28 Oct 2013
,As a Platoon Sergeant one has the responsibility to ensure that the orders that are given and the communication that is used with the subordinate soldier is received and understood. In all the training material provided by the United States Army including the Soldier Development programs, communication is clearly covered.
By SFC Green’s own admission in her counseling statement to me, she stated that she asked me the question “What you were doing?” by which I answered “I am working Sergeant”. I stated this very respectfully and was unclear why she asked me a second time. At this point when she repeated the same question, she was very clearly irritated but did not explain that she was asking for further information. Since SFC Green failed to clarify a need for further information I answered that “I am working Sergeant”. At this point if she had simply asked what specifically I was working then I would have gladly answered that I was asking SGT Nakamura about the status of the MILES gear for an upcoming FTX. I am simply unable to read the mind of someone and SFC Green is clearly aware that I use words differently as English is my second language.
Once she asked me to go to her I office, I reported directly to her office. She stated that “you are getting on my nerves”. At no point in the conversation did she ever clarify what about my answer to her was unsatisfactory. SFC Green told me that we had spoken about “this” last week but again she did not clarify anything. I have attempted on several occasions to explain to SFC Green that due to my upbringing in the Philippines, that my tone and demeanor is not meant to be disrespectful but is part of my culture and the way I learned to speak. I was taught in the military to answer questions immediately and succinctly. The answer I gave was very respectful and to the point, had I misunderstood the nature of her question, all she had to do was rephrase the question so that I understood. SFC Green has...