Problem with AI

[ufcfootballfan]

I am the Cadet/Command Sergeant Major of my battalion, and of course I am responsible for color guard and flag detail. I want to do the best I can at my position but it is very difficult. For example, part of my position is to be responsible for the flag detail. I tried working with my AI to establish a flag detail team that made sure the flags were posted every morning. My AI was supposed to notify me when ever she picked the cadets she saw "fit'. I waited for awhile and she had picked them and I had no notification. Also, I tried to post a Color Guard weekly schedule every Monday morning to inform cadets of practices and upcoming events for the Color Guard. My attempt failed because she did not want me informing the cadets about events, and that they should read and listen to find out. Also practices were canceled or shortened often which made the schedule invalid. Currently we do not have a Drill team commander either, because our former one failed to accomplish his duties and responsibilities. I requested we find another and she told me "No because I do not want to hurt anyones feelings". I have thought about talking to my SAI about these problems but I am not sure if that would be the best idea. If anyone has any suggestions or would like more information please post it.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

I am sure your SAI knows about these problems. This is bogus though. It is ridiculous that she doesn't want to pick a new drill team commander because she doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. With all do respect, she needs to grow a back bone and pick someone whether other people get hurt or not. It is necessary for someone to lead these cadets, if no one is chosen there will be anarchy. As far as flag detail, I would say, "Never mind, (AI's name,) I will handle the flag details my self. You don't need to worry about picking anyone.

[PhilK]

First, you are the C/CSM.

Second, it is "I" not "i".

Fix it.

[Bozz]

The best thing I can tell you is to talk about what you just told us with the AI and the SAI. See what they say about your situation. Propose alternatives (several) so they don't feel pressured into making a decision. Just stay calm, cool and collective, I had some similar problems with my SAI among some more personal ones and I ended up leaving the program...and that is the last thing you want.

-Bozz-

[Remoah]

Agreed, I believe she does need to grow a bit of a backbone.
Our unit certainly doesnt have one, and we're copping it for it. One of our sgt's got promoted because she teared up to the unit OC.

Unfortunatley, she's your superior, so you need to tell her that your Unit needs this in place, If she doesnt want to do it, then you'll aid her in finding someone to do it. Otherwise, refer it up your chain of command if possible.

[USFreak]

I just have to say, when people in my battalion have a problem with an AI, they don't confront them, they say stuff behind there backs, so don't be like that. BE THE BETTER PERSON AND DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU. It will show a lot to them.

[mrgriff92]

okay here we go, lecture time. First as it was already stated, you are the battalion cadet sergeant major, this was my job last year and now I am the Battalion commander. If i had a scared little C/SGM like you i would be looking for a new one because you would be fired. Straight up. The SGM whether it is in the cadet corps or the actual military has the most influence and power out of anyone. You need to man up and be a butt-hole even to yor cadre. As i said before if my C/SGM was scared to do his job i would fire him. You cannot be afraid of you cadre. They appointed you to your position to do your job because they think that you can handle it so do what you have to do and if they get in your way simply tell them that you have to do your job, however you must always maintain a certain level of respect, they are retired military you are a cadet (Noblese Noblige) but they put you into a job so if they cause trouble take it up with their superiors who cares if they hate you what is the worst they can do fire you and give you an F you are trying to run a battalion and i guarentee you if you man up and face them they will not only give you an A, and pobably promote you, but they will respect you. That is a rare thing when it comes to cadre-cadet relationships. So shut up your complaining, and chew 'em out (with respect) and man up to your battalion just from the tone in which you write I can tell you are a softy. as the C/SGM it is your responsibilty to oversee training color guards and drill team among other things. so if you are without a drill team commander what you should do is this (i had the same problem last year) Take over it yourself and have a person shadow you that person will be trained in what to do and will gain experience in running the teams with you. once they are ready by your evaluation make them commander if the old one has a problem with it tell him not to come back to drill team because you dont need that infection among your subordinates. you are directly in charge of at least 85% of your battalion (all non cadet officers) so be the C/SGM and do your job

[PhoenixCadet]

okay here we go, lecture time. First as it was already stated, you are the battalion cadet sergeant major, this was my job last year and now I am the Battalion commander. If i had a scared little C/SGM like you i would be looking for a new one because you would be fired. Straight up. The SGM whether it is in the cadet corps or the actual military has the most influence and power out of anyone. You need to man up and be a butt-hole even to yor cadre. As i said before if my C/SGM was scared to do his job i would fire him. You cannot be afraid of you cadre. They appointed you to your position to do your job because they think that you can handle it so do what you have to do and if they get in your way simply tell them that you have to do your job, however you must always maintain a certain level of respect, they are retired military you are a cadet (Noblese Noblige) but they put you into a job so if they cause trouble take it up with their superiors who cares if they hate you what is the worst they can do fire you and give you an F you are trying to run a battalion and i guarentee you if you man up and face them they will not only give you an A, and pobably promote you, but they will respect you. That is a rare thing when it comes to cadre-cadet relationships. So shut up your complaining, and chew 'em out (with respect) and man up to your battalion just from the tone in which you write I can tell you are a softy. as the C/SGM it is your responsibilty to oversee training color guards and drill team among other things. so if you are without a drill team commander what you should do is this (i had the same problem last year) Take over it yourself and have a person shadow you that person will be trained in what to do and will gain experience in running the teams with you. once they are ready by your evaluation make them commander if the old one has a problem with it tell him not to come back to drill team because you dont need that infection among your subordinates. you are directly in charge of at least 85% of your battalion (all non cadet officers) so be the C/SGM and do your job

Now that I've actually deciphered a bit of meaning out of your post:

Get rid of the attitude. As someone with the experience you claim, (LET4, C/MAJ) you should know how to give constructuce criticism in a polite, yet informative way. Insulting and berating a Cadet, online nonetheless, doesn't help in any way, shape or form. If anything, it just makes you look idiotic.

[-BuLL-]

Please don't tell me you are "That Guy". It took a couple of read throughs (still not completely sure about it all), but I think I get a little of what you're saying. So you're saying, since he was asking for advice on dealing with his AI on a breakdown of communication issue, he is a softy that should be fired immediately? I would love a more ellaborate explanation. Also, how did your "advice" (why am I calling it that?) turn into telling him to chew out his cadre? Yet respect them the next minute for being retired military. I'd have to say I'm thoroughly puzzeled. You say that you are now the Battalion Commander and a C/MAJ. I congratulate you on this accomplishment, yet have one question. How? Every BC I have met has had a high level of professionalism in their actions, however, I have not detected this from you. What happened to Mission First, People Always? Seems like you go by the theory of My Agenda First, What People. I'm glad you've decided to join the cadet ranks here at Gunt Forum, but I'd first like to request an attitude adjustment and re-calibration of your thought process. You may be able to chew someone out in your unit and gain respect, but in mine and most others here, that don't fly. Welcome to the Forum

EDIT: I noticed in your introduction that you're unit is basically in shambles. So how on earth could you tell someone else how to run their unit if you could not get your own under control? You said you were the C/CSM that has the most power and influence within a unit, yet your godly leadership abilities kept you from keeping your own unit in check? Once again, slightly puzzeled.

[armysc_25b]

okay here we go, lecture time. First as it was already stated, you are the battalion cadet sergeant major, this was my job last year and now I am the Battalion commander. If i had a scared little C/SGM like you i would be looking for a new one because you would be fired. Straight up. The SGM whether it is in the cadet corps or the actual military has the most influence and power out of anyone. You need to man up and be a butt-hole even to yor cadre. As i said before if my C/SGM was scared to do his job i would fire him. You cannot be afraid of you cadre. They appointed you to your position to do your job because they think that you can handle it so do what you have to do and if they get in your way simply tell them that you have to do your job, however you must always maintain a certain level of respect, they are retired military you are a cadet (Noblese Noblige) but they put you into a job so if they cause trouble take it up with their superiors who cares if they hate you what is the worst they can do fire you and give you an F you are trying to run a battalion and i guarentee you if you man up and face them they will not only give you an A, and pobably promote you, but they will respect you. That is a rare thing when it comes to cadre-cadet relationships. So shut up your complaining, and chew 'em out (with respect) and man up to your battalion just from the tone in which you write I can tell you are a softy. as the C/SGM it is your responsibilty to oversee training color guards and drill team among other things. so if you are without a drill team commander what you should do is this (i had the same problem last year) Take over it yourself and have a person shadow you that person will be trained in what to do and will gain experience in running the teams with you. once they are ready by your evaluation make them commander if the old one has a problem with it tell him not to come back to drill team because you dont need that infection among your subordinates. you are directly in charge of at least 85% of your battalion (all non cadet officers) so be the C/SGM and do your job
Advice like that sounds as though it comes from a cadet on a power trip.

Disrespect the retired Soldiers who instruct your program, I promise you won't last long as a cadet leader. Next off, respect is not earned through disrespectful actions. Lastly, for the sake of your program, I suggest that you lose the power trip or resign your position.

Oh, this comes from a Soldier of 4 years, and a former AJROTC cadet of 4 years (left the program as a c/MAJ, and my SAI is one of my better friends).

[mrgriff92]

As my comments have met with only dissapprovel, I will say now that I came to this forum hoping to find advice and help for dealing with my battalion, as it was stated they are in a shambles. If all the ideas are consistant, as they have been so far, perhaps the problem is with me, I can take the answers that I asked for. However when it come to this issue on this forum I must remain in my advice. It is not a power trip and it is not apathy but much more complex than that. I will now answer each comment in order

To Phoenix Cadet:
As any high position or in any leadership role, not just AJROTC, one must learn to keep a certain level of directness. Perhaps I overdo it a little but I refuse to beat around the bush and sugercoat something because through my experiences and failure using that tactic i have learned that while it may save the feelings of your subordinates it hinders their improvement in their position and their growth as a person. People need to have the truth straight up and not filled with false compliments telling trying to downplay their mistakes. I am not insulting and berating this cadet but I feel enclined to be much firmer in this situation because, as we know, my battalion is in a shambles and I was the C/SGM last year. While I was reading his message I couldn't help but look to my past. Not all, but a significant portion of the decrease in quality of my program last year came from my lane as the battalion sergeant major, some was me directly but most was because I was compassionate to my cadet first sergeants who with the exception of one destroyed their companies (at least in comparison to previous years' companies) I let the mslide on just about everything and I was scared to do anything. My battalion commander at that time was very focused on college, as well he should have been, and he didn't have AJROTC high on his priorities and so while he warned me, he never took my position. Had he been more involved my being a softy would have got me fired within the short end of a month. So yes I feel a personal connection to this situation and I needed someone to keep it real and push me into the ground when I was there. I needed to hear from someone that I sucked and that I needed to "grow some down below." That's why I was so hard on him because the situation saounds exactly like me last year and from experience I know that a message like what i wrote could have fixed me and I hope it can help or at least open the eyes of this new C/SGM.

[AWing Pilot]

Really, you need to relax.

[PhoenixCadet]

Let's see here...

It's not a matter of controling myself instead just looking for ideas. Maybe I do have a problem with control if this was your judgement I won't call you a lier but that's the first time ive been told this.

It is when controlling yourself was provided to you as one of the possible reasons why your unit might be this way.

As I said before I only opened up so much with the truth because we really need help. I have reviewed my post and i don't see what you mean by controling myself. This post was asking for help and if this criticism is your advice I would appreciate it if you would elaborate on your comment and explain so that I might constuctively use this.

As I've already said, a person's online personality usually reflects what they're like in real life. You may not see it as "insulting", but "if I had a scared little SGM like you, I'd fire you straight up" and "shut up with your complaining" qualify as that. (The last one qualified as hipocrisy, too. How would you like it if I simply came in here and told you to shut up, be a man and stop whining on the internet about your unit problems?)

I'm not saying you need to sugar-coat anything. Hardly that. There are ways, however, to provide command feedback without being flat out insulting. That's how you get Cadets to leave your program.

As my comments have met with only dissapprovel, I will say now that I came to this forum hoping to find advice and help for dealing with my battalion, as it was stated they are in a shambles.

And from the attitude you exhibited towards another Cadet on this board, one could only determine that you also treat your JROTC cadets as such. Treating your cadets in that manner isn't helping your BN - and I was providing advice to help counter that.

If all the ideas are consistant, as they have been so far, perhaps the problem is with me, I can take the answers that I asked for. However when it come to this issue on this forum I must remain in my advice. It is not a power trip and it is not apathy but much more complex than that.

It may not be a power trip at all - you just need to learn tact. There are plenty of ways you can give constructuve criticism - sans insults, and not have it be considered "sugar-coated".

As any high position or in any leadership role, not just AJROTC, one must learn to keep a certain level of directness. Perhaps I overdo it a little but I refuse to beat around the bush and sugercoat something because through my experiences and failure using that tactic i have learned that while it may save the feelings of your subordinates it hinders their improvement in their position and their growth as a person.

See my comment directly above this.

Also think about this: You treat your cadets like ****, they can leave. JROTC isn't the military, and they're not required to be there.

People need to have the truth straight up and not filled with false compliments telling trying to downplay their mistakes. I am not insulting and berating this cadet but I feel enclined to be much firmer in this situation...

Like I said - whether you see it or not - telling a cadet "I'd have you fired, straight up" and such similar comments isn't "being firm" or "straight up truth". That's flat out insulting. Tact, buddy. There's plenty of ways you could have provided advice in that scenario without doing so the way you did.

...some was me directly but most was because I was compassionate to my cadet first sergeants who with the exception of one destroyed their companies (at least in comparison to previous years' companies) I let the mslide on just about everything and I was scared to do anything.

Again, no need to take it to the level you did. You can be firm and in control, without being insulting and rude.

Take it or leave it. I'm just trying to help you given what I've seen.

-PC