It is ok for a Specialist to be in charge of a position mostly designated for a Staff Sergeant?

2015-05-08T07:46:47-04:00

During my last tour in Korea as a 91B(Wheel Vehicle Mechanic) I was transferred from the motorpool to the mailroom and from there to the orderly room. The 1SG gave me the position of orderly room NCOIC and 1st PLT SGT(which meant being in charge of both the orderly room and the supply room), because of the excellent job I did during my time at the mailroom.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 8 at 2015 7:47 AM

2015-05-08T07:47:25-04:00

Your 1SG seemed to think so ... so what's the problem?

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 8 at 2015 8:11 AM

2015-05-08T08:11:04-04:00

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz, I take it you were a SPC at the time your 1SG put you in these positions?

Were there SGT's OR SSG's available to fill the slots?

Regardless, your 1SG obviously had the confidence to put you into these leadership positions and you should be proud.

Also, that is something I would really emphasize on your resume. Something like "Placed into a leadership position normally reserved for higher ranking non-commissioned officers." This is of course assuming you were applying for some type of management position.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 9:03 AM

2015-05-08T09:03:18-04:00

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz - Of course it is. If there are no capable higher ranking individuals, and/or he thinks you're the best pick...absolutely. That's called "grooming for promotion" and is an excellent mentorship/leadership opportunity. I know of SSGs relieved from their position and replaced with SPCs. It also teaches you that even though they may outrank you, you "outposition" them, which gives you the superiority in many aspects of their opportunities. Knowing that can help you deal with superiors as you advance through the ranks as well.

Take it and run with it. I can't speak to being a PSG, but I know my PL time was some of the best times I can remember and taught me so much of what I needed to know to become a company commander.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 8 at 2015 9:34 AM

2015-05-08T09:34:53-04:00

Look at it this way.

If you have 30 E1s milling around, and an E2 comes up. Who's in charge? What if it was 60 or 100?

There's a great scene in "In the Army Now" (Paulie Shore) where he gets a Meritorious Promotion, and because he is the senior man, he is in charge. He's not an NCO, but he is absolutely in charge.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made May 8 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-05-08T12:35:48-04:00

Thanks all for your comments.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made May 8 at 2015 12:48 PM

2015-05-08T12:48:02-04:00

Well Yes however CPL would have been more appropriate.