I’m ill and my NCO wants to inspect my room. Is it plausible for him to conduct a room inspection and disrupt the rest I need for recovery?

2022-05-19T14:05:18-04:00

NCO in my section told me he is going to conduct a routine barracks inspection at 0600 tomorrow. I’m currently on 72 hour quarters due to influenza and it expired the end of the day tomorrow. I had told him my room was a little messy and that I wasn’t cleaning it up. I had told him that it’s been 2 days since I’ve had the flu and he’s seen how dead I looked days prior. NCO said it wasn’t an excuse. Is it really plausible to conduct a room inspection and disrupt the rest I need for recovery? I’m in nearly constant agonizing pain and sleep is the only thing that helps. Do they want to catch the flu and spread it?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2022 2:39 PM

2022-05-19T14:39:44-04:00

Just open the door, nod your head in agreement and go back to bed when they leave.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 19 at 2022 2:43 PM

2022-05-19T14:43:21-04:00

You're in nearly constant agonizing pain, from the flu? My question then, is it the flu? If it is agonizing, perhaps you should be hospitalized.

It's been almost 30 years since I was in. I'd inspect your room, but I'd not really expect it to be up to snuff. I might even have some volunteers straighten up a bit for you. What do you think is going to happen if your room is unsat? I suspect that their reaction will have a lot to do with your general reputation.

Response by SPC David Willis made May 19 at 2022 2:46 PM

2022-05-19T14:46:28-04:00

I was laid up when our CSM did an unannounced barracks inspection. Had a stool sample sitting on my counter that I had taken that morning but hadnt gone to the appointment yet. Stood up at parade rest in my underwear. Asked if I was sick to which I said yes Sgt Maj. Then looked at my sample and said "is that your shit?" again replied yes Sgt Maj. He laughed and shook his head and told me to carry on.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2022 4:02 PM

2022-05-19T16:02:33-04:00

Yes, it is plausible and possible and very likely to happen. Quarters for you does not mean you're quarantined from everyone else per se. Tidy the room a little. Answer the door in your PJs looking dis-shelved. Go back to bed after they've been there. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. Also, if you're in near constant agonizing pain....are you sure it's the flu?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 19 at 2022 4:13 PM

2022-05-19T16:13:29-04:00

Yes your NCO can come do a room inspection if you're on quarters. To each his or her own but I'm not risking catching the flu from anyone. I'd just get you another day when you're better.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2022 4:59 PM

2022-05-19T16:59:57-04:00

Not all stripe wearers be the same. Most NCO's I know would reiterate the following statement to some degree.

"You're sick? Stay away from me, I have (Stuff/Kids/Etc) to deal with. Let me know when your white cells sack up and fix your body, clean your room with bleach, drink some OJ or something, stay away from me."

Also you told your NCO your room was messy and that you weren't cleaning it? I will not tell you to lie, I will suggest you not volunteer information needlessly. Some of them get unnecessarily hooah or have a need to micromanage something.

The flu sucks but if you're in chest agonizing pain maybe get a second opinion and hit up doc again.

Sick Story: Went to sick call, was sick, fluid excretions, good times, was told to take pills, drink water and sleep. NCO told me not to attend PT or even come into work. Free pass to sleep and play video games while drinking pills with hot tea all day. The work load wasn't heavy enough for them to need me anyway, NCO made a good call.

SNCO disagreed and told me to attend PT. Roger, attend PT. Constant coughing during exercises, SNCO got in my face about it. I threw up on his shoes. Don't feel bad for him, no self preservation instinct, face to face with a sick cougher that's projecting fluid? He's an idiot, stripes or no stripes.

So yeah clean up your room a bit, shouldn't be too bad. Enjoy getting someone sick, they probably deserve it.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made May 19 at 2022 5:46 PM

2022-05-19T17:46:06-04:00

The last thing I'd want to do, as an NCO, would be to enter anyone's room when they have the flu; EXCEPT to ensure they were getting the rest, AND medical care they need. If I saw the room was messy, I might (strongly) suggest that when better, the room WILL be brought up to standard. Meanwhile, GET WELL.
Brings up a question though. When someone is on quarters for something like the flu, do NCO's take steps to ensure they are getting meals and at least fluids? Or are fellow soldiers depended upon to do so? THAT's what an NCO should be concerned about.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2022 5:55 PM

2022-05-19T17:55:08-04:00

Sounds like the NCO that told you that he was going to inspect your room and doesn't care about your current medical condition is one of the "crown jewels" of the military. What in the f is he trying to prove by doing this. If the condition of your room is an essential cleanliness wellness health issue for other personnel living in the barracks then he should ask/get a couple of soldiers to mask and glove up and pop into your room for a couple of minutes to quickly tidy up for their shipmate (or in your terms battle buddy?) who's in a down condition. Oh, and if you're not getting better and pain not going away then he should be making arrangements to get you to the base clinic or hospital for a re-check rather than be on your ass to clean up your room...
And we need big studies to determine why people don't reenlist.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made May 19 at 2022 7:58 PM

2022-05-19T19:58:55-04:00

Short answer... Yes, your NCO can conduct a room inspection when you are on Quarters. Being on Quarters does not (or at least it didn't when I was active duty) excuse you from maintaining barracks standards. Now, SHOULD they enter a room they know is contaminated with an infectious disease, is another issue altogether. Personally, I'd knock on your door and after verifying you were not deceased or suffering a medical emergency, I would quickly move on to another room and schedule a re-inspection of your space at a later date.

As a Paramedic, if you are truly in "constant agonizing" pain, then you should be admitted to a hospital. The Flue often causes generalized aches/pains and an overall unpleasant feeling but rarely "agonizing".

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made May 20 at 2022 12:57 PM

2022-05-20T12:57:30-04:00

Is it possible that someone reported that you were living in unsanitary conditions? Do you have a history of failing room inspections? Is there a stench emanating from your door? Is it really the flu or is some sort of Legionnaires disease caused by your dirty bathroom? Skervy? If you are a combat medic I assume your NCO is too, right? He or she or it may have suspicions that you live like a caged monkey and through poop on the walls.
Those are the only reasons I would ever consider inspecting the room of a SM with a contagious condition. But, some people are just dicks.
I give this same piece of advice all the time: fight the power and you may win this skirmish only to find out you've been labeled a whiner. Or, comply, be respectful, and the NCO will walk away in 2-3 minutes. You can then go back to sleep and dream dreams of being the most precious little princess in the world.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 20 at 2022 4:53 PM

2022-05-20T16:53:26-04:00

The NCO can certainly inspect your room when you are on quarters for the flu. And if he has no sense of self-preservation, he will. When he inspects, if you need to cough fiercely in his direction, what can you do? You have the flu.
Just tidy up, stand by and go to bed when he's done. If he fails you, make sure you note the circumstances on the counselling form -- unless, of course, your room is a complete s#1t-show. In which case, being sick is no excuse. If you are too sick to at least keep your room tidy you should be in the hospital.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2022 4:45 PM

2022-05-23T16:45:40-04:00

Which NCO? If it's your team leader, contact your squad leader and advise them of the situation, they should already be aware of the 72 hours on quarters but perhaps they don't know about the room inspection.