Does your permanent duty commander have OPCON authority over you when TDY?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 01:43:00 -0400

Pure curiosity, but I’m wondering if permanent duty Army commanders have OPCON authority over their TDY personnel. For instance, you’re TDY, and your permanent duty commander demands that you action something immediately. Since you are currently under the authority of your TDY commander, can your permanent duty commander demands such a thing? Whether the answer is no or yes, can you point me in the direction of the army regulation that discusses this?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2022 7:58 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 07:58:58 -0400

There is OPCON and ADCON. You may fall under the jurisdiction of the TDY Commander, but your regular unit command may very well have ADCON (administrative control) on you. I'll have to try and find the reg when I can get to my computer since I'm on my phone right now.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 1 at 2022 10:13 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 22:13:47 -0400

The difference is outlined in your orders. If you are detached you fall under your parent unit's commander. If you are attached you fall under the TDY Commander.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2022 8:26 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 08:26:27 -0400

Yes, the permanent commander retains OPCON until that OPCON is delegated (in writing) to another commander.
That delegation of OPCON process is intended for BNs and BDEs within a COCOM deployed to a Theater of Operations, not something that happens for individual TDY.
Most common reasons for TDY are schools, non-school training, conferences and boards.
The local commander or school commandant has general military authority, but the Soldier's commander still has command and UCMJ authority.
That's why in serious incidents involving UCMJ, the Soldier is merely dismissed form the course, while the unit commander is responsible for any required UCMJ action for the incident.
The purpose of the TDY is that Soldier's primary responsibility for the duration.
Primary, but not sole responsibility. That said, there should be some expectation management:
If the Soldier is at a school or conference that is skipping PT and conducting class from 0800 to 1530 with 90 minute lunch breaks, yes the Soldier can be expected to action something for their commander same day/next day.
if that Soldier is in Ranger school with access to their phone for 8 hours every 2 weeks, the commander can reasonably expect to wait until graduation.

And the commander retains the authority to recall that Soldier early from TDY, even a school, same as recall from leave.