As a retired 1SG, this is true leadership. If you don't slam the little things, you have no right to slam the big things. An ounce of prevention saves a gallon of blood. And a chewing out saves lives.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

I'm glad you share this perspective.

@hillbillysceptic1982

4 сағат бұрын

Cpl Howard USMC. I’m never made Sgt. because of “hard ass” ‘old salt top who everyone thought was a badass. Proved him to be a pussy after a few good slaps when he was running his mouth and we were drinking. Hardasses are the biggest phonies in the military. They’re not leaders, they’re punks who live off gossip and opinion.

I used to tell my Soldiers that, as a leader, my job was to act as a lightning rod. When the command team started throwing thunderbolts down from up on high they would flow through me and I would redirect the “charge” as necessary. If they really screwed up they’d get the full blast, if it was an over charge I would send it elsewhere. My leadership style was, if it goes good, you all did it. If it goes so/so, we all did it. If it goes poorly, I did it. Now don’t get me wrong, I’d punish them, but it would be me and not someone else. I rarely yelled (preferring the more effective “stern talking to” approach, disappointment is more powerful than anger) and only threat ever required was me pulling out my Mont Blanc saying, “gentlemen, the pen is mightier than the sword. You don’t want me to start writing.” In 22 years my pen sent countless troops to the board, wrote tons of recommendations and awards, but only 2 Article 15’s.

@mrj8166

23 күн бұрын

Amazing, I hope to be like you in the future.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

I like the pen..."Don't make me use this."

@shawntailor5485

14 күн бұрын

Thank you for your service. We had a silver bar that came came up through the ranks that we all did are best for cuz we Gaf as opposed to one particular butter that was such a basic load of bad DNA, even command LAHA behind his back .didnt like snakes much either .

@pauldean8439

Күн бұрын

There it is Big Dawg

As a young marine I had the opportunity to sit next to my Gunnery Sgt. on a 12 hr flight and have a frank conversation about “ What makes a good Marine” . Integrity, efficiency,effort, organization, ownership, passion, perseverance….., it was a long list. Over time, I became an NCO, Topping out at E-7. The best piece of advice he gave me was “ As a SNCO, you’re the filter from the top down and the bottom up. Support and guide those you are responsible for, even if requires a boot to the bottom, or a caring hand to pick them up, and keep the nonsense from reaching those above you. If it doesn’t affect the mission or readiness, it’s not their problem “

@the_bureaucrat

15 күн бұрын

What is fascinating about that advice is that it is the same advice officers get about being COL's. kzread.info/dash/bejne/q555mpWDe7C5msY.html Seems like a universal truth.

@ogcowboy5743

9 күн бұрын

This reminds me of a bullet comment one of my Commanders put on my evaluation report. 'this NCO knows when to bring the hammer, but also knows when to put on the kid gloves'

@pauldean8439

Күн бұрын

Urrah

There's the Chain of Command and "The Chain of Command". I was enlisted infantry and an Armored Cav Officer. The best 1st Sgt. story I have is when, as an Officer, our XO got PO'd about something and went storming into the 1st Sgt's Officer. Had him standing behind his desk in the position of attention and reading him the riot act. I just shook my head, knowing what was coming next. The XO left Top's Officer, the 1st Sgt calmly went into the CO's Officer, and a short time later, the XO was in front of the CO's desk, at the position of attention, with the riot act being read to him. Lt's DON'T chew out 1st Sgt's. Captains DON'T chew out Sgt. Majors, etc.....

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

Dear god...When I first read this I thought the XO you were talking about was the BN XO...Some LT jacked up their 1SG? That sounds like...grab a bowl of popcorn and sit back to watch the show.

@Retired88M

21 күн бұрын

When I was in the Army Reserves I had an incident happen where a new butter bar wanted to be an aggressor to keep all the young people n their toes in their “Frontal parapet fighting positions “ or foxholes and he got carried away and cut. Ll the como lined and power lines going to the CO’s and 1Sgt’s tent and got himself into really deep poop and of course got me into it also. Well he was locked up in one of the barracks we used for showers and I was talked to by everyone from the battalion XO down. While he did this stupid act I was nursing a severe head cold and fever so I was in no mood to hear all the squawk about his dumbness. I was acting platoon Sgt at the time And the next morning as I was shaving after chow my 1Sgt came by and threw me the key to his cucv and said for me to go straighten him out physically and mentally no questions asked. When I pulled up to the barracks and opened the door all I had to do was holler his last name and he came running like a puppy. I don’t know how my mind got everything I had to say to him right but without getting physical I had him crying and shaking to the point of wetting himself. From that day forward anything he wanted to do he asked me by stating my rank and standing at attention After about a year my superiors had him transferred to some God forsaken super combat unit to straighten him out Then in the fall of 95 I retired after 21 years

@Retired88M

21 күн бұрын

When I was in the Army Reserves I had an incident happen where a new butter bar wanted to be an aggressor to keep all the young people n their toes in their “Frontal parapet fighting positions “ or foxholes and he got carried away and cut. Ll the como lined and power lines going to the CO’s and 1Sgt’s tent and got himself into really deep poop and of course got me into it also. Well he was locked up in one of the barracks we used for showers and I was talked to by everyone from the battalion XO down. While he did this stupid act I was nursing a severe head cold and fever so I was in no mood to hear all the squawk about his dumbness. I was acting platoon Sgt at the time And the next morning as I was shaving after chow my 1Sgt came by and threw me the key to his cucv and said for me to go straighten him out physically and mentally no questions asked. When I pulled up to the barracks and opened the door all I had to do was holler his last name and he came running like a puppy. I don’t know how my mind got everything I had to say to him right but without getting physical I had him crying and shaking to the point of wetting himself. From that day forward anything he wanted to do he asked me by stating my rank and standing at attention After about a year my superiors had him transferred to some God forsaken super combat unit to straighten him out Then in the fall of 95 I retired after 21 years

@martinroncetti4134

14 күн бұрын

Capts/Lts "chewing-out" a 1st Sgt? That happens?! Having been in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for 34+ yrs, never saw, yet alone heard of a Lt or Capt EVEN think that they could chew-out a Coy/Sqn Sgt-Maj (CSM/SSM). Only the Regt Sgt-Maj (RSM) or CO would tear of strip off of a CSM/SSM and that would, 9 times out of 10 be behind closed doors.

@jackbeckman7028

9 күн бұрын

The same also applies to the reverse situation. As a CW3 company commander I had a battalion CSM try to tell me that I couldn’t recommend my Ops NCO for an award. There were some issues between the two, and he said he wouldn’t sign off on it. I informed him that his approval was not required. He told me that he worked for the Battalion Commander, to which I replied that I did as well. Mind you, I was an NCO for nearly 20 years before being appointed/commissioned, and since I was a commissioned officer I would deal with the BC in the matter. He was surprised to learn that I was a commissioned officer….he apparently didn’t get the 1986 memo…he thought I was some sort of hybrid officer/NCO creature or something. This was in 2008.

I retired as a 1st Sergeant of a cav troop and one of my main jobs was to maintain order and discipline in the troop and the biggest job at times was to filter the BS from the chain of command from top to bottom and at times make the CO look like the good cop because every trooper knew i was the bad cop but I loved them like my own children.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

There is always that issue of someone has to be the good guy and someone has to be the bad guy. I've seen lots of command teams have the discussion of "who plays which role"? One of my 1SGs did this weird thing where he cultivated the notion among the troops that I was a cold, analytical, lizard that didn't see Soldiers as individuals and then cast himself as the savior and arbiter of Soldiers fate. He'd say things to the formation like "I just go out of the CO's office and he has a real fixation on getting the motor pool cleaned out...I convinced him we needed at least half the day, but I don't think I can buy us any more time." Meanwhile, I'd be wondering what the hell the motor pool needed cleaned out for.

This is how I did it during my career. Handle everything at the lowest level possible. Hold everyone accountable to the standards. Help them when needed, even if they hate your guts, they'll be glad you did later. If you are actively involved in the lives of your shipmates, and they know you care, they'll bring problems to you and it can be handled before it becomes serious. Semper Paratus

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

You know, there is a lot to be said for this leadership role as a barrier. The higher you go, the more you have to do it. But at the same time, you have to become more and more professional about it. You have to become well attuned to issues that should be blocked and issues that have to be elevated. If a leader gets that wrong, serious problems can occur.

@unclejohnbulleit2671

23 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Yep. Not everyone can do it. I think that I was helped because all my NCO's were Vietnam Vets, and Korean and Vietnam Vets, helped me. Long service career types. By the time I made E6 I had a good idea of how to do it.

@user-rn6hd6ql5i

18 күн бұрын

Yes!

@jeraldbottcher1588

14 күн бұрын

Sometimes I had to be an asshole to my troops, but it was all to keep them from getting shit on from above. Yeah I was a bit nitpicky on some things. But since those things were taken care of at my level the leadership above left us alone.

As a retired USAF SNCO, I can attest to this 💯. Tough love is LOVE. Consider yourself lucky if a SNCO took the time to give you “guidance” because if you were a POS, the SNCO could have easily went the route of “Sir (or Ma’am) I need to brief you about one of your troops so YOU can advise how you want this handled.” THAT NEVER turns out good for the troop… ‘nuff said…

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

My favorite example is the "lost weapon" that turns up at the MP station...You can either report that to BN SDO or correct it at the platoon level. Sure, the troop isn't happy, but there is no "happy" in that situation.

I always remember the wish words of one of my first sgt’s “ the troops are happy when there bitching”

@the_bureaucrat

16 күн бұрын

An old MSG once told me that when the troops stop complaining, the young LT better watch his butt.

@hanc37

Күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat My dad served in Vietnam, and he talked a lot about young LT's that got fragged for not listening to their NCO's.

I was on a Tiger Cruise on the USS Stenis in '16. My son was deployed on the Stenis, the Navy hosts family members on these types of events. We sailed from Pearl to San Diego. On the last day before port. My son and I were walking through a p-way. You could hear a Chief ripping some sailor a new you know what in his compartment. Now I have no idea what the offending sailor had done, but it sounded BAD! I happened to be approaching a young LtJg coming the opposite direction. We could both hear the "conversation" as it were. We made eye contact and I said "Wow, someone is having a bad day." To which the Jg replied with genuine fear in his eyes, "Yeah, it is best to just keep going." :)

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

"What's going on?"...."Butt Chewings, you want one?"

@Stargazzer811

15 күн бұрын

Chief's run the Navy. Not even low level officers will mess with one and those who do find out quickly that they shouldn't have.

In my last line platoon in Germany (88-91) the company commander made absolutely sure nothing whatsoever happened in the company unless HE approved it and it was done his way. HE would determine whether someone was brought up for NJP, what that punishment would be, and why. He also tended to throw weapons grade temper tantrums when things didn't work out the way he wanted, The E-7 he had as a 1SG was useless as humanly possible, and never took that young ring knocker O-3 aside to educate him about leadership and the probable dire results of his ways. Over a short time I had managed to save a couple of troops from this martinet's wrath, and even had the company's problem children assigned to my platoon. To a man, they turned out to be prime grade soldiers, and when the CO wanted someone for his tank crew or some special project he always picked them from my platoon. Needless to say, we butted heads on a daily basis. One day he decided to get me out of his hair and arranged for me to go to some loser hole somewhere else on the kaserne. The entire company - to include every officer, with the exception of his 1SG - revolted. The battalion commander came to take a look, and got an earful. It was made known (in a round about way) that if the company ever engaged in a firefight, this company commander would not survive. The battalion commander locked young Captain Hotspur's heels and told him two things: 1. If there came the slightest hint of anything else like this from this company, someone's command time would be cut very short, and 2I wasn't going anywhere. Did Captain Hotspur learn anything from the incident? Don't know, but he never screwed with me or any other NCO again. Officers, you have your place and specialities. Day to day operation of your command isn't one of them, it's sergeants' business.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

It is a wonderful world when officers take care of officer business and NCOs take care of NCO business.

@user-zh3mv7ln1i

14 күн бұрын

As a former NCO I agree 100% A new 2nd Lt. will be told to listen to the NCO's. The good ones and the ones that become good officer's take that advice to heart. As a 2nd. Lt. you are just as new and fresh and no nothing stupid as the freshest recruit out of basic. It's the NCO's job to get you all up to speed!

I turned 27 (twenty seven) in Basic Training as an E1 in 1993. I thought the army crazily inefficient in many ways but over time I started to understand the why they did the things they did. I still think about the tactics and theory of soldiering. In 96' our 1SG made us learn the Macarena for PT (in Bosnia)...one by one we (Everyone) had to get up in front of the Company and 'test out'. The painful humiliation was priceless. I thought about that morning for YEARS

@the_bureaucrat

24 күн бұрын

That's a funny story. I was in a battalion once where they made you sign "Frosty the Snowman" at your first Officer Call (and you had to do it before they let you drink). It sounds stupid & humiliating, but eventually your job required you to get up in front of people and speak. Learning the Macarena has all kinds of "I can learn a new & complicated physical task, then demonstrate it to others" vibes.

@egweber95goblue

23 күн бұрын

C/3-12 Infantry in 96, Tuzla.

@en.copedawg2321

23 күн бұрын

@@egweber95goblue Y'all were in the woods by the Canines and consolidated motor pool towards the back gate...it didn't look fun at all! Ever look up the area on Google Earth?... IFORgot why we were there

@jeraldbottcher1588

14 күн бұрын

I had a 1sg That had us doing the butt dance down the PT street for PT one day. It lightened the mood during a tough period and also made us learn something new.

Thank you for this explanation. It is often assumed in the Marine Corps that the Sgt Major or Company Gunnery Sgt (Gunnery Sgts E-7 make the Marine Corps operate) ripping your b*lls off because they’re *-holes and sit in their offices with nothing better to do than drink coffee and rip new ones (in some cases they may be the truth but who really knows). But the NCO or Staff NCO (E-6 or higher in USMC) may be acting as a buffer to tone down or eliminate the problems from rising any further than they have to. As a former Corporal in the USMC , I’ve found a good leadership principle is to keep the issue as low as possible in the chain of command. This serves in both the disciplinary and supply aspects.

@Donner906

23 күн бұрын

It also allows bad personnel to keep screwing up.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

@Donner906 has a valid point here. @Denzlercs is correct that it is generally best to handle things at the lowest level. PVT Jones comes in staggering drunk and vomiting on himself? Maybe that doesn't need to go in the log. PVT Jones shows up drunk with blood on his hands and a broken windshield...better call the SDO.

@SSgt-

22 күн бұрын

When I was in the Corps I did try to handle things at the lowest level possible but unfortunately sometimes you had to pass it up the chain. As a shop SNCOIC with about 60 Marines to deal with life could be interesting to say the least. Some of the things we did then for correction would be classified as hazing now.

As a retired 1SG myself, I 100% concur, sir. I explained things to my Soldiers, not only as a 1SG, but even back when I was a platoon sergeant, that my job involved a lot of "running interference" for Soldiers and subordinate leaders. I would take the "hits" so they could run with the ball. However, when someone made a less than perfect decision, committed a minor infraction, or something along those lines, I would be that "angry 1SG", read that individual or individuals the riot act, and move on. That way, others didn't have to take a lot of valuable time dealing with something relatively minor, while making that Soldier realize they had screwed up, that their behavior was unacceptable, and they needed to fix themselves. One other point is being self-aware and not appear to be holding a grudge with those individuals. Administer the butt chewing and that's it, but make sure they understand that the next time this happens, it going to be "put on paper" and the repercussions will likely be more severe.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

That trick of "letting go" after a butt chewing is key.

My 1st Sergeant had been in WW2 , Korean War, was on his 2nd tour in Vietnam when I was in his combat engineer company. Man was a bit crispy.

@the_bureaucrat

10 күн бұрын

That's a good point. The background of the 1SG plays a huge role in their behavior. I have this nagging suspicion that Jessica Lynch's 1SG never yelled at anyone.

@user-qp6pz5gq4e

5 күн бұрын

Straight forward funny at dismantling people with words and looks, inventive in correcting others.

Top has a unique place in the military hierarchy. He’s a middleman between echelons above reality field grade officers, inexperienced/under experienced junior officers, mid life crisis suffering senior NCOs, inexperienced/under experienced mid level NCOs, and troops barely out of high school. He has to be a steady hand capable of transitioning from a calm, wise counselor to PTSD fueled rage machine and back - sometimes within an hour.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

As an officer, I like the idea that the 1SG has to deal with the inexperienced officers. Someone has to start them on the journey and the better job the senior NCOs do on guiding the LT's & CPTs into the culture, the easier it is for LTCs and COLs to take over when they leave the company.

@EricDaMAJ

21 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat The Army always puts you in a job you are one pay grade below the experience for. When you start to get good they promote you and send you to another job you're not ready for.

I was stationed at the "grunt farm" Berlin in 1990, on a detail cleaning out a storage room in the basement of our quarters. It was filthy. It was hot. I took an arm full of cardboard to the dumpster just outside the door. The dumpster was overflowing and I crawled inside of it to stomp the trash and compact it down to make more room for yet more trash. The CSM of the Berlin Brigade, a Vietnam Veteran, broke ranks from a Class A's inspection across the quad and marched over. He locked me up as I stood inside the dumpster because I wasn't wearing my cover and I was wearing just my T shirt without my BDU blouse. He didn't really get loud. I think he just wanted to seize the opportunity to lock somebody up in a dumpster. I had to report to his office the following day. He just made small talk and made me sit and polish a 105 howitzer casing with Brasso while we talked. I sat there, front row center, and I got to watch him chew on ass that afternoon. Then later he'd ask my opinion in private. He was human. He made me follow him around for a while. Like a "pet" or something, to the chow hall, on a run. He was actually pretty cool to hang out with for that short time; but, of course, I knew enough to never mention it to anyone and I maintained my military discipline during and after. I might be forever known as the guy that got locked up at Parade Rest by the CSM of Berlin Brigade wearing his Dress Greens while I was standing in a dumpster; but, I'd have followed him through the "Gates" of Hell.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

That is a curious technique of "discipline". Essentially, making you his temporary assistant/driver as a "punishment" but also using it to teach a broader perspective. BTW...I have a suspicion that his initial logic went like this "Any Soldier willing to climb into a dumpster to get the job done is the kind of Soldier we want to develop....maybe after a shower."

As a former 1SG, I made it a point that nothing happening in the company ever became so problematic that it had to go to the Company Commander; if a soldier ended up on the rug before the Commander, then I as a Senior NCO have failed not just the soldier, but the Commander. There were of course some knuckleheads that truly screwed the pooch so badly there was no option but to go to the Commander, but the Commander should never have to deal with an NCO's responsibility if it can be avoided.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

Here here! If the CO has to start paperwork, it shouldn't be because the NCOs could have stopped it and just chose not to.

Very insightful. I recently read the memoir of a Marine officer. A major, junior to him, was about to lead a deployment of part of their squadron. That junior major and the squadron CO went up to see the Wing commander for a briefing over that deployment. During that meeting the Wing commander "fired" the junior major, and the senior major (the author) had to take over command of that section for the deployment. The squadron CO could have prevented that from happening, and I am sure that came back to haunt him in the eyes of the Wing CO. There should have been someone in-between the junior major and the Squadron CO to protect all concerned and made sure that the briefing was better prepared.

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

Rehearsals save lives.

@frankhinkle5772

21 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat I think that is correct, or at least "save careers." Whatever went wrong in that briefing could have been prevented by even rehearsing it in front of a peer or the senior major. Interesting channel. I shall explore it.

Thank You! As a lead petty officer I was once told I over reacted. One morning the crew looked terrible, unshaven shoes hair uniforms. Our CO would do random inspections in the morning. One day our XO said our guys were the best but our division officer was horrible. We were excused from the next inspection but our division officer was ordered to attend. Never had any problems again!

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

You are welcome. Great example of anticipating problems and making sure they didn't get above your level.

Spot on! Having been both an officer and Enlisted the "Angry 1SG" is an invaluable tool in the leadership kit bag! Keep it and resolve it at the lowest level...only advise the uppers if it is something that can circle back...awareness in some cases, but don't bother or disrupt other leader processes unless directed. Let NCOs take care of NCO business as they say...

@the_bureaucrat

20 сағат бұрын

There's a good reason they say that.

Understanding the difference between officer and NCO business was drummed into me from my ROTC NCOs, first light infantry platoon sergeant, who took care of me just as you describe, and all the way to my own brigade CSM those 26 years later. Deserved ass chewings in private were few and far between both for me and given by me...growing leaders to both succeed and be prepared to take over the job of the person above them was always my goal. Thanks...just an old retired grunt.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

That whole notion of "officer vs. NCO business" is a constant journey. I've found that it helps to talk to your command team about what they think the dividing line is. Its natural to have overlap or gaps and it's best to talk about them before getting surprised by them.

@PapasDino

18 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat As a newly minted light infantry platoon leader I met my first platoon sergeant and told him "Look, I've got the book learning but I don't know crap, will you teach me?" He sat back for a minute, cocked his head and said "I will". He covered my ass when I screwed up and made sure I got the deserved attention when I did something good. Whether you're at the platoon or brigade level the solid relationship between you and your senior NCO is the most important thing you can have to be successful, not just you but your entire unit.

If your 1st Sgt is in a good mood, duck and take cover... "Top's in a bad mood". "Situation normal. Cool".

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

Ho ho...that or panicked. It's not a good sign when Top is panicking.

That was a good 1SG. Further, you were a good officer for learning and extrapolating this experience into the O world. A good and directed butt chewing is quite effective if done correctly and for cause. I was in this exact situation more than once.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

Thanks.

I know when I was a teacher, the parents reaction to their child’s misbehavior would affect mine. If the parent was severely punishing the child, I wouldn’t - figuring what the parents did was enough. OTOH if the parents didn’t seem to care, then the responsibility of correcting the child’s behavior was my responsibility.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

Interesting...someone has to provide tough love and someone has to provide comforting love...and sometimes the leader has to perform the role that balances the scales...really insightful.

I don't know about ALL First Sergeants...but all of the First Shirts I served with as a 1SG used this method...but what is really behind the method? Idiot Company Commanders who were either too slow to use nonjudicial punishment, too fast to use it, or could not grasp what to use it for. After a few weeks as an NCO you learn that in general, officers do not understand "good order and discipline" and never will. They are either tyrants or doting mothers...almost never in between. This is what led to the First Sergeant becoming the "Father of the Company" and not the Commander. I had 3 companies as a 1SG and not one of them was actually run by the Commander at the day to day level. It is just too important to trust to someone who shows up for a couple hours a day.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

That's fascinating. I mean, just from personal experience, I wasn't a very nuanced CO. And you're right about "good order and discipline". A CO wants it, but probably couldn't tell if it really existed. Or couldn't determine what was necessary to achieve it.

At Dad's Funeral, his dearest friend from the Army told me. When he first met my Father. He thought he was the worst loud mouth SOB of his career to that point. Eddy and Chuck had been at Walter Reid convalescing on semi active duty 1951. He admitted he had fouled up at out meeting. Told how Dad had invited him and Chuck to Thanksgiving Dinner a few days later, kept them out of trouble over the holiday. GOD I miss those men.

@the_bureaucrat

8 күн бұрын

They were a special breed that leave a hole in our world.

Well done Sir. Sure hope today's Warriors are seeing your videos of wisdom. We previous generations have to help the newer ones like the ones who came before us helped us. Keep up the great work.

@the_bureaucrat

Күн бұрын

Thank you very much.

To a much, much, MUCH lesser extent I used to always tell the E-2s and 3s that when an E-4 tells them to do something or to stop doing something “That’s a courtesy”. Because any higher than that’s when actual trouble comes.

@the_bureaucrat

9 күн бұрын

That is a fascinating comment. "Listen, PFC, you do you, but if Top catches you...you are toast." It's a funny twist on how the E4 Mafia works.

I was an Air Force staff sergeant, so basically for all practical purposes a noncombatant, but I just watched your video and it brought back many proud memories. It may sound as if I am sucking up, but your video completely explained the way I operated with my airmen and my boss, for precisely the same reasons. Very well done, Sir.

@tamarackgaming

7 күн бұрын

Got a secret for you. I retired a First Sergent in the Corps. Once you become E-6 you become the Luca Brasi of the military along with Gunny. First Sergeants don't get mad, we just point Staff Sergeants at what is bugging us.

@the_bureaucrat

7 күн бұрын

I'm glad you are proud of your service.

@the_bureaucrat

7 күн бұрын

@tamarackgaming Yup, delegate SSG Diligaf to make some noise and if he steps on too many toes, come in as the rational human being. Then counsel the SSG so he learns from the experience too.

I'm not a vet but l'm surrounded by vets at work. The most interesting thing l have learned is that SNCO's run the service. The first lesson taught at any OCS or service academy should be this: When you take your commision and go to your first duty station, the first thing you do is call in your NCOIC. Say, " Gunney, Top, Chief, (as the case may be) I'm not here. You're not here. This conversation never happened. Do not let me screw up. Dismissed."

@the_bureaucrat

9 күн бұрын

I'd tweak that a little bit. Senior NCO's run the daily operations. At higher levels, they have a less active role. But that makes your advice all the more important. At the company level, an LT or CPT is in a developmental assignment. They need the guidance of a "lifer" because they are just getting started on their military journey. And what is more, the lessons that SNCO imparts will one day play a role in how the CPT-who-becomes-COL thinks about the Army.

@gordonbergslien30

8 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Thanks! Every junior officer needs a Sergeant Warden!

As an AF 1Sgt, my job was to take care of my Airmen. Make sure they were fed, make sure they had somewhere to lay their heads at night and made sure that they were held to the standard. They knew what the standard was! I didn't yell, holler or scream because that is counter-productive. I spoke in even tones and volume and when I was done, they knew that what they had done was a no go and what the penalty for doing it again would be. I took care of them like they were my kids (most were young enough to be). When billeting was in short supply, even had one of them on my couch in my personal house. If they know that you have their back and their best interest at heart, they work and perform so much better.

@the_bureaucrat

4 күн бұрын

Awesome.

I was a Marine Infantryman in Desert Storm. Never did I have an officer or NCO try to protect me. They were all pieces of shit.

@mrj8166

23 күн бұрын

Fuck them, hope you're doing good right now.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

guilty...

@bdove7939

22 күн бұрын

sorry to hear that. They missed an opportunity.

we had the opposite, I had the senior NCOs -always- advocating for their subordinates. Much of that is great. Except when we had an out-of-regs corpsman who did not want to get his quali done for field medic (due to weight/fitness). He was mid-level enlisted leadership and because of his fat, resigned his post. Then they came to me to write him up for an end-of-tour award. I was like, "for quitting, or not wanting to get fit?". Anyway, they went to the top and I started getting hammered and wrote that bastard an award. If I didn't I'd have had the entire BN enlisted leadership against me, and that won't work.

As a Retired PSG - I used to have the soldier(s) who messed up perform extra duty at the Plt. Level. This kept them from the possibility of restriction, fines, loss of rank which could happen at the Company level (AR-15). Normally this worked.

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

Drove military vehicle across parade field...detailed to patch & reseed parade field...repercussions taught? 100% Paperwork filed 0%.

@anthonykaiser974

18 күн бұрын

​@@the_bureaucratand duty commensurate with correction required is not punishment, thus within limits of authority.

Tough love. As a Dad or as an NCO. It's all the same.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

The trick is you have to be able to follow thru. No hollow threats.

Do that in a public school, and your principal will put you on an improvement plan for being disrespectful.

@the_bureaucrat

16 күн бұрын

I think part of the reason that's true is that the education system doesn't have UCMJ where the superintendent can place a teacher in confinement or doc their pay as a form of punishment. This "tough guy" military style is in direct response to the fact that if an infraction gets to the officer level, punishments can become draconian.

As a former Marine, every experience I had with an E8 and above was either a fantastic experience or a miserable one. Unlike dealing with Platoon Sergeants, there was no middle ground. They were either the coolest people on the planet or you had dreams of fragging them.

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

That's a good insight.

No one chewed out Top. He might have been " counseled " by the CO.

@the_bureaucrat

9 күн бұрын

Or the CSM.

This really doesn't fly in today's military. I was calmly reprimanded by my CO, not my 1sg, for disciplining my guys for being fuckups. I was told I was being too hard on them. The thing is, I only just did what was done to me when I screwed up as a private, and it was nothing that severe, it was a bit of PT. Push-ups, sit-ups, front-back-go's, and the like. They should to be thankful that they didn't have to go through public humiliation that I did whenever I screwed up (e.g., mowing grass with hair trimmers, carrying shoe shine kit everywhere to polish everyone's boots, walk around with a large alarm clock around my neck and tell people the time).

@the_bureaucrat

15 күн бұрын

You hit on a nuance of this situation that is key. When the junior leader is "too hard" senior folks can step in and lower the temperature. That actually is a benefit to the organization. In your story, you set a level of intensity which your CO was able to dial back. Trust me, as an officer it is maddening to try to get NCOs to dial it UP...they just don't know how. Annnnd...even if I tell an NCO to cool down on the yelling...it's handy to know that when I need a fire breathing dragon...I got the melted plastic army guy to dial things up.

This is how it was when I was a Marine Corps infantry officer in the 1960s. It worked well, and I always appreciated those tough, committed, professional Staff NCOs.

@the_bureaucrat

16 күн бұрын

#1) Thanks for sharing that this is something of a timeless phenomenon. #2) I think you have an important insight about military companies that I never noticed before. In a company, the only "professional" military member who is committed to being a "lifer" is the 1SG. The CO and LTs are still trying to figure out if military life is for them. The PSGs might have decided to say, but some of them will still leave. And so the 1SG is the only member of the unit who actually thinks of the unit in a certain way.

@3chawkins

16 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Yes. Perhaps that is why we called the First Sgt. "Top". One of my fellow lieutenants once remarked in reference to the career Staff NCOs: "This is their Marine Corps; we are just passing through." (Incidentally, that fellow Lt was killed in action when we were in RVN in 1968.)

Great analogy Sir!

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

Thank you.

AS a retired Marine Officer from back in the Vietnam Era, and a former enlisted Marine, I can assure you that it is the wise officer who allows his NCO's and, especially, his senior staff NCO's, to handle the vast majority of the infractions and disciplinary actions at their level....without involving the Company Commander or Battalion Commander. The NCO's truly do run the Marine Corps....and all the other services as well. Not only do the NCO's have a better finger on the pulse of the unit and the troops, but they know the troops better and have much wider latitude in corrective measures that they can take without making the problem "official". Officers are terribly constrained in what they can and cannot do with regard to punishment and corrective action....and the majority of their options are, in fact, "official". And official involvement usually follows the trooper or Marine for the rest of his or her enlistment and career. The rapport between the company commander and his first sergeant and company gunnery sergeant (in the Marines) is one that transcends the differences in rank. Good NCO's will always keep their skipper's best interests in mind and it is the NCO's that make the unit and the CO look good. An officer who does not use and respect the professionalism and experience of his NCO's is doomed to eventual failure as a troop leader.

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

Your comment is a good "mirror" of this discussion. As a CO, you WANT your Senior NCO's handling most of the business. Not just to bear the workload, but keep things in perspective.

I only spent 3 yrs. 9 month in The Corps after Vietnam had just ended (early out for Marines accepted to College in '79...Georgia Tech, class of '83 Computer Engineering), but had been a very good athlete in H.S., running cross country and playing both baseball and football and the swim team, plus I was a pretty fair surfer and had grown up with firearms and hunting and scouting and tracking. I made it through the initial weekend Recon screening just out of ITR, and though I was still a PFC, I had qualified Expert at the Rifle Range (top score in my boot series) and had maxed the PFT, so my 1st in Seargeant waived the Lance Corporal requirement and sent me up the Recon pipeline of Indoc, then BRC. My BRC class lost 2/3rds of the class on Day 1 of the pool tests. i could run like a deer and swim like a fish and didn't mind heavy pack humps all day and night and scouting/reconnaissance came naturally so I fairly breezed thru BRC. When I got to 2nd Recon Battalion, I met the hardest Marine I ever met, our Battalion C.O. was an old grizzled up mountain of a man who had been at Chosin Reservoir in Korea with the Marines. Even our toughest scariest Sr. NCO's were scared of him, he led by example and by intimidation. We were in a 7 man recon team and were out on a very long (probably 35+ miles I would estimate) plus hump across LeJeune, from the beaches to hills in the west of the base with full expedition packs. We had been going since about 2 am the previous day and it was sun up the next day so approximately 28 hours. We were all in near Olympic athlete physical shape but a couple of the team were still having some feet problems so we stopped for a small breakfast break and to tend to the blisters and bloody feet. Just after wolfing down some comrats when we are taking our boots off our Battalion CO emerges from the deep underbrush about 30 yards away and starts yelling; Put your boots back on and continue to march...just let them bleed, to stop means to die!!!! And off he went at full route march speed, not exactly stealthy but we got the point so off we went. He marched with us the last several hours with the same pack we had, encouraging us to stretch those legs and keep up with him. Of course we knew he hadn't marched all night like we had but as a pretty damn old Marine and battalion CO to even find us in the middle of fucking bum fuck Egypt and to lead us those last excruciating hours meant a lot to us...Semper Fi kids

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

Great story.

I am retired Air Force Reserve E-7 I had a young SSgt in my office as I am ripping him apart for some minor infraction when a 2nd Lt. walks in my office. I am giving a young SSgt (E-5) the full monty of a mad senior NCO. the 2nd Lt. never says a peep just goes and sits in a chair in the back side of the office. After the young SSgt leaves the 2nd Lt. says what the heck was that a$$chewing about and I say oh just a minor infraction and it was completely handled by my rage. I always handled issues at the lowest level possible and as a section chief it was my way to protect the young NCOs and Airman from the upper levels. I had to only do that once in a great while but I also learned these motivational mad Sgt. from other senior NCo's over the years. I may have not been liked but at least they respected me when I retired.

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

Great story...#1 letting the LT watch and then demonstrating that you are in self control by immediately putting the interaction into context is wonderful (two counselings for the price of one) #2) A big trick of making this work is "only do that once in a while". It has more impact when it happens less often.

It is normal NCO business… from the early days of PNOC, it was constantly being taught that NCO’s were the backbone of the Army. Squad leaders took care of the junior soldiers/team leaders, Platoon Sergeant took care of the squad leaders, the First Shirt took care of the Platoon Sergeants and the other staff level NCO’s. I went from E-1 to E-7 in 11 1/2 years, then went to WOC School. Those years as an NCO and the lessons learned were invaluable when I became a Warrant Officer. The Army went through a change as once we made CW2, we were Commissioned, had to accept RA and Vol-Indef status as the rules changed so that Chief Warrant Officers could be Detachment/Company Commanders, with full command authority as other RA Commissioned Officers had. I enjoyed my days as an NCO. I recall of the many First Shirts I served with, there was one who held NCO Professional Development at 1900, on the last Thursday of the month. He called this NCOPD session “Night Court”. All the unit NCO’s gathered in the conference room and we Jr. NCO’s received motivational kudos or corrective training for things the First Shirt and the other Senior NCO’s observed during the month. We were never degraded or made to feel inferior during these sessions. It was purely done to help us Jr. NCO’s grow, and to teach us to look out after each other so the small details don’t get missed and we could become a tighter cohesive unit by learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The session allowed us to explain why we did or did not do something, thereby instilling confidence in ourselves to own a decision we made and defend our decision making process, without fear of being chastised too harshly. The senior NCO’s would be the jury panel, the First Shirt was the judge, and as I stated earlier, we were not chastised harshly, although the jury panel would provide guidance on how a particular subject could be handled differently that was either more effective or less resource intensive. Often times, the Senior NCO’s felt a decision we made was good to go, after hearing the logic that lead to the action made. I loved every one of those sessions, even when I was in the hot seat, I learned more about what it took to become a great leader in that two years with that unit, then I did as a Jr. NCO in any other unit.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

That is a brilliant strategy..."night court". Have some young buck stand in front of a panel of PSGs and the 1SG to explain what he did and why. I'm sure lots of situations made more sense once 2 or 3 older NCOs provided their take on the situation. And if you did it as a group where all the NCOs got to see the proceedings, there would be tons of "learning by example". I'm surprised I've never heard of such a thing.

@Patriot_Drone_Services

18 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat - We all had the “opportunity” to sit in the hot seat at some point. Since it was NCOPD all Company NCO’s were there. It was a great teaching tool, 1SG Bureleson (later retired as CSM) was an innovative and outside the box thinker. Although most of the lessons were based on the actions of us E-5, a few times an E-6 squad leader was brought before the panel. Most all topics ranging from managing subordinates to small unit tactics were in play for review. The only thing that was not allowed were personnel actions such as misconduct incidents, pending company/battalion level NJP and those sorts of things, until after all action was taken. Then it could be brought to “night court” as a means of detailing the circumstances of the first line leader’s action or inaction. The teaching point was how did the first line leader fail his/her soldier that allowed the events reach that level. The 1SG had a saying, “on average, the commander spent 90% of his/her time dealing with 10% of the soldiers for negative reasons. NCOs should spend 100% of their time, teaching, coaching, mentoring and knowing 100% of their soldiers in all aspects of their lives. By doing this, at least 98% of the actions that require commander’s action could be identified and rectified before hitting the commander’s desk”. This simple reminder of “NCO business” translated into the commander needing to spend less time dealing with only 2% of his soldiers requiring negative action taken.

@Dread_Pirate_Homesteader

15 күн бұрын

1900 ncodp yuck

@C420sailor

6 күн бұрын

Lol, I’ll never forget the first time I popped my head into my senior chief’s office to see him absolutely dressing down one of our sailors. “Senior-everything okay?” “Enlisted business, sir.” “Got it.” *slowly backs out and closes door* 😅😅😅

2:31 Us 'junior people' as someone who served in 2006 to 2010 as a Specialist E4, yes we do know the yelling and screaming is there to protect us. We prefer getting chewed out by NCOs over getting paperwork by officers. One is an ass chewing that lasts a few seconds, the other is a half a months pay docked for 2 months, 15-45 days of extra duty, and loss of rank and privilege. We don't need to go to college to know the difference I assure.

@the_bureaucrat

17 күн бұрын

It's encouraging to see that kind of understanding. It's too easy for an E4 to resent the NCOs without realizing just how much they would HATE the officers handling the same offense.

Nothing like wearing that diamond and taking care of soldiers 🪖

@the_bureaucrat

24 күн бұрын

That's the crazy thing...I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. Because both are true at the same time.

@CountryRacing186

24 күн бұрын

@the_bureaucrat Well you know as well as me that once you finally make it to that rank. A lot of it really is getting the soldiers what they need to be successful. Old 1SG makes sure they have the beans and bullets.

A great deal of leadership is clear communication, in different forms and at different volumes. One of the great honors of serving in the military is learning from people, up and down the chain of command.

@the_bureaucrat

14 күн бұрын

You are spot on. An number of folks have commented that high volume yelling "doesn't work". And as you point out, it depends on the audience. Some people respond well to a quite leadership style, others don't take it seriously. The key to a great 1SG is spotting the difference and acting accordingly.

He wasn’t a 1SG(First Sergeant) he was a SGM(Sergeant Major), or sometimes called Staff Sergeant Major because they are the Senior NCO in a staff position at the General Officer level G1,2,3,4. At this in the Army they didn’t have Command Sergeants Major(CSM) when the Army founded the need for CSM’s he was appointed as a CSM. CSM’s are the senior enlisted advisors at the Battalion(BN), Brigade/Group(BDE/GRP), Division(DIV) levels. There is a Sergeant Major of the Army(SMA). All three (SGM/CSM, SMA) are E9’s. The SGM/CSM are addressed as Sergeant Major, some do address the Command Sergeant Major as C-S-M. However the SMA you address him as Sergeant Major of the Army.

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

Plus, when you go back in time, E8 and E9 ranks weren't added until the late 1950's. So at the time of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, CSM Plumley would have hopped from E7 to E9 in just a couple years.

He was a CSM. Though, 1SG's could appear angry and loud by design. 1SG Lawrence H O'keefe was one. 1SG, later CSM Dale Carter was another. Leaders of Men, Warriors.

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

Thanks for the names.

Good job impressed and I like it 12 years Combat medic and 2 tours

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

Combat medic...2 tours...not easy.

Yup, would you, junior soldier, rather spend an hour or five in the wood line doing goofy exercises; or get denied that professional school you need to make E7 because you got a counseling for losing your helmet 15 years ago?

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

Lots of Junior enlisted don't see it, but just one little piece of paperwork about a misplaced weapon can stick to your shoe for decades.

Our 1SG at Fort Hood was a total a hole

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

I bet. Some either can't balance the leadership styles or they get so panicked about their own careers that they start falling apart.

As a retired 1SG, this is spot on.

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

I'm getting more and more curious about how 1SGs view COs.

@hoscalemodeltrains1221

11 күн бұрын

I had good ones and bad ones.

I loved being in the Marines, but my last captain screamed all the damned time..... I just left after my enlistment. Cheers

@the_bureaucrat

16 күн бұрын

Personally, I don't think an officer can get away with the same thing with enlisted. Even among officers, you have to be pretty senior before you can credibly pull this move on younger officers. An O3 yelling at enlisted? Bleh.

On top of that, When you get reamed out by the 1SG, PSG for something minor, the major shit tends not to happen. Call it pro active leadership. Take care of the minor shit is minor and the major shit takes care of itself. If the young SGT or lower enlisted refuses to learn after that the Officers know they are not just dealing with minor BS, but something that really needs to be addressed.

@the_bureaucrat

14 күн бұрын

I keep thinking of that unlocked CONEX container. Maybe nothing bad happened today. But that can turn into a disaster if not corrected.

Worked with 3 Drill Sargents and 1 Gunny at a cabinet company. They were reired I ran the Finish Department . Two of them were retired Marines and the other two Army . We got a new hire . He was retired Army also . When Lee walked in everyone if those guys shit themselves ! They all had been trained in extreme weather and conditions by this guy with a " Cut Here " line tattoo around his neck . Lee was the funniest fucker ever ! But seeing the other 4 guys look of " He laughed!" Was priceless !

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

Awesome!

As a platoon sergeant it was privilege and honor to wield Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde leadership styles.😂

@the_bureaucrat

15 күн бұрын

The best one is when a sergeant can go from "Mr. Nice Guy" to "Fire Breathing Dragon" and back to "Mr. Nice Guy" in the blink of an eye. "Alright, guys what we need is both trucks run thru the wash rack and...JOHNSON GET THAT SCREWDRIVER OUT OF YOUR NOSE...and while that's going on, let's sweep out the bay..." Demonstrating that kind of emotional control makes it much more obvious that you are using a style and not raging like a blind bull.

Arguably, it is better to be chewed out at the lowest level with the least amount of paperwork than being chewed out at the highest level with paperwork. Depending on the "problem" with that team leader...it never should have left the platoon level. And in this instance, having the 1SG being the "bad" guy and the CO being the "good" guy is best. A butt chewing is the highest form of "love" and concern that enlisted have.

@the_bureaucrat

10 күн бұрын

I have always suspected that, while the team leader was getting the brunt of the noise, that PSG was watching his NCOER get downgraded. All because it "left the platoon level".

if you let the little things go, you'll start running into big things.

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

Live rounds stored in a wall locker. The devil loves an unsecured CONEX.

I kinda learned that as a Corporal from my Gunnies in The Corps. After my 4 years, I left and got a job and just started acting like a Gunnery Sargeant. It helped me move up!

@the_bureaucrat

10 күн бұрын

It's funny. You can apply this technique without the yelling and the fundamentals work just the same.

In the Marine Corps I started out thinking the gunnery sergeant was scary…until I encountered the battalion sergeant major.

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

One day the COL thought the General was scary...then he met the Congressional intern 😂

As a former 9 star General of the Amphibious Corps during the Revolution....it blows my mind how many vets with long drawn out stories can't spell the word "Sergeant" correctly...

@the_bureaucrat

Күн бұрын

Or don't want too...

We call that ‘First Sergeant’ justice. Rule of thumb is to keep things simple and at the lowest level of involvement needed for discipline, and guidance. Gruffness is but a part of caring. You will find how effective that is when those troopers are in a tight spot and look at you for leadership.

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

I keep thinking of all those times something was "wrong", but not a problem. A building unsecure, a bivouac not properly policed, a range operating without positive coms. Nothing "bad" happened, but things could have gone horribly wrong. The NCO with the foresight to recognize the danger and correct it certainly does accumulate the trust of others (even if they don't enjoy the process).

Guess our motor seargent saved my arse repeatedly.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

Motor sergeants? Lemme just say, when the CO gets called down to the motor pool...ain't nothing good.

@shawntailor5485

14 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat 8 of that should of been 48 to 52 man support platoon . We supported 2 mechanized infantry battalions. It already wasnt good .

"Do you want to work for me or the CO" (This used to be a normal thing.)

@the_bureaucrat

14 күн бұрын

That's a great way of framing it. Lots of folks have pointed out that the 1SG just blowing his top is of limited value. But to say "Do you want to do it my way or the CO's way?" gives them a choice between a rock and paperwork.

My father was a Command Sergeant Major. I was a Sergeant before attending OCS. My opinion is that you were a damn fine CO and that my fire breathing old man would have agreed.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

I don't know who you think I am, but a decent CO...I was not.

Duh. Thanks for the video. If you aren't a combat arms veteran than you might not realize that getting crucified by your peers is far better than attracting the attention of you superiors. I had a Top Kick once ask me "Sweat or paper?" I took the smoke sesh. I was a competent and fair NCO but it took a lot of mentoring to get to that point.

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

Smart man. I will suggest that least among the logistics guys there is a "sweat" version of punishment. It just looks a bit like paperwork because it involves lots of paperwork cleanup.

Interesting video.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

It was an interesting day.

No paperwork! Good Junior NCOs don’t need their careers ruined by the CO.

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

A cheerful CO can sign some paperwork, "Don't worry, son. This is just part of your local file"...and it really, really ruins a career.

I get the need for firm NonComm leadership in the combat arms MOS's. The infantry especially needs firm NCO authority. However, the Army should go back to the Specialist ranks in the technical services with Spec4, Spec5, Spec6 and Spec7. Many people in the technical services are bookworms, video strategy game geeks, chess enthusiasts or really intellectual types capable of college level reading and research. No one is talking about "coddling" soldiers. Soldiers have a duty to get assigned work tasks accomplished. However, screaming and yelling at intelligent people doesn't bring out their potential. I had a college degree but almost never talked about it. I looked at what officers did and really didn't care for it. The Army was really cutting back on officers in the 1990's too. So I retired an E-7 after 20 years. It was important to me to do my techniocal signals analysis MOS. The best approach for dealing with smart soldiers is a collaborative type approach to work. You tell them what has to be accomplished at the beginning of the day. You get your other Sergeants together getting their input on how things should be done making a quick rough general plan together agreeing on how to get things done. This approach works best for smart soldiers because they own the plan and wantit to succeed. Our work got done better and in less time this way. Plus, I hardly ever had to yell at anyone. I always worked directly with the troops too. I helped unload the trucks, greased the vehicles or cleaned weapons after the range right beside the privates and Spec4's. I was in the intelligence branch with linguists, analysts and computer junkies. I think the best type of supervision is to work right beside your soldiers doing the same jobs they are doing whenever possible. I always have been a voracious reader and a quiet loner type. I just wanted to go home to my wife and kid thankful to get through another day. The stressful high operations tempo in undermanned units with too many tasks to perform under strict deadlines really burned you out after 9-11 attacks. Some weeks during 2002, my unit was working 18 hour days six days in a row, one day off the six more days of 18 sometime 20 hour days month after month.

@the_bureaucrat

14 күн бұрын

I would agree about dealing with tactical vs. technical Soldiers. You can lose the trust of the supply clerk really fast if you don't stop, think, listen, and explain. But there is also a situational element. Sometimes something has to happen fast and there just isn't time for talking

If I remember correctly plumbly was a sergeant major not a first sergeant

@the_bureaucrat

17 күн бұрын

You are correct. I just ran into a weird problem sourcing an image because most of the iconic NCOs are either Platoon Sergeants or CSMs. With the exception of Lipton, I couldn't find any recognizable 1SGs. And Lipton is...well...he seems to have had a different leadership style.

Former 11bravo Army Infantryman here. I used to avoid my Battalion SGT Major Untill he recognized that I was trying to avoid him Then he was on my ass every time I came across him. Point of the story never look like your trying to avoid your SGT Major

@the_bureaucrat

Күн бұрын

That there is some world class advice.

It would also open the door on getting the subordinates to like whoever is immediately over the first sergeant.

@the_bureaucrat

15 күн бұрын

As the CO in this story, you are right. My 1SG was creating a scenario where I could overrule his behavior & improve my standing with the troops. And you can only imagine how screwed up it would be if the CPT was trying to enforce angry discipline while the 1SG was walking around being Mr. Nice Guy.

Example of protecting, and training your subordinates, to do your job.

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

Bingo.

Everytime 1SG would be looking for volunteers my Sgt or Cpl with smoke us and curse out for random reasons. Never had to volunteer for anything then later went to play cards with SGT or CPL. worked every time 😏

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

That's an interesting twist on this technique

When serving in the British Army as a junior and senior NCO if, any of my guys had some sort of transgression, the whole troop got an extra dose of PT either, an extra few miles on a run or a beasting in the gym. Those that weren't to keen on extra PT soon sorted the miscreant out and squared them away! That way it didn't even get as far as our Sergeant Major.

@the_bureaucrat

18 күн бұрын

You know that's an interesting point about other Armys. As far as I can tell the US Army avoids group "punishment". Things can get out of hand if troops start self-disciplining. While I've never heard of NCOs explicitly avoiding it, I've also seen much more personalized corrections.

@stevenshaw6766

17 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat That was a long time ago! I know things have changed a lot since I left (some good &some not so good) but, the guys knew where the line in the sand was.

Thought Sam Eliot was Sgt. Maj?

@the_bureaucrat

20 сағат бұрын

Yeah...he played CSM Basil Plumley who was a E9 at the time. I just couldn't find a good picture of a 1SG from a movie.

My 1SG saved my butt a couple of times!

@the_bureaucrat

15 күн бұрын

I don't know how we would function without them.

I think he was a command sergeant major, no?

@the_bureaucrat

8 күн бұрын

The guy in the thumbnail was...that's correct.

Sergeant Major!

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

I know...😟

That team leader if he has been in club long enough should know that the ass chewing over minor shit is just part of the mission and not take personally but professionally. At the same time getting needled constantly you've got to bite back sometimes to claim back space to do the job.

@the_bureaucrat

17 күн бұрын

You're right. I knew a SSG once who would do this thing where...when the PSG or 1SG started bitching, he'd take over the ass chewing. Basically bawling himself out. Then he'd be like "did I miss anything?"

Im standing nervous just thinking bout 1st Sgt

@the_bureaucrat

2 күн бұрын

I have the feeling that some of those folks telling stories about the "cool" senior NCOs were just happy that the guys were calm.

too bad the image you used for you video was a SGM not a 1SG.

@the_bureaucrat

Күн бұрын

Yeah...I can't find good images of 1SGs. One of the weirdest things is that they don't get much attention in the media.

Yes First Sargent!! 🇺🇸

@the_bureaucrat

Күн бұрын

None other.

With that being said. Join the Air Force because in the Air Force we acknowledge everyone by their first name from E1thru E7.

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

It's an interesting question whether the pros and cons of AF life outweigh those of other services.

Wisdom....

@the_bureaucrat

17 күн бұрын

Senior NCOs have a lot of it.

Be a good officer and keep your nose out of it. Let the NCOs handle it.

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

Yep, the 1SG will let you know when its time to start paperwork.

@mitchpalmer5116

21 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Good Officers stay in their office. 😉

The reason you deal harshly with minor infractions, is because you need soldiers who get the little things right, and thereby avoid big problems later. My favorite example was always shaving every day...troop was completely correct in that whether he shaved or not wouldn't affect his mission readiness, but his willingness to disobey a direct, lawful order IS a mission readiness issue. If you can't be relied upon to consistently follow this order, how can I in good conscience put you in a position where your decision to obey or not obey a lawful order could very well be the difference between life and death for another soldier?

@the_bureaucrat

14 күн бұрын

That's a really good take on the issue of shaving. "If you don't submit to this minor daily inconvenience which is easily inspected, how can I trust you to perform the major tasks that can't be inspected as easily?"

@johnhildenbrand2642

14 күн бұрын

@the_bureaucrat It's honestly a matter of submission, I hate that as an individual, but the reality is, the Army (or Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and yes, even the bloody Space Force) is built upon submission to the organization, you have no authority at any enlisted (and almost all other, by the way) rank to independently decide which lawful orders apply to you, and which you have an exception to, your decision to question it in a matter that truly amounts to at most, a minor inconvenience is a dead nuts serious problem, you going to decide that falling asleep on Guard is no big deal next? How about the one none of us like to consider, a lawful, but decidedly unpleasant kill order? I wholly support, and will physically fight any officer or elected official to defend a troops right to wholly and very disrespectfully disobey any order which is not completely lawful, but if it's lawful, and you disobey it, I will equally support the maximum punishment permitted under military regulations, as enlisted troops, we voluntarily raised our right hands and swore to obey the orders of both the president, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, your one out is the whole Mei Lei thing, don't do that, otherwise, sometimes it's a bunch of bullshit, but you agreed to do it, so do it.

You do realize that's a Sgt. Major.

@the_bureaucrat

9 күн бұрын

I do. There's this funny thing where First Sergeants don't appear in the media very much. Sergeants Major? Some. Staff Sergeants & Gunnies? Tons. Even Platoon Sergeants. But very few First Sergeants...it strikes me as strange.

*salute*

@the_bureaucrat

9 күн бұрын

Thanks

The TOP is always in tge know and usually always deciminates information to the younger troops! Always best to take an ass chewing from the 1st SGT than it going up the chain of command!

@the_bureaucrat

10 күн бұрын

Top plays a curious role in a company just because he's really the only "adult leadership" (apologies to the PSGs). When it comes down to it the CO is really just a college kid still LARPing as a Soldier.

Today’s men wear crocs, you can’t tell them anything. “He yelled at me 😅,” I’ve been yelled at that wasn’t yelling.

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

Sometimes that's the tough thing in today's world..."Is he telling me something serious? Or is he just making a passing comment?"

First off CSM Plumlee Command Sergeant Major isn’t a 1SG. SGM is an E9 and 1SG is an E8. The SGM has way more responsibilities than the 1SG.

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

True...ya got me there. However, I will point out that the ranks of E8 & E9 were created in 1959 and the Battle of Ia Drang occurred in 1965. CSM Plumley got promoted to the rank of SGM in 1961 (He wasn't a CSM until 1969). So I'd suggest that the distinction between an E7 and an E9 that exists today didn't exist in the early 1960s.

This is why the E4 mafia runs the way it does. Don't let Sarge Get yelled at, don't let Captain know what went wrong and dear gawd don't gain the attention of TOP. Ye been in Long enough to know what to do, and you make that Happen.

@the_bureaucrat

4 сағат бұрын

I love the folks explaining the E4 mafia and how there are layers upon layers of "collaborative leadership" going on to make sure that the whole organization operates smoothly. We often talk about the E4 Mafia like its a bad thing, but in many ways, it is the true front line leadership.

Not a first sergeant. He was a sergeant major.

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

Plumley was. Just can't find good pictures of 1SGs...

Yep

@the_bureaucrat

11 күн бұрын

Uh-huh

Still sounds toxic to me. This is why I was more than happy to get out.

@the_bureaucrat

10 күн бұрын

I'd say it's not ALWAYS toxic, but it can be an indicator of a deficient leadership skillset. In the best cases the senior leader who goes this route knows the Soldier they are yelling at and knows what kind of effect their behavior will cause.

I tried to see what MOS this guys unit was but it’s clear it wasn’t an Infantry unit. We don’t go bananas on a Soldier unless it’s pretty serious like finding a TOW missile under someone’s bunk or sneaking in a pair of hookers into the barracks, etc. it was rare for the 1SG to scold a Soldier, he’d usually find the Platoon Sergeant and see what was being done to correct the Soldier and to see what action should be done if it has to go higher. Towards the end of my 26 year career I was assigned to a medical unit in the only Infantry slot in the Brigade and it was like a cold shower, completely political and constant ass kissing. NCO’s lacked basic leadership skills and would stab each other in the back in a heartbeat even if they were long term good friends. As for myself, I would just laugh at them and go about my duties as they continued milking the Army every way possible to avoid being in a deployable unit and accountable for Soldiers. I remember the great NCO’s I served under when I was a young Soldier and a young NCO, I executed the tasks they ordered and they learned to trust me and I didn’t require constant observation, my concern was letting them down since I didn’t want to disappoint them and cause our team, squad, section or platoon to fail which can happen in a combat environment, all it takes is one man to screw something important up and cause a delay that can cost lives, thankfully it’s not too often for things to be that critical but it’s always on our mind. All that said, I know the incredible value of our support units, I couldn’t perform my duties without them but to see good Soldiers in those units have to deal with childish and low quality leadership is unfair and causes low reenlistment rates while the unit CoC cares less and thinks they’re above the Soldiers in all aspects instead of having the mindset that we work “with” them and not “for” them. I never describe a former member of my Platoon as a Soldier who worked for me, he worked with me. Toxic leadership is rampant today for some reason and a lot of it comes from their individual ideals and political leanings that direct how they treat people, West Point is now just a communist leader indoctrination camp and I wonder how long our Army will survive since liberal ideals has still been kept out of Combat Arms MOS’s but for how long?

@the_bureaucrat

10 күн бұрын

The 1SG in the story was part of a light wheeled maintenance company.

@echohunter4199

10 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat thank you for the reply. If you’re looking for an example of where the worst types of leaders can be found in the Army, ask any Recruiter about their experiences during their tour at the hands of their entire CoC, people probably won’t believe it if I told them how they treated us. Abuse of power violations are commonplace in USAREC since they know they have a low outside observation. I’ve seen a company 1SG and CO along with the Bn CSM told to either retire immediately or face a court martial for the things they did over a two year period. Suicides we’re more common in USAREC and many Soldiers get severe and long term mental damage as a thank you gift. Maintenance units are usually pretty straight forward but it depends on what unit(s) they support since that’s who sets the leadership tone. When a Soldier feels they’re trapped and/or there’s no hope for things to improve, it spills over to other Soldiers and they keep talking about it when those Soldiers could be far more productive if they weren’t so upset. Thanks for your time and making some insightful videos that cover topics most avoid and moral courage is getting harder to find in todays leadership.

WHAT!!!??? First Sergeants yell!!!!????? 🤔😱😱😱😱😱😃🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Ever at the theater on a base and some civilians visit and are goofing off as the National Anthem plays at the beginning? When the lights get bright and some crusty CSM appears from nowhere and has a “pep talk” with the guests? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@the_bureaucrat

17 күн бұрын

I love the National Anthem at the post theater.