LEADER vs COMMANDER - Would you have done the same

2014-12-22T12:16:35-05:00

As a Company Commander, my first mission was to be a leader that meant stepping to the front of the formation and setting the example. The designation of Commander is always synonymous with the word Leader. People and soldiers think the words are one in the same, but they are not. A leader is a person who sets the tone and gets people to do what they would not normally do through respect and fortitude. A Commander has the authority to make someone do something, or fear legal retribution if they do not.
I was a Company Command of a M1A1 Tank Company for almost 18 months and during those 18 months I never gave out an Article 15, had a soldier show up on a blotter report and or come up hot in a urine analysis test. I never passed a soldier to another unit unless that soldier was getting an increase in rank or position that I felt he deserved. I also opened my command to all rehab transfers.
I belief there is no such thing as a poor soldier there is just poor leadership. I do believe that there are bad people that need to be kicked out of The Army for acts of violence, predatory assault and anything that has to do with Drugs, but first you have to ask how they got in The Army in the first place. That is another story. They need to place in an institution that was designed to handle the criminals they were before they entered this institution.
Here is a story I want to share with you and you tell me if I did what a leader should have done.
During my afternoon formations I noticed one of my Platoon Leaders was habitually late. I counselled him on his actions and his setting a poor example for his men. About a month later, he came to me wanting to give one of his soldiers an Article 15 for being late to formation. I asked him did he counsel the soldier on his tardiness. The Platoon Leader said no. I asked him if he asked the soldier was there something wrong or was there something happening at home that caused him to be late for formation. Again he said no.
I told him to bring the soldier to my office after final formation and that he and his Platoon Sergeant were to present the soldier to me at 17:30. At 17:20 the Company First Sergeant and I were sitting in my office to await the soldier and his leadership. The First Sergeant asked me what I was going to do. I told him was going to provide the soldier and his leadership with additional training. He began to laugh and said OK, I got to see how this works. I sad Top, I got this one.
At 17:35 the soldier and his leadership knocked on my door. They were 5 minutes late. But this was a good thing because it was a cause and effect to the additional training I was about to enforce. The Soldier and his leadership entered my office and stood in front of my desk at attention. I continued to look down at some paperwork I had on my desk. Without looking up I ask the Platoon Leader what time it was and he answered 17:35. I asked him what time I told him to be here and he answered 17:30, Sir.
I said, “you are late!” The Platoon Leader and Sergeant started to him and haw and I said, “enough!” We have an issue here gentleman, it seems that no one can tell time here in this situation, so, I am assigning the three of you some additional training. The three of them were taken back. I said that on this Saturday the three of you will report to me and the First Sergeant here in the office beginning at 0700 in PT uniform, then again at 0830 in class A’s, Then again at 0945 in BDU’s. Then at 1100 in NOMEX Uniform, and then a 1300 in in PT Gear and so on through the day until you get a T for Trained in this task from me and the First Sergeant.
Now was this punishment or extra training. I could have given the soldier an Article 15, but what example would that have set after only counseling his leadership for the same offense. No, I got my point across without Non Judicial Punishment and not ruining a good soldier with a lapse in judgment. I taught a lesson to the leadership about counseling, training and setting the example.
I was being a effective Commander and a good leader and that is what soldiers want and deserve.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 12:22 PM

2014-12-22T12:22:44-05:00

Sir, I would have excused the Soldier and had the PL and PSG do that remedial training. They can then demonstrate what showing up on time is without embarassing them in front of their Soldier. Praise in public, punish in private.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 22 at 2014 6:01 PM

2014-12-22T18:01:44-05:00

It was neither punishment or extra training. LTC Scott O'Neil, you issued them some corrective training to verify they could follow instructions correctly and promptly. This is something we used to do on Saturdays quite often, and it was part of what was called "I think it is great that you included the chain of command in the corrective training and by doing so, you created a more effective team.

By the way, was he on the #1 or #4 crew or on a wingman (#2 or #3) crew?

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 22 at 2014 8:39 PM

2014-12-22T20:39:44-05:00

LTC Scott O'Neil I like it sir. For a few reasons:
1. The training left no permanent marks, and I am pretty sure that lessons were learned-by the whole Company.
2. Time is essential to order.
3. How can the NCO straight up offer to punish someone for the same thing you had just counseled him on?
4. You managed to teach both he and the troop to tell time in less than one day. Schools devote weeks, possibly months to this process. That is to be commended.

I agree with CSM Michael J. Uhlig in that it was Training, not punishment. It was constructive.

Ordinarily I would agree with you LTC Private RallyPoint Member but in this case, the issue was invited in via hypocrisy.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 22 at 2014 9:01 PM

2014-12-22T21:01:57-05:00

LTC Scott O'Neil! 1 each Hand Salute to you! You would have made a hellava 1SG/PSG in my Brown Boot Army. Sometimes you have to get their attention!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 22 at 2014 9:19 PM

2014-12-22T21:19:57-05:00

Epic goodness there! Bravo LTC Scott O'Neil!!!!

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Dec 22 at 2014 9:42 PM

2014-12-22T21:42:00-05:00

There are managers... and then there are leaders. And THAT! LTC Scott O'Neil was an outstanding example of leadership in action! SEMPER FI!!!

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Dec 23 at 2014 4:04 AM

2014-12-23T04:04:15-05:00

LTC Scott O'Neil - From the sounds of it sir, you created (or maybe inherited) a good command climate to begin with. It's amazing what people will do for a commander they respect and think has their best interests at heart. I've seen situations like what you describe and when you hit that sweet spot, ain't nothing or nobody that can stop a unit like that.

That said, when you have an infraction, you've got to act quickly and in a decisive manner. None of us are more important than the unit. From the sounds of it, you acted just as the situation dictated. Wish the Army had more like you.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 10:43 AM

2014-12-23T10:43:56-05:00

I agree...the punishment fit the offense. Well done, sir.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 11:49 AM

2014-12-23T11:49:22-05:00

We need more command training that gets officers and SNCOs thinking like that sir. Well played.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 5:39 PM

2015-11-23T17:39:55-05:00

Please tell me you're in the Reserves now so I could possibly work for you!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2016 1:49 PM

2016-10-14T13:49:41-04:00

Sir ...... that was refreshing lol. The same exact thing I'd WANT to do in that situation. Unfortunately...... in our current situation - The PVT would be at EBH that afternoon suffering from a panic attack due The the unbearable amount of stress the sheer thought of the Saturday training event to come - The PSG would've filed a formal EO complaint outlining how heard the 1SG say the F word at an FTX 2 months ago, and the LT would have inboxed @USArmyWTF moments writing a Pulitzer worthy story of of the unprofessionalism you demonstrate by belittling and abusing him.

.....By The next week you would have a 15-6 in regards to your command climate. Lol

Response by MSG David Johnson made May 15 at 2018 10:07 PM

2018-05-15T22:07:56-04:00

Very inventive corrective training. I myself have been on the receiving end of corrective training, and that is one I would have gladly done over some of the more archaic from times past. Like rotating the tires on 4 M916's and trailers for being late to PT.

It was instructional for the Soldier for the already mentioned reasons, as well as the leadership showing they are not above the SOP either.
But I can't imagine a PSG worth his salt letting a Soldier, And his PL be late.
As an old 1SG told me, if you're not 15 minutes early, you're late.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2019 6:56 AM

2019-03-05T06:56:10-05:00

Excellent leadership Sir.

Response by CPT Daniel Rodriguez made Dec 31 at 2019 2:37 AM

2019-12-31T02:37:36-05:00

Great job.