How would you deal with a subordinate who has a constant strong body odor?

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:34:06 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 4:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:37:19 -0400

Ask if they have a medical condition. If they do not know, tell them they should get checked out. If it turns out they do NOT have a medical condition causing this, then instruct them that they need to shower daily. Maybe even twice daily

Response by Jessica Luebke made Sep 12 at 2017 4:39 PM

Jessica Luebke — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:39:45 -0400

Interested to hear the feedback here...Early in my career, I worked on a hospital unit and had one of our more seasoned RNs tell me that my perfume was too strong and could really bother someone around me who is allergy or migraine sensitive. I was kind of shocked as it was light scented, but didn't realize until years later (and suffering from migraines myself), just how offensive and disruptive another person's smell can be. I think it's fair to politely pull someone aside and mention that it's noticeable and a bit distracting...or worth sharing with HR if you're not in an appropriate position to provide such feedback.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 4:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:43:02 -0400

I've never seen this be an issue as far as letting the SM know. It typically went something like "Hey sh*tbag, you f**kin smell like sh*t. Go scrub your @ss!" And at other times it wasn't phrased this politely.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 4:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:51:25 -0400

Probably not the most PC answer but I had a Soldier in Iraq that refused to clean up, whether its using baby wipe baths or bottled water. It got so bad I threatened to use simple green and a toilet brush to scrub him myself. Needless to say he was powder fresh the next day.

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Sep 12 at 2017 4:54 PM

AN Christopher Crayne — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:54:13 -0400

ENS Private RallyPoint Member ,
Be honest, direct, and as kind as possible. Start by mentioning that he/she's work has been good (assuming that it has been) and then say something like, "I want to discuss something that's awkward, and I hope I don't offend you. I have noticed you have had a noticeable odor lately. It might be a need to wash clothes more frequently or shower more, or it could be a medical problem. This is the kind of thing that people often don't realize about themselves, so I wanted to bring it to your attention and ask you to see what you can do about it."

(Note that you're saying "I have noticed," not attributing it to the complaints you've heard. That's deliberate, in order to contain any resulting awkwardness the subordinate might otherwise feel toward others.

Likely, the subordinate will be embarrassed. But if this person is resistant or combative, explain that they do need to come to work smelling fresh and clean because of the impact on the others.

Also, be prepared for the possibility that you'll hear that there is a medical reason for the odor. If tells you that's the case, then at that point there's not much further you should do, other than thanking he/she for telling you and reassuring that you'll of course accommodate ,now that you understand it's related to a medical condition.
Hope this helps.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 5:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 17:09:14 -0400

While I can't find anything specific, I would recommend you contact your ships medical and legal departments.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 6:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 18:03:48 -0400

A bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush?

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Sep 12 at 2017 6:39 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 18:39:59 -0400

I would take them aside and ask them if they have a medical problem or that they maybe need to address this as it is noticeable. Maybe an antiperspirant instead of an anti deodorant.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 8:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 20:18:38 -0400

When I was cadre in AIT-land, we had our fair share of Soldiers who lacked proper personal hygiene. Without being too invasive, I asked how they were raised when it came to personal hygiene. Get to the root of the problem and you’ll be able to give the proper guidance on how to correct it. In my experience, more often than not, they really didn’t know any better.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Sep 12 at 2017 8:48 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 20:48:27 -0400

Verbal instruction first. That can be as informal as possible or filled with expletives. Which ever works. There have only been a few instances where I had to resort to "forced bathing." Which is something I have had to do in the civilian world more than in the military.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Sep 12 at 2017 11:24 PM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 23:24:39 -0400

Investigate the root cause. It could be an outward sign of depression. Best to find out why, before implementing a fix blindly.

Response by PO2 Ron Gunsolus made Sep 13 at 2017 5:39 PM

PO2 Ron Gunsolus — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 17:39:49 -0400

I've had to supervise showers & laundry for a particularly nasty and wholly unclean shipmate who just wouldn't do either unless ordered and supervised to... absolute dirtbag (pun intended)

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Sep 13 at 2017 7:59 PM

TSgt Marco McDowell — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 19:59:40 -0400

Never had a subordinate with issue because telling the guy to wash his stink was enough to cure it. Peers on the other hand...back when we had a community head, the LCpls in the platoon gently carried our brother to the shower and bathed him with scuzz pads and Palmolive. He got the religion quickly and never smelled again.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 11:07 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 23:07:30 -0400

Professionally tell them to wash their "uniform" or change out their boots...

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 14 at 2017 1:02 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 01:02:02 -0400

One way I handled it on one occasion I took the individual aside, mentioned the BO problem and sent Him back to the barracks to shower and put on a clean uniform then return to work. It never happened again after that.

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Sep 14 at 2017 1:24 AM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 01:24:52 -0400

Pool PT?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 2:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 02:33:49 -0400

Could be a medical problem, could be a sign of depression, could be related to poor sleep or bad sleeping habits. I have known several soldiers (including myself on occasion (like after a rough night studying at SLC) where I would return to my room after PT and just fall asleep until reporting time.

If this is a new problem, then something has changed in the Soldier's lifestyle that needs to be accounted for.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 7:49 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 07:49:40 -0400

Throw a blanket party? No just kidding. I would physically walk him/her to medical to have them checked out to first see if it's a medical problem. If that is ruled out, it's time to recommend that this person seek counseling. Especially since this is an ongoing issue. The person maybe trying to get a medical chapter out or release.

Sometimes trying to "solve " a problem or issue yourself can make matters worse. Don't approach them in a threatening manner and don't make them feel off guard or threatened, they may respond in a way that you may not like.

If you can, I would talk to a counselor first, and see what they recommend on how to approach this service member about this situation.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope whatever you try works for both you and the service member too.

Response by SSgt Jerrol Olson made Sep 14 at 2017 7:54 AM

SSgt Jerrol Olson — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 07:54:39 -0400

How is this a question?

Response by PV2 J M made Sep 14 at 2017 9:30 AM

PV2 J M — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 09:30:14 -0400

tell em to shower :)

Response by SFC Terry Murphy made Sep 14 at 2017 10:33 AM

SFC Terry Murphy — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 10:33:35 -0400

I had a roommate when I was a young SP4. He was a Private and didn't do laundry or shower on a regular basis. I complained to my SL about it and he told me I was a SP$, take care of it. He also told the Private he had to do what I told him. After PT, he was told to shower, at lunch, another shower, after work, laundry and another shower, before he went to sleep, another shower, after a few weeks of this routine, he figured it out!

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Sep 15 at 2017 6:01 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 18:01:04 -0400

I would have to figure out why this grown person doesn't care how they smell. Maybe the SM is depressed. Could the lack of personal hygiene be a cry for help? Or are they just nasty and lazy?
Either way, this person needs to be called in your office for a sit down and have this matter resolved once and for all. Tell him that by not taking care of his body he could be charged with destruction of government property. :)

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Sep 16 at 2017 7:22 PM

1SG Michael Farrell — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 19:22:37 -0400

It's simpler in the military than in the civilian workplace. There are a number of medical conditions (by number, lots!) that can cause that problem, and there's some protection afforded under the ADA and the State Legislation. However, it's a good order and discipline thing. If you can't get them to be clean using simple standards and discipline, in the service you send them for medical and psychological evaluation and then process them out for inability to meet standards. I was a First Sergeant and developed a simple rule with problem soldiers -- if I was working harder to keep them in the Army than they were, I could do the Army right by getting them out of the way for someone else's rucksack.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 1:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 01:14:10 -0400

Well... I think we have all met the SPC (why is it always a Specialist) who wants to be a McNasty and just doesn't wash himself. Maybe he's got an aversion for group showers. Maybe he's just a dirty skunk-pigpen wanna be. Maybe he's got some kind of medical condition.
I GAF.
You will trot your happy ass down to the showers and square that shit away or I will hem you up with an NCO that can "help" you solve that problem.
In extreme cases, you might have a chaptering situation. Not my first choice or my second, but within the realm of options if it comes to that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 7:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 19:01:41 -0400

there are two possible solutions.
1 take shower
2 don't take shower

Guess what solution will be most effective.

Response by SFC Steve Tonnar made Jun 22 at 2019 6:14 PM

SFC Steve Tonnar — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 18:14:52 -0400

1989, had a guy we called pee pee peeler
Came in, donned gas mask, Lysol and scrubbed him down

Response by SGT Mathew Husen made Jun 22 at 2019 7:21 PM

SGT Mathew Husen — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 19:21:10 -0400

If they refuse to clean even after corrective training; I suggest getting the proper regs together, and council them. If they keep refusing then it will lead to redtrictions, loss off pay, and even grade.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2019 12:26 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 00:26:46 -0400

I worked with an Airman once whose body seemed to have its own ecosystem (yes, yes, I know on a micro-level our bodies are pretty much self-contains ecosystems, it's metaphorical). He would come into work at 0700 clean-shaven, but by 0930 would have enough shadow to bust the AFI and would have to go shave again; dude shaved four times a day to keep the SNCOs off his back. He once came off two weeks of leave and legit had a beard past his chest.
He also had BO like nobody's business. He actually had to use antibacterial soap, the kind they use before surgeries, to shower, but I have no idea if he kept missing a germ or it lived under his skin, he'd start shift smelling like roses but even just sitting still for an hour would develop a marathon-runner style odor that cleared out our section.
I actually felt bad for him. He was taking every measure possible to keep himself clean and in regs and everything, but he couldn't go two hours without turning into a dirtbag.
It came to a head when the Director of the NSA visited our watch floor and it was at just the wrong second, he passed by this dude and commented to the Group Commander about it.
We all knew his troubles and we sympathized with him, but after a three star tells a full bird that his E-4 is a pile of sh*t, there's not much you can do to save him. A week later, he went to mental health saying he had suicidal thoughts, and about two months after that was discharged from the Air Force.

The reason I tell that story is that, well, are you sure he's not already well aware of it and in fact is already doing his best to keep clean and pleasant smelling, but he just simply can't?

Response by 1SG Eric Marsh made Mar 3 at 2020 6:21 PM

1SG Eric Marsh — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 18:21:32 -0500

1960, France, Engineer Company, hard working, hard smoking and denouncing of misfits. If ever there were some. One soldier refused to even wash, a slap of water on his face in the remote latrine was the most he ever managed to do. Uniforms and civilian clothing were dumped in his wall locker. Early did the clothing get sent to the weekly laundry run. Now although it is needless to be stated, by it will clarify any questions running through any minds. Yes, he did stink to high heavens, so bad the squad leader had him stand in the rear of all formations. Instructing him to bathe and peering it did no good. A G U wash party as former consisting of volunteers from throughout the company. The man was called in English, Fish head, because the odor was similar to rotting fish. In French it is, there a pouison, or close to that. The poor man was scrubbed with the old wooden handled toilet brushes and the brown issued soap. It was done in the shower room, all over in ten or so minutes including the time down disrobeing him. Nothing changed except his skin color, he became pure pink and red, a far cry from his natural black skin. The G I party was well intergrated, and had the approval of most of the company. Our medic kept him salved up until he didn't t need it anymore. He was an amusement to us due to his putting on black market moustaches and sideburns and grabbing civilian clothes off the dirty pile in his locker. He,'d go downtown and chase the ladies.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jun 7 at 2020 12:36 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 12:36:27 -0400

Usually a simple hey dude you fucking stink should suffice, no one really wants to walk to the left of the group, it’s tough enough as it is. I bet it’s really bad in the tight quarters on board a ship, especially is you have to share a bunk with a pig. I’d guess the stakes are raised a bit there.

Response by SSG Thomas Elliott made Jun 9 at 2021 12:34 PM

SSG Thomas Elliott — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 12:34:30 -0400

I had a Soldier who gagged us out of a MLRS launcher after 1 minute, his room mates said he showered every day sometimes twice a day, turned out his mother would send him a jar of fish in a white sauce from Louisiana every week, it stank to high heaven, and it would sweat out of him, about 3 weeks of him not eating that shit and the smell went away.

Response by LCpl Mark A Maggard made Jun 9 at 2021 6:18 PM

LCpl Mark A Maggard — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 18:18:26 -0400

Med-call for hygiene eval.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2021 11:30 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 11:30:59 -0400

Soap and water.

Response by MSgt Michael Lane made Jun 13 at 2022 6:19 PM

MSgt Michael Lane — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 18:19:54 -0400

I was in the process of getting discharge paperwork done on one of my troops. When he went for a required medical examination found out he had a food allergy and that's what was causing the horrible smell. After a few weeks of no starch diet the smell was gone and I felt like an ass.