Going off the above DasBoot post, is it? Or is that Ranger Regt bias? Out in the 82nd, 10th Mountain, 25th etc is it still the gold standard, or does 2 or 3 deployments 5+ years ago when things were still cracking on count for more?
Case Study: Tabs and Tyrants
- Thread starter Marauder06
- Start date
Going off the above DasBoot post, is it? Or is that Ranger Regt bias? Out in the 82nd, 10th Mountain, 25th etc is it still the gold standard, or does 2 or 3 deployments 5+ years ago when things were still cracking on count for more?
Focus the conversation on a conventional unit as @Marauder06 has presented it.
D
Deleted member 2517
Guest
He... is? Those are all conventional units...
If Sergeant Ellery held any misgivings about having a non-tabbed platoon leader, he never mentioned it. He seemed genuinely happy to have a lieutenant, and loaded Faith up with “officer work” on a daily basis. “Individual and crew-level collective training is an NCO responsibility,” he told Faith, “Collective training at the squad and platoon level is your responsibility, Lieutenant.” Faith noticed that Sergeant Ellery always referred to him as “sir” or “Lieutenant,” never as the affectionate short-title of “LT.” Nor did Ellery allow the Soldiers and NCOs to call him that, or to call each other by their first names. “Unprofessional,” Ellery said by way of explanation.
For his part, Faith flung himself into learning his new job. He pored over field manuals and technical documents. He immersed himself in the company SOP. And he worked out harder than he ever did before in his life. Faith was in decent shape before, but he was now operating on an entirely new level. He felt stronger, faster, and leaner than he ever had before.
At a company training meeting about two weeks into the job, Faith and Ellery were informed that SPC Wilson’s promotion waiver was approved. Faith was thrilled. Faith was already impressed by Wilson’s work ethic and leadership potential, and with the inherent personnel shortages in the unit, the platoon could really use another NCO around.
“It will be great to have Special Wilson move up and take one of our team leader positions,” Faith exclaimed once he and Ellery were alone.
“Oh, he’s not staying with us, sir,” Sergeant Ellery explained. “You can’t have a guy go from being Joe to being in charge of Joe. It’s too hard on him, and on them.
Faith was shocked. “But we’re so short on NCOs, and Soldiers,” he countered. “We’re just going to give him up?”
“Yes sir,” Ellery said, “Unless you want me to ask the CO to give the waiver someone one else. I’ll do that if you want.”
Of course Faith didn’t want that at all.
“So where are you going to send him?” Faith inquired.
“Well sir, 2nd Platoon needs the most help, so I thought we’d send him there.”
Faith thought about that for a moment. 2nd Platoon had a reputation for being troublemakers, and for playing fast and loose with the rules. They were the individuals who Faith had a run-in with on literally his first day in the company. They frequently harassed and bullied Private Pigpen (his real name was “Thigpen,” but everyone called him Pigpen, and it fit). Sergeant First Class Manners ran 2nd Platoon. He was loud, obnoxious, petty, a bit of a complainer, and a habitual chain smoker. Faith disliked him for all of those reasons.
“Let’s ask Wilson about it,” Faith said.
“Good idea, sir,” Ellery replied.
(end)
Discussion Questions:
1) Why should you consider moving people to another unit when they’re promoted or change jobs?
2) Is 2nd Platoon the best place for new-Sergeant Wilson? I mean, there are three other platoons he could go to…
For his part, Faith flung himself into learning his new job. He pored over field manuals and technical documents. He immersed himself in the company SOP. And he worked out harder than he ever did before in his life. Faith was in decent shape before, but he was now operating on an entirely new level. He felt stronger, faster, and leaner than he ever had before.
At a company training meeting about two weeks into the job, Faith and Ellery were informed that SPC Wilson’s promotion waiver was approved. Faith was thrilled. Faith was already impressed by Wilson’s work ethic and leadership potential, and with the inherent personnel shortages in the unit, the platoon could really use another NCO around.
“It will be great to have Special Wilson move up and take one of our team leader positions,” Faith exclaimed once he and Ellery were alone.
“Oh, he’s not staying with us, sir,” Sergeant Ellery explained. “You can’t have a guy go from being Joe to being in charge of Joe. It’s too hard on him, and on them.
Faith was shocked. “But we’re so short on NCOs, and Soldiers,” he countered. “We’re just going to give him up?”
“Yes sir,” Ellery said, “Unless you want me to ask the CO to give the waiver someone one else. I’ll do that if you want.”
Of course Faith didn’t want that at all.
“So where are you going to send him?” Faith inquired.
“Well sir, 2nd Platoon needs the most help, so I thought we’d send him there.”
Faith thought about that for a moment. 2nd Platoon had a reputation for being troublemakers, and for playing fast and loose with the rules. They were the individuals who Faith had a run-in with on literally his first day in the company. They frequently harassed and bullied Private Pigpen (his real name was “Thigpen,” but everyone called him Pigpen, and it fit). Sergeant First Class Manners ran 2nd Platoon. He was loud, obnoxious, petty, a bit of a complainer, and a habitual chain smoker. Faith disliked him for all of those reasons.
“Let’s ask Wilson about it,” Faith said.
“Good idea, sir,” Ellery replied.
(end)
Discussion Questions:
1) Why should you consider moving people to another unit when they’re promoted or change jobs?
2) Is 2nd Platoon the best place for new-Sergeant Wilson? I mean, there are three other platoons he could go to…
Part of leadership is playing fair with how people are treated. We're all human and we don't love or hate everyone so those biases could come into play when people are promoted within. I've seen it happen in my job and it's an ugly thing when it goes wrong. By moving him it means that there is less likelihood of his playing favourites (or the opposite) and it also means that he goes somewhere where he doesn't have that overly familiar links to have to deal with when he needs to sort out a problem. His reputation will also be built on what he does there in this new role and not coloured by anything he has done in the current (in theory, ignoring talk between units).
That could be more nuanced but I think the point is put across.
That could be more nuanced but I think the point is put across.
ThunderHorse
Verified Military
1) The idea of moving Soldiers around as they gain rank is to maintain professionalism among the ranks. When we promoted Soldiers I always had every intention of moving them to the other platoon and we'd get a swap. Or, if it could be worked out the Soldier would change Troops entirely. Give the new NCO a platform to succeed. However, we were so under-strength in our battalion that never happened.
2) Second platoon is likely not the best place for Sergeant Wilson. Promote him and put him in an environment where he can succeed. Also try to get a good Soldier back as a replacement.
1) Why should you consider moving people to another unit when they’re promoted or change jobs?
When Joe becomes the NCO, the other Joes might not see him as an NCO. They will "accidentally" not call him Sergeant, push boundaries as if he were still a SPC, and overall not see him as an authoritative figure because at one point he was an equal to them. Moving him gives him Soldiers who never knew him as a peer, only as an authoritative figure.
2) Is 2nd Platoon the best place for new-Sergeant Wilson? I mean, there are three other platoons he could go to…
Yes, there are three other platoons. But stacking one or two platoons with the best leaders and leaving another platoon with the shit bags is not an equal distribution of "firepower." Who knows, maybe SGT Wilson can be the spark that changes the culture of 2nd platoon for the better.
When Joe becomes the NCO, the other Joes might not see him as an NCO. They will "accidentally" not call him Sergeant, push boundaries as if he were still a SPC, and overall not see him as an authoritative figure because at one point he was an equal to them. Moving him gives him Soldiers who never knew him as a peer, only as an authoritative figure.
2) Is 2nd Platoon the best place for new-Sergeant Wilson? I mean, there are three other platoons he could go to…
Yes, there are three other platoons. But stacking one or two platoons with the best leaders and leaving another platoon with the shit bags is not an equal distribution of "firepower." Who knows, maybe SGT Wilson can be the spark that changes the culture of 2nd platoon for the better.
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I'm not sure if I've ever seen a bottom up cleansing, when there has been toxicity at the top.
1) When I was the new guy in my last AD platoon, I showed up a LCpl and was put in a TL billet. I had a little under 2 years in the Corps along with 1 deployment. 3 months later I was promoted to Corporal. At that same time, our brand new battalion who was already light on NCO's took nearly every SNCO and formed a BTT for a deployment to Iraq. That shift meant every Platoon Sergeant (PS) was now filled by a Sergeant and almost every Corporal was now a Squad Leader (SL). I believe in my company we had around 4 or 5 Sergeant's left as Squad Leaders, one of them mine. It became quickly apparent that he was not a good leader and so I went from TL to SL in the same squad. I had never had any issues with Marines questioning my rank or authority. It may have helped that the platoon was comprised of mostly boots (including most TL's), but it goes to show that good order and discipline can be retained after a promotion. To show that it wasnt an outlier, my best TL who I put in that role after I got promoted, took over the squad when I left. He would go on to be meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and I have yet to hear of any issues outside of when he was a fresh non-rate TL and his team was testing his new authority (they all went to boot camp and SOI together, and it was mostly when he was tasked to get his team do police call or do some other working party, not in direct performance of grunt work).
2. Ball N Chain nailed it. Much like how the Corps stacks jobs for new officers, placing all the talent in one unit exposes weaknesses in other units. While challenging, it will be the best place for the commander to have the best fighting force. It the platoon is that fucked up, they should consider realigning more than just Wilson to 2nd.
2. Ball N Chain nailed it. Much like how the Corps stacks jobs for new officers, placing all the talent in one unit exposes weaknesses in other units. While challenging, it will be the best place for the commander to have the best fighting force. It the platoon is that fucked up, they should consider realigning more than just Wilson to 2nd.
1. When a soldier is promoted from the enlisted ranks into the NCO corps, reassignment gives the new sergeant a chance to test his/her wings without the baggage of his /her previous station. I'm not sure much is to be gained by reassignment in the same company...I would prefer to see the troop moved to another company or evenbetter, another battalion.
2. As a platoon leader, company commander I never got involved in the reassignment of NCOs....i was asked my opinion, but as an officer who soldier was being reassigned, I never offered an opinion regarding where the troop might land. I don't recall be g asked. Office reassignments, yes. N CO assignments, no.
2. As a platoon leader, company commander I never got involved in the reassignment of NCOs....i was asked my opinion, but as an officer who soldier was being reassigned, I never offered an opinion regarding where the troop might land. I don't recall be g asked. Office reassignments, yes. N CO assignments, no.
D
Deleted member 2517
Guest
What kind of PSG doesn’t let his boys use first names? How is that unprofessional. That’s a sign of real camaraderie and closeness IMO. Ellery sounds like a fucking nerd. Sorry that stuck out.
1. getting a variety of experience is always good. Also PLTs tend to get along better when you know each other- having cross pollination with other companies, platoons and squads can help with that. That’s why you typically see people leave their companies they grew up in as they are promoted here.
2. Sending a young buck to be a TL in a bad platoon is dumb. He is too new in the job to be set in his “good” ways and will conform to the shitbag PLT, versus raising them up. One TL actually has very little power and won’t be enough to fix his PLT. Also, if the joes can’t respect their former peer becoming their leader then they have some serious discipline issues.
1. getting a variety of experience is always good. Also PLTs tend to get along better when you know each other- having cross pollination with other companies, platoons and squads can help with that. That’s why you typically see people leave their companies they grew up in as they are promoted here.
2. Sending a young buck to be a TL in a bad platoon is dumb. He is too new in the job to be set in his “good” ways and will conform to the shitbag PLT, versus raising them up. One TL actually has very little power and won’t be enough to fix his PLT. Also, if the joes can’t respect their former peer becoming their leader then they have some serious discipline issues.
1. I've always liked the idea of giving fresh NCOs a new start away from the Joes they came up with, but that's just never been something feasible in my personal experience as a cook. Every 92G in the brigade(or two if it's a consolidated DFAC) works together; moving Battalions doesn't change much.
The only good thing about that is the junior NCOs who develop well in that environment are always assets to whatever organization they go to next.
2. As @DasBoot and @digrar have said, rot happens from the top down. I had a NCO like SFC Manners in Korea; I was able to change the structure, but that's only because we had no SSG, and I was the senior SGT 18 months from ETS who didn't give a damn about getting chewed out/written up for bucking his awful leadership. Not exactly something I think we'd want SPC Wilson to embrace, or really any other brand new NCO.
I'd be more likely to send him to one of the other PLTs to allow him to develop without learning some shitbag tactics. If we truly want to help 2nd PLT, maybe SFC Ellery should see about sending over an experienced SSG with the tact and backbone to help correct that ship.
The only good thing about that is the junior NCOs who develop well in that environment are always assets to whatever organization they go to next.
2. As @DasBoot and @digrar have said, rot happens from the top down. I had a NCO like SFC Manners in Korea; I was able to change the structure, but that's only because we had no SSG, and I was the senior SGT 18 months from ETS who didn't give a damn about getting chewed out/written up for bucking his awful leadership. Not exactly something I think we'd want SPC Wilson to embrace, or really any other brand new NCO.
I'd be more likely to send him to one of the other PLTs to allow him to develop without learning some shitbag tactics. If we truly want to help 2nd PLT, maybe SFC Ellery should see about sending over an experienced SSG with the tact and backbone to help correct that ship.
This was literally every senior NCO I knew in the general purpose force way back when I was an infantry PL. On duty, they even referred to each other as "Sergeant." The officers called each other by first name if they were the same rank, or a senior officer speaking to a junior officer. That was pretty consistent in my experience until I got into SOF.
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Deleted member 2517
Guest
That’s gross... I know the big Army is generally first name adverse but I figured that was more a personal thing vs an institutional rule.
side note- I didn’t realize how much the regular army hated first names until Florida phase of Ranger school. During an AAR a couple of us (who had all been together for the entire of school in the same squad or platoon at that point) referred to each other using first names. The RI stopped me mid sentence and asked “Are you a fucking Green Beanie?” I replied “no sergeant I’m from 1/75.”
his response- “we aren’t in fucking group here using last fucking names. Of course1/75 is using first names...” and that was the 1214th time an RI made some snide “of course you’re from 1/75..” comment...
Never used first names unless off duty the whole time I was at Batt, but it's a new breed or something like that. lol
D
Deleted member 2517
Guest
A better breed....
ETA: it’s not across the board. But the guys I warrant as real friends who I have gone through a lot with, I use first names.
I thought E9's were the only ones you referred to by their rank.. weird.
That evening after final formation, Sergeant Ellery had 5th Platoon stand fast. “Specialist Wilson! Front and center!”
“Moving, Sergeant!” said Wilson enthusiastically, taking one step backwards out of his squad line and then double timing to face Ellery.
“Parade, REST!” Ellery commanded as the rest of the company began to drift away for the evening.
“5th Platoon,” Ellery said loudly, “You are here after everyone else has gone home today because of Specialist Wilson. You can blame him for what happens next.” Wilson, and the rest of the platoon, looked at Ellery in confusion. Wilson NEVER got in trouble.
“Specialist Wilson,” Ellery continued, “Is out of uniform. What are we going to do about that, sir?” he called back to Lieutenant Faith.
They had rehearsed this with the other NCOs prior to formation. Faith knew his lines: “Well we better get his entire chain of command up there to fix it, Sergeant!”
“Roger that, sir. Platoon—Atten…tion!” Ellery bellowed. When the still-confused platoon snapped to rigid attention, Ellery executed a crisp about-face. Faith marched around the left side of his platoon on a position in front of Ellery. Ellery saluted and Faith returned the salute. “NCOs, take your post!” Faith ordered. This was a non-standard drill and ceremony order, but because of the rehearsal the NCOs knew what to do. The lined up behind Wilson, who was facing Faith and had no idea what was happening behind him. “Specialist Wilson,” Faith called out, “About… FACE!” Wilson executed the ordered movement and found himself face to face with a line of three men: his team leader, his squad leader, and his platoon sergeant. A smile began to creep over his face as recognition of what was happening started to sink in.
“Attention to orders,” Faith intoned, “The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence of the Specialist Jason A. Wilson. In view of these qualities and their demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the United States Army, they are, therefore, promoted to the rank of sergeant, effective today.” He did it from memory, with no notes.
As Faith spoke, the NCOs in front of Wilson removed the new NCO’s specialist insignia and tossed it over their shoulders. It made a faint *ting!* noise when they struck the asphalt. Sergeant Ellery motioned for Faith to join the line, and Specialist Wilson’s platoon sergeant and new platoon leader pinned on his triple-chevron insignia of a buck sergeant. Faith went to put the metal backings on the sharp pins of the insignia, but Ellery waved him off. “Not yet, sir,” he whispered.
“5th Platoon,” Ellery stated, “Fall out and join me in congratulating the Army’s newest NCO, Sergeant Jason Wilson!” The platoon erupted in cheers. Wilson was a popular and well-liked junior leader within the platoon. A line formed to congratulate Wilson. Faith was first. He exchanged salutes with Wilson and shook his hand. “Congratulations, Sergeant,” he said.
Ellery followed Faith. Faith watched as Ellery squared up to Wilson. “Are you ready, Sergeant?” he asked.
“Roger, Sarn’t,” Wilson said, enthusiastically but with a little uncertainty. The rest of the platoon seemed to know what was about to happen, even if Faith did not.
“Oh damn, you’re going to get it now!”
“Get ‘im, Sergeant Ellery!”
“Time to bring the pain!”
Without further warning, Ellery brought down both hands in a thunderous thud onto Wilson’s collar, directly onto the pins which Faith knew due to the fact that they were still in his hand, did not have the metal backs over the sharp pins.
Having experienced “blood pinning” many times in college and in Army schools, Faith imagined he felt the pins going into Wilson’s skin when he heard the whump made by Ellery’s hands. Wilson took a step back with one foot after the impact and looked a little surprised but otherwise seemed fine. Ellery popped up the collar of Wilson’s uniform and motioned for Faith. “Sir?” he asked. Faith handed over the metal pin backs and put them on the pins. He then smoothed out Wilson’s collar. “OK,” he said, beckoning to the rest of the platoon.
Having seen the walloping that Wilson just received from Ellery, most of the rest of the platoon simply shook his hand. A few, however, clapped Wilson on the collar in the same manner that Sergeant Ellery did. But with the back on the pins, the blows were harmless. For his part, Staff Sergeant David, Wilson’s squad leader, patted him lightly on the collar. “Good job, Sergeant. I’m proud of you.”
The last group of soldiers waiting to congratulate the Army’s newest sergeant was a group of specialists, Wilson’s now-former running buddies within the platoon. They were clearly planning… something.
“You either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain,” one of them joked. “You are hereby excommunicated from the Spec-4 Mafia!” exclaimed another. “You’re one of them now, sergeant,” said a third. While they all tried to carry a menacing tone, it was clear that they were happy that Wilson was getting promoted. One of them went up to Wilson and began removing the backings from his sergeant rank. They clearly wanted in on the blood pinning.
“If you take those backs off after Sergeant Ellery put them on, the next thing to come off is your head,” warned Corporal Laser. After considering it for a moment, the specialist decided that discretion was the better part of valor on this issue. “You’re lucky,” he said to Wilson with a wink. “OK everyone, let’s head to the all-ranks, drinks are on Sergeant Wilson!”
“Not so fast,” said Sergeant Ellery. “Fall back in.”
After the platoon was re-assembled, Sergeant Ellery addressed the troops. “Men, this is a great occasion. I’m proud to have Sergeant Wilson as a fellow NCO. The last event to take place during an NCO promotion is a recitation of the NCO Creed. I invite all NCOs to say it with me:
“Sir, you have anything?” he asked of Faith.
“Negative, Sergeant,” Faith responded.
“Platoon… dis-missed! Make good decisions tonight. Remember the rank that the Army gives on Thursday can be taken away on Friday.”
“Sergeant Ellery fucked you up, Wilson!” Faith heard one of the specialists say as they walked off towards the all-ranks club. “That’s SERGEANT Wilson to you!” another specialist jokingly corrected.
After the promotion, Faith and Ellery headed back to their shared office to finish up a few loose ends. Faith was slightly troubled by the blood pinning. Ellery seemed like such a by-the-book kind of NCO. But blood pinning, while widespread and, honestly, even expected in the Infantry, was also specifically banned as hazing. More out of curiosity than anything else, he decided to ask Ellery about it.
“So blood pinning is a thing here?” he asked.
“Not really, sir,” Ellery responded.
“Do you worry that you might set a bad example to the troops by blood pinning someone in front of the who platoon? Or that someone might dime you out to the sergeant major over it?”
“I’ve never ‘blood pinned’ anyone in my entire life,” he countered.
“I just saw you do it, Sergeant Ellery!” Faith exclaimed.
“Did you, sir?” Ellery inquired. “If there’s nothing else, I think I’ll head home. It’s been a pretty long day. See you at PT tomorrow?”
Faith nodded.
“Never blood pinned anyone?? WTF was THAT supposed to mean?” Faith wondered as he went to the car and headed for the Officers’ Club and a much-needed beer.
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1) Blood pinning: have you done it? Have you had it done to you? Do you consider it hazing?
2) Faith clearly believes that this was hazing. What, if anything, should he do about it? Does this diminish the regard with which he formerly held Sergeant Ellery?
3) Memorizing things like promotion orders and the oath of enlistment… does it mean something to the troops or is it a waste of time?
“Moving, Sergeant!” said Wilson enthusiastically, taking one step backwards out of his squad line and then double timing to face Ellery.
“Parade, REST!” Ellery commanded as the rest of the company began to drift away for the evening.
“5th Platoon,” Ellery said loudly, “You are here after everyone else has gone home today because of Specialist Wilson. You can blame him for what happens next.” Wilson, and the rest of the platoon, looked at Ellery in confusion. Wilson NEVER got in trouble.
“Specialist Wilson,” Ellery continued, “Is out of uniform. What are we going to do about that, sir?” he called back to Lieutenant Faith.
They had rehearsed this with the other NCOs prior to formation. Faith knew his lines: “Well we better get his entire chain of command up there to fix it, Sergeant!”
“Roger that, sir. Platoon—Atten…tion!” Ellery bellowed. When the still-confused platoon snapped to rigid attention, Ellery executed a crisp about-face. Faith marched around the left side of his platoon on a position in front of Ellery. Ellery saluted and Faith returned the salute. “NCOs, take your post!” Faith ordered. This was a non-standard drill and ceremony order, but because of the rehearsal the NCOs knew what to do. The lined up behind Wilson, who was facing Faith and had no idea what was happening behind him. “Specialist Wilson,” Faith called out, “About… FACE!” Wilson executed the ordered movement and found himself face to face with a line of three men: his team leader, his squad leader, and his platoon sergeant. A smile began to creep over his face as recognition of what was happening started to sink in.
“Attention to orders,” Faith intoned, “The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence of the Specialist Jason A. Wilson. In view of these qualities and their demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the United States Army, they are, therefore, promoted to the rank of sergeant, effective today.” He did it from memory, with no notes.
As Faith spoke, the NCOs in front of Wilson removed the new NCO’s specialist insignia and tossed it over their shoulders. It made a faint *ting!* noise when they struck the asphalt. Sergeant Ellery motioned for Faith to join the line, and Specialist Wilson’s platoon sergeant and new platoon leader pinned on his triple-chevron insignia of a buck sergeant. Faith went to put the metal backings on the sharp pins of the insignia, but Ellery waved him off. “Not yet, sir,” he whispered.
“5th Platoon,” Ellery stated, “Fall out and join me in congratulating the Army’s newest NCO, Sergeant Jason Wilson!” The platoon erupted in cheers. Wilson was a popular and well-liked junior leader within the platoon. A line formed to congratulate Wilson. Faith was first. He exchanged salutes with Wilson and shook his hand. “Congratulations, Sergeant,” he said.
Ellery followed Faith. Faith watched as Ellery squared up to Wilson. “Are you ready, Sergeant?” he asked.
“Roger, Sarn’t,” Wilson said, enthusiastically but with a little uncertainty. The rest of the platoon seemed to know what was about to happen, even if Faith did not.
“Oh damn, you’re going to get it now!”
“Get ‘im, Sergeant Ellery!”
“Time to bring the pain!”
Without further warning, Ellery brought down both hands in a thunderous thud onto Wilson’s collar, directly onto the pins which Faith knew due to the fact that they were still in his hand, did not have the metal backs over the sharp pins.
Having experienced “blood pinning” many times in college and in Army schools, Faith imagined he felt the pins going into Wilson’s skin when he heard the whump made by Ellery’s hands. Wilson took a step back with one foot after the impact and looked a little surprised but otherwise seemed fine. Ellery popped up the collar of Wilson’s uniform and motioned for Faith. “Sir?” he asked. Faith handed over the metal pin backs and put them on the pins. He then smoothed out Wilson’s collar. “OK,” he said, beckoning to the rest of the platoon.
Having seen the walloping that Wilson just received from Ellery, most of the rest of the platoon simply shook his hand. A few, however, clapped Wilson on the collar in the same manner that Sergeant Ellery did. But with the back on the pins, the blows were harmless. For his part, Staff Sergeant David, Wilson’s squad leader, patted him lightly on the collar. “Good job, Sergeant. I’m proud of you.”
The last group of soldiers waiting to congratulate the Army’s newest sergeant was a group of specialists, Wilson’s now-former running buddies within the platoon. They were clearly planning… something.
“You either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain,” one of them joked. “You are hereby excommunicated from the Spec-4 Mafia!” exclaimed another. “You’re one of them now, sergeant,” said a third. While they all tried to carry a menacing tone, it was clear that they were happy that Wilson was getting promoted. One of them went up to Wilson and began removing the backings from his sergeant rank. They clearly wanted in on the blood pinning.
“If you take those backs off after Sergeant Ellery put them on, the next thing to come off is your head,” warned Corporal Laser. After considering it for a moment, the specialist decided that discretion was the better part of valor on this issue. “You’re lucky,” he said to Wilson with a wink. “OK everyone, let’s head to the all-ranks, drinks are on Sergeant Wilson!”
“Not so fast,” said Sergeant Ellery. “Fall back in.”
After the platoon was re-assembled, Sergeant Ellery addressed the troops. “Men, this is a great occasion. I’m proud to have Sergeant Wilson as a fellow NCO. The last event to take place during an NCO promotion is a recitation of the NCO Creed. I invite all NCOs to say it with me:
“Sir, you have anything?” he asked of Faith.
“Negative, Sergeant,” Faith responded.
“Platoon… dis-missed! Make good decisions tonight. Remember the rank that the Army gives on Thursday can be taken away on Friday.”
“Sergeant Ellery fucked you up, Wilson!” Faith heard one of the specialists say as they walked off towards the all-ranks club. “That’s SERGEANT Wilson to you!” another specialist jokingly corrected.
After the promotion, Faith and Ellery headed back to their shared office to finish up a few loose ends. Faith was slightly troubled by the blood pinning. Ellery seemed like such a by-the-book kind of NCO. But blood pinning, while widespread and, honestly, even expected in the Infantry, was also specifically banned as hazing. More out of curiosity than anything else, he decided to ask Ellery about it.
“So blood pinning is a thing here?” he asked.
“Not really, sir,” Ellery responded.
“Do you worry that you might set a bad example to the troops by blood pinning someone in front of the who platoon? Or that someone might dime you out to the sergeant major over it?”
“I’ve never ‘blood pinned’ anyone in my entire life,” he countered.
“I just saw you do it, Sergeant Ellery!” Faith exclaimed.
“Did you, sir?” Ellery inquired. “If there’s nothing else, I think I’ll head home. It’s been a pretty long day. See you at PT tomorrow?”
Faith nodded.
“Never blood pinned anyone?? WTF was THAT supposed to mean?” Faith wondered as he went to the car and headed for the Officers’ Club and a much-needed beer.
-----
1) Blood pinning: have you done it? Have you had it done to you? Do you consider it hazing?
2) Faith clearly believes that this was hazing. What, if anything, should he do about it? Does this diminish the regard with which he formerly held Sergeant Ellery?
3) Memorizing things like promotion orders and the oath of enlistment… does it mean something to the troops or is it a waste of time?
