Sgt. Maj. fired after failing to caveat off what the commander said
FORT DRUM, N.Y. – The senior enlisted leader of the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has been relieved after soldiers raised disturbing concerns about his conduct in staff meetings. Multiple soldiers complained to the Inspector General’s Office about the sergeant major’s refusal to caveat off what the commander just said.
Col. William Sieverts removed Sgt. Maj. Gregory Troutman from his position as the infantry brigade sergeant major late last week due to a loss of confidence in Troutman’s leadership and public speaking abilities. Sieverts expressed concern that subordinate leaders and staff members would be unable to understand his command intent without supplemental guidance from Troutman.
“The NCO Corps was essentially built on senior NCOs rehashing and what commanders just said minutes earlier,” said Col. Sieverts. “It’s about heritage as much as it is leadership. The caveat is a time-honored tradition.”
A number of soldiers on the brigade staff expressed confusion ov…
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