My rights to question leadership.

2015-05-03T16:53:41-04:00

There is a soldier that works in my shop with me who has an anger management issue. One time he slapped my phone out of my hand and another time he struck another soldier on the face because he didn't like what the soldier was saying. The soldier was slated to go to a course for our MOS and his punishment was that he was not allowed to go to the course anymore. I find out today that the soldier is on standby to go to the course which means no actions were taken against the soldier. I feel that this soldier is a threat to the good order and conduct in my unit and not to mention safety. What rights do I have to go over my chain of commands head and talk directly to the 1SG.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-05-03T16:55:27-04:00

So I would sit him down and first see if there is anything wrong emotionally or psychologically. Does he have any issues going on at home, PTSD, or is he just being a belligerent noob.
If he is just being young and immature, then he needs some good old extra duty without any free time, and some stern discipline. Maybe some strong counseling in the form of a letter of reprimand or admonishment if he doesn't listen. Then start going up the chain.

Response by SPC Christopher Shanahan made May 3 at 2015 4:58 PM

2015-05-03T16:58:56-04:00

I should mention he is not directly my soldier he just works in my shop. He has been verbally counseled to go to anger management but my leadership has not followed through. I think that more than just the leadership of my shop needs to be involved because without sounding dramatic I don't trust him because of how quick he is to turn to violence or abrupt action.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 3 at 2015 4:59 PM

2015-05-03T16:59:11-04:00

Most 1SG and even CSM have an "open door" policy for things exactly like this.

Knock, knock, knock. "Excuse me 1SG/CSM. Do you have a moment? I have a problem that I need help with. Yes, I have tried addressing it through the chain. No that didn't seem to work, and I'm trying to avoid escalating it to an IG complaint."

Don't jump ladder without going through your boss first though.

Edit: Spelling

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 3 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-05-03T17:02:19-04:00

Not having made enough rank to really know, but it would seem to me that hitting another soldier or damaging someones personal property does not show alot of discipline or military baring. I'd think he'd he counseled at least maybe njp'd.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 5:23 PM

2015-05-03T17:23:46-04:00

This has to be addressed right away. You should seek the advice of your leadership. I think your squad leader, PSG, or 1SG should be informed of this. He is potentially dangerous. If a person laid hands on my while in the military he is going to have a bad day. I am going to let their chain of command know. If it was bad enough I would call the MPs and make a report of it. There is having issues and there is assault. There shouldn't be confused with another. He really needs some help, more than what his unit can help him with.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made May 3 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-05-03T17:28:48-04:00

There needs to be a formal complaint. Assault, once it occurs, needs to be dealt with. You are in a staff position, BN S-2, and if this Soldier is moved, there is a good chance of him ending up in a co-ed environment.
I assume the focus of his temper tends to be individuals that would not be able to stand their ground against him in a head to head, otherwise someone would have taken him to task already. Is he also doing this only when the "leadership" is not present? Also, the lackadaisical attitude the leadership has about this may be why no one is formalizing the complaint, since the abused Soldiers would still have to work with this individual and would continue to be in danger while "normal" procedures ran their course.

I'm hoping this doesn't reach the point where you or another Soldier are standing in front of the BC are standing next to this guy explaining the cause for bodily injuries. But, your anger management problem child sounds like he may be escalating because he isn't being called on the carpet for the real problem.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made May 3 at 2015 7:50 PM

2015-05-03T19:50:43-04:00

In the Marines you can request mast to any person in your chain of command. I am sure the Army has something similar.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2015 4:48 AM

2015-05-04T04:48:40-04:00

First, I would say try to handle it from one soldier to another. If it is just two soldiers his SGT needs to step on him. If it is someone who has a grade or two on you then just take it one step higher. If that all fails then go the open door route to the 1SG but remember, that's your last resort. The last thing you want is the 1SG fixing fire team business, it doesn't work out well for anyone! Personally I have about zero patience for the kind of things you are mentioning regardless of rank. I didn't work my way to where I am to babysit or try to enforce manners, be an adult.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 29 at 2015 6:13 PM

2015-06-29T18:13:08-04:00

All the better if the 1SG has an open door policy.