How long can a unit be restricted to AO on deployment including off duty hours in a non combat zone?

2020-07-14T04:35:37-04:00

So we have been on long down since pre-mob for deployment. Not a single day off besides July 4th. Formation every day 7 days a week. First 14 days we were on quarantine state side. We arrived to our destination and were tested and quarantined before coming on to our final post. A month and a half of being restricted to a 1-mile AO. Now at our actual base we are being told we won't be allowed to go off post at all until another 2 months!?! And that will require passing a diag. Which is not an issue for me but for other soldiers in our unit a certainty. Is this normal or even allowed? Can we be restricted to our AO even off duty hours for this long?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jul 14 at 2020 5:01 AM

2020-07-14T05:01:44-04:00

I would venture to say: “yes”
IMHO, your CO has the power to restrict movement as he sees fit.
Although, the DOD directive allows travel within 250 miles of duty station. This travel restriction was 85 miles when the pandemic began. Since it appears you are in communications, your unit might be on 24 hour alert. In which case your movements are determined by your Commanding Officer. That has been my experience and this holds true fir the Active Duty Soldiers and Marines I am friends with.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 14 at 2020 5:39 AM

2020-07-14T05:39:10-04:00

Nothing new here.. Been there, done what even before COVID.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 5:44 AM

2020-07-14T05:44:48-04:00

I'm not sure I understand this. You are saying you are deployed, you shouldn't expect any days off at all. There are no duty hours, you are deployed, maybe you have shifts, but....you're deployed.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 14 at 2020 7:01 AM

2020-07-14T07:01:52-04:00

As long as they deem necessary for whatever safety or security reasons they have. You are in the military and deployed. Think of the area you are in, the global situations you face and you should be able to come up with your own reasons as to why the unit is taking care of you and your fellow Soldiers.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 8:13 AM

2020-07-14T08:13:44-04:00

Umm, you are deployed and in the Army. They can do what they want!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 9:42 AM

2020-07-14T09:42:59-04:00

Two months and a diagnostic is normal.
That is exactly what we did in 2017.
It is absolutely allowed. HQDA G3 did not schedule your unit's deployment for your individual tourist interests, there is no requirement to allow you off the installation at all.
If and when you are allowed to leave for MWR, follow the SOP and checklist, and when PFC Snaplink blows it for everyone by getting drunk, remember that it's the fault of PFC Snaplink and his first line leader, not your commander.
Meanwhile, make use of your downtime to do PT and get a semester of college or a couple of IT certs done, train up the kid in your section who sucks at his job, and save some money.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 10:14 AM

2020-07-14T10:14:37-04:00

Yes you can be restricted. If you are at your MOB site, the restrictions help with safety and accountability. Does it suck...yea it does. Does it keep folks out of trouble and easier accountability? Yes it does. When I "deployed" to Honduras in 2018, we were not allowed off North Ft Hood during the entire time we were MOBing unless White Cell was driving us to/from appointments. When we got to Honduras, we were restricted to base (unless on an actual mission) for about a month or two.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 1:15 PM

2020-07-14T13:15:06-04:00

How long can you be restricted while on deployment?

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 14 at 2020 4:32 PM

2020-07-14T16:32:23-04:00

You can be restricted to the AO for your entire enlistment if the command deems it necessary.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 14 at 2020 8:06 PM

2020-07-14T20:06:44-04:00

As long as the CoC says so.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 11:15 PM

2020-07-14T23:15:57-04:00

A unit can be restricted for the duration of any deployment, so there isn’t a set time period. When you’re deployed rules and restrictions are in place for the safety of all Soldiers. To you, it may seem extreme but for that Commander, it is his/her way to ensure all come back to their families safe so they don’t have to explain to any family how their loved one was no longer with us.

Most Soldiers back in Garrison are use to coming as they please, however, you all are no longer in Garrison, you’re considered deployed, there are different rules and an even more stricter limitations on deployments regardless of the location of the deployment. Sacrifices comes with deployments, so help your battle buddies or the other Soldiers to understand they are deployed.

Remember you are a Soldier on and off duty, you still follow the same rules and/or guidances even on your off duty time.