Is texting an effective way to manage troops?

2014-10-21T20:07:35-04:00

I don't know how Senior NCOs used to manage troops without smart phones and texting. It's still not as efficient as you might think.

During AT last year, I sent a text asking for a status on instructions issued earlier in the day. The answer I got back was, "Hells if I know." I just about blew my stack. Sent back, "Someone damn well better find out." I had murder in my heart.

As I was reaching for the logbook to my truck so I could go find the miscreant, I got a reply: "Well, maybe you should ask someone other than your wife."

Response by SFC James Barnes made Oct 22 at 2014 4:31 PM

2014-10-22T16:31:58-04:00

Don't you just hate when you do that. With as efficient as technology has made our world sometimes a simple face to face or phone call works better.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 4:55 PM

2014-10-22T16:55:53-04:00

Sorry MSG Private RallyPoint Member but that was funny.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 1:28 PM

2014-10-23T13:28:06-04:00

I hate when my phone auto completes the name and I text interesting things to the totally wrong recipient... That and FFS makes me want to just throw my phone away sometimes.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Oct 23 at 2014 2:13 PM

2014-10-23T14:13:49-04:00

Back in the day, there were "Runners" who ran errands for the Senior guys. If you needed someone, send the runner to find them. If you needed to pass on some info, send the runner with the info on a pice of paper. My previous 1SG was notorious for texting the night prior what we were doing for PT the next day. I despised that method, because my cell service is not the greatest at home. Sometimes I got the message, sometimes not. Now, we have a calendar with the WHERE, WHEN and WHAT for PT...life is good.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Oct 23 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-10-23T14:25:43-04:00

That's funny. To answer the question, though, no. I feel face to face is still the best way to manage your troops

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 3:48 PM

2014-10-23T15:48:08-04:00

Never had this issue onboard ship. Once I retired I found out that employers like to text employees at nite and expect instant answers. It was amusing ONCE. After the 2nd nite of a barrage of texts I decided I was gonna fix this issue - and I had my phone number changed on my cell phone. Best $35 I ever spent. After several days of not getting his texts responded to - my boss decided to have a "heart-to-heart" chat with me. Initially I was intent on saying it was my phone, but that changed with the bosses demeanor and inflection. Once he had exhausted himself on how it was vital I respond to his texts / queries I asked him: "How do I put this on my time card - under what .... overtime?" He responded - "Absolutely not!" I responded: "Well, then, I'll respond when I get back on the clock!"

Supervisors need to understand - if it's not life or death then texting your troops is flat out wrong after normal business hours. Yeah, Ad is paid 24/7, but bothering the troops for admin crap or something YOU forgot during regular hours - that's on YOU and NOT on the troops. There was a time the Navy tried to demand we have a phone installed in our homes. The first time my command told me that I asked the CMC for the billing code. He responded "I'm giving you a direct order!" "To which I replied, show it to me in black and white." Of course, there was no such directive and never has been - as far as the Navy goes.

Stop texting the troops after hours....unless it's life or death.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 7:47 PM

2014-10-23T19:47:45-04:00

Given the sudden spate of serious respondents, I'd like to say that texting would not have occurred to me if my troops didn't use it. They seem to prefer it. I don't use it for much anything else.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 8:59 PM

2014-10-23T20:59:10-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member, your example demonstrates - to me, at least - that texting might work well (in garrison only, would be my "rule") for younger troops, but some of the older troops / NCOs might struggle with it. I think the new Soldiers entering the service right now are extremely familiar with texting, and it would work great with them. Some of the older 30-something or 40-something Soldiers might not "get it" so quickly. I think that would be the challenge.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 3:38 AM

2014-10-25T03:38:39-04:00

It all depends on the NCO and troops.

When I got SGT I usually sent out mass texts about…say PT for tomorrow. I'd give them at least till the time I got done with the gym to hear back from them. Enough time to get home, kick back a beer, shower and say hello to whomever. If I didn't hear back then I would call who ever I didn't get a response from.

Texting is another great way to save your ass. I received a text from an NCO telling me no pt to come in at 08 for layouts. The next day at 0620 I'm getting calls wondering where I was at. I explained so and so told me this, when I came to PT finally the NCO who sent me the text denied that he sent it. I pulled out my phone and saved my ass.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 3:48 AM

2014-10-25T03:48:19-04:00

I learned within my first few days of being an NCO that texting isn't always reliable. I sent a text to a Soldier who never responded and never completed the task, the reason was that he never received the text message. I have since reverted to calling my Soldiers, if there is an issue, or while I am here in Korea, I just go to their room, since we have PVTs through SGTs staying in the same Barracks.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 5:18 AM

2014-10-25T05:18:27-04:00

It is 2014. Many leaders forget that we have soldiers that were born in the mid-90's under us. These soldiers have most likely had a cell phone since they were in Junior High. This is primarily due to the marketing burst of family plans in 2007 from providers such as Verizon, Sprint, and others. Compile that with unlimited TXT plans, we begin to understand how TXT-MESSAGE is on the top of these soldiers PACE plan.

TXT is now primary comm's for asking a girl-out, talking to there friends and family back home, and each other. As adaptive leaders we should all embrace this culture, as TXT gives us a tool to provide clear and concise information to all our soldiers whether they are on lunch, after hours, or on leave.

1) By creating a group of contacts in your phone for your team, squad, section or platoon you can disseminate direct written instructions or orders in a quick mass-txt and have a record of the transmission.

2) By including "respond when acknowledged" at the end of the message you will have a conformation that they are tracking your instructions/orders when they reply that same minute with "rgr".

3) For those who don't acknowledge the instructions call them to get conformation.

It's not hard, it's not unprofessional, it's reality for the world we live. Not using TXT to communicate with our soldiers would be like not using OUTLOOK to contact branch, or check the training calendar.

"I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed." I think I read that somewhere.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 10:45 AM

2014-10-25T10:45:07-04:00

Absolutely not. For that matter, neither is the use of email to dictate orders or directions. I am adamantly against the regular use of text or email as a means to manage soldiers. There is absolutely no substitution for face to face interaction in any situation.

Response by MSG Sommer Brown made Oct 25 at 2014 10:50 AM

2014-10-25T10:50:09-04:00

I absolutely think that the leadership and oversight has went down tremendously due to texting. I do not think it is a proper communication method. The only good use would be to send a telephone number for someone to call and to reach a poc that way you know they have the correct number or address. This is causing our Soldiers and leaders to become more and more lazy, unsociable, and interpersonal relationships suffer. If you allow texting of orders, directives, or guidance then all you have is a Army of people staring at their phones all day. How do you know when actually business is being conducted or the person is goofing off? I think personal phones should not be allowed to be used in uniform while on duty except for at lunch. In garrison there are plenty of land line phones around that you can place a call or better yet go freaking have a face to face with the person. It is bad enough that alot of the our time as leaders is stuck behind computers doing various work related things, but to add in texting on top; when do we ever actually LOOK UP and notice the actual world around us and observe what is going on in our AOR. I absolutely hate hate hate to see a Soldier texting and hate even more to see a Soldier surfing facebook or a news outlet on the computer; You mean to tell me there is absolutely nothing else you could be doing right now, nothing? NO initiative, NO drive, NO selfless-service; Soldiers complete the original task given and they sit on their butts and goofy off till someone notices and instructs them to do something different. Oh it makes me furious. I was/am always that Soldier that stays busy all the time and if by chance I look around and everything I can think of is done, then I am that one who goes and asks DO YOU NEED HELP, what else needs to be done. errrr lol.

Response by SSG Adrian Ducker made Oct 25 at 2014 11:41 AM

2014-10-25T11:41:26-04:00

Texting isn't an effective way to manage Soldiers by itself but it is a great way to get information out all at once instead of calling 10-15 Joes in a row. All I ask is for a reply message stating that it was received and understood. Nothing wrong with using new technology as long as you don't make it a crutch.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 2:07 PM

2014-10-27T14:07:28-04:00

I think it's ok for certain purposes, such as an issue that is not time-sensitive.

However, texting mass information in the late evening concerning the morning formation is a bad idea. First, it encourages troops to feel tethered to thier phones. The army doesn't pay or the phone, so it shouldn't be a mandatory means of communication. Second, some people turn their ringers off at night and do other things than play in thier phones. There are many nights I come home and done even look at my phone until the next morning. Staff duty and my leadership has my house number if it's an emergency.
Third, it encourages leadership to be lazy. To not ensure the proper info is put out before cob. If the info wasn't put out before cob, then no one should be expected to adjust fire at 2100 for the next mornings formation. It's poor planning, and the chaos of it shouldn't be allowed to roll down to te lowst level.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 9:06 AM

2014-12-31T09:06:32-05:00

I believe texting is a great way communicate. I have already used this method with my troops many times and it has proven effective. Ensure that you receive a text back acknowledging the message is received. If you don't receive a acknowledgement text, give them a call or talk to them in person asking why they didn't reply. This is the age of smartphones, everybody (specifically younger troops) is on their phones or constantly checking them, so why not take advantage and use it as one of our capabilities of communication? Please don't think that I am saying this should be the ONLY way to contact people, i'm just stating that texting isn't a bad idea.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Dec 31 at 2014 9:08 AM

2014-12-31T09:08:04-05:00

Like it or not, texting is the modern way of communicating. I could get a response from a Soldier much faster by texting. Texting is what the servicemen and women today know and use; I think its highly effective for routine communication.
However, it shouldn't be used to replace personal or one-on one conversations. for example, you don't send counsel statements, corrections, or red cross notifications thru text. If its something, you'd normally bring the SM in your office to discuss. don't text the message. send them a text saying "meet me in my office"
In Summary, I believe text is effective when used in the appropriate context

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 9:44 AM

2014-12-31T09:44:02-05:00

SFC, I know this seems redundant but my plt and whole battalion now use a app called kakao talk you can make groups settings for each group and everything after the Commo chief (my plt sgt) showed it to the 1sg and CSM who liked the idea we have a mass plt channel which is only for work related messages then seperste ones with the other people in plt or battalion we need to talk to but signal in barracks sometimes makes it hard to get messages most of the time they go through

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 9:56 AM

2014-12-31T09:56:01-05:00

Yes, I think it is. Not 100% of the time, but used in moderation, it can be effective.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 10:03 AM

2014-12-31T10:03:13-05:00

Great story!

Since you're not allowed to bring phones into a SCIF, I never experienced this problem.

When my wife was in the ANG, the base would notify personnel of exercises via texting.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Dec 31 at 2014 10:00 AM

2014-12-31T10:00:35-05:00

Without verbal communication, there is one thing that you'll NEVER get with a text or email... verification of understanding. Unless you're doing a 3-way communication (Send, repeat back, confirm), you don't (and can't) know what your recipient understood.

There's Data, and there's Information. The first is easy... The second requires confirmation of understanding.

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Dec 31 at 2014 10:29 AM

2014-12-31T10:29:59-05:00

Maybe for informal communications, "Hey we are at Wendy's and I know you are stuck in the TOC, you want a burger?" but not official communications.

SMS is not guaranteed communication, there is no retry option like in Email. Most of our phones do a decent job of letting us know if it was not able to send the test, but if your phone sends it on it has no way of knowing if it was delivered or just dropped by the network.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Dec 31 at 2014 10:47 AM

2014-12-31T10:47:28-05:00

Face to Face is always the best - you can see body movements, eyes etc. There are circumstances that texting can answer a questions quickly rather than relying on email. In today’s society "Millennials" text rather talk on the phone and avoid face to face whenever possible. Bad news is spell check does not always work properly, and not everyone knows the texting abbreviations – such as GR8, 4SHO, 4COL and CID for example.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jan 1 at 2015 1:10 AM

2015-01-01T01:10:31-05:00

I do not use texting to manage my airmen, but I've found in the last 5 years that the majority of my co-workers and airmen live through texting.

I only reach out to them in texts if it is a question I need answered right away, I need to see them and they aren't in the office or perhaps I am checking on them due to an issue they are having. Generally though I don't check my phone after 1900, so if its important you better just call. I also tell them if you have send me three texts in a row, then you just need to make it a phone call (I'm a slow texter).

Response by SSG Jason Cherry made Jan 1 at 2015 4:44 AM

2015-01-01T04:44:06-05:00

texting is a terrible way to manage troops. sometimes they don't go through for minutes or hours...sometimes a day. the other part is, what if their phone is on vibrate/silent/dead?

there is no feedback from a text most times, and in that case, if it is a better leader, they will call to confirm. most dont even call to confirm!

the other blunder is email. most times leadership will blast something out after COB, but expect people to have read it after they have already gone home.... not the best when you send out info for something the very next day.

combined, these two methods have been too heavily relied upon methods and consitently fail to get the message through.

we need to get back to the face to face comms, have your troops checking in, and make sure the leader has positive comms/contact with troops regularly.

military has gotten real lazy the last decade or so....and thats on top of the ever loosening standards and discipline

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 5:55 AM

2015-08-18T05:55:07-04:00

NO It's not. What will happen when the day comes when All technology stops working? I'm an Old School NCO. Like doing things the hard way, The Old way. We have gotten to dependent on texting. Sorry I hate Texting! Soldiers Pick up a phone and do voice conformation from time to time just saying.