Posted on Jun 20, 2023
Can anyone just come into my Barracks room even after I say no?
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Often my specialists and below just come into my room during off duty hours to do inspections when its my personal time even when I tell them no. is this okay for them to do?
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 38
Can your chain-of-command (below the unit Commander) do an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours? No.
Can your unit Commander who is responsible for the barracks conduct an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours? Yes.
Can your chain-of-command (below the unit Commander) do an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours IF the Commander has delegated that authority to do so? Yes.
Bottom line: The Commander 'owns' the barracks and is the only one that can authorize entrance for formal or informal inspections of a "private" living area (put in quotes as it is technically "more private" than "public"). HOWEVER, Commanders usually delegate this (I always did) down to first line leaders (for informal inspections).
There is no restriction on WHEN or HOW OFTEN a Commander (or those he delegates authority to) can do inspections, however they will have to use their judgement on what is 'too lax' and what is 'too onerous' and starts to affect morale.
There is a difference between a "spot walkthrough" for general cleanliness/upkeep and a more formal health and welfare inspection. If the latter, then those have to be systemic and applied across the board throughout the unit and are usually scheduled (not 'announced to the unit') by the Commander.
Can they "just come into my room" to do "inspections"? Again, it depends. Is it an informal "Just doing a quick check on you" or is it a more formal "Health and Welfare"? Yes to the former and No to the later.
There will usually be a unit or installation policy (typically called a "Barracks Management Policy") that governs when walkthroughs/inspections can occur.
Can your unit Commander who is responsible for the barracks conduct an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours? Yes.
Can your chain-of-command (below the unit Commander) do an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours IF the Commander has delegated that authority to do so? Yes.
Bottom line: The Commander 'owns' the barracks and is the only one that can authorize entrance for formal or informal inspections of a "private" living area (put in quotes as it is technically "more private" than "public"). HOWEVER, Commanders usually delegate this (I always did) down to first line leaders (for informal inspections).
There is no restriction on WHEN or HOW OFTEN a Commander (or those he delegates authority to) can do inspections, however they will have to use their judgement on what is 'too lax' and what is 'too onerous' and starts to affect morale.
There is a difference between a "spot walkthrough" for general cleanliness/upkeep and a more formal health and welfare inspection. If the latter, then those have to be systemic and applied across the board throughout the unit and are usually scheduled (not 'announced to the unit') by the Commander.
Can they "just come into my room" to do "inspections"? Again, it depends. Is it an informal "Just doing a quick check on you" or is it a more formal "Health and Welfare"? Yes to the former and No to the later.
There will usually be a unit or installation policy (typically called a "Barracks Management Policy") that governs when walkthroughs/inspections can occur.
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COL Randall C.
SGT James Hunsinger - yes and no in regards to being under the control of the unit commander. I put owns in quotes because post housing is the property owner of the barracks and controls policy, rooms assignment, annual inspections, etc.
All the day-to-day oversight and 'operations' of the barracks is on the unit.
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Army Barracks Management Program Handbook (12 JAN 21) - https://home.army.mil/imcom/download_file/226/301
All the day-to-day oversight and 'operations' of the barracks is on the unit.
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Army Barracks Management Program Handbook (12 JAN 21) - https://home.army.mil/imcom/download_file/226/301
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PO1 Robert Ryan
My barracks surer in hades was not under the post housing authority. E-5 and above only had separate rooms. I was fortunate enough as a Buck sergeant to have my own room. Before that it was open bay barracks . Or don't they have those barracks any more. CQ duty I was required to check on the barracks as part of CQ duties. Guess I am Old School.
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I don't know how long you've been with the unit, but when I was in, as a SP4, I was instructed by my section chief to do informal room inspections on the new guys. I wasn't to scream or discipline, just correct and report. Once we knew the new guy wasn't a slob, that stuff stopped.
On the obverse, I've seen some nosy barracks rats who just want to see what you got.
On the obverse, I've seen some nosy barracks rats who just want to see what you got.
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SSG Bill McCoy
PO3 Rob Laity - When it comes down to "Constitutional" rights, a unit INSPECTION, if authorized, has no bearing or Constitutional restrictions. A service member does not own his barracks room ... and the only time Search and Seizure issues arise is if the Military Police were to arrive, especially after so-called duty hours. Then, they would either have to have a formal Search Warrant, OR have the Commander's approval (Company Commander) and his or his NCO representative present since it's the Company Commander's area of responsibility/authority.
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You said Spc and below, there are no leaders or supervisors in that group, unless the SPC is in an NCO billet and the Commanders policy allows First line sups to check healthy md welfare.
Bottom line is the should be a unit SOP on barracks inspections and walkthroughs. Again that is almost always delegated to the NCO support channel, but with specific guidelines your cello section mates have no business in your room.
Bottom line is the should be a unit SOP on barracks inspections and walkthroughs. Again that is almost always delegated to the NCO support channel, but with specific guidelines your cello section mates have no business in your room.
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MSG Eddie N.
CSM Darieus ZaGara for 15 years I was a 12B Combat Engineer, and finished the last 10 in the Missile Defense program (definitely no SPCs running things there).
Have a good one as well, CSM.
Have a good one as well, CSM.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
Well "Dude" I was responding to a question by a Soldier not a Marine. Anyone who served as long and at the levels that I have knows the difference clearly. spc in the Army can be temporarily assigned as an acting supervising NCOIC (acting) for a period of time. In any case it was a service specific question.
Have a happy Tday.
Have a happy Tday.
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