Comp time...the myth the legend. Does it exist? Should we even have it?

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 01:13:54 -0400

You've heard it before. A Soldier get's "hey you'd" and his supervisor says, don't worry I'll give you comp time. I could retire tomorrow if I got all my comp time. But here's the question. Should we even have such a thing? There's always that we are Soldiers 24/7 thing.

(Side note: we are not talking about title 38 civilians for all you smarty-pants)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 2:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 02:07:09 -0400

Just like we "train to standard, not to time", I do the same for work. When the day's work is done, I let everyone go. If we don't have a huge workload on a Friday, I'll release them early. This way, they never come to me needing comp time because they work on a Saturday. I basically broke it down for the beginning, "If you want to calculate your comp time and go that route, then we'll do that. But we'll work full duty days around it. Or you can do your job, whatever days/hours it takes, and I'll be sure and reward you as your leader". Hasn't failed yet!

Response by MSG Jason Sikes made Apr 16 at 2014 2:52 AM

MSG Jason Sikes — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 02:52:58 -0400

well I know as a young NCO I had to "Hey you" my Soldiers some times. I made the time up for them and received counseling, some times, from my leadership for doing so. Sometimes they got three days passes and sometime I covered there detail. Mission will happen with or with out troops.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 16 at 2014 7:48 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 07:48:26 -0400

I used to say if we got nothing to do, let's not do it here.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 7:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 07:55:52 -0400

I personally don't care if I get comp time every time I work past normal duty hours as I think it works out in the wash. I'm also single so if by my staying a little later lets a guy/gal with family at home a chance to go home and spend time with the family then so be it. I think for soldiers with family then comp time becomes a bigger deal because it is hard to balance both military and family especially when we end up put the military first more often then not. If giving Soldiers some time back with their families is what it takes to make them happy and happy soldiers with happy families makes for more productive soldiers....so be it

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 16 at 2014 8:06 AM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:06:12 -0400

I think as a leader, never take advantage of the soldier's time off. There are needs to meet and missions to accomplish, but remember quid pro quo. They sure do, and it won't be so hard to get a volunteer next time its needed.

I learned the three things never to mess with if you want high morale:

1. A soldier's pay.

2. A soldier's food.

3. A soldier's time off.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 8:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:15:23 -0400

I keep up with my guy's comp time, I don't give it out for any little ol thing though

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 16 at 2014 8:40 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:40:12 -0400

As a leader I always tried to take care of my Soldiers, if they had to work outside normal duty hours while in Garrison, I would work it out so that they would get comp time, might not have been a 3-day weekend, but nothing wrong with a Wed or Thurs off. I always enjoyed my comp time, but never really worried about whether or not I got it.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 16 at 2014 9:40 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:40:53 -0400

I have no issue with it. Once you start messing with a Soldiers food, water, mail, privacy, shelter or time in a manner inconsistent with the treatment everyone else is recieving, you're just itching for allegations of impropriety.

Response by SFC John Brooks made Apr 16 at 2014 10:20 AM

SFC John Brooks — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 10:20:54 -0400

As a Soldier, whenever I was told I would get comp time, I would write down how much time, when I was getting it and why I was getting it. My first line suggested this and it paid off having the information on hand. I also never tried to spring a comp day randomly, I always made sure to request it well in advance.

As a leader, I either write it down myself for have my Soldier send me an email reminder on the spot. Also, I try schedule the comp day with my Soldiers so there's no misunderstanding on either end.

As SSG Spencer said in his response, there are a few main things you need to ensure not to mess with to maintain morale and time off is one of them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 3:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:20:08 -0400

If my Soldier works on the weekends and works hard throughout the week. I give them a day off of their choice within reason. Friday or Monday I don't care. Reward good behavior.

Response by SFC Benjamin Parsons made Apr 16 at 2014 4:22 PM

SFC Benjamin Parsons — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:22:28 -0400

I never formally kept track. And it was rarely based solely upon overtime work.

As a PSG time off was the only reward I had in my pocket. Most often given out in half day increments, but I often found the guys who deserved it most were the hardest to give it to, because I couldn't spare them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 6:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:11:25 -0400

This is where we will get such a wide spectrum of answers. In a line unit it was rare for me to give or get comp time. I always joke that if I took all the comp time I've been promised over the last 18 years I could be off until I retire.

That being said, working in a TDA/Tradoc units and now as a Clinical NCOIC, I use comp time a lot more often.

When I have soldiers getting put on details, or floated to other units to work more than their usual schedule, I try to give them comp time based on staffing. However, I also try to maximize both mission accomplishment and time home with family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 5:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 05:18:38 -0400

Before I give my two cents let me first say that I SUPPORT recognizing a Soldier for hard work, efficiency, and mission accomplishment.

With that being said, I inform my Soldiers that I will do my best to ensure that their extraordinary efforts are properly recognized, whether by military award, verbal recognition, or time off. I also remind my Soldiers that as a NCO I am not authorized to give them time off...only the commander is authorized to do so. I will however, champion for them and "apply pressure" to the command team to get them their just rewards.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 18 at 2014 3:19 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 03:19:16 -0400

Comp time is absolutely necessary if a soldier, NCO or officer pulls 24 hour duty then they should be allowed the time necessary to recover. After a 24 hour shift those who pull these duties are no longer at their finest and that may be a contributing factor into any incidents that may happen during the following work shift. That is my opinion anyway.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 12:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:49:25 -0400

I've been given comp time when I was told I would get it. But sometimes I never got it, but that was back when I was a soldier.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2014 3:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 May 2014 15:18:56 -0400

Comp time applies to E-1 through E-4. Doesn't apply to Leaders. As far as NCO's are concerned, if they need some time off, give it to them. Officers don't get comp time. I worked with a Major once (I was a CPT at the time), kept a log of all his "comp" time, something like 87 days for the year. His time card punching mentality was both embarrassing & disgusting.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made May 3 at 2014 6:57 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Sat, 03 May 2014 18:57:17 -0400

I always gave my Soldiers comp time when I was able to do so. It may have been leaving a few hours early on a Friday or an extra long lunch. It was always based on what the mission could afford me to offer.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2014 10:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 May 2014 22:06:03 -0400

Boy, if I had a dollar for every time I was told I would get comp time and didn't get it, id be rich. Id say, give a Soldier comp time, when appropriate. Now if you tell a Soldier they will get comp time, give it to him and don't criticize him for asking about it. Don't say you are going to do something and not do it without good reason. You will loose the trust and respect of your Soldiers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 6:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:34:17 -0400

I give my guys time when they go above and beyond their usual missions. This is in a form of a pass after working two weeks in the field or three weeks straight including weekends, etc.

On the mil-tech side I have seen it happen, but rarely used as many of those that work long days do not ask for comp time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 7:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:45:56 -0400

It's all a balancing act. If you can give comp time and still accomplish the mission then go for it. Comp time is a cheap way to show appreciation and keep morale up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 7:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:54:48 -0400

If I need a Soldier to do something last minute do to piss poor planning or the fact it needs to get done I give them comp time. Nothing wrong with it. Now when I ask for volunteers, they never hesitate!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 6:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:54:36 -0500

This is really a case by case question. Some details deserve some extra time off while others don't. 24 hr staff-duty definitely calls for comp time. where as getting voluntold to go clean the head before CoB does not. Also some units have a higher op-tempo and therefore should be given a little more comp time when they do have go out the door constantly and still get hey you'd.

Response by SPC Randall Eichelberger made Dec 21 at 2016 8:20 PM

SPC Randall Eichelberger — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 20:20:25 -0500

I worked MPI. For a long while I was the only one on the duty roster (only 2 of us in the shop and NCOIC was off at a school). I worked for a long time straight and I'm talking getting called in right as I get home at 7 and sit down to eat, getting back around 1030 to be called in again at 1130, then getting home around 1 to get called in again at 3. the Provost Sergeant had the desk sergeants handle as much as possible without me actually having to come in so I could get some time off because this was a 6 day a week op tempo with sundays spent in the office doing all my paperwork. I appreciated any little thing (not having to show up for PT formation after working late at night for instance) my leaders gave me. And in return I gave 100% for my duty. It's a give and take thing, don't expect it, appreciate it when it's given, Leaders give it when possible while still achieving the mission.

Man was I burnt out after that time though.

Working the road as a patrol at Ft. hood we worked all sorts of days. 14 on 1 off and that 1 off was actually a range day. It's the job it happens. But on platoon duty we were let go every friday at 1 and a lot of times we were taken care of in other ways. Leaders buying food for their soldiers, that sort of thing (we were MP's so we didn't have meal cards).

Moral of the story. Take care of joes, joes take care of your leaders.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Dec 22 at 2016 9:58 AM

SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 09:58:37 -0500

Does the Army still have 3 and 4 day passes,I agree comp time can be a pain ,i had a Soldier who had accumulated about 200 hours before my arrival and now they wanted to take 3 and 4 day passes,unless the reg's have changed,You would have take this comp time as soon possible,not save it up,this person was mission essential do to fact this was only lab tech,no one else can do the job,But passes you can control and use as needed for some R&R