WASHINGTON — Recently released statistics from a 2014 poll show that 99% of all platoon leaders are in abusive relationships with their respective platoon sergeants.
The poll, conducted by the Military Times, reinforces the enduring practice of lieutenant abuse by non-commissioned officers in platoon sergeant positions.
It was nearly unanimous in respondents aged 18 to 38 that they openly condoned and engaged in behaviors with their platoon leaders that would be chargeable as "abuse" under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). A small cross-section even displayed behavior that would violate Article 120 of the military justice system.
Not surprisingly, most platoon leaders are not coming forward, either out of fear or simple ignorance of how NCOs should be treating them.
