I have been told that an NCO should never do push ups because it's an order the chain of command would not enforce and it kills the NCO's power base with the soldiers. On the other hand, you have to do what you're told. Otherwise, it's UCMJ. Doing pushups is no big deal compared to that and it shows that nobody is above the rules.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Should NCOs drop subordinate NCOs in order to enforce discipline in the Army?
- Thread starter Paul M
- Start date
Dropping an NCO for push ups is not against the rules......but not a good concept.... it is poor leadership
I correct my NCO's in private.....never in front of the troops...... they may get push-ups but they will be in a private session not in the public
I also do something else......for example all my trainees got push ups (never more than ten at any one session)....when they had a button undone.... on a couple of occasions I found myself with a button undone..... I tasked the troops to count..... and then I would give them twenty push ups ( I am the leader so I do more than them).....Funny, but they NEVER counted loud enough and they always got ten push ups when I was done..... You lead by example....
You NEVER denigrate subordinate leaders in front of their troops.....
I correct my NCO's in private.....never in front of the troops...... they may get push-ups but they will be in a private session not in the public
I also do something else......for example all my trainees got push ups (never more than ten at any one session)....when they had a button undone.... on a couple of occasions I found myself with a button undone..... I tasked the troops to count..... and then I would give them twenty push ups ( I am the leader so I do more than them).....Funny, but they NEVER counted loud enough and they always got ten push ups when I was done..... You lead by example....
You NEVER denigrate subordinate leaders in front of their troops.....
LarrySmile
New member
Hello Paul,
An NCO should be corrected in private by his superiors. Never before the subordinate troops.
I have never ordered troops to drop and do push ups. Maybe this works for Basic Training. It is counterproductive and does not instill discipline. It only makes troops hateful to NCOs.
However, I do like telling people to go "take a lap" and get them out of my face while they run around the compound. This lets them "think" about their mistake while they are running and when they return they go back into formation with no other words or comments by me.
I prefer to always praise in public and criticize in private.
Just don't mess up and no one will have to "correct you."
Best wishes,
Larry Smith
SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant
An NCO should be corrected in private by his superiors. Never before the subordinate troops.
I have never ordered troops to drop and do push ups. Maybe this works for Basic Training. It is counterproductive and does not instill discipline. It only makes troops hateful to NCOs.
However, I do like telling people to go "take a lap" and get them out of my face while they run around the compound. This lets them "think" about their mistake while they are running and when they return they go back into formation with no other words or comments by me.
I prefer to always praise in public and criticize in private.
Just don't mess up and no one will have to "correct you."
Best wishes,
Larry Smith
SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant