Should a SSG assume PSG responsibilities over an E-5(P) if the SSG will only hold the position for 30 days?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:04:29 -0400

Leaders, I am currently in the middle of in-processing into my gaming unit.
My gaining PLT currently has a E5 (P) holding the PSG position. They do have a SFC arrives to the unit which will be in about 30 days.
Should I assume the PSG duties and responsibilities for the short duration, or let operations resume to prevent any confusion for the SFC who is enroute.

Response by SSG Dale London made Aug 3 at 2021 8:20 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:20:45 -0400

Sorry, but you cannot "assume" that duty without authorization from the COC. You can lobby for it -- that is, you can ask to be assigned. But neither the CO nor the 1SG are obliged to give you that position. It's their prerogative to assign that position to any qualified soldier they want -- even if you outrank them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2021 8:38 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:38:35 -0400

Question, where is the SGT(P) in this equation?

But there's another SGT in the equation, a SGT that's going to be a SSG sooner than you.

I am not understanding the SGT(P) status. Are they on their way out as well?

How your question reads is:
1) New SGT arrives to new platoon.
2) Platoon is under the NCO leadership of a SGT(P).
3) New SGT wants to overstep current SGT(P).

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 3 at 2021 11:08 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 23:08:05 -0400

This must be a bigger issue in the Army than the Marine Corps. If a SSgt rolls in and is being placed in the Platoon they would be assigned that billet until they are either replaced or fired. In the Marine Corps you wouldn't have a SSgt in a Platoon and a Sgt be above them as Platoon Sgt. Regardless of how many days until the E7 arrives.

I would recommend speaking to the Plt Commander and potentially the 1st Sgt to get this sorted out. Seems like a quick solution to me

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 4 at 2021 5:47 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 05:47:16 -0400

That assignment would be up to the Platoon Leader, Company Commander and the First Sergeant. I personally would stick the ranking soldier into the PSG position, it just removes the problem of having a junior NCO giving orders to higher ranking one.
Sounds like a good time to have a sit down with the First Sergeant and CO.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 4 at 2021 8:04 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:04:51 -0400

As SSG Dale London was referencing, that is not your call, at all. That is up to the Company and BN Level leadership. Commander, with input from the 1SG, will decide whether SGT (P) stays in the role, or you take it over. BN Level is in charge of slotting people in the MTOE / TDE / UML / whatever acronym they are using for organizational rosters these days. Which menas the CO will make the decision, but the BN Level (in this case, usually the CSM) has veto power.

Based on your other responses, I am guessing that neither of you will actually be SLOTTED as the PSG, as the "real PSG" is that SFC out on maternity leave. Which makes whoever it is "acting" PSG. This more or less takes the BN out of the fight (although CSM is still likely to weigh in). You will likely be slotted into a Squad/section leader assignment. As whoever it is will be *acting* PSG rather than slotted PSG, it is likely the Commander will have you, as the senior person, fill in the acting PSG role until such time as someone more senior than you comes in.

There are a few situations where this would not be true. First, if that SGT(P) is slotted in the role, and is being rated as the PSG, they may well leave him/her there because it is much easier on the rating scheme. Especially if that NCO has been there more than 60 days, but less than 90. Second, if that SGT (P) is performing awesome, and the leadership does not want to screw up the mojo, the leaders may decide it is best to leave the SGT(P) in position for a few extra weeks to keep the Platoon on track.. This is especially true if the Platoon has a historically bad reputation, but this SGT (P) has given them a good name.

Regardless of which position you are placed with, do that SGT (P) a solid and respect him/her and the job (s)he did running the PLT until you got there. If the leaders leave the SGT (P) in position, be the most trustworthy, loyal, and dedicated squad leader in the PLT. Make it obvious to the entire PLT that you support the PSG and have no issues with taking orders/direction from him/her. If the leaders place you in the position, acknowledge the work the SGT (P) has done. Rely on him/her for insight and input. Do NOT get in a public pissing contest over how things used to be done or how things are going to go now that *you* are in charge. Run your PLT, absolutely. But don't crush that NCO just to prove you are in charge.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2021 11:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 11:20:44 -0400

In my humble opinion.

1. Yes, technically the higher ranking NCO as yourself should be in that position.

2. Is there a dire reason why you wish to be placed in that position for just the month or so remaining until the SFC arrives? Is it an ego thing, does the current SGT(P) in that position seem like he does not know what he is doing?

3. Have you been in a PSG position before? If so. You could look at it as looking out for the SGT(P) and give him some pointers to assist in his leadership development.

4. Are you and said SGT(P) butting heads?

5. Is it worth your time and effort to try and move this SGT(P) aside so you. An take over, where in doing so would cause more harm than good?

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Aug 4 at 2021 11:30 AM

SSG Byron Hewett — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 11:30:42 -0400

instead if taking over supervise and mentor let that E-5 get that leadership experience that they need but you are the senior NCO so you have oversite but that's your choice just as the incoming E-7 will have his own leadership style and what he wants to see, Observe the E-5 and see what his leadership style and skills are that way when E-7 arrives you can tell him what you have observed and take notes you are in a supervisory roll that means you receive and pass down the information given in op-order at the leadership meetings you need to remember you receive and supervise and observe you troops but by all means let that E-5 keep going if they seem to be solid, right now until that E-7 arrives you are the senior NCO work on prepping and having things ready so your E-7 can hit the ground running with their boots on instead of scrambling slowing down to catch up, so supervise the E-5 and have oversite of the platoon and you have things ready for the E-7, but first thing first things first check with your first line leadership and get their okey dokey on it first because they have the ultimate say so.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Aug 4 at 2021 12:48 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 12:48:25 -0400

When I returned from Japan, I was put into a stateside MP unit with an Acting SGT (SP4) who was Patrol Supervisor over me as a regular SGT. In the MP's that's normal ... that is, for the Acting SGT to break-in a SGT who doesn't know the P&PI, patrol zones, post boundaries, etc. However, there were two MP Companies - the Garrison MP Company (regular "White Hat" MP's) and my MP Company - Combat MP's. Our Company did 6 Week training/12 Week Road Duty cyvles by Platoon. I joined when the Plt I was assigned to was in its training cycle and vigorously learned the post boundaries, highways and patrol zones, etc by talking to other Sergeants on Road Duty, and some MP's; going to the MP OPNS section and getting to sit and read P&PI's and Post Regulations.
When I went on Road Duty, under the SP4/Acting Sergeant it was no problem ... UNTIL he tried to lock my heels for chambering a round to search a building after an intrusion alarm and the CW4 in charge of that building swore he heard someone inside. That "someone" turned out to be a raccoon under the T-Building. When my partner and I came out, the Acting SGT went nuts when he saw us reholster our sidearms and went into a tirade in front of the CW4.
After a few minutes of his rant, I stopped him and relieved him of duty and sent him to the MP Duty Officer to wait until I got there. The MP Duty Officer was completely supportive (fortunately) and upheld the relief and sent the SP4 to turn in his badge and weapon. Part of that support was due to my Company's reputation overall - a NO NONSENSE spproach to problems.
Not the same issue as your in ... and you shoulld, as someone sles ponted out, tactfully see what the 1SG wants and expects you to do. My guess would be he/she will have the SGT mentor you for a few days and you'll end up filling the position until the SFC arrives.
When as I explained above, I was in that unit, for a few days, I was officially the 1SG then the Plt Sgt. In each position, when the actual 1SG arrived, and several SFC's, I was promptly and understandably replaced and put in a Sqade Leader slot in the Platoon I was briefly in charge of. It all depends on how an MOS and uniit functions in such situations.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 4 at 2021 1:35 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 13:35:50 -0400

LOL.. you aren't going to ASSUME anything. The unit leadership will ASSIGN somebody to that position.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 4 at 2021 6:31 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 18:31:55 -0400

That's not how it works. If that SGT is the PSG until the SFC arrives, then he/she is the PSG until the SFC arrives.

If someone in your chain of command puts you in the PSG position until the SFC arrives, then you'd assume duties as PSG.

Just leave it be.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 4 at 2021 7:58 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 19:58:57 -0400

This is a strange question -- because it's not your decision.

If the unit assigns you to the platoon, and you are the ranking NCO in that platoon, then you ARE the platoon sergeant. It doesn't matter what lower rank individual was previously senior; it doesn't matter when someone senior to you is EXPECTED to arrive. Whoever is senior at that moment is in charge [PERIOD]

It might be worthwhile to discuss your concerns with the First Sergeant (or whoever is the senior NCO of the unit) and/or with the Platoon Leader of the platoon (if it has one); perhaps the chain of command might choose to assign you to some other job (permanently or temporarily) but the minute you arrive in the platoon as the senior NCO in that platoon you ARE in charge.

You probably shouldn't make any major changes in how the platoon is organized or how it is operating -- unless you see something that is seriously wrong -- and it would probably be wise to get a thorough briefing from the SGT(P) who has been running the platoon and to discuss any changes with him privately before implementing them; but if you are the senior, then it is YOUR platoon. You ARE responsible - there is no choice and you certainly have no decision to make if the command chooses to assign you there.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2021 10:08 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 22:08:30 -0400

Hopefully I'm not stoking dissent here but I wish the military would temporarily boost soldiers compensation in such situations. I know of police departments that pay officers at the rate of a supervisor for a day if they take on those duties even for just a single shift.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Aug 4 at 2021 11:08 PM

SGT Robert Wager — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 23:08:18 -0400

Talk to your 1SG and ask him what he expects of you.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2021 9:09 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 21:09:54 -0400

That's up to your 1sg