Why do many senior leaders fail to follow the regulations? What can I do about it?

2014-04-21T14:17:17-04:00

At the gate to my sons on post school I have noticed an increasing ammount of NCOs and officers who choose not to wear their headgear while waiting in line. The line is out doors with no overhead coverage. I've read over AR 670_ 1 to see if I was somehow mistaken on this point. I know that what they're doing is inappropriate as leaders but I feel its not my place to correct it. How should I as an E3 address it? I feel that its wrong for me to just ignore it, or should I just accept that its out of my pay grade?

Response by SFC Cornelius Walsh made Apr 21 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-04-21T14:25:41-04:00

PFC Brasher - making on-the-spot corrections is the duty of all Soldiers. If you see it, assume the position of parade rest/attention, use military courtesy, and privately and politely let the individual know that they're wrong. I'd rather have someone correct me, than have many others let me to continue walking around all jacked up. This is NOT above your pay grade.

Response by SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL made Apr 21 at 2014 3:20 PM

2014-04-21T15:20:04-04:00

If you see something that needs to be corrected, make the on-the-spot correction. If there are many NCOs during this every single day, I would bring this up with the building manager. They will have to enforce this request because it is against regulation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 4:10 PM

2014-04-21T16:10:39-04:00

I appreciate the responses that have been posted especially SSG Cornelius Walsh. I will attempt to resolve this issue as professionally as y possible. Thank you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 6:06 PM

2014-04-21T18:06:51-04:00

As SSG W. said, making on the spot corrections is within the authority of every soldier regardless of rank or position. So long as you obey all appropriate customs and courtesies and remain tactful you are in the right so long as you have a reg to back you up.

My recommendation is to address the senior soldier in the group, as they are the one who should be setting the example. Depending on the individual you might get yelled at or impolitely dismissed, but you can take away from the situation the fact that you did the right thing. If you were my soldier back in the day, and did what I described above, I would be proud of you and at the very least write up a positive counseling statement.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 21 at 2014 6:19 PM

2014-04-21T18:19:26-04:00

I'm going to differ just slightly from my fellow NCOs. It is absolutely within your general military authority to enforce the standard, however not all senior grades take kindly to it.

I advise you to approach it by asking one of the NCOs (not the officers; enforcing uniform standards is our business) in a sincere manner if there is some exception to the headgear rule to which you were not privy.

This way you are not directly challenging him, and you afford him the opportunity to correct the other offenders.

However, if you replies that he is deliberately violating the policy, forgo further on-the-spot corrections and seek remedies elsewhere.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 11:39 PM

2014-04-21T23:39:52-04:00

After you make the correction, they probably won't listen to you, but there will probably be someone with rank there to have your back (even though they didn't do anything about it to begin with) and resolve the issue.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2014 7:04 AM

2014-05-20T07:04:46-04:00

I had s similar discussion on here a few days ago. It seems as though some leaders feel that not all regulations are equal. When it comes to punishment I do agree with that as I would not expect to se someone charged with murder be sentenced the same as someone that failed to salute an officer (for example). I do however feel that we as NCO have a duty to enforce all regulations that are in place.

No approach is better than a direct approach! You have to be mindful and use tact though. Have you ever corrected a uniform deficiency on a 1SG or CSM? I have. And in the Infantry world I was likely to be given a very harsh comment in return LOL but at the end of the day, the correction was made and the leader knew that they had been informed. That is the goal in my opinion.

So are you talking simple regulation violations? Or something illegal? That too, would make a big difference in the avenue of approach. Also is it your speculation, or do you have rock, solid proof?

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made May 20 at 2014 7:05 AM

2014-05-20T07:05:20-04:00

We have a duty to tactfully address our concerns with the appropriate leader involved. I would also recommend someone in a senior leadership position coming alongside you who may have similar concerns or is a witness to the infraction.
If that approach doesn't resolve the situation, then you are forced to go above or around the leader in question. Using the open door policy or the IG are appropriate.
The key here is communication and honesty. First, ensure you have addressed the situation with the person involved and give them the chance to correct it. Second, ensure this is indeed a significant infraction and not just a petty difference of opinion.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 20 at 2014 7:27 AM

2014-05-20T07:27:05-04:00

I completely agree with LTC Strickland and SFC Gilley. The only thing I have to add is a quote from an old CSM of mine. "Always remember, regulations are NOT suggestive in nature." In other words, at our level, we don't have the authority to 'pick and choose'.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made May 20 at 2014 9:20 AM

2014-05-20T09:20:47-04:00

A few points regarding leadership and adherence to regulations.
1. Blanket statements are rarely true (ie all, always, never, etc).
2. Leaders do not get to pick and choose what regulations to follow. We are expected to adhere to and enforce regulations whether we agree with them or not.
3. All Soldiers and leaders are expected to make on the spot corrections.
4. If a lower ranked Soldier is uncomfortable making an on the spot correction then there are several avenues available to achieve the same effect (tell another leader, use a neutral Soldier such as Chaplain, notify a staff NCO/officer, etc).
5. Sometimes the infraction is a mistake (ie name tape/Army tape reversed on ACUs). In that case, most leaders would thank the Soldier who told them they were wrong.
6. Sometimes the infraction is deliberate and serious, in those cases, there are formal people and processes that can be used such as EO, IG, SHARP, chain of command, etc.

Response by SFC Thomas Lindsey made Oct 4 at 2019 6:02 PM

2019-10-04T18:02:27-04:00

I'm enlisted, and in my neighborhood there was a guy who was an officer would always walk his dog around without his ACU jacket on. I came home in uniform one time and saw him doing this and I called his ass out. I don't live on post, but doesn't matter. Either all or nothing. Represent the uniform the right way and not like a Hallowee costume. Tough spot for you to be in, but you're not wrong for saying something. The only reason they're going to get angry it's cuz they feel like a no-go and are embarrassed. Respect to you for feeling this way.