Can an individual be made to use a 3rd Party App such as WhatsApp to communicate?

2022-01-27T16:11:47-05:00

Here at my unit, everything is basically communicated through GroupMe or WhatsApp. Just for putting out daily information, things needed from the soldiers, accountability, etc. We did the switch from GroupMe to WhatsApp, and all my soldiers were on board with the switch. I have one soldier who may or may not be a very bitter, salty, 12 year E-5 who’s under me (picked up my 5 in November), who initially said they’d rather utilize WhatsApp since the beginning. When information is put out or questions are asked, they deliberately text me separately from our squad group chat rather than responding to the chat we use for the four of us. Today they even had one of my junior soldiers answer for them in response to a question I asked which was very basic, “How long have you been here on station?” for a slide the PSG needed updating. Granted, it could have been found on their ERB which is in their counseling packet.. yes, but it was quicker and more efficient to just shoot the message out. They do this with everything. Sometimes the individual doesn’t acknowledge any messages whatsoever. My CPL and my SPC have no issues communicating, and always keep me updated on things and send “Roger” or “Ack” when I put things out. But the SGT refuses to. Is there a reg or anything stating that if told so by leadership, the individual needs to communicate through that form of communication? I know they’re trying to be difficult, and they’re bitter about the situation they’re in, but it’s because they put themself there. Is it a complete lost cause and I just have to deal with it until they RCP in 10 months? Or can I legitimately put something on paper for them to follow what we literally ALL do? Thank you all in advance!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2022 4:22 PM

2022-01-27T16:22:25-05:00

Since WhatsApp is a civilian app and put on civilian phones....no, a person doesn't HAVE to download it for comms. However, if that is the medium for which the unit wants to communicate then it would behoove the person to download. Again, recommended but not required. You have a salty shit bag of an NCO under you, which unfortunately will not change unless the PSG, the PL, 1SG and Commander all have a chat with this "NCO" about their shitty conduct. Put it on paper that they need to acknowledge your info distro. That is a valid order. And, put it on paper that if their actions continue in such a manner that you will recommend UCMJ to the Commander. But, make sure you have a valid Article(s) in which they are in violation of. Sure, they're salty and only have 10 months left....doesn't mean they HAVE to be a dick about it. This SM is just CHOOSING to be a dick.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 27 at 2022 4:33 PM

2022-01-27T16:33:15-05:00

Sounds pretty damn lazy to me! You going to have service around the world, in trouble spots, etc. Maybe your unit should get off their 4th POC and have tng schedules, NCO meetings, O meetings, etc. Particularly using civilian apps, you just blew your OPSEC out the window.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2022 5:37 PM

2022-01-27T17:37:05-05:00

No. You can't make a soldier download any app on their personal phone.

I get that it's irritating but if they're still able to communicate with you and you them, there's not much you can do. I suppose you could counsel them about acknowledging you, etc, but if it was me, as long as I could communicate with that soldier, I'm not going to waste my energy on them for the next 10 months. That's just me. I'm just at a point where I'm not about wasting energy on people.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 27 at 2022 7:16 PM

2022-01-27T19:16:16-05:00

Requiring someone to communicate at no cost to themselves wouldn’t constitute an unlawful order.

Don’t get emotionally attached. Just report it up the chain and let your leadership make the decision to deal with them. They will either follow the lawful order or be compelled to after being punished.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2022 9:03 PM

2022-01-27T21:03:40-05:00

I saw a similar issue awhile back. WhatsApp was convenient, but not everyone was on board. Some tried to use it as a way to skirt communication. So simple answer is a personal phone is private property, and you can not order someone to download Civilian applications on a Civilian phone let alone use said application. It can be recommended of course, but not ordered. As I recall there was an incident a year or so ago about a commander ordering her unit to download a phone app and got in trouble for it.

This falls upon you as the NCO in charge to be... Innovative. I remember one PSG required that everyone acknowledge the following days time hacks, the SL's and TL's that weren't able to get regular commo from Soldiers had them report in person to the PSG to confirm all the time hacks. The PSG just happened to be a mile or mores walk from the barracks across sand in 100-120F to the tent where he worked.

No Soldier was ordered to download or utilize WhatsApp, they were required however to acknowledge. As you can imagine, a lot of the bullshit ended ricky-tick.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2022 2:30 PM

2022-01-28T14:30:28-05:00

You said the person is out in 10 months for RCP? They're probably pretty bitter. Work around them, don't waste your energy fighting them. Spend that energy developing your team instead of letting one person suck up all the air in the room