Follies with 1st Sgt.
Follies with 1st Sgt. was created by jtallen83
Follies with the 1st Sgt.
part 1
This story is true, part of a rash and not so proud time in my life but worth a chuckle. This is the first of several interactions I had with a new 1st Sgt. that ended up getting a little out of hand for both of us.
The new 1st had been there about a week when the warmth of a young Fraulein caused me to decide PT was not so important that morning. Of course he didn’t see it the same way. The previous 1st had a Saturday PT if you were late so when I was told to report that evening my curiosity was peaked, what would the new guy’s policy be?
We met in the parking at the front of the barracks. He had a sledge hammer and a big track bar. He started out very calmly explaining the task ahead of me. “Allen, you are going to break this concrete into little chunks that you can load into a truck tomorrow.” I followed with what I thought was a simple question; “Where do I stop?” This prompted an in your face, full of spit response; “I’ll
tell you when to quit!” With that he did an about face and walked back into the building.
By the looks of the concrete it would have been easy to assume he meant the first two sections that were cracked up, his and the CO’s spots, with the rest of the spots being crack free and newer concrete. I guess he figured it was hard work and would take some time. Having done this exact job during summers in high school I had already established a good technique for this type of concrete removal. I proceeded to break concrete like a madman.
The look on his face when he came out of the barracks and saw me 30 feet past the bad stuff and still whacking away was priceless. He surprised me by calmly telling me to report for runner duty in the morning and then taking the sledge and bar. He never even asked me to load out all the broken stuff. Neither of us realized the nasty spiral that had been started that day.
I’ll follow up with another chapter soon.
part 1
This story is true, part of a rash and not so proud time in my life but worth a chuckle. This is the first of several interactions I had with a new 1st Sgt. that ended up getting a little out of hand for both of us.
The new 1st had been there about a week when the warmth of a young Fraulein caused me to decide PT was not so important that morning. Of course he didn’t see it the same way. The previous 1st had a Saturday PT if you were late so when I was told to report that evening my curiosity was peaked, what would the new guy’s policy be?
We met in the parking at the front of the barracks. He had a sledge hammer and a big track bar. He started out very calmly explaining the task ahead of me. “Allen, you are going to break this concrete into little chunks that you can load into a truck tomorrow.” I followed with what I thought was a simple question; “Where do I stop?” This prompted an in your face, full of spit response; “I’ll
tell you when to quit!” With that he did an about face and walked back into the building.By the looks of the concrete it would have been easy to assume he meant the first two sections that were cracked up, his and the CO’s spots, with the rest of the spots being crack free and newer concrete. I guess he figured it was hard work and would take some time. Having done this exact job during summers in high school I had already established a good technique for this type of concrete removal. I proceeded to break concrete like a madman.
The look on his face when he came out of the barracks and saw me 30 feet past the bad stuff and still whacking away was priceless. He surprised me by calmly telling me to report for runner duty in the morning and then taking the sledge and bar. He never even asked me to load out all the broken stuff. Neither of us realized the nasty spiral that had been started that day.
I’ll follow up with another chapter soon.
LIBERTY FIRST!
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Replied by Siscowet on topic Follies with 1st Sgt.
Once these things start they get a life of their own. Look forward to the next installment. Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Follies with 1st Sgt.
Chapter 2
Infantry Blue
I did my runner duty and then spent my day off with the Fraulein, some easy punishment I’m thinking. The next morning formation I get called out front. 1st Sgt. Proceeds to tell the company to keep away from me or they would find themselves in the same spot. I’m thinking again, what spot? Everyone gets dismissed and he fills me in on his plan.
Now this guy has me figured out, he informs me I will not be going to the next live fire exercise but will be pulling runner duty one day on and one day off till further notice. He took away my M60 time! I’m mad as hell but what can I do?
Now I’m pulling my runner duty the day everyone leaves for the field when at the last minute 1st Sgt. hollers at the Sgt. on duty to bring me to the second floor hallway. When we get there he has a five gallon bucket of Infantry blue paint and some supplies to apply it. He tells the Sgt. “Allen is going to paint this entire hallway before we get back, understood?” Sgt replies yes and we are left standing there together. Now my wheels are already turning so I clarify with the Sgt,”He wants me to paint the entire hallway?” he answered, “You heard him, now get busy!” I proceeded to paint and didn’t stop till the bucket was empty.
Now it has been a few days and neither duty Sgt. ever walks up the stairs to check my work. The guys start returning from the field, the first guy up the stairs hollers for the duty Sgt to come have a look. I had done exactly as told, I painted the entire hallway, the doors, the ceiling, the lights, the floor, everything! I didn’t get the privilege of being present when 1stSgt sees this but I could hear him yelling at the duty Sgt. Game on, round 2 goes to Allen, kind'a........
Infantry Blue
I did my runner duty and then spent my day off with the Fraulein, some easy punishment I’m thinking. The next morning formation I get called out front. 1st Sgt. Proceeds to tell the company to keep away from me or they would find themselves in the same spot. I’m thinking again, what spot? Everyone gets dismissed and he fills me in on his plan.
Now this guy has me figured out, he informs me I will not be going to the next live fire exercise but will be pulling runner duty one day on and one day off till further notice. He took away my M60 time! I’m mad as hell but what can I do?
Now I’m pulling my runner duty the day everyone leaves for the field when at the last minute 1st Sgt. hollers at the Sgt. on duty to bring me to the second floor hallway. When we get there he has a five gallon bucket of Infantry blue paint and some supplies to apply it. He tells the Sgt. “Allen is going to paint this entire
hallway before we get back, understood?” Sgt replies yes and we are left standing there together. Now my wheels are already turning so I clarify with the Sgt,”He wants me to paint the entire hallway?” he answered, “You heard him, now get busy!” I proceeded to paint and didn’t stop till the bucket was empty.Now it has been a few days and neither duty Sgt. ever walks up the stairs to check my work. The guys start returning from the field, the first guy up the stairs hollers for the duty Sgt to come have a look. I had done exactly as told, I painted the entire hallway, the doors, the ceiling, the lights, the floor, everything! I didn’t get the privilege of being present when 1stSgt sees this but I could hear him yelling at the duty Sgt. Game on, round 2 goes to Allen, kind'a........
LIBERTY FIRST!
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Replied by mrraley on topic Follies with 1st Sgt.
Now that sounds like something I would have done. 
"Attack the issue NOT the individual"
“Fix the problem, DON’T affix the blame”
"Prosecute the position, NOT the person"
“Fix the problem, DON’T affix the blame”
"Prosecute the position, NOT the person"
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Replied by jtallen83 on topic Follies with 1st Sgt.
Chapter 3
I thought I better start this with some context, not an excuse but just an attempt at helping you see where I was coming from at the time.
I had been promoted to E-4 just two days before leaving my unit in Georgia. I had busted my butt and my chain of command let me know it took some effort on their part to make it happen as fast as they did. It felt great to be appreciated and recognized for the effort.
I spent a couple weeks back in Iowa and then away we flew to Germany. In processing seemed to go fine and I was in my new bunk in just a few days. I proceeded to be all I could be, in a mech unit anyway. Now the first month after being promoted there is no raise on the check? No big deal it will be there next month……..nothing. I start going up the chain of command with the issue and for a month the only thing I’m told is “We’re working on it.”
I start to write letters to my old command and get statements from the CO that pinned the rank on me, a MSgt. and a Spec 5 Chaplin’s assistant that came to the same battalion as me a week later so his word is in person as well. A month passes with no word. I go to the IG office on post and jump through their hoops. Next thing I know they are telling me to put PFC stripes back on my uniforms, they can’t find the form whatever in my file.
Now I’ve been in the lead since I got to the unit, honestly the place was full of slackers so I could run half speed and still be miles ahead of whatever game they wanted to play. I thought I had established some credibility but it seemed like the whole chain of command had just bent me over. In hindsight my next move was the big mistake, instead of being patient with the system as my squad leader told me I went to the JAG office. Not really understanding what a lawyer’s role is I figured the guy was a Captain so I’d follow his suggestion. Ended up giving the CO a letter with demands and threats, basically told them I would be a morale problem till this mess got fixed. Although well within my “rights” all this letter did was poison the environment and my attitude. This is the state of mind that leads me to bust a little more concrete and paint a few more surfaces.
Now the 1stSgt gets the idea that the further away he can get me the better, off to special guard duty in Luxembourg. I’m thinking some punishment; I get to see another country. The post was overlooking a town with steep slopes all the way around, the buildings weren’t that old but it had that medieval fortress look. Then I find out the bad news, no leaving this tiny post!
They had a little “club” where you could order a meal and drink a couple beers, official 2 beer limit, and that was it for entertainment. The second night there I have a meal and my two beers then report for guard duty. We are guarding a motor pool inside a 50’x100’ or so barb wire topped fence and a locked gate with a bell. I hadn’t made one round when I started not feeling very good. There were a couple sedans amongst all the trucks and tanks so I decided to take a seat in the back of one for a minute, just to gather myself. Next thing I know I’m projectile vomiting all over the back of this sedan
. I simply close the door and go sit by the gate till my relief gets there.
I hit the rack when I’m done with duty but get woke up by the Sgt. of the guard and a full bird. They want to know if I’m the one who puked in the NATO Commanders car, got his briefcase good they tell me. I explain how it is and I’m on my way back to the 1stSgt!
They got nothing to really ding me on, a couple others got real sick from the same food. They go back to a late for formation and grab another stripe, now the FTA attitude is surging. Now I’m going to start really planning……
I thought I better start this with some context, not an excuse but just an attempt at helping you see where I was coming from at the time.
I had been promoted to E-4 just two days before leaving my unit in Georgia. I had busted my butt and my chain of command let me know it took some effort on their part to make it happen as fast as they did. It felt great to be appreciated and recognized for the effort.
I spent a couple weeks back in Iowa and then away we flew to Germany. In processing seemed to go fine and I was in my new bunk in just a few days. I proceeded to be all I could be, in a mech unit anyway. Now the first month after being promoted there is no raise on the check? No big deal it will be there next month……..nothing. I start going up the chain of command with the issue and for a month the only thing I’m told is “We’re working on it.”
I start to write letters to my old command and get statements from the CO that pinned the rank on me, a MSgt. and a Spec 5 Chaplin’s assistant that came to the same battalion as me a week later so his word is in person as well. A month passes with no word. I go to the IG office on post and jump through their hoops. Next thing I know they are telling me to put PFC stripes back on my uniforms, they can’t find the form whatever in my file.
Now I’ve been in the lead since I got to the unit, honestly the place was full of slackers so I could run half speed and still be miles ahead of whatever game they wanted to play. I thought I had established some credibility but it seemed like the whole chain of command had just bent me over. In hindsight my next move was the big mistake, instead of being patient with the system as my squad leader told me I went to the JAG office. Not really understanding what a lawyer’s role is I figured the guy was a Captain so I’d follow his suggestion. Ended up giving the CO a letter with demands and threats, basically told them I would be a morale problem till this mess got fixed. Although well within my “rights” all this letter did was poison the environment and my attitude. This is the state of mind that leads me to bust a little more concrete and paint a few more surfaces.
Now the 1stSgt gets the idea that the further away he can get me the better, off to special guard duty in Luxembourg. I’m thinking some punishment; I get to see another country. The post was overlooking a town with steep slopes all the way around, the buildings weren’t that old but it had that medieval fortress look. Then I find out the bad news, no leaving this tiny post!
They had a little “club” where you could order a meal and drink a couple beers, official 2 beer limit, and that was it for entertainment. The second night there I have a meal and my two beers then report for guard duty. We are guarding a motor pool inside a 50’x100’ or so barb wire topped fence and a locked gate with a bell. I hadn’t made one round when I started not feeling very good. There were a couple sedans amongst all the trucks and tanks so I decided to take a seat in the back of one for a minute, just to gather myself. Next thing I know I’m projectile vomiting all over the back of this sedan
. I simply close the door and go sit by the gate till my relief gets there.I hit the rack when I’m done with duty but get woke up by the Sgt. of the guard and a full bird. They want to know if I’m the one who puked in the NATO Commanders car, got his briefcase good they tell me. I explain how it is and I’m on my way back to the 1stSgt!
They got nothing to really ding me on, a couple others got real sick from the same food. They go back to a late for formation and grab another stripe, now the FTA attitude is surging. Now I’m going to start really planning……
LIBERTY FIRST!
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