What type of Event-oriented counseling do I give a soldier who yelled at several NCOs and a contractor?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 22:36:57 -0400

My soldier (who is a PV2) was working on a MATV a week ago. It was a considerably hot day outside. Several NCOs, including a contractor, asked my soldier if he wanted some help or if he wanted someone to replace him on multiple occasions during that afternoon. Each time, he denied help and a replacement. Sometime later, the contractor asked him if he was good, and my soldier proceeded to scream at the contractor, stating "I have been asking for help and everyone ignored me!" Several NCOs overheard my soldier, and each of them told him to get down from the vehicle. He refused to leave the MATV, continued screaming at each of them. Eventually my PLT SGT was able to talk him down from the vehicle. To me this was complete disrespect for several NCOs, but I am not quite sure how to format the counseling.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 12:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:50:53 -0400

Here ya go. Change as needed to fit the narrative

http://www.armywriter.com/counseling/disrespect-toward-an-nco.htm

Disrespect Toward an NCO Counseling Example

Example of counseling for disrespect toward an NCO: Disrespect toward an NCO is incompatible with military service and will not be tolerated

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 6:27 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:27:08 -0400

It is very important that you are documenting this incident. You are doing the right thing. But I implore you to try and peel back the onion a little and see what's going on with this individual. People don't generally freak out without any warning for no reason. There may be some underlying stressors that are not immediately evident.

The PSG could be a good resource for you to utilize when conducting this counseling. If you both are present and convey a message of concern, while emphasizing that the behavior is unacceptable, you might be able to get the Soldier to open up about any underlying issues/stressors that contributed to the outburst.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 9:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 09:13:18 -0400

I’d advise to counsel for the behavior, but also attempt to get to the heart of the matter. The Soldier expressed that he wasn’t getting what he needed.

There may be an underlying issue that may be related directly to the incident or there may be something bothering him from a different source.

Counseling is a tool to document actions but also get to understand the situation and develop a plan of action to achieve long-term success.

It’s a skill that leaders must hone in order to ensure mission success and take care of soldiers (sound familiar?).

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Aug 4 at 2020 12:28 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 12:28:10 -0400

Have you never dealt with an ornery Joe before?

Response by SSG Brian G. made Aug 4 at 2020 2:12 PM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:12:54 -0400

Ok, you have yourself a problem. Start off with a counseling detailing the event, but you also need to sit down and speak with this soldier in depth because there is more going on here.

Sadly, what you should do, is recommend the soldier for a Letter of Reprimand as the SM showed a verbal disrespect to several NCOes and a contractor. This allows that there is a punishment for the violation without it being truly detrimental and allows him or her to stop, check themselves and make any corrections needed and continue on with what might otherwise be a fruitful career.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 5 at 2020 12:14 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:14:17 -0400

There are manuals that cover these types of situations...

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 5 at 2020 5:03 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:03:32 -0400

To start disrespect to NCOs, disobeying an order...probably multiple other things.

I would also definitely talk to this soldier and find out if he's got some issues going on because that seems to be an odd outburst. Or do you know that he does have some personal issues? No need to list them here but there's something going on with him and he may need some help from behavioral health.