WvBowhunterKE Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Just wanted to see if you believe this would fall under any grounds of getting in trouble. Our motor sgt wanted us to put old junky parts on our soldiers truck. As a mechanic we are responsible for anything that may happen. As in if the truck breaks down, rolls over or anyone is hurt we are reliable because its our name on the line. It is OUR work that is protecting our mens lives. I refused to put a junk part on one of the trucks, I did not feel comfortable with the condition of the part. I thought it would be putting our guys at risk. I got a counceling statement for refusing to follow a direct order.... Doesnt seem right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I would have installed it and made a written report with proof like an email or a cabon copy to the folks that drive the rigs. Tink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Its a little different for the military especially when your deployed....When our men go out on a mission their lives are in our hands. I could not live with the fact that my work cost my battle his life... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I got a counceling statement for refusing to follow a direct order..... I'm not military. What does a counciling statement mean? Does it mean that you will get counciling from a superior officer? Can you explain your side of the story? I know the military way is different but I would think that someone would listen. If thing go bad just tell them that 60 Minutes would just love to hear this story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 It means I get negative points on my record. Like for a promotion or what not. By refusing to put a junk part onto a truck, which in turn could cost one of my battles their lives. I got in trouble, that would be the simplest way to explain it. Pretty much slapped on the wrist and got negative feedback put on my record. Which sucks, because naturally a promotion in any sense means more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Well, I'm not military either, but God's word says "Blessed is the man who gives his life for another", and that includes mechanics..eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I appreciate that buckee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAFbowhunter Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I think what your motor Sgt did was wrong. I am an F-16 crewchief in the Air Force and I am in the same boat as you. That Aircraft is my responsability and when the pilot comes and straps in and flies it his life is in my hands because of the work i did on the acft. If i knowingly put bad parts in the aircraft and it went down and the pilot dies well then I go to jail for manslaughter and if he makes it out then my military career is over. So if these parts are bad and he knows they are bad parts then that would make that an unlawful order which you wouldn't have to follow and I would take that right up the chain of command. We have Tech data which are called T.O.'s(Technical Orders) and we have to follow them to the letter because they are orders. If is says the part is bad well then it is bad. So in my opinion as an E-6 and in maintenance you are in the right and he is in the wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry hunter Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 We took oaths to follow orders issued, in my years I got plenty of Counseling sheets, that is still beter then ARTICLE 15 or Captains Mast. If ya grade a part unusable then make it that way. Remember all repair and replacement parts for the military are contracted by the lowest bidder, and new parts will fail. Look out for yourself and your buddies and come home Karma will catch up to REMF'S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocMort Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I agree, I would not have put that part on the truck either. Tell the motor sarge that your goin to go to the Platoon sgt, or even the commander if you have to. That is absolutely wrong, we had a soldier put some undergrade parts on our rotor before we took off for a medivac, wound it up and the #2 rotor blade came loose, said soldier was completely reduced and rank, and labeled the **** bag for the rest of the tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 go back and listen to tink. sarge. i've been in the service. you follow orders, but report anything you think is out of line. i've also flown planes that were o.k.'d by others. do what your told, not what you think. your superiors can't always tell you why they think as they do, but trust them. then follow it up with a written report so if something goes wrong, there is a clear trail of who did what. and i've had 2 planes come out from under me. (ie:engine failure) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Doing the right thing often comes with a price that--unfortunately--few are willing to pay. There are soldiers who will likely go home to their families because of your action. Whatever the military does to you, you have payback that trumps it. I think I would have shown the part to the Senior officer and then if he wanted that part on the vehicle, he would have bolted it on himself. I would have done it with respect but I wouldn't have put on parts I had a valid reason to suspect would cause a problem. Good going and God bless. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 go back and listen to tink. sarge. i've been in the service. you follow orders, but report anything you think is out of line. i've also flown planes that were o.k.'d by others. do what your told, not what you think. your superiors can't always tell you why they think as they do, but trust them. then follow it up with a written report so if something goes wrong, there is a clear trail of who did what. and i've had 2 planes come out from under me. (ie:engine failure) I have to agree... Enlisted personel are basically Hammers and Nails. Never met a nail with an opinion. You could have always done what you've sworn to do and follow orders first...then ran it up the chain of command. I know when I was in the Air Force I was told I had the responsibility to follow orders first...then run up the red flag if I felt something was wrong to my immediate leaders superiors. I doubt that things have changed that much;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I went through a similar experience in the Air Force. We had done a simulated nuclear weapons loading and a Captain came up and told my crew Sgt. to do something which would drop the weapon on the concrete floor of the hanger. My crewchief told him so, and he told my crewchief he was "disobeying a direct order!" My crewchief then proceeded to do what the Captain told him! The weapon dropped on the floor and the Captain went crazy! That was the last we saw of the Captain. I don't know where or what happened to him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 When I was in a soldier followed orders - unless the order was illegal and/or had the potential to cause harm or death to another. Report it to the supervisor's supervisor - but know you'll be on the supervisor's list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I agree with what you did. No way would I have done something like that, if I felt the safety of others was on the line. I'd talk to your 1st Sgt, as I am SURE he has an open door policy. (BTW, I have 10yrs AD, and had my fair share of counseling statements/sessions for not doing what I was told, because I KNEW I was right) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Well today I went to the commander about the part. He inspected it, I was excused from his office as my motor sgt was making his way in. The next thing you know the counseling statement was ripped up infront of me. Im sorry but im not putting my friends lives in danger over someones ignorance. Its my work which could either save or take lives. Im not going through life knowing that if one of my fellow soldiers had died from me not standing up and doing whats right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 LMAO!!!! That's good news!!!!!! And like I said, I don't blame you one bit for what you did. There's ALOT of difference in following a direct order, and doing what you know is the RIGHT thing to do!!! And obviuosly, you did the right thing. Kudos to you my friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Well today I went to the commander about the part. He inspected it, I was excused from his office as my motor sgt was making his way in. The next thing you know the counseling statement was ripped up infront of me. Im sorry but im not putting my friends lives in danger over someones ignorance. Its my work which could either save or take lives. Im not going through life knowing that if one of my fellow soldiers had died from me not standing up and doing whats right. I like happy endings Like that old saying goes .. "It all comes out in the wash" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hero of the day!!! If I were ther son i would buy youa steak dinner My hero of the day TINK NATHAN E-5 USAR retired:laser: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it. You keep an eye out on the home front, and Ill do my share of keeping our guys safe over here! :gunsmilie: lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Sorry mounatineeer Didnt catch yoru Avitar change I sent you my e-mail I will reply to any e :clown:mails from you anytime Watch your Six Tink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WvBowhunterKE Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I just sent an E-mail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I would have installed it under protest and wrote it in the logs. That way it comes back on him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I would have installed it and made a written report with proof like an email or a cabon copy to the folks that drive the rigs. Tink I also agree with what Tink said! But then, if the said part were no longer good, who would know! Make that its no good! If you and your fellow mechanics know that its a bad part. Then make it even worst! I am sure they need scrap metal some where! I would do this knowing that my buddies lives were on the line!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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