(Untitled)

[sergeant3]

SO things with my NCOIC and my commander and myself have come to a screaming head, literaly, and I'm going to go to the Division Command Sergeant Major, who is next in my NCO channel. This latest after the 1SG pulled me out of bed at 12 AM to empty a trash can, and we got into a yelling match in front of the entire TOC

Comments

[scarpia]

I feel your pain.

Here's my suggestion from an excellent E7 who helped me with a problem with a petty commander:

• Stay on message: when you're talking to the higher-ups, don't get into tit-vs-tat things that other side may bring up. Just talk about your original complaint and keep the discussion there.
  
• Get everything on paper. Often, when they write their side, they will immediately sound petty or arrogant to a rational, outside observer.
  
• When you write your statements, be as breif and to the point as possible. The more you write the more they have to twist around.
  
• Remember, if all else fails, you can see the Adjundant General's or IG's office, but that's dangerous. You'll make some enemies doing that.
  
• The "nuclear option" is for a family member to complain to your home state senator about how you are being treated. I've used that once in 14 years to take care of an SNCO who wasn't getting the troops the things they needed in the field (When they aren't feeding your lower enlisted and the brass don't care, you really have no other

[pecunium]

All of the above is good.

When you see the CSM, point out the length of service, the general nature of your complaints (answer with specificity when the questions are asked. Simple, short and to the point)

Talk to the CSM about your worries, after the resolution.

Give me permission to run this past a retired Marine Master Sergeant (who was a 1SG for some years) and see what he thinks.

Hold off on the congress-critter, until after this is resolved. Use that to fix any retaliatory things that happen later.

Think about using the IG.

The lack of NCOER is not uncommon in a combat zone. The lack of paper counselling is to your advantage.

TK