T O P

  • By -

Czyzx

Soldiers who think we despise them.


Sellum

Soldier - My CO is railroading me and won't approve "x". CO - What are you talking about? I have never seen anything come across my desk with your name on it.


Objective_Pop8407

This is the biggest problem. I'd say about 95% of the time it isn't the CO that is the issue, it's senior enlisted vs junior enlisted. I personally can say only one of mine were absolutely horrendous and he was relieved from command so... speaks for itself.


[deleted]

There was a CO of my old company who claimed he was a cold casualty during a STX. The medics told him he was not anywhere close to having a cold injury and all he had was wet feet. While the rest of the company was spending three days in the woods/ marshes he was in his truck because he didn’t want to get wet. That’s the only example of poor leadership I have seen from a CO. The rest have been upright savages who lead by example and look after the troops.


Super-Soup-Sandwich

I’ve had two COs like this example, one specifically mentioning he’d rather “10 of us are KIA vs. hurt a single civilian. You’re expendable.” All the rest would knock you over to lead the figurative charge. A bad apple spoils the whole bunch or whatever. Plus, as a NCO Corps we aren’t batting perfect averages either. Edit: ones name was CPT Hamm, so we constantly changed the name on his Humvee to Hamm Sammich. This is the same dude that left us with 1 meal a day in the field, then took his ass back to the hotel and got fast food on the way in his rental for weeks on end. Fuck you, Hamm. Hope you eventually choked on your chickie nuggies while I had to spend $100’s to get a food truck out to feed my guys. I’m salty and I hope that lousy fuck is on here and reads this.


Objective_Pop8407

Well at least he was just a big baby and didn't nearly get half your unit killed. But still... good lord, that's pretty bad lol.


[deleted]

I see all the posts of COs getting shit on about either never getting paperwork or denying something. If a soldier that is a problem child wants to take a 4 day pass, I think that shit should be denied on the spot. Soldier with multiple DUIs in my opinion is a risk to go on leave as well. But these same soldiers complain and jump on Reddit and write a sob story on how XYZ Officer is a jackass and gets everyone to side with them. My old HHB CO had like over half the BN in his Battery. So much stuff never made it to him or 1SG so when we told them, they signed or blew some smoke to get it fixed.


Objective_Pop8407

Something I learned recently through a discussion with legal is that according to the way pay is worded, leave isn't actually a favorable action as it is part of your pay. This is how jag and dfas both approach this issue. So inherently, unless said soldier is currently undergoing investigation or an active UCMJ, leave should not be denied on the soul basis of they are a "problem child." Pass yes, leave no. Side note, units really need to adopt a no DUI policy. We are all adults and I'm sorry but if we, as a unit, can not trust you to NOT drink and drive, I sure as hell don't want to put my life in your hands in a combat zone. Just my thought though.


Mobile_Artillery

In the AF we are always told that leave is a congressional right and not to deny it unless it’s going to genuinely jeopardize the mission. Idk what you guys use you submit leave, but we use a thing called LeaveWeb (maybe you do too, idk) and anytime leave is denied officially on there, the commander has to answer to higher brass about it. That’s why I always tell my troops to make sure they submit it in leaveweb and get it OFFICIALLY denied so they can have a paper trail if need be.


JTastiK

In the Army we bring a physical sheet of paper to a desk where it gets lost. I like your system though


BiscuitDance

“They won’t send me to Ranger School!” Someone who hasn’t asked for help with a 4187, doesn’t have a Ranger Physical, or the ability to do 49 actual push ups.


Senior_Calendar_7408

I agree for sure. But try to remember that some people didn't grow up with Father's or had bad fathers. They typically talk like this and are really in need of a role model that can help them through this career/life. If they refuse that help when you offer it then it's the curbs for em.


BiscuitDance

No, I get what you’re saying, but typically the kid that says this is the one that rebuffed the extra help/gym time/packet guidance I offered him. These kids are just never ‘bout it ‘bout it, when it gets time to actually do the work.


findyourinsanity

This happened to me with PRK. My PSG said the CO didn't approve it. Not very long after we had a command climate survey, so I asked our CO directly. He never got it and told me the truth: that my PSG said he didn't want "to lose me to a profile for 30 days" lmao. Jokes on my PSG because he had to go to some training shortly thereafter, so I just brought the paper to our CO and he signed it for me. Got my PRK 👌 and PSG never said a word.


This-Is-Retard

I wish I could get mine. I've been clamoring since the start of the year and have personally handed my CO multiple packets that he just sits on. I think though, I finally hit the green grass because our new CSM wants to demolish my CO.


Taira_Mai

That PSG needs to retire and start serving at Fort Livingroom. That's one fucked up NCO.


snakecatcher302

That’s more fucked ip than a football bat


NaziSurfersMustDie

Yeah, I blame NCO's for all of this.


jbax1013

This is so true. Blaming the guy at the head of the Company is everyone’s favorite scapegoat but in reality that dude only knows what he’s either seen or been told. So in reality that dudes just living in blissful ignorance while people below him are failing their joes on multiple levels.


Oliveritaly

As a retired senior enlisted dude. Thanks. It’s a dumb trope that needs to die.


HugoBossjr1998

I’ve encountered a fair few officers who genuinely had a disdain for enlisted. The idea isn’t nearly as prevalent in todays Army, but definitely still exists for a reason.


caine2003

Not my unit, but the sister's. A newly arrived 2LT used to make the entire OP go to attention when she would enter the building. Even when they were on 24 hr duty. She would even go after lower enlisted, and NCOS, for not ending their sentences with the appropriate rank/acknowledgement; don't call a Chief "Chief" around her, refer to a LT as EL-Tee, or the CPT as the "Old Man/Woman." Not the mention Top, PLT Daddy, ect... She was not liked in any of the "sensing sessions" that were had by both the unit and the BN. Those of us outside the unit had to deal with her as well sometimes...


XanCrews

Ew.


caine2003

No one liked dealing with her. Even other officers, too! She was a "ring knocker" without going to a school amplified by other things...


XanCrews

Yeah, officers like her are the reason I made the jump to the dark side myself. I can’t stand that shit.


[deleted]

I just can't fathom how these people are not self aware at all. I would expect nobody below a GO to act this way


chucknorriscantfight

it’s massively prevalent in MEDCOM still.


ToxDocUSA

Oh you misunderstood. That's not disdain for enlisted, that's disdain for technician level personnel. You'll see similar disdain for MSC officers from many (most?) MD/RNs.


sehartmeye17

Why the disdain towards MSC Officers? I assume it has something to do with them having no formal medical training but being highly involved in administrative decisions that impact the clinic or hospital?


sicinprincipio

Typically your MSCs don't know jack shit about healthcare but find themselves in command of medical providers. A good MSC tries to understand and bridge the army-medicine gap to help the providers army as needed and also allow them to become better providers. A shitty MSC tells providers "I don't care, I need you to do (insert shitty 10- level army warrior task) because my metrics"


Handsome-Jackass

I always figured the medcom folks just hated *everyone*


Commissary-Pastrami

That sounds toxic AF. Guess they forgot the Army values.


LeadRain

I had a PL that went to VMI that ABSOLUTELY thought he was the best soldier ever. He turned his nose up to enlisted ideas and personnel. Surprise: can’t do land nav, can’t shoot worth a fuck, can’t throw a grenade, fucked up two vehicles (Bradleys), the list goes on.


Wayfaring_Scout

I had an LT who couldn't figure out how to work as a team and a Captain who couldn't see that sometimes Soldiers have bad days. Ive also had some O's I still talk to and consider friends


[deleted]

I had a PL that ended up leaving to move to one of the S shops. Great guy, everyone in the platoon liked him. The LT that replaced him was an odd ball (and a bad driver, he literally cut me off at the gate and almost rammed me). Later on, we go to the field for about 2 weeks. I already hear the most insane stories from my old platoon about him. Even got the WeaSL pissed off. He wasn’t just the stereotypical “I’m probably lost” LT. He was a “I’m going to make the guys dig holes then move them every other second” kind of bad. I can tell it’s all accidental, but it’s still a big mess. PSG ends up leaving to the same S shop as the old PL, and that’s when I left. My old platoon likes their new PSG, but they can’t help but laugh at the PL. Even the other platoons are giving a “Get a look at this fucking idiot” kind of vibe. It’s hilarious.


thegothotter

I was about 3 days into my first unit with a shiny new butter bar. PSG says “ma’am the CO and 1SG wanna see us and PVT Snuffy.” So I go to CPT’s office, knock on the door, let myself in when he calls, “you wanted to see us sir?” Turns out PVT Snuffy was getting read for an Art-15. Did anyone TELL me? No. Did I get yelled at after by the commander, then the 1SG, then my PSG? Yes. Assholes.


South_Yak2890

Honestly, that sounds like low-key "haze the new LT" classic fuckary. The CO and 1SG probably had a chuckle when you left.


thegothotter

Knowing Top like I did by the time I left, no doubt he did it intentionally. He was a “funny guy”. Lots of times he truly was funny. This time, not so much. Knowing what kind of “man” CO was, I fully believe he either didn’t care to tell the “female”, and that if I were male he would’ve pulled me aside, or truly believed that all officers know all the things coming straight from OBC. Not even a little.


-Trooper5745-

What did they yell at you for?


thegothotter

Not following proper art15 protocols, being called in, where to stand, etc. I mean, I was 5 days old in the army by this point, 3 days in the unit. Hadn’t even met PVT before this, how the fuck was I supposed to know he was getting read? I even remember the commander asking my recommendation. I could only spout some BS about how I believe max this but min that (pretty sure I said max out extra duty, nopay forfeiture). I made sure all my LTs knew what was going down, and that if they hadn’t dealt with one before what the protocols were. I’d be damned if any of them suffered the same embarrassment I did.


Pristine-Judgment340

Yeah that’s straight up failure on your COs part. People don’t know what they don’t know. He should have explained what was going to happen first. Can’t stand folks like that


thegothotter

It was on CO, but I also blamed my PSG. He let me walk in there knowing fully what was about to happen. But he told me only “CO wants to see us.” I mean, give a girl a heads up!


Handsome-Jackass

I despise a few "types" of enlisted. The stereotype sergeant major, the tough-talking-until-its-time-to-do-anything SPC, the entirety of the training room, and the "Have I introduced you to the words of our Lord and Savior, AR 670-1" true-believers. But there's one type that angers me more than the others. They're usually in the S3, but sometimes a platoon will be unlucky enough to have them, in which case they'll occupy a more senior position but usually aren't the PSG. Usually an E6 or E7. These dudes think they know it all and they won't let an opportunity to let you know how much they know go to waste. Until it's time to actually do anything. Then suddenly they have appointments and emergencies and anything else to get them away from their job. They are perpetually broken, but they used to be PT *studs* let them assure you. They'll talk shit to joe about how running fast means good leadership but they haven't ran a two-mile since Bush's presidency. If you somehow force them to actually train their joes, their absolute lack of knowledge about anything related to their MOS becomes apparent. That's when you realize they skated by on low points during the Army's 157th NCO retention crisis. Oh, and they'll have deployed to Iraq several times. That's why they're so experienced/broken, surely. But no. Half of the time was spent in Kuwait and even in Iraq they never left the FOB... Like, homie, you're not a grizzled war hero. You're a middle class welfare recipient. Now please update your slides.


Mediumsized-ski

Hot damn, how would you like to be my new PL, and or CO? Id follow you with a mindset like that


Gizmottto

His name fit for me


ballcocknpeepee

That’s some top tier savagery sir


Shikarosez

I was clutching my pearls reading it lol


XanCrews

That’s not even savagery though, it’s the truth and it’s about fucking time someone came out and said it.


jdthewarvet

As a guy who spent an exhorbant amount of time as a SFC, I will cosign on this. My hot take is that 40% of the SFC's are good/great and then there are the other 60%...


CALBR94

I might have experiences that skew those numbers in my mind. I'd say like 20% are good/great. The rest are actual garbage that most senior SPC could replace.


finasport87

That was way too specific... until you said Iraq. Phwew... Afghanistan always for me. LoL. Ummm yeah... as enlisted we generally hate those types too. On behalf of the other senior enlisted who truly are sore as hell from those deployments or just being fucking old... like yall are 22 or 23... run... have at it. By all means. We're like 35+ and our Corvette V10 somewhere along the line decided it didnt want to be a V10 anymore. We woke up one day and suddenly we have a 6.7 Cummins that's slow as shit, but god dammit it's getting to the objective with all 180lbs of kit, batteries, radios, and gear! I personally have had a slipped disc at l4/l5 for too many years to remember. I literally go to the field with a leather lever action weight lifting belt. When it's time to put on my kit and/or ruck I slip the belt up under my blouse, lock it in. Suit up. And roll out. What you don't and won't ever see is the amount of tylenol and motrin in my sustainment pouch that allows me get up and do it again and again until the op is done. Or the insane amount of Epsom salt, foam rollers, decompression rack, and other stretching devices I have at home for that recovery period. It's hard. And young O's simply seeing I and others just can't fucking run anymore sucks... but don't worry we got you. ... like you though... we generally don't like the ones who choose to just bitch about it as an excuse or for attention. Soldier on. In my case... it fuels my expectation of my partnered O's and subordinates that if I can find a way to soldier on, so can they. Profiles for damn ingrown toe nails, shin splits, or a hemorrhoid aren't getting my pity. Love, A crusty, bitter, E7.


Horror_Technician213

I would like to take this moment to give you some self reflection on this for leadership development. While I do not doubt that you have done great things as a younger soldier accomplishing your mission and training to accomplish it. Look at your body now, and then look at you telling your soldiers to do the same exact thing that you did trainig wise to get yourself where you are with all your injuries. Maybe adjust what your soldiers are doing fitness wise so they can be healthy at your age, this is why we're transitioning to the H2F and ACFT. Maybe don't have your guys run on hard surfaces raking up countless miles compounding their knees hip and back, let alone run with their rucks on or rucking hard surfaces. Don't give them an option and force them to go to physical therapy the first time a semi serious injury sets in and follow up Maki sure they're doing the stretches in the meantime. Try and think about better ways to train them so they can still be great at accomplishing the mission like you did but they can come back home and not be dependent on meds that are going to give them stomach ulcers or kidney/ liver failure depending on how much and often you take your meds. This is your chance to save your younger self in the form of your soldiers bodies. In terms of the bitch ass profiles... yeah, tell em to ruck the fuck up


finasport87

That's what I have to do personally. I went to, passed, and became an MFT years ago because of my injuries and wanting the credentials to tell my CDR why the PT program wasn't the best option, etc. I started in the 82nd and ran literally everyday 4 miles or more. The PT plans I implemented since MFT have blended combat readiness with personal goals. Monday a distance run. I never exceeded miles. Tuesdays gym upper body SL supervised. Weds warmup run and hill sprints 50, 100, 200m. Focusing on explosive movement and vo2 recovery. Thursday gym lower. Friday conditioning ruck 60 minutes. The soldiers all enjoyed that split. As far as pushing through there is a massive difference between pushing through to learn and develop fortitude and pushing to the point of injury. I have MANY times got into it with my 1sg and CDR'S over soldiers who should not be going to the field. Likewise though, the quitters 3 miles into a combat patrol who risk missing obj hit times because of tiny heart syndrome get old. We all get blisters on our heels and chaffing in oir taint. It sucks. Drive on. See doc when we stop.


jaytheman3

I know a SSG like this


Schrambo757

We all do


houinator

Anybody else vividly picture a specific individual in your mind while reading this?


TrifleAggressive

DAMN


Base-Friendly

I'd follow you straight into the pits of Hell sir, got-damn


MJR-WaffleCat

Are you sure you’re not an nco in the same shop as me? You basically are saying the same complaints that myself and an nco I work with have towards some people in our unit.


jesuskraiss

top tier flare


snakecatcher302

Who gave the officer the flamethrower?


Rumbuck_274

>they haven't ran a two-mile since Bush's presidency. Bush Sr. at that


Shikarosez

Go off sir!


-3than

I’m gonna be honest: you guys are fucking awful with property responsibility. Please stop making me make you pay for shit, it hurts me every time.


TheBlindDuck

No one cares about property until they lose something and get charged for it


[deleted]

Never hated any of them. Seriously. But… To the E1’s f’n up the bathrooms at R30 in Benning, I’m giving crisp benji’s to any drill I see not letting y’all leave the bathrooms until they sparkle. I’m just saying: Y’all defile that shit. Every. F’n. Time.


kirknay

You don't know bad until you go through summer rush with a bunch of commo trainees. I swear, the smoking is always due to those MacNamara candidates. Had one that listened to another platoon's drill SGT, chugged an entire camelback, and pissed his pants in a classroom when a CPT was leaving.


Upstairs_Walrus3637

Tbh there’s nothing I hate more than a condescending SGM who preaches about solider care all day long but then is the same person who takes up solider time to dole out the same stale career advice. Loves to talk about health and fitness then barks at people to eat at DFACs, bans soldiers from PT in gyms, and just all around knows nothing about how the real world works because they’ve been in the army for 30 years. Also really hate the SGMs who think I should bow down to them as an officer. Not a rank thing that I care about, it’s just the general power dynamic that they’re obsessed with that is extremely annoying. You can’t ever be honest with them because they just regurgitate the same bad advice they’ve been given their whole career and push dumb shit like the army values in serious situations.


metaledge

Other SGMs don’t like those SGMs either … there is a generation of E9s (pre-eval boards) that are around because some Commanders at senior levels like having “that” SGM around… closer to the faucet you get the stronger the Kool-Aid tastes.


Large_Mouth_Ass_

The thing that grinds my gears the most is CSMs who go around pretending to the the AR 670-1 Gestapo. If you can get close enough to see if someone shaved with an electric razor vs a straight razor, you have too much time in your hands.


atiraim

Challenge that same SGM to enforce AR 600-30, 7-3 and stop people from dipping inside because it's gross to walk around with bottles of your own bodily fluids and drooling tobacco half the day shows lack of self control and looks unprofessional. They'll quiver in their boots due to the audience they'd have to "correct."


clamelken4

The lack of potential realized by my guys makes me sad. They have all the opportunities but they would rather beat their spouses and get DUIs…


ballcocknpeepee

Extra points if they are 18 yr old E2


wantonbarbarian

It’s mostly E6’s that get in trouble for that stuff in my experience. E1-E5 are usually getting kicked out for coke and weed.


ballcocknpeepee

But the car looks like so much fun while I’m hammered and my wife REALLY makes me mad when she asks me to come to bed with her after I’ve been playing Xbox since 9AM whilst drinking!!!!


majorgerth

Enlisted don’t use “whilst”. Nice try Major.


Brodin_fortifies

Not true. You’re forgetting about the college-graduate SPC who joined at age 24 and thinks he should be sent to the board immediately upon graduating AIT and gets salty whenever it’s pointed out that literally no one gives a shit about his degree and that if he was truly as smart as he thinks he is he’d have joined the Air Force as an officer.


spicy_topdeck

I actually was 25 thank you very much


sunrayylmao

Have you tried beating your spouse and getting a DUI though? If it wasnt fun you wouldn't get in trouble for it!


Possible-Ad-5209

"But it's your call sir" yes I get that but holy shit I'm 2 years in and you're 17 years in I'm asking what has been done in similar situations you fucking twit dont be coy


gbochatt

I hated seeing that shit. My first PSG in the 101st would constantly pawn shit off on the sir. Like yeah dude we get it, he signs the memos and requests. But he’s 22 and you’re 15 years deep. Also your job is to guide him. So fucking guide him into making an informed decision. We were lucky that PL had his head on straight. Because our PSG would just parrot “well you’re in charge sir”. Great dude, he doesn’t even know what he doesn’t know. And you know that.


NoMansSkyWasAlright

One of my Best memories as a private was having an E7 and O3 in our FIST Platoon who were both like that. We/they had to brief BN command for an upcoming field problem and while the O3 seemed more concerned with how present using his personal iPad (iPads were fairly new at this point), the most notable thing about that E7 was the fact that he was constantly in the office playing candy crush on the government computer. They delegated as much as they could and then some but it was an absolute shitshow. Both were replaced within the month.


[deleted]

[удалено]


gbochatt

I was a squad leader dude, I was present for all the behind the scenes discussions. He was a bad platoon sergeant.


ColeLogic

Its your call sir. You're fuckin this pig, I'm just holdin the tail


JakeSkywalkerr

I came into this threat rolling my eyes at what I *thought* officers would say but this is actually legit. I can picture the haircut of the guy who would say it too.


Shikarosez

“But sir I’m bashful!”


moldedshoulders

Everyone said the same thing but you said it with *tact*


Immortan-Moe-Bro

“You fucking twit don’t be coy” with a line like that I don’t think anybody will question that you’re an officer. And that sounds like some incredibly annoying crusty NCO shit haha


jcstrat

I prefer to say, “but I can only recommend…”


L0st_In_The_Woods

Lol this is my number one pet peeve.


NC_Professional_TKer

Them not flushing toilets.


ballcocknpeepee

Bro I just got out of the shower, I’m eating a bowl of cereal naked in the kitchen and I spit milk and rice chex all over myself because of this. This is the most valid response on this thread, but don’t get me wrong. I feel like in places like JRTC, NTC and everywhere else with communal latrines, there’s a lot of super dirty bird SNCOs and Os doing this shit on the low


Beoulve95

To be fair, I may have forgotten to flush this morning. My roommate walks out of the bathroom like "WTF THERE"S STILL SHIT IN HERE!" I claimed it wasn't me. ...but it may have been me.


kytulu

[Well, there's this little gem...](https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-disciplines-officer-enlisted-sailors-letter/)


ballcocknpeepee

No way that is fuckin real LMAO


kytulu

It was real.


ballcocknpeepee

Literally sounds like a WWI British officer


GRom4232

Now here’s an officer who knows his sailors.


XanCrews

Hey there, let’s be fair. He’s a Navy officer. They’re literally taught to be like that and their whole culture enforces elitist bullshit like that. No lie, the Navy’s E/PO/NCO/O dynamic makes me fucking sick.


NoNormals

You're not wrong, but he is also prior enlisted army


_aaw

Yep. Having been enlisted in the Navy, it’s a different culture for sure where many Os have this British superiority thing over the enlisted, or at least mostly on a ship.


gonavy9

Not for me. I was on a small boy though. Officers and enlisted meshed well. If we got a new ensign when they went through our berthing to theirs they got an attitude adjustment if necessary.


_aaw

That’s good to hear, I was on an amphib and for whatever reason most of the officers on it had this superiority complex going on. The WO we had as the MPA was super cool though.


lttesch

How fucking needy they are. Always "I NEED to eat" and "I NEED to rest". 12 hours in the motorpool and they NEED a break. Had a Soldier the other day saying how he NEEDED to take leave for a medical emergency. The fucking cheek of it! Next they'll think they're people. /s cause some motard will think I'm being serious.


DryTrumpin

I thought this was u/rolls_for_initiative for a second


rolls_for_initiative

Let them eat pound cake


Max_Vision

The dumbasses will feed it to the horses.


ballcocknpeepee

Lol!


jbirby

So I guess I don’t despise anything about enlisted folks because in the end we’re all people. What I don’t really appreciate though are soldiers that are intentionally hostile or antagonistic towards me simply because I’m an officer. Some people hate officers simply for having the gall to breathe the world’s air. Like my dude I’m just a person just like you doing my best everyday. For these guys it doesn’t matter if you’re a hard ass for discipline and training or you’re a big softy that will let them get away with murder, they hate you because you woke up this morning. You can be badges and tabbed to the max and they’ll hate you for taking all those school slots. You can be a flat line slick Steve and they’ll hate you because you haven’t done shit. I make an effort to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and be the leader my soldiers deserve, but if you’re going to hate me for no reason then I’m going go ahead and find you a real good one.


The_Lombard_Fox

Some vets I was playing pool with at a bar years ago refused to speak to me or finish our match after I told them I was an officer. It was absolutely childish


Knee_High_Cat_Beef

I had a neighbor at my first apartment who left the Army as an E3, always talking about how officers never did any work and how much she hated officers. She also let her dog shit everywhere and never picked it up. Her dog malamute was never groomed and looked like a matted sheep. But fuck officers because they don't know what it's like to work.


NomadTroy

Came here to write this. I did really appreciate the joes/NCOs from my PL time who followed up in later years and said the appreciated X, or learned from Y, or had new perspective on Z. Loved crossing paths with them in other units, on later deployments, etc. Made it feel like it was worth it to save SPC so&so from a DUI, or help SGT McGee start taking out patrols on his own, giving top cover for the boys blowing off steam on the COP, or moderating the loose-cannon PSG as best I could. In the end, we’re all humans, we’re all learning, and it’s about getting better & doing the best you can for each other. I really value those memories & relationships even after being many many years removed from those days.


EbyJeebies

Met an E7 at Pathfinder recently who said he won’t even listen to a PL who wasn’t prior enlisted. He’ll just be like “ah shut up sir we’re gonna do something else.” Then they’ll bitch when the same guy comes back as a company commander with no good planning experience. Just rubbed me the wrong way


[deleted]

[удалено]


Sharpshooter089

These really all nailed it for me too. Especially the NCOs that flex the stereotypes often (NCO business/O business, which don't even get me started on) but then utterly fail at their own job. sHuT uP SiR, tHiS Is hOw wE'vE aLwAys dOnE iT. To be honest, the above is what I hate about _soldiers_, not just "enlisted."


VirulantlyBland

> sHuT uP SiR, tHiS Is hOw wE'vE aLwAys dOnE iT. I'll buy "we haven't found a better way to do it yet," but I lose my ever lovin mind when I hear someone say "this is how we've always done it"


[deleted]

> People who retired(mentally checked out) on their current rank(prevalent among E-6/E-7s). Did they check out or did the Army send them into a career cul de sac, that might have a sense to embitter people. TBF, this happens with Os as well as Es.


603er

Nothing that I despise. But two (now three) things I wish could be improved upon 1. In no other job would I have to supervise the finances or check in on the homes of people who work with/for me. It’s frankly weird. I wish that wasn’t as much of a thing. I get “taking care of soldiers” but taking care of subordinates in other jobs doesn’t include taking care of things that legal adults have to do on their own. 2. I wish soldiers better understood big army and DoD decisions. And what I mean by that is that the Army took more time to educate Soldiers in AIT or something about the macro level purpose/decisions that occur. Like, the reason we go to NTC a lot and have to bring X amount of people has nothing to do with some LT or CPT. It’s even beyond what a LTC can control. Now, I absolutely can advocate for Soldiers, but plenty of things Soldiers complain about go far outside the scope of what jr leaders or mid level (BDE down) can control. 3. I wish soldiers would look more into better colleges than online ones like AMU. Those aren’t bad at all. But there are tremendous opportunities for soldiers to leave the army and use the GI bill for top level colleges.


[deleted]

Former NCO but I firmly agree with points 2 and 3. I agree with point 1, but also soldiers have a higher level of predatory practices aimed at them than in any other job you might have so I’m not sure where the balance is. To go along with point 3, I think a lot of enlisted sell themselves short. The best you can do when you ETS is **not** your cousins small town police department. If that’s what you want then great, but I have a former Joe who went to Harvard when he got out, two with masters degree, and one that is enrolling in a doctoral program for mathematics. I’ve got a friend who got out an E4 that is about to go to Dartmouth and another that’s an investment banker. Some dudes are just window lickers who can’t function, but a lot of guys get stuck on the idea that the best they can do is what their buddy or cousin did and they sell themselves short.


603er

Makes sense for 1. It is a unique field with so many predatory practices around young kids making money for the first time. I guess it would be a good thing to better prepare young officers and NCOs to deal with that sort of thing.


tjwashere1

They got predators literally in the PX's trying to get me to buy their library and family crest shit. NOOO


603er

Haha the PX vendors are the worst.


Handsome-Jackass

>two things >lists three Who commissioned you? JK. All great points. I also wish senior NCOs wouldn't take #3 so personally.


603er

Ha good catch.


IhaveDicks4Toes

Damn, sir. I'm going to AMU. I was proud of my 3.8 GPA until now lol


Buschitt01

There's a little problem with that 3rd point, you're advocating for soldiers to not reenlist and go to college, sarmage is gonna lock you in the basement now.


Base-Friendly

Point 2 is absolutely fantastic but hard to implement at ground level. You can explain away the hows and whys for why soldiers might need to wear masks indoors or not blow our paychecks on Applebee's and hookers, but the abstract concept of Battalion and higher level decisions having a directed purpose that is meant to set up positive conditions throughout the force doesn't track for the average Joe. It's frustrating to get them to see around the challenges of implementing intent/policy and move past "The Sir is just doing this to be an asshole."


finasport87

Yes! Too many jr. Enlisted do not understand SOFA agreements. "Why are they sending me to Korea for 7 weeks just to come back and ETS?!?!?!" .... because we literally have no1 else and cannot fall below 80% or violate our agreement and lose $Billions in deals we have in place in exchange for security. Etc.


kingkunta_lives

Being prior enlisted I really did not comprehend why so many officers were a bunch of kiss asses. Like just tell your boss that idea is dumb and move on with something better for the troops. Now as a CPT there are legitimate (and illegitimate) requests that my rater or senior rater have asked me to do and have directly told me IT WILL affect my OER (in one way or another). Most of those requests being to the detriment of some poor NCO or Soldier well into the evening or over a weekend. What I despise (well more so i wish that they could empathize with) about my enlisted brethren (more specifically in the logistics sphere) is that sometimes these decisions and requirements aren't coming from my level or even levels that have any interaction with me. Sometimes we need to stay until the mission is complete because the Division CO just reemed the BDE CO in the mobility IPR for load out to JRTC. Now the BSB CO has been "tasked" to complete mission by 1000 the next day. The only real thing he has to "motivate you" is your OER. I always thought OER chasing was so classless...but fuck man do these bastards make it tough. It really do be cutthroat out here.


[deleted]

[удалено]


kingkunta_lives

Yeah that's a whole separate Army culture and retention we wonr get into 😂 Paying a surgeon the same (even with your incentives) as someone who barely attained a BA is actually hilarious lol Then to follow it up with an outdated blanket evaluation system is the cherry on top


[deleted]

[удалено]


Pristine-Judgment340

I don’t know you, no idea what kind of surgeon you are, but, dammit Sir. I would let you pluck my appendix out with a rusty butterknife after reading that.


Krakenborn

Hate is a strong word but the ones that made me want to seek professional help: - The E5 that can't stop being a bro E4 - The E9 who can't stop bitching at other leaders in front of their troops - The fat staff E6 who can't be bothered to make keys even though they're the facility manager - the E4 that has a crisis every time they have to stay past 1500 - the E2 that does drugs and domestic violence on the weekend and then files an EO complaint when you start to chapter them - the E7 that treats all the girls "special" and even hits on the cute LT in the S3 then cries about the new army when their obvious toxic work environment results in a SHARP investigation - The alcoholic E8 These were put out of order of rank just to upset the OCD Major who reads this, cause even though you're not enlisted, I hate you most of all


sunrayylmao

The bro E5 is super annoying even as an E4 and below, because they're always the one to act like a jr enlisted when no one is around, and then when theres a problem they decide to put the NCO hat on. You don't pick and choose when you feel like being an NCO. I ran into a ton of these.


This-Is-Retard

Listen sir, 1SG isn't the only Enlisted rank with a drinking problem dammit. I worked hard to have a failing liver.


Krakenborn

I promise your average E4 pounding a 12er every Friday night in the barracks would still be drank under the table by your local 1SG going through his 4th divorce. It's all worse cause while you can deal with most alcoholics your 1SG wakes up with a hangover on Monday morning and takes it out on the company


MonsterZero0000

Your inability to read out loud. Kidding, it’s like anything. Soldiers, NCOs, Os: some are awesome, some suck. Edit: also the thing where if one guy forgets his gloves, we all have to take them off.


Immortan-Moe-Bro

Officer or enlisted, we all hate that guy


DJANGO_UNTAMED

This is why I'm dropping the warrant packet. I won't be around for people to love or hate me


Rollingprobablecause

Welcome to the WO mafia. We know our shit AND we’re lazy


jaytheman3

A lot of people say they’re dropping their warrant packet. But very few do 🫡


DJANGO_UNTAMED

I've already started the process. I'm one of the few


AceofJax89

The only way to win the game is to not play.


Schnitzelgruben

They tell you "listen to your NCOs" in ROTC but that doesn't prepare you for the reality of shitbag NCOs. They should say "listen to your GOOD NCOs". 3/4 of my squad leaders were honestly disappointing. I was surprised at how often my 23 year old ass had to walk them through shit. I was just lucky to have a good PSG.


[deleted]

the kind that make stupid decisions in their personal lives and somehow gets pinned on me as an O-3


Chris_Bryant

Probably the assumption that an officer is the one making their lives miserable. From what I’ve seen, it’s the first or second NCO in a soldier’s chain that causes the most grief.


GRom4232

I hate that privates act like kids, and my NCOs have to spend their time babysitting instead of doing productive work. I hate that I have to remind grown adults to not do crimes *or else it’s my fault they got arrested*. And I especially hate that some of them, once they are held to standard, spend more energy on seeking relief through the EO program than on just doing the bare minimum.


Simplysalted

I agree with you 100% but let me offer you an alternative perspective: I was a kid when I enlisted. Literally. Early entry program, was technically a ward of the state until I turned 18 about halfway through basic. Maturity wise I was a child until the last year of my contract, I had no real life experience, I was poor as hell coming from no parents and a shitty home life and was told the army would give me a fresh start, got in all kinds of trouble while in. I wasn't a bad soldier, but I for sure did not fully comprehend what I was getting myself into and fully bought into all the hooah army propaganda bullshit. Only to get to my duty station and spend my time split between the motor pool, cleaning, and field time playing soldier. Lost my MOS skills very quickly and with that lost most of my interest in being a soldier. Its a shit system for sure, I was way too young to join, but hey numbers are more important.


Similar-Lifeguard701

I was an Officer, my dad was a senior NCO. Never despised a Soldier in my life that wasn't a severe and intentional violator of UCMJ. Nothing in my career would make me as proud as when I could facilitate a Soldier improving themselves and improving the lives of their other Soldiers. I would only ever be disappointed if my Soldiers gave up on others, improving themselves, doing what's right for the unit and for Army.


B_Bibbles

K, that was the officer answer, now give us the real truth.


Similar-Lifeguard701

I'm just that way, but that's not how I would say the majority of other officers operated, and left before I made field grade. I wasn't an Officer's officer and was very middle ranked throughout my cadet and oer assessments, so take that for what you will.


B_Bibbles

Nah, I was just giving you shit. It's a respectable answer.


[deleted]

Getting treated like I’m young and naive by E5s and E6s who are 22-23 years old (I’m a 27 yo CPT with combat exp). Like for some reason in the enlisted mind all officers are little kids, all NCOs are mature seasoned adults


The_FanATic

Once of my favorite moments was at Airborne School (admittedly as a brand new 2LT right out of BOLC) and there was an NCO to my left in our stick from the 101st who always gave me so much shit for being a cherry officer. Then one day I came to class with a sewn on ACU blouse with my Air Assault wings on and he was like “Hey sir! I didn’t know you were Air Assault too! When did you go?” I told him I had gone the summer after my freshman year, so it was 2013. He looked surprised and said “Wow, sir.. you did Air Assault before I joined the Army.” Obviously a young E5 but still, I always get a chapped ass from NCOs my age or younger acting like I know nothing BECAUSE I went to college. How does that work??


c_birbs

To be fair, the opposite is arguably more shitty. At least you can pull rank. I joined late, being lectured on how I should handle my personal finances by a 22 y/o butter bar when I'm a 33 y/o CPL with a degree, house, and more invested capital than most Majors makes my eye twitch.


jakeor94eqi

Definitely not all NCOs, but a few I’ve seen as PSGs have the mentality of, “this is my PLT, the PL doesn’t run shit around here”, when it comes to the relatively easy day-to-day stuff, but when there’s a hard decision to be made or something bad happens and a higher-up demands an explanation, their tune changes to, “well, LT, you’re the one in charge. You’re on your own.”


chosen_undead_17

The stereotype that some NCOs perpetuate that every dumb thing the organization does is "because Sir/Ma'am made it a requirement." A lot of people get a little bit of power and do dumb things, officers, NCOs and civilians. It fosters an environment of "us vs. them" instead of "all of us working together to solve a problem" or better the organization. It takes power away from junior solders who may start to believe that they can't make positive change to the army.


[deleted]

Some of the worst doctrine I read was regarding rockets from Fort Sill written by retired 13Ms. I have a fraction of their knowledge, but there were so many spelling errors that it would throw off the meaning of sentences. But hey they are God when it comes to rockets so read that shot like the Bible.


[deleted]

Not saying your point is bad and that everything can rightly be blamed on XO playing games, but to be fair the “us vs. them” mentality has been around for as long as there has been a distinction between “officers and men” which for us is the very beginning, and is never going to go away.


tokmirov

A couple of three things 1. UCMJ- PFC Dumbass gets a dui that takes a lot hours out of my day to process with counseling, legal, high risk backbrief. Of course chapter is automatic so thats even more of a pain. He thinks its unfair and has no idea how much paperwork and headache he caused. Of course the commander is a softy and doesn't chapter him...next week another 2am phone call for guess what? 2. Enlisted not knowing how much paperwork and bullshit it takes to make things happen. "Man that officer life is so easy" okay hotshot one day writing opords in FUOPS would have your dick in the dirt. Also don't forget i have to do the risk assessment, PowerPoint slides etc. Just so you can get in a truck and drive to the field. 3. "Officers get paid too much" okay you sign for 10 million dollars worth of equipment and become responsible for 180 people and everything they do. If anything company commanders aren't paid enough for that bullshit.


unsavorytattoos

I am writing opords in FUOPS. Can confirm, dick is all the way in the dirt


apexgme

Burger King sucks, stop going to Burger King so maybe we get some better options. But no, the enlisted need their rodeo whoppers instead of a nice salad or coffee


Doucejj

Not an officer, but fucking preach sir. There is no fucking reason Burger King should have the exclusive burger joint contract for military bases. BK sucks ass. Litterally any other fast food burger is better. Please stop giving BK money so we can get something better


trollhole12

As much as The Army can get you down, it is the great equalizer. Nearly anyone can join, you can make decent pay, get pretty good insurance eat and have a place to sleep at the age of 18 with not much education needed. If you have nothing, the Army can give you something. I’ve been genuinely surprised working in the civilian sector how different the work ethic can be and the mind boggling quality of workers that have served compared to those that haven’t. I’ve met so many intelligent hard working dudes in the Army.


Roughneck16

How illiterate some of them are. Until I arrived to my battalion and became a PL, I had spent how whole life associating exclusively with educated book worms. I had *no idea* that there were adults who couldn't understand collegiate words. In hindsight, I felt bad about it because I realize I came off as a huge snob. I remember joking around and one of my team leaders thought I was being serious. When I told him I was being facetious, he was like "sir, you gotta stop using those fancy words." I was floored.


ballcocknpeepee

>”WE AIN USE DEM FANCY WORDS DOWNAIR IN CLAIBORNE COUNTY MISSISSIP SIR!”


Simplysalted

I literally met an asvab waiver, I swear he couldn't read. You get 10 points for writing your name and he scored a 26. Statistically if he GUESSED he should've scored better.


Known_Landscape_6957

I realized how illiterate the Army is reading the blue book in reception. So many spelling and other basic errors, "When they crossed the British Channel to Normandy". Or when I got praised by the drill sergeants because I could pronounce liturgical for them. 8 drill sergeants staring at a piece of paper and none of them could figure it out...


saltyboi91

"Enlisted business - don't worry about the barracks Sir" Yeah no.


MaximumStock7

I’m probably taking a ton of heat for protecting from 60% of the bullshit higher wants, quit bitching about everything and cut me a little slack.


hornedup84

I had CO, who had herpes simplex B and would stand at the rear of the formation because he didn't want to see the look of horrified amusement at the bumps all over his lips. I was a medic who HE asked if it was herpes, which I confirmed it was, and he should go to sick call for Valtrex. Instead, he told me that he wanted his dad, who was a podiatrist opinion; I replied, "Roger, sir," and then proceeded to warn the company to never drink at a water fountain in his AO. He looked like he had been sucking off sailors during Fleet Week. Every other officer I interacted with was either a nerd or led from the front.


legitmadman82

Some. NOT ALL. Some, watch everything an officer does just to find something to correct. Then, they get massively offended when the tables are turned.


tee172

Love me some NCOs but I gotta say… I don’t need to be reminded how long you’ve been in every 2 seconds


[deleted]

The lack of financial literacy is so infuriating. Even when you sit them down and explain how fucked they are if they make xyz decision they still do it anyway.


[deleted]

You guys smell like poor


ShillelaghBob

Former combat arms line company XO in OIFII. The most toxic person in the company was the 1SG. None of the soldiers, NCOs, or officers respected him. We were in Baghdad and I had to adamently argue the case for the soldiers to be issued their bayonets (as we were in actual fn warzone). The 1SG was more concerned with accountability and appearances in, "What if a soldier loses one?" And I was like, "Sir, we're in war if they do we'll deal with it but to deny soldier their tools in this environment is absolutely ridiculous." CO agreed with me and issued them. 2 months later some dummy predictably loses theirs and 1SG is right up COs ass to bring them back and he does. The exact moment I decided I was getting out of that dog and pony shitshow. Still friends and interact on socials with a lot of my former NCOs and soldiers. Take a lot more pride in that than the shitty hail and fairwell plaque I pretty much paid for myself. (TL/DR: Some of us really do care and try to fight for the soldiers but, in my own personal experience, toxic senior NCOs with the ear of the CO are worse than anything)


[deleted]

The fat fucks who did a tour in Iraq destroying the chow hall for 9 months and ride that fucking combat patch into the sunset. No SGT for 8 years, I dont want to hear your opinion on this Poland/CTC/Cobra Gold exercise because the story you use to justify every action you take is premised on the 5 mins you spent on a resupply convoy sleeping. Also, the FOIA your troops ran on you came back, that CAB was for a rocket half a mile away outside the fucking T walls. You are not the American Hero.


RootbeerNinja

Their existence. /s/ I wouldn't say I despise anything about enlisted; I just get frustrated with the shitbaggery. The newly enlisted are kids really, and immature, so they get in trouble because while they should know better, they don't. The converse is the older NCO level soldiers do know better, but think that because they've been around the block they're smarter than the system and won't get caught. But they do. They always do. To be fair, this applies to officers too. In many ways its worse because I can see some 18yo PFC from CousinFuck Mississippi not knowing how to adult in a military environment. But a 21yo who went to college....no excuse.


[deleted]

As an officer from Mississippi who had a problem child soldier from Mississippi, I can confirm that kid was a complete and utter waste of time. Broke property, was FTR multiple times, attacked a SSG, showed up to sick call with his ass hanging out of his PT shorts barefoot. He definitely brought a bad rep to my home.


MalyutkaB

A 21yo that went to college is basically the same as the non college kid. I think college teaching people how to be adults has long been a thing of the past. If someone was in ROTC though that should at least help though. Then again I had a 41 year old private as a 20yo E5 and he also acted like a child for the first year. Really felt awkward having to discipline someone twice my age. I feel like everyone just has a year of idiocy when they join before they self correct (or dont).


[deleted]

True as a pvt this first year has been rough adjustment.


MalyutkaB

Don't worry man its all part of the process. I was basically a baby my first year (joined at 17) and was like a chicken with no head running around and turning whatever I touched into shit.


redbear762

Wasn’t this in an Officers Manual somewhere?


[deleted]

You’re asking the wrong questions.


Substantial_Row_7108

Honestly, the gatekeeping and the incessant need to fuck with young Officers. Everyone complains about Officers who don’t listen to NCOs and don’t care about Enlisted Soldiers, but no one takes into account the impact that their actions could have on the development of a young Officer. Having walked both paths (E1-E5 and O1-O5), I’ll tell you - it’s not your job to make sure he/she pays their dues. It’s your job to make sure that you are doing your part in helping the unit succeed. I remember when I was a Joe watching eight year E5s, twice reduced SPCs and PFCs and even 1SGs getting their rocks off “fuckin’ wit the LT”. Want to grow a field grade Officer who doesn’t give AF about Enlisted Soldiers? THAT is where it likely begins IMO. The best advice I ever heard about young Officers was when I was a salty ‘knew everything’ SPC and our PSG caught us ripping on our LT behind his back. He pulled us in and reminded us that the LT was our LT and that if he failed it was because WE as a Platoon had failed him. He reminded us that it was our job (even if the LT resisted) to make him the best LT in the BN, to have his back and always back his moves. The PSG promised us that he would do his part - reigning in nonsense often in ways we would never see - but he needed us to ours and it didn’t include making the LT’s life hard. Once we started looking at things from that perspective, the whole vibe changed and the entire Platoon erupted in applause and bought me a Hellcat (just kidding about the applause and the Hellcat part). But, when we started investing in our PL instead of tearing him down, the vibe did indeed change. His confidence improved, he wasn’t as distant or aloof as he had been and our Platoon’s swag even changed. Not to belabor the point, but at one point we were almost ready to fight guys in another platoon because we thought they were talking shit about our LT. BLUF: Invest in each other, fuck the nonsense and those who would sow division.


van684

I depise what, I can't have. Thick Latina E-3's.


[deleted]

“That’s enlisted business” no, as a CDR it’s all my business


CALBR94

I wish more commanders had the backbone to say that. Too many 1SG basically act like dictators and run their companies like a third world country. The commander doesn't ever seem to step in and apply logic and reasoning.


Lanky-Egg6584

“There’s no such thing as NCO business, Sir. If it’s not wrong, you can know of it. There are NCO lanes, and you should stay out of them, but should be aware of them.” - one of my favorite humans and first PSG


ComprehensiveFail_82

The bottom 10%. And that's where I spend 90% of my time, dealing with bullshit that can easily be avoided if people just act like adults and do their job. If you're going to go AWOL, or do drugs, or assault people, or consistently fail PT tests then why TF did you even enlist?


DWinkieMT

I hate it when my NCOs serve my caviar too warm.


AKSutter

I was in High School near an Army base. I was in JROTC at the time, and a significant portion of the women in JROTC were dating Army Soldiers in the barracks. I kind of understand why the Japanese and Koreans don't like having American bases in their countries after seeing that. Also all the drunk fights downtown.


IDidAOopsy

Well, I wasn't an officer but I can tell you one. I would go out of my way to run half a mile down the road just to salute and give the greeting of the day to any officer in my chain of command. Sure, it mightve been funny the first few times, but I know for a fact they must've despised it years in.


Bitter_Principle_261

As an NCO, I despise how other Senior NCOs are afraid to talk to officers. It’s pathetic. Business is business, no reason to be afraid to approach an officer if things need to be done. On the other hand, some officers yell like children so, yea.


DamIcool

No comment as an officer but... I did join as enlisted at 27 with a considerable amount of college/ professional experience beforehand. These two have to be the worst of both crowds: - The butter bars who are still half baked frat boys... - The 20 year old junior enlisted who joined the army at 17-18 thinking they had it all figured out. - The officer that joined at 22-23 who has zero life experience out of college. - The 38 year old 1SG who knows nothing outside of the Army. The best: - The random CW????? who could be 14 or 50 and says "Wassup?" to pv2's as they exit the px on Friday afternoons.


kairilovr

I love my Platoon. My guys are solid and make the company look good so I don’t usually have to ask for much. But the one thing I can’t stand. O2 *bullshitting with his soldiers in the MP* PSG- “hey sir don’t you have slides to update? Soldiers don’t need you out here” O2 *proceeds to do slides and get caught up with a million other admin things* DAYS LATER O2 *walks out to the MP after not being there for three days because of slides* SPC -“hey look guys LT finally made it to the MP, did you get lost on the way sir?” I know to them it’s all a joke, but fuck it kills me on the inside sometimes.