Know how the use the Duty Notification List so you can call the person for critical calls. Keep your chain of command and any lower grades informed about what's on the board, seek guidance from the next higher supervisor. If they don't give you any answers to a specific request of, "I need your guidance/orders for the day" (my greatest joy came when my supervisors didn't tell me what to do.) then its your job. Use good judgment. Write down what they tell you to do and read it back to them to ensure the notes are correct.
After a while the flow of things will become habit. If you're senior then make sure you pass along the things required to the soldiers of lower rank. Make sure they understand they have to tell you when tasks are complete. Inform your supervisor when tasks are complete.
NOTE: Nothing is complete until you or your supervisor inspects the completed task, makes corrections and approves the task.

4th: Under Future, find out the things that will need to be done in the next 72/96 hours within your shop and for other elements that will need your shop's services. If you're senior then make plans and pass out assignments to your soldiers. Brief your supervisor on what you are planning. They may have some suggestions or know information they haven't passed to you. Pass along these things to the soldiers of lower rank.

5th: At the bottom of each column, in RED, write down any new requirements, problems and any solutions you are considering or have implemented. I always noted in GREEN best practices, good comments about soldiers and commendations for units that performed well. Write these notes clearly and with clarity - its morale booster when a soldiers sees his name attached to a good comment where others can read it. Be sure to point it out your supervisors.
NOTE: Nothing is complete until you or your supervisor inspects the completed task, makes corrections and approves the task.

6th: "Supervise and Refine". For clues on how-to research Troop Leading Procedure, OPORD and FRAGO. Nothing will ever completely remove the "Fog of War" (or whatever your unit is prodding you with), but you are a NCO. Corporal is above all ranks, SPC and below.

7th: To learn an NCOs job you need to do a NCOs job. Learn how and offer to teach training schedule classes to your brigade and battalions (Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse). Offer to do courtesy inspections for the same. Nothing teaches a person better about people, equipment and the meticulous details of their job than teaching and inspecting by the manual.
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For example when I was a Corporal, I thought Fire Control had to do with Fire Extinguishers. I had been a Machinegunner for a year and lived for the gun. No one ever told me the methods of ranging the rounds to service the target, PMCS of the sight/tripods/bipods/spare barrels, inspecting binoculars and compasses, inspecting ammo/weapon magazines, clearing jams and other shooting associated things were "Fire Control". I had been doing them all along, but I learned a lot more when I was responsible to inspect the equipment and teach them to soldiers.

It won't be easy, but if you are going to wear the Rank then you need to get a handle on it. You mentioned elsewhere that you had a Section Leader. Get him to get you personnel details (UCMJ extra duty soldiers, 1SG's detail, soldiers on temporary profiles, clearing personnel, etc) that you can supervise to perform your duties.
Good Luck.