When you hear of a Soldier being referred to as a "problem child" do you avoid, intervene, or chime in?

2015-05-01T10:09:06-04:00

Is the possibility considered that the Soldier is being treated unfairly or labeled due to annoyance rather than relevance? Is support afforded as a team to determine the issue and reasonable solutions or are assumptions made and communication more evident in side bar commentary than healthy, open, and direct with the Soldier? On the reverse, is the "problem child" is your buddy or bro, do you objectively assess the issues and provide feedback that encourages improvement or simply talk down about whomever the Soldier has issues with, avoiding the actual issue and condoning an attitude lacking in respect and professionalism indirectly?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-05-01T10:24:22-04:00

I usually will intervene cause when that is being said I want to know why cause usually the leader is giving up on the Soldier and I try to help. Don't get wrong not all can be saved but sometimes anther leaders tactics and leadership style will help the Soldier get back on the right track.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 1 at 2015 10:45 AM

2015-05-01T10:45:50-04:00

Back in 1979 I was that problem child, unfortunately I was also my own worst enemy. I was given guidance by anyone who could talk, some of it was heeded, while others who were trying to "help" didn't have my best interests at heart and the guidance that they gave only led to more problems for me. When I came back to the Army in 1999 I felt that the best way for me to pitch in was to offer up some of the lessons I learned the hard way one generation ago. I choose guidance and mentoring over the more physical activities, sometimes you can reach a person just by talking to them, not by smoking them. Although smoking helps improve the physical well being, not so sure about the mental, some guys are just plain nuts to start with. Well that is my story SSG Private RallyPoint Member I hope it helps.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 1 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-05-01T10:50:37-04:00

I am on a tangent. I really makes me want to throat punch other parents who say a problem child is caused by my wife and myself. This might be the case with some parents, but this is not an absolute truth.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 1 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-05-01T11:00:56-04:00

It depends… There really are some people out there that just shouldn’t be here… No amount of Hooah or mentorship/Leadership will turn some people into anything resembling Soldiers.

On the flip side, there really are some misunderstood Soldiers out there. The one kid that sticks out in my mind is SPC XXXXXXXXXXXX. This kid was probably the most intelligent human being I’ve ever met. The problem was, he was so much smarter than his Platoon Sergeant that his boss was always convinced that the kid was being obnoxious (in fairness, he did have a habit of cutting people off and not letting them finish their sentences). It turns out, this kid was just on another level. Based off of context and history, he already knew precisely what you were going to say, examined the situation, came up with three or four courses of action, complete with PRO/CONS for each, and was responding before you’d finish your sentences. I finally sat down and talked with him about it. He walked me through his thought process, what led him to the decisions he was making, what context/references he was using, etc… He also explained how extremely frustrating day to day life was for him. To him, he felt like the only adult in an elementary school special needs class (his words)… Honestly, I felt for him..

So, I try not to make snap judge…

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made May 1 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-05-01T13:08:58-04:00

I always felt it was the opportunity to take a look at the situation. Not only as a Soldier but as Leader its important that you try as hard as possible to get to the core of the issue.
Before I retired I had new Bn. leadership come in and just want to "clean house." including myself as I was ultimately medically retired after nearly 16 years of service. But one issue and they wanted to chapter the Soldier. That is not how it works at least in my opinion. Hell how many senior NCOs had issues growing up through the ranks? In the end take the time to look at the issue from both sides not just because the leader says a Soldier is the "problem child."

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 1 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-05-01T13:41:05-04:00

I usually make my own opinion. To be able to look for a person's strength's and weaknesses an assist them in a pursuit of their goal. The percentage's are with my way of accessing the person without judgement.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-05-01T14:15:14-04:00

I just wondered what I did now.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-05-01T15:29:16-04:00

Too often a "problem child" has not been properly motivated. I don't mean that in a punitive sense necessarily but someone taking time to find out what motivates them and link the motivation with the mission.