Officers versus Senior NCOs

dragonstar SG

Arguments in another thread that went out of topic prompted this -

Officers versus Senior NCOs

As the opposing camps had stated, there are good and bad officers AND Senior NCOs. I have seen them all, good and bad officers in my battalion, good and bad Senior NCOs (i.e. those holding CSM/BSM appointments and up).

In my battery, all officers were respected except for the Battery 2IC, a young national service guy who was given the appointment immediately after his commission. He was not particular competent and liked to pull rank. The BSM on the other hand, was a regular and maybe 10 years older and much more experienced, and whom the men listened to.

I have seen an officer cry, but never a Senior NCO. The Battery 2IC was so hated that none of the NCOs (except for the BSM, whom the Battery 2IC had never crossed sword with) would obey his orders - and thus the crying incident. As you can imagine, he totally lost all our respect since then.

Any other incidents that inspire respect or disrepect that you have encountered?

esesce SG

During BMT way back in 1996, we had 4 PCs. One was a LTA who was about to ORD. The other 3 were 2LT. All 3 happened to be rich mama's boys & drove to camp in BMW & the like. All 3 were damn farking arrogant & looked down on everyone. They didn't even give the OC any face. One of them tried to pull rank with the chief PTI (a 2WO) & was told that during PT lessons, the PTI is in charge (which is true).

And they always talked as if they were so damn good. "You will see your PC walking around looking very handsome & wearing a beret". Fark you lah! Its only a green beret which practically everyone has! Don't talk as if its a maroon or khaki beret.

Needless to say, no one liked those 3 losers.

malcolmloke SG

Like what has been said, there are both good and bad officers and senior NCOs alike. Sometimes you need a check to them should they go way too off. For Recruits, I guess seeing the OO is the best option, although I have seen recruits threatening their instructors with this. Not very nice lah.

I have personally witness a NSF 2LT throwing his rank at an encik because the encik tried to "bully" some other ranks by turning out the guards for more than 10 times within a night. This NSF is usually very quiet and in fact shows respect to most enciks and never throw his rank around. That was the only time I saw him throw rank.

kopiosatu SG

I wouldn't call the throwing rank... he did what he felt was right.

The warrant was throwing his rank.

malcolmloke SG

Yeah.. perhaps . Mr. Green

You are right in saying that the encik threw rank, but I guess very often you have to "throw back" rank to these people who many of times won't listen to reasonable request? Very difficult trying to rationalise with them. So I guess sometimes really no choice lah. This is also like a last resort.

Sometimes when you ask a laojiao to do something politely, he refused and try to siam his way. Especially when you are new to the unit. But when you try to tell him it's "instructions" or "orders", he accused you of "throwing rank".

Really LL lor. Mr. Green

sgFish SG

i apologise for my ignorance, as i haven’t been through NS yet…but what’s pull rank and throw rank?

Cpl Ho SG

Imagine is your class monitor telling you, 'I'm your monitor, so you better listen to me, sit down and shut up!' Wink

malcolmloke SG

Interesting explaination there Mr. Green

Obersturmfuhrer SG

The thread title kind of suggests a head-on conflict between the two. I would prefer something more neutral like “Bad leadership experience”.

devilgoth SG

battery…. so which SA is it? 23 SA ar? hahaa

esesce SG

Since when was there a 23 SA??

fett SG

Since when was there not a 23 SA Rolling Eyes

dragonstar SG

Bullseye Smile 23SA

Johnston SG

Since... er... longer than you have known?
Smile

Since photographs came in black and white?????

fett SG

don't know about 23SA but arty should be coming to 120yrs old soon.