Superiors feel I am not a good NCO, looking for some guidance!

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:16:51 -0500

I have been told recently by my 1 superior that I am not a good NCO. Because this superior is previously enlisted I knows this is based off of how this individual was and NCO in the past. I don't feel it's necessary to stay late everyday or move 1000 miles per hour every hour in order to get accomplish the mission. I do my job effectively but i believe because right now in my life I am not really enjoying my job it is seen that I don't have a passion for what I'm doing and I am just checking off the blocks. I am lookig for some guidance in this area. TIA

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 12:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:26:30 -0500

Please excuse the typos sorry

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Nov 12 at 2015 12:35 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:35:42 -0500

This is why the military has written counseling sessions - or should. Your initial counseling should be from your supervisor to you explaining exactly what is expected - and it should be specific, not general statements. This is the document that will be used to justify whatever rating you get on your next NCOER. If it says you need to do "x,y,z," and you do "x,y,z," you should get a "Successful" block check. If you do MORE than "x,y,z" and can support that with numbers, examples, etc etc, then you should get a higher level of "successful" block check. Initial and monthly counselings aren't just for the Rater to tell you how you did and how to do better, but it's there to guide you and show you what is expected. It also provides YOU with the support to go higher if you receive a rating that isn't what you think it should be.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 12 at 2015 12:38 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:38:58 -0500

If you are not enjoying, are you performing to standard?

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Nov 12 at 2015 1:36 AM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 01:36:36 -0500

You said you were told by a superior that you were not a good NCO. How were you told? Did you receive a counseling statement? Was this done during a quarterly counseling?
If this is really bothering you, and you want to get better, go have a sit down with your 1SG and/or CSM to explain that you are not being counseled. You really need to show them you want to get better. That being said, you need to be able to except some hard truths at the same time.
I know your CSM quite well I believe. He is a great NCO and I think he would be able to handle this quite quickly.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Nov 12 at 2015 7:33 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 07:33:42 -0500

"Superiors" means more than 1? And if you don't enjoy your job, and it shows, then "it is seen that I don't have a passion for what I'm doing and I am just checking off the blocks" is probably true.
Let me suggest that I think God puts us where he wants us for a reason - and for that reason, I'll do my best at all things because even if it seems like it's not the "best job" for me, I trust that He knows best and it may just be to teach me something - in this case, I think He is teaching you and you seem to be catching on very quickly! :-) With all that said, always look at it as if you are put there for a reason - for a purpose greater than yourself - and you will find it much more rewarding when you succeed because you will be making small investments over time worth eternal value regardless of what your "superiors" think!
You used the word "effectively" a couple times - this is different from "efficiently" - the first means it's done, the 2nd means it's done right.

Good luck & God Bless!

Response by PO1 Brian Carlson made Nov 12 at 2015 7:35 AM

PO1 Brian Carlson — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 07:35:29 -0500

I have experienced many people like this in the military. They have no life outside the military. These individuals take credit for all that their people do, but take no responsibility when things do wrong. They are self serving Narcissists who serve only themselves and really are not concerned about the mission.

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Nov 12 at 2015 8:37 AM

CW3 Eric W. S. — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:37:30 -0500

I am going to be critical here, but bear with me. You are counseled on a periodic basis, IAW your NCOER. You were provided an initial counseling that identified the expectations your Rater has of you. You are a soldier, 24/7. If the mission is not being accomplished within the 9-5 framework, you should expect to stay late. If you are accomplishing all missions, at least to standard, then you need to look and see if there is anything else that needs to be done. As an NCO, you need to do your job better than "effectively". PFCs and SPCs do their jobs effectively. If it appears that you are merely "checking the blocks", then you either need to have a frank discussion with your rater to determine the expectations of you or you need to step up your game.
It is not the Army's job to make sure you really enjoy your job. This is an all volunteer Army, you were not drafted or forced to enlist. If you are not enjoying your job, contact your Branch Assignment Manager and have them PCS you, if you are within your window to do so. If this is not an option, you may want to consider either finding the motivation to be the NCO that you are being paid to be, or you need to find a way to leave the military. The Army is not for everybody, that is why everybody doesn't do it! It may be that you have reached terminal velocity in your career and it is time to move on.
Essentially what I am saying here is that you need to do some personal introspection and determine the causes that have your Rater saying you are not a good NCO. The last thing I am going to say is this, if the format and grammatical structure of your question is indicative of your duty performance, you may need to seriously reevaluate your position and seek some personal and professional growth.

Response by SPC William Del Valle made Nov 12 at 2015 8:40 AM

SPC William Del Valle — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:40:03 -0500

"I know one thing: that I know nothing" Socrates, to me this means to keep an open mind and try to understand what your body language is saying. Sometimes your body language is what people first see, and yes it's the same as prejudging someone but it's what people's first impression of you is. When I first went in people assumed that since I was lazy, it wasn't until I was at my first FTX that I had an NCO told me he was surprised at my performance. He told me that he heard from other soldiers that I was lazy and a "dirt bag". He said that I proved him wrong and I was the total opposite of what was said about me. So I would say to you not take it so seriously but use it as if it's true and try to prove everyone wrong.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Nov 12 at 2015 10:27 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:27:19 -0500

I tend to agree with several of the comments here -- go to a more senior NCO, your CSM if you need to go that high, and ask for their feedback. We can give you generic feedback over the internet, but you really need to get focused feedback & counseling from someone in your chain of command who can help you to see if you do, in fact, have deficiencies that need to be remedied or if you're just in a situation where personality conflicts may be causing conflict. I've been in both situations, and there's not really much we can do on the internet without knowing exactly what's going on in your head and what's going on in this Officer's head.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 12 at 2015 10:37 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:37:03 -0500

Unfortunately your seniors are the ones that make the determination as to your effectiveness. You bite the bullet and continue trying to improve in the areas noted in your evals until you or they get transferred. If this is a are a recurring problem, look within. You wouldn't want to see my evaluations until I made E-5 and got married, but still advanced to E-9 in 18 years. You can work around it if you want a military career, but the attitude I am inferring tells me that you will not.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 12 at 2015 10:55 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:55:08 -0500

The key word is Superiors with an S, so that let's me know it's more then just one that feels this way about you. Now the question is do you feel they are correct? Are any of these Superior's in your rating scheme NCOER? If so you may want to do a self check and see if this could possibly be true. If there is nothing ever in writing stating the case, that you are a bad or not a good NCO I would drive on.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 12 at 2015 10:56 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:56:56 -0500

Everyone has nailed it for the most part, so I'll keep it simple. Look at the NCO Creed. LOOK AND READ IT CAREFULLY. While doing this, do an HONEST assessment of yourself line by line paragraph by paragraph. Write it down even (this will help you when you meet with 1SG or the CSM to voice your concerns). NO ONE fully lives the creed 24/7/365. We're all human and make mistakes. What we try to do is learn from them and move forward. But looking at the Creed and yourself will tell you where you personally need to pick up the pace, will tell you where you are good and should maintain yourself, and where you need to be in regards to the mission and Soldiers. Regardless of what anyone else says, YOU have to believe NO ONE is more professional than YOU. And if anyone is questioning you as a NCO, and there are no 4856's or NCO Counseling forms? You should listen, they might be onto something, but if it's just being mean with no intent to help you grow, they can go kick rocks. You have Soldiers to lead and train.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 12 at 2015 6:52 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 18:52:24 -0500

As an NCO, it is important to be a motivated and productive leader regardless of whether the task at hand seems boring or super exciting.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 3 at 2015 5:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 17:46:59 -0500

Does he give reasons?