How Should I Go About Confronting My BN (Cadet) Top Three?

2020-10-18T22:35:38-04:00

First off, I'd like to state that I'm a cadet NCO and I know that the actual military is quite different from the cadet side of things. That being said, I'm in a bit of a predicament. I'm currently our BN S-3. Our BN's top three (BN CO, BN XO, and BN CSM), I feel, aren't holding the BN Staff, themselves, and their subordinate cadet officers/NCOs accountable. Since our unit is supposed to be cadet-run, I do not want to approach our instructor (retired US Army SFC) with my grievances about the top three. If it helps any (which I don't think it will), I'm a C/MSG (the CO is a C/MAJ, the XO is a C/CPT, and the CSM is a C/SGM). My BN XO cannot even do a proper uniform inspection nor does he know the rules and regulations for many basic drills/ceremonies and protocols. I was wondering how I should go about confronting the CO, XO, and CSM in regard to their conduct and the contempt that I have for them in relation to them fulfilling their respective duties and responsibilities?

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Oct 18 at 2020 10:58 PM

2020-10-18T22:58:08-04:00

Steven Grant First off. There is no "top three" when it comes to the cadet officers in a unit. You don't report to a BN CSM, who is an enlisted member. If you believe that you cannot have a proper discussion with your CO/XO, you need to bring it up to your AI, or SAI. That is what they are there for. They can make a decision to replace whomever they seem fit to replace. You can have a discussion with your CO/XO, but if they're not willing to listen, you may be out of a staff job. The other option is to just leave it be.

Response by CPT Griff Tatum made Oct 18 at 2020 11:00 PM

2020-10-18T23:00:01-04:00

First, I would suggest that you do mention this to your 1SG advisor. As it is or should be his job to mentor everyone and guide them in the right direction, he might appreciate your feedback. Also, he might illustrate that while they aren’t perfect in their current roles, they have identified strengths/ weaknesses elsewhere, just like you and I do. Perhaps you are more fit for the job, and I encourage you to be a silent professional and learn from their mistakes with tact. Just remember that when you’re in charge someone below you will one up you. Positional leadership doesn’t guarantee influence or wisdom within the role. Pinnacle leaders are preceded by their reputation and don’t rely on their title to do the work. In short, worry less about your cadet COC. It’s a learning experience and you should be grateful to experience this in a pre-military environment just as I did and many others have.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Oct 19 at 2020 12:12 PM

2020-10-19T12:12:06-04:00

Steven, you are in a clown show. You sound like you're trying to do the right thing. Let the others do as they see fit. Offer to help as best you can. Don't worry too much about what the others are doing. You just continue to march, discharge your responsibilities to the best of your ability, try to be helpful and refrain from being publicly judgemental. This will pay big dividends in the future. If the others are as ate up as you've led me to believe they will likely figuratively hang themselves, given enough time. The cadre is likely very aware of the shortcomings of those you describe. Once you are commissioned no one will care what you did or didn't do as a cadet. You will be free of them and can go on to meet different clowns (but also some of the brightest, most organized and responsible people you will ever know). Tough it out for now and don't take the bait. It would be momentarily gratifying to point out how unsuited so-and-so is for a particular position but you're not the only one to notice this. Don't let them cause you to react. Just maintain a steady course of doing your job. If the others are somehow successful its no skin off your nose. Be the best S-3 you can. If you're shouldering additional responsibility someone will probably notice but that's tangent to the actual value of you becoming used to doing more than your share. This will develop both you and your reputation.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 4:40 PM

2021-02-08T16:40:36-05:00

Here is the deal, every ROTC program is run differently. Your PMS is the commander of the program and things will run the way that the PMS wants. Don't try to break the culture of your program. Do reach out to your peers and try to help them get things done. The Army is a one team one fight mentality. Help others succeed and if you can't get it done as a Cadet team, get in contact with your Ops Officer or PMS for GUIDANCE, not execution.