Grouchy TSgt

[Guest Squez0114]

Just wondering if anyone's ever run into rude enlisted personnel...I'm a new LT doing casual with a fighter squadron. I'm doing scheduling and many other misc duties like making sure things are setup for fini flights and retirements. So here's my story:

I was trying to sort everything for this guy's fini flight in the Viper who is retiring. His family was waiting for him to land. I asked the TSgt at the ops desk to call and get them permission to go on the flight line with cameras. He says, "How many." I said 4 cameras. The, with glaring eyes, he says "How many people." So I told him 12. He'd given me a sticky note to write down the escort for them and how many people/cameras. As I told him all the info, he was writing something down. So he grabs the sticky note, looks at it, notices it's empty, gives me a dirtier look than my wife gives me when I seriously piss her off, and literally throws (overhand) the sticky note pad at his desk. Then he called to clear them.

The point of the story is that he pissed me off by not telling me what I was doing wrong if I was doing anything wrong at all. So what should I do? I'm going to bring it up with my boss tomorrow. I have another fini flight tomorrow morning. So I asked the TSgt if there was anything I could do to make the clearing process any easier, and he just said, "Call 3___4." He said nothing else. So I'm going to call myself tomorrow to clear a group of people to go onto the flight line so I don't have to deal with the grouchy TSgt.

[Champ Kind]

The 1C's here at CAFB always seemed to have some attitude towards students whenever we asked something of them. I never really said anything about it, but it always kind of erked me. The IPs did a fine job of letting us know we sucked, I didn't need enlisted personnel at the duty desk to rub it in.

[Jkarl]

I don’t think it's what you ask, I think it's the way you ask it. I always show respect for the TechSgt, MSgt, Etc. because quite frankly they have a lot more time in, and don’t want to be taking orders from a 4 month old Lt. (not to say they wouldn’t follow orders given by an officer,) but I think a lot of senior enlisted get pissed when some hot shot Lt. walks through the door barking orders and demanding sh*t. I’m not saying don’t act like your not an officer, but mutual respect will never really hurt you. If I were you, I wouldn’t bring it up to the boss either, he probably has better stuff to worry about than a Tsgt rolling his eyes at you. You’re an officer, handle it yourself.

[ 22. September 2005, 23:25: Message edited by: Jkarl ]

[Guest Xtndr50boom]

Originally posted by Jkarl:

You’re an officer, handle it yourself.

No sh!t, that is some of the best advice I've ever heard on this forum.

Well done Jkarl!

[Mambo]

Well, as a Tech Sgt in the Air Force, let me throw in my view. First off, this guy was totally unprofessional and his actions were uncalled for. Maybe he was having a bad day, but that is no reason to give you the attitude that he did. I don't care if it's your first day as a 2nd LT, an officer is an officer, and he needs to show you the respect that comes with being an officer. And as such, I agree that you should deal with this yourself. Talk to him and find out what the deal is.

I've been very fortunate that I have never run into the "hot shot LT" that demands something. All the O's I've dealt with have been respectful of my opinions and time in service. Being in AWACS there are quite a few new O's that have never dealt with airmen and NCO's. I've talked to alot of the O's about how to handle situations with thier E's, and I always tell them the same thing. Try to handle it on a person to person level and professionally, but if all else fails, you're an officer and if you need to lower the hammer then do so.

[Guest Robes]

I have seen where you are going countless times... a better example if a Chief(MX) telling a new Capt to come back in a few minutes because he is busy with shop work. Capt goes to LTC who is the CC and wants the Chief to eat paper. LTC tells Capt it ain't gunna happen, he is a Chief. Point being as a new LT the best job you can do is shut your mouth and open your ears (man that sounds familiar). Also, remember one of the greatest jokes of all times...

What is the biggest difference between an A1C and a 2LT?

The A1C has been promoted!

Cheers

[Guest CabDriver]

Originally posted by Xtndr50boom:

No sh!t, that is some of the best advice I've ever heard on this forum.

Well done Jkarl!

[Guest mphamer]

BSAV,

Maybe the TSgt. is just naturally a tool (likely)or maybe he had a bad day. Either way his behavior sucked (It doesn't really matter if you are a LT or One-stripe Airman). If he does again, call him on it.

MP

[Guest Xtndr50boom]

Or maybe the TSgt has seen dozens of casual Lt.s in his squadrons throughout his 15 year career, was having a bad day already, and your request just made it worse. Yeah, his behavior sucked, but you'll have those days as well. But I figure you'd rather have a superior debrief/counsel you instead of running to mom/CC about it.

Way to shoot from the hip mphamer! Must be a tool if he doesn't immediately salute and say "javul mein commendante!"

[Guest mphamer]

Whoa there boom, I never said to lock him up and march him in to see the CC, I said "If he does it again, call him on it" as in: "Hey Sarge, are you always a grumpy bastard or just when I talk to you?"

Throwing a tantrum is stupid, doesn't matter if you are a E-1 or an 0-6, Bad day my ass, I don't care if your dog died or you just caught your d*ck in your zipper. Act like a tool and I'll treat you like one.

Stupid is as stupid does Forrest!

MP

[ 23. September 2005, 13:23: Message edited by: mphamer ]

[Guest KoolKat]

"caught your d*ck in your zipper."

That actually just happened to me a few weeks ago.

I just sucked it up (<---that needs a STS) and acted professionally all day, even when I was wondering how my guy was doing down there after the tramatic experience from the morning.

BSAV, I concur with what's been said. Definitly handle this yourself, if you went up the chain with this one, the "mom/CC" comment is totally applicable. OTOH, if it's just a one time thing, and he is professional here on out, forget about it. If it's a pattern, talk to him. No biggy.

Now, if he didn't catch his dick in his zipper. I'm sorry to hear that, that F'in' hurt.

BENDY

[ 23. September 2005, 13:46: Message edited by: Bender ]

[Guest guardhopefull]

Originally posted by PhlashNU04:

The 1C's here at CAFB always seemed to have some attitude towards students whenever we asked something of them. I never really said anything about it, but it always kind of erked me. The IPs did a fine job of letting us know we sucked, I didn't need enlisted personnel at the duty desk to rub it in.

PhlashNU04

That’s hilarious cause the ones here at XL do the exact same thing. Glad to know its universal. They must all be well briefed on the mass student harassment program! HA

[Skitzo]

Grumpy support personnel, that was my biggest complaint at SUPT at CBM, even put it in my critique (don't forget to do that). Every person down at finance, MPF, and pretty much everywhere in the support group views the average student pilot as a student first, officer second.

Fast forward to after getting wings, people bending over backwards to help me get my ducks in a row.

Edit: Not really grumpy as much as just wanting to pass the buck onto someone else instead of getting you an answer.

[ 23. September 2005, 18:03: Message edited by: ktulu34535 ]

[HerkDerka]

I say next time just b*tch slap him.

HD

[Smokin]

Maybe they just train the duty desk types to be that way cuz they are the exact same way here at Sheppard. It may be that they just pick up on the organization's attitude in general towards students. For those cadets and casual Lt's looking to go to flight school, don't expect to get treated like an officer until you get your wings. At least as a cadet I could get into the computer lab after hours, more than I can say about ENJJPT. While it's annoying that, for many of them, their professionalism is on par with that of a jr high student, it is usually just one more piece on the huge pile of $hit you have to shovel through while at UPT.

As HD said, you could always ask them "what did the five fingers say to the face?"

[ 23. September 2005, 18:55: Message edited by: Stud@ENJJPT ]

[Gas Man]

Same at Vance

[163 FS]

Originally posted by KIPP:

Same at Vance

Yep

[Guest Xtndr50boom]

Originally posted by mphamer:

Whoa there boom, I never said to lock him up and march him in to see the CC, I said "If he does it again, call him on it" as in: "Hey Sarge, are you always a grumpy bastard or just when I talk to you?"

Throwing a tantrum is stupid, doesn't matter if you are a E-1 or an 0-6, Bad day my ass, I don't care if your dog died or you just caught your d*ck in your zipper. Act like a tool and I'll treat you like one.

Stupid is as stupid does Forrest!

MP

I know Mphamer, I was commenting on how you wrote (likely) after writing he may just naturally be a tool. I wasn't implying that YOU were talking about tattling to mom about his behavior. I just got that vibe from BSAV's "talk to my boss" which could lead up to "talk to the CC".

People have bad days, but it's no excuse for the way he acted. So, see if he's like that normally. If it was a crap day, he'll probably apologize for being unprofessional, especially if you mention it to him; water under the bridge. If he's like that all the time, call him out on it. If he continues route it up the chain. You're an officer, and even as a 2Lt waiting to go to SUPT you are a leader. Act like one

I know if I got my d!ck caught in my zipper I wouldn't be in too good a mood either. Maybe a casual Lt calling me a loadmaster would set me off

[Guest thebronze]

Maybe a casual Lt calling me a loadmaster would set me off

What if they called you a Boom-master?

[Guest Xtndr50boom]

If you were my master, and your last name is Bate.....Would I have to call you Masterbate?

[Guest thebronze]

"Ahhh, but I AM your master..."

And that's MISTER Bates to you!

[Guest Xtndr50boom]

"Thank you sir, may I have another?"

[Guest MaxStatic]

Originally posted by Stud@ENJJPT:

.... don't expect to get treated like an officer until you get your wings....

Nope, don't think so dude. Just cause you are on the way to earning a set of wings to go along with your bars doesn't void the fact that you have bars in the mean time. You should be treated with the expected customs and courtesies. If they are lippy, settle it yourself, the gentlemen way. Maybe he was having a bad day, maybe he needs something from you, maybe not. I look at being a new Lt the same as I approached people in my last job. Be kind, polite and courteous but have a plan to kill everyone you meet. IOW be prepared for the worse and look for the best in everyone. Point is, be a leader and lead by example i.e. be professional. If someone is clearly out of line, chat with them about it privately.

IPs are the ones that should be slinging shit your way, not subordinates. I do not mean that in any sort of disrespectful way either. I KNOW who the backbone is, and I damn sure respect and honor their service. Mutual respect and professionalism are the key. I know it gets old dealing with trainees day in and day out but it's no excuse to be unprofessional or rude.

Can't we all just get along? ;)

[M2]

[LJ Driver]

Dude, not everyone gets along with others. You are the lowest form of life in the AF, especially to crusty old dudes. Deal with it. Who the hell cares if a TSgt threw a post-it note pad on his desk and looked at you funny? He got the job done and would do it again if you asked him to. People aren't required to kiss your ass all the time. Blow it off unless it happens all the time, then ask him what's up. If you get your panties in a knot everytime an enlisted dude that has 10+ years in the AF gives you attitude you are not going to have an enjoyable career...