Posted on Mar 29, 2015
Professional development scenario #2. Are you Sergeant Morales or Sergeant Audie Murphy material?
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To develop discussion as well as develop our future leaders, I would like to share some basic leadership scenarios that could help in the development of our current and future leaders, all are encouraged to participate - I appreciate everyone's participation to include past leaders, future leaders as well as current leaders....enjoy.
Let me share a scenario with you, beginning with the background story.
Your unit has barracks that are four floors high, the entrances to rooms are from the inside (hallway) of the building. There are three entrances to the building (one through the basement, two through the front on the building). In the past the unit used to have two sets of CQs and runners (four total Soldiers on duty per building) for each building but due to the high optempo of the unit, the unit had one front door and the basement door locked from the outside (you can still exit the building for fire escape purposes, just cannot enter those doors) so the unit can go to one CQ and one CQ Runner per building.
The barracks SOP includes a requirement for all Soldiers & visitors to sign in and sign out, which includes when they are visiting others within the building they live (there was a history of multiple sexual assaults in this area) - the sign in sheets have been used to prosecute as well as clear Soldiers in investigations.
On a barracks walk thru a Senior Leader found that a CQ had a visitor (a much older female named Ella) in his room while he was on duty, The NCO's room is on the third floor, the visitor stayed there for about 10 hours, the NCO said he was taking a 30 minutes break every three hours and spending the time with her then and that she was watching movies between the breaks. The visitor was signed in and there were no violations on the visitor policy at the time, odd situation but no problem.
Later the same evening, the same Senior Leader was on the way home (from a redeployment ceremony) and saw a half naked female running into the barracks through the front door (that is supposed to be locked (someone had taped a card over the locking mechanism as to allow the door to be open) so the Senior Leader calls the Staff Duty to come to the barracks with the set of master keys to the building, to ask the CQ what was going on with the door and to ensure he knew his building was not secure.
When the Senior Leader entered the building the CQ was gone, the runner initially tried to cover for him but eventually admitted that she did not know where he went, she finally admitted he left and that she thought he went to the Shopette to get coffee. A review of the visitor log indicated the visitor was still in the building (past visitation hours) so the Senior Leader and Staff Duty NCO goes up to the room and knocks on the door - no answer, the room is unlocked and there is nobody in the room. There is a noise from the end of the hallway and it is the CQ, wearing earrings while in uniform (unauthorized) and this time with a different female guest, carrying bags, pillows and a cat in a pet cage - looking like she was planning on staying for a while.
You have an NCO on duty with a mission of protecting all the Soldiers and the property as well as leading the subordinate Soldier. You are the Senior Leader, what would you do? Do you handle the situation on the spot, yourself?
Let me share a scenario with you, beginning with the background story.
Your unit has barracks that are four floors high, the entrances to rooms are from the inside (hallway) of the building. There are three entrances to the building (one through the basement, two through the front on the building). In the past the unit used to have two sets of CQs and runners (four total Soldiers on duty per building) for each building but due to the high optempo of the unit, the unit had one front door and the basement door locked from the outside (you can still exit the building for fire escape purposes, just cannot enter those doors) so the unit can go to one CQ and one CQ Runner per building.
The barracks SOP includes a requirement for all Soldiers & visitors to sign in and sign out, which includes when they are visiting others within the building they live (there was a history of multiple sexual assaults in this area) - the sign in sheets have been used to prosecute as well as clear Soldiers in investigations.
On a barracks walk thru a Senior Leader found that a CQ had a visitor (a much older female named Ella) in his room while he was on duty, The NCO's room is on the third floor, the visitor stayed there for about 10 hours, the NCO said he was taking a 30 minutes break every three hours and spending the time with her then and that she was watching movies between the breaks. The visitor was signed in and there were no violations on the visitor policy at the time, odd situation but no problem.
Later the same evening, the same Senior Leader was on the way home (from a redeployment ceremony) and saw a half naked female running into the barracks through the front door (that is supposed to be locked (someone had taped a card over the locking mechanism as to allow the door to be open) so the Senior Leader calls the Staff Duty to come to the barracks with the set of master keys to the building, to ask the CQ what was going on with the door and to ensure he knew his building was not secure.
When the Senior Leader entered the building the CQ was gone, the runner initially tried to cover for him but eventually admitted that she did not know where he went, she finally admitted he left and that she thought he went to the Shopette to get coffee. A review of the visitor log indicated the visitor was still in the building (past visitation hours) so the Senior Leader and Staff Duty NCO goes up to the room and knocks on the door - no answer, the room is unlocked and there is nobody in the room. There is a noise from the end of the hallway and it is the CQ, wearing earrings while in uniform (unauthorized) and this time with a different female guest, carrying bags, pillows and a cat in a pet cage - looking like she was planning on staying for a while.
You have an NCO on duty with a mission of protecting all the Soldiers and the property as well as leading the subordinate Soldier. You are the Senior Leader, what would you do? Do you handle the situation on the spot, yourself?
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership Development
Sergeant Morales Club (SMC)
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC)
What Would You Do
Leadership Development Sergeant Morales Club (SMC) Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) What Would You Do
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Wow.
Alright first reaction(s).
Violation of General Orders. Let's see what we have here:
1) To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
The CQ Runner (Duty) is obviously not in charge of his Post.
2) To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing
Failure to identify the unsecured door during "rounds."
5) To quit my post only when properly relieved.
He left his Post for purposes other than those outlined.
7) To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
The frequent breaks to a personal visitor.
8) To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
Unsecured door. Unsecured Building. This qualifies as "Disorder."
So.. Here is what I would do.
I would relieve the CQ Runner/Duty of their Post, as they are incapable (as current) of performing the Duty. I would direct them to stay in their room or the Duty NCO Hut (as appropriate, essentially confined to Quarters until the following morning). I would get the name & contact information of the unauthorized visitors, and escort them out of the barracks.
I would then immediately contact the Supernumerary (if one exists) to have him relieve the Duty/CQ Runner/Me. Until they arrive, I would the post (as an extension of my own), contacting my own post, letting my own Assistant know where I could be located. If I am not officially on Duty, I take charge, and contact the next person up the chain of command, and inform them there has been "an incident which requires replacing the current duty, and I now have possession of the post. I will back-brief the command after change of post, once I am properly relieved, and can investigate the matter fully."
I would have the ADNCO (Runner Assistant) write up a report of the incident in their own words. Have them begin at the start of the post, and go to current. Tell them to estimate timelines, and provide detailed names. They are to maintain the PRIMARY guard position until I return.
I would do a security sweep of the Post, annotating and correcting deficiencies I find. If there is another Soldier about, still in a "Uniform Ready State" I may task them as an assistant/witness so that I have a second set of eyes. Once I am satisfied security is back to an appropriate level, I will begin writing up my own report of my findings.
At this point, I will head back to the Primary Duty location, and the new CQ Runner (Supernumerary) should be there (if one is going to be relieving me), and I will give him additional instructions as needed. I'll stand down (properly relieved) or gather the report from the ADNCO for my meeting with the Command at turnover.
Depending on my initial contact with the CoC, I may owe the 1SG/CSM a phone call, which I will provide at this point (behind closed doors) with a "quick" run down of the situation, and what I have done so far. At the very minimum, I they will get a call letting them know something happened, and that they will be fully briefed first thing in the morning. This way they are not blind sided by the CO.
In other words, I take immediate action to correct the situation, inform that there is a problem, then investigate, then back-brief. The following morning I'm sure there will be further questions, and based on my own rank, experiences, and familiarity with the Soldier in question, possible recommendations about how to proceed. However... the Soldier in question is going to have a rough week.
Alright first reaction(s).
Violation of General Orders. Let's see what we have here:
1) To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
The CQ Runner (Duty) is obviously not in charge of his Post.
2) To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing
Failure to identify the unsecured door during "rounds."
5) To quit my post only when properly relieved.
He left his Post for purposes other than those outlined.
7) To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
The frequent breaks to a personal visitor.
8) To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
Unsecured door. Unsecured Building. This qualifies as "Disorder."
So.. Here is what I would do.
I would relieve the CQ Runner/Duty of their Post, as they are incapable (as current) of performing the Duty. I would direct them to stay in their room or the Duty NCO Hut (as appropriate, essentially confined to Quarters until the following morning). I would get the name & contact information of the unauthorized visitors, and escort them out of the barracks.
I would then immediately contact the Supernumerary (if one exists) to have him relieve the Duty/CQ Runner/Me. Until they arrive, I would the post (as an extension of my own), contacting my own post, letting my own Assistant know where I could be located. If I am not officially on Duty, I take charge, and contact the next person up the chain of command, and inform them there has been "an incident which requires replacing the current duty, and I now have possession of the post. I will back-brief the command after change of post, once I am properly relieved, and can investigate the matter fully."
I would have the ADNCO (Runner Assistant) write up a report of the incident in their own words. Have them begin at the start of the post, and go to current. Tell them to estimate timelines, and provide detailed names. They are to maintain the PRIMARY guard position until I return.
I would do a security sweep of the Post, annotating and correcting deficiencies I find. If there is another Soldier about, still in a "Uniform Ready State" I may task them as an assistant/witness so that I have a second set of eyes. Once I am satisfied security is back to an appropriate level, I will begin writing up my own report of my findings.
At this point, I will head back to the Primary Duty location, and the new CQ Runner (Supernumerary) should be there (if one is going to be relieving me), and I will give him additional instructions as needed. I'll stand down (properly relieved) or gather the report from the ADNCO for my meeting with the Command at turnover.
Depending on my initial contact with the CoC, I may owe the 1SG/CSM a phone call, which I will provide at this point (behind closed doors) with a "quick" run down of the situation, and what I have done so far. At the very minimum, I they will get a call letting them know something happened, and that they will be fully briefed first thing in the morning. This way they are not blind sided by the CO.
In other words, I take immediate action to correct the situation, inform that there is a problem, then investigate, then back-brief. The following morning I'm sure there will be further questions, and based on my own rank, experiences, and familiarity with the Soldier in question, possible recommendations about how to proceed. However... the Soldier in question is going to have a rough week.
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TSgt Hunter Logan, is right that it is clearly an immediate action scenario. The only aspect I disagree with is it being a "notify the MPs" scenario. Being an MP, often times people confuse the responsibilities we have. In a law enforcement commitment, our duty is primarily driven by criminal actions, not administrative. This scenario is a great example of an administrative violation. While the MPs could, and would, respond if called, the actions on scene would most likely end with doing what should have already been done: Notifying the 1SG and PSG if necessary.
My actions would be to:
- Immediately get the information of the visitor in the barracks and ask whom she was visiting (to clarify that it was indeed the CQ personnel).
- Escort the individual out of the barracks if a civilian, and if a servicemember or dependent notify the ones responsible for that individual such as sponsor or unit.
- Contact the first line supervisor for both CQ personnel, as well as PSG/1SG. Minor violations could have been rectified by on the spot correction, but multiple serious violations, such as taping the lock, dereliction of duty, etc would lead me to contact the complete NCO Support Channel. 1SG would more likely than not notify the CoC.
- Both CQ personnel would be relieved without question, and replacements would be found and notified. Until their arrival, I would most likely assume CQ duties.
- When the replacement personnel arrived, I would conduct a complete walkthrough with the NCO ensuring compliance with visitor policy and building security. I would then remain in the area with the two original CQ personnel until their leadership arrived and were briefed.
- I would recommend an Article 15 for dereliction of duty or most likely Failure to Obey a Regulation - Art 92 for the NCO. In addition, I would counsel both Soldiers on the incident, and the NCO would be removed from the leadership role for not only disobeying the policy, but also manipulating the junior Soldier into covering for his actions. Furthermore, he was blatantly defying AR 670-1 wearing unauthorized jewelry. Multiple examples of an inability to lead or mentor Soldiers.
- The last thing I'd do is retrain on the unit standards to my section or platoon, ensuring that there was a complete understanding of unit policies.
My actions would be to:
- Immediately get the information of the visitor in the barracks and ask whom she was visiting (to clarify that it was indeed the CQ personnel).
- Escort the individual out of the barracks if a civilian, and if a servicemember or dependent notify the ones responsible for that individual such as sponsor or unit.
- Contact the first line supervisor for both CQ personnel, as well as PSG/1SG. Minor violations could have been rectified by on the spot correction, but multiple serious violations, such as taping the lock, dereliction of duty, etc would lead me to contact the complete NCO Support Channel. 1SG would more likely than not notify the CoC.
- Both CQ personnel would be relieved without question, and replacements would be found and notified. Until their arrival, I would most likely assume CQ duties.
- When the replacement personnel arrived, I would conduct a complete walkthrough with the NCO ensuring compliance with visitor policy and building security. I would then remain in the area with the two original CQ personnel until their leadership arrived and were briefed.
- I would recommend an Article 15 for dereliction of duty or most likely Failure to Obey a Regulation - Art 92 for the NCO. In addition, I would counsel both Soldiers on the incident, and the NCO would be removed from the leadership role for not only disobeying the policy, but also manipulating the junior Soldier into covering for his actions. Furthermore, he was blatantly defying AR 670-1 wearing unauthorized jewelry. Multiple examples of an inability to lead or mentor Soldiers.
- The last thing I'd do is retrain on the unit standards to my section or platoon, ensuring that there was a complete understanding of unit policies.
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SGT (Join to see)
TSgt Hunter Logan, Good information regardless from your perspective. The reason I mentioned it is mostly because I've noticed a trend in a lot of garrison MP units to lie about the end result of things and wasting people's time. Sometimes it is necessary, but I think too often we damage our relationship with the public by not tactfully explaining the proper steps for rectifying the issue. Usually in my experience, we've tried to start deferring some of these things to the commander of the unit, because in reality, it's his building and his Soldiers. I definitely agree that the issue with the security is an issue, but the main security aspects we are told to observe for is ones that compromise HV facilities or information. Just based off how I would do things, I'd rather notify the 1SG who would more likely than not notify the CDR, and let him make the call. If he wanted a full sweep of the barracks with MP support, that would certainly be available. Likewise if the CQ personnel were becoming disorderly. Still, it's my opinion that letting the CDR or 1SG make that call is a respecting their purview into the situation.
But yes, a thorough sweep is definitely required. Either way, great response on both. Didn't want to do anything but clarify how most MP units I've seen nowadays handle the situation.
But yes, a thorough sweep is definitely required. Either way, great response on both. Didn't want to do anything but clarify how most MP units I've seen nowadays handle the situation.
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SSG (Join to see)
I would say that this is mostly a command issue. most commands forget that they have authority over there peoples the same as that of the MP's the UCMJ gives authority to both in the same area to make an apprehension. The command can charge the soldier with any crime without MP support. Now if the Command wants that support then that is up to them but my point is that this is a Company issue and could be handled in the company. and staff duty/command could due any security sweep that would be needed if needed.
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SSG (Join to see)
Most likely the MPs will tell you it's a unit issue and to handle it yourse,f. Most Commanders and going to agree with the MPs to keep the incident out of the blotter. It's all going to end up in the Battalion Commander's lap anyways.
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This is one of the reasons I love being AF! We don't micromanage our folks in the dorms so this wouldn't even be an AF issue.
Having said that, if I was in that situation, the Folks on CQ would all get formal reprimand since there were multiple failures to follow directives and a poor attempt to cover it up.
Having said that, if I was in that situation, the Folks on CQ would all get formal reprimand since there were multiple failures to follow directives and a poor attempt to cover it up.
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SSG (Join to see)
And that's why the rest of us laugh at the Air Force. You treat service like the membership to a private club with no sense of discipline.
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MSgt David Winstead
SSG (Verify to See) See my comments above....we are a highly disciplined corps that realizes that a situation does not necessarily mean calling out the forces when it can be best handled the next day to the appropriate channels for disciplinary action. We find out what the facts are before we act, when cooler heads prevail.
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