Posted on Sep 17, 2014
Checklist: Necessary or Extra Work to Discourage?
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I have seen over the years more and more things being required in order to process most personnel actions. Checklists are developed and implemented at a moment's notice and if your packet does not have a checklist it is sent back, regardless if it was sitting there for a minute or two years. Is it really necessary to have checklists and ask for additional information?
Example for discussion: S1 requires everyone submit the following for an award (depending on the rank and status of Soldier their requirements change to match the proper forms): checklist, ORB, ERB, 2-1, 2-A, 705, 5500 for those over weight, rubric to demonstrate if the individual qualifies for AAM, ARCOM, or MSM, letter of lateness if it is submitted not within the timeframe laid out by the higher headquarters.
Is there not a place on the 638 that is there for someone who is not the recommender or commanders to sign to state that the individual is not flagged? Then why the extra work? If a person is going to lie on the 638 then would they not also be willing to lie on the other forms or pencil whip an APFT or height/weight? Is there not a place that says previous awards? Then why the extra work? Is there not a place to put the recommend award level? Then why require additional paperwork that anyone can check off to ensure that it appears that the individual deserves that level award? If they truly want anyone to put anyone in for an award do not discourage the junior Soldiers and officers from putting them in due to the "necessity" of paperwork to put someone in to be recognized. And it is this paperwork that created a backlog and then may require a letter of lateness.
Another example: awarding an MOS, why ask for paperwork to demonstrate that the person is not flagged? If they are flagged they should not have been able to go to school, BUT they did and completed the course so they should be given the MOS.
Just my thought that a person should not have to jump through hoops to get something processed if it is not in the regulations.
Example for discussion: S1 requires everyone submit the following for an award (depending on the rank and status of Soldier their requirements change to match the proper forms): checklist, ORB, ERB, 2-1, 2-A, 705, 5500 for those over weight, rubric to demonstrate if the individual qualifies for AAM, ARCOM, or MSM, letter of lateness if it is submitted not within the timeframe laid out by the higher headquarters.
Is there not a place on the 638 that is there for someone who is not the recommender or commanders to sign to state that the individual is not flagged? Then why the extra work? If a person is going to lie on the 638 then would they not also be willing to lie on the other forms or pencil whip an APFT or height/weight? Is there not a place that says previous awards? Then why the extra work? Is there not a place to put the recommend award level? Then why require additional paperwork that anyone can check off to ensure that it appears that the individual deserves that level award? If they truly want anyone to put anyone in for an award do not discourage the junior Soldiers and officers from putting them in due to the "necessity" of paperwork to put someone in to be recognized. And it is this paperwork that created a backlog and then may require a letter of lateness.
Another example: awarding an MOS, why ask for paperwork to demonstrate that the person is not flagged? If they are flagged they should not have been able to go to school, BUT they did and completed the course so they should be given the MOS.
Just my thought that a person should not have to jump through hoops to get something processed if it is not in the regulations.
Posted in these groups: 
Paperwork
Paperwork
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 10
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I think that the checklist was probably implemented because so many people were screwing it up that they needed a black and white guide to get things done properly... which they still screw up...
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LTC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) is that not why we have a form? Does the form not already tell you how to fill it out? I just do not see why we cannot just ask for help if we need it or do what I do....Google it!
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SSG (Join to see)
How many times have you gone to someone thinking they'd have the answers only to be told "I don't know" without them even looking away from their cellphone or computer monitor?
It's just a sad reality that people need that structured guide to get things done.
It's just a sad reality that people need that structured guide to get things done.
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Cpl (Join to see)
I would bet the check list started as "things to gather" document in order to properly fill out the form. Then someone wanted to see the original... that is how this stuff gets started.
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I believe if the regulation does not state that the information is required, no one should be requesting the additional information.
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LTC (Join to see)
SPC Smith….good point, however when there are numerous regulations out there for administrative actions, or military actions in general, a “Checklist” can help keep everyone straight about what the regulation requires, without having to memorize every regulations. The “Checklist” can simply be a consolidated document of the regulatory requirements. If there is something being added, the question needs to be asked why it is being added.
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SPC Christopher Smith
Sir I do not know your experience in the military, but we as an organization is horrible at keep accountability of paperwork. The more we add to simple task as putting someone in for an award, or sumbitting leave, the more likely we are to have issues with late sumbittions because of lost or misplaced paperwork. If we want to add more to the process it should be added to the original forms and should be reviewed to make sure it does not increase the stress just so people can CTA (cover their ass).
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