Posted on Sep 7, 2017
Is it reasonable for me to submit an IG complaint or a Congressional Inquiry?
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Summary of the situation: Since February 2nd 2016, exactly 5 days upon my return from AIT, I have been seeking a release from the reserve. I understand that this is conditional, but it is also my right to have the First General officer review my request and determine whether or not it is appropriate to let me go.
That being said, I have so far sent up 5 releases, all of which have gotten stuck and died at BN S1, whether because they were "lost", or because they assigned an irresponsible PFC to handle my packet who got discharged for using her GTC for personal purchases, or other miscellaneous reasons. With each of these packets, I contacted my NCOs appropriately requesting the status, and the common reply was "Quit bothering us" mixed in curse words and occasional hazing.
Each packet lasted, on average, 4 months and did not even leave S1. The reasons I wanted to leave were because the lack of training, the units disappointing PT success rate (50%), the huge overstaffing of soldiers (Allowed strength was around 100, we had 240 soldiers), and because there were no E5 slots for my MOS. After nearly a year of financial hardship, I managed to secure an ADOS opportunity by pretty much snitching to a CSM that my unit did not even touch my request for 3 months (which they also gave me that nonsense about quit bothering them). Here on ADOS, I submitted my 5th and final packet.
My PSG told me to NOT contact BN S1, because I am only allowed to talk through him. He also told them not to assist me. Great, because he is the one allows giving me the trouble. I sent him the information for my CO and Retention NCO to call me in order to receive my counseling for the packet. That was last month. I have messaged him twice since then, and my line leaders, CO, and 1SG have been unresponsive.
My goal is to enlist Active Duty as 18X, 25B w/option 11 airborne then drop a SFAS packet down the line, or two enlist 25B w/option 40 Ranger. I see no reason not to let me go considering I hit my TIG/TIS for E5 but literally CANNOT advance in my reserve unit. I cannot bear the thought of being in the reserve another 3 years. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.
That being said, I have so far sent up 5 releases, all of which have gotten stuck and died at BN S1, whether because they were "lost", or because they assigned an irresponsible PFC to handle my packet who got discharged for using her GTC for personal purchases, or other miscellaneous reasons. With each of these packets, I contacted my NCOs appropriately requesting the status, and the common reply was "Quit bothering us" mixed in curse words and occasional hazing.
Each packet lasted, on average, 4 months and did not even leave S1. The reasons I wanted to leave were because the lack of training, the units disappointing PT success rate (50%), the huge overstaffing of soldiers (Allowed strength was around 100, we had 240 soldiers), and because there were no E5 slots for my MOS. After nearly a year of financial hardship, I managed to secure an ADOS opportunity by pretty much snitching to a CSM that my unit did not even touch my request for 3 months (which they also gave me that nonsense about quit bothering them). Here on ADOS, I submitted my 5th and final packet.
My PSG told me to NOT contact BN S1, because I am only allowed to talk through him. He also told them not to assist me. Great, because he is the one allows giving me the trouble. I sent him the information for my CO and Retention NCO to call me in order to receive my counseling for the packet. That was last month. I have messaged him twice since then, and my line leaders, CO, and 1SG have been unresponsive.
My goal is to enlist Active Duty as 18X, 25B w/option 11 airborne then drop a SFAS packet down the line, or two enlist 25B w/option 40 Ranger. I see no reason not to let me go considering I hit my TIG/TIS for E5 but literally CANNOT advance in my reserve unit. I cannot bear the thought of being in the reserve another 3 years. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.
Reserves
Army Reserve Unit Administrator
Duty
Congress
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 13
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OK, some advice on how I would proceed. The Army requires that unit Commanders have an open door policy. That does not mean that you can bypass your chain of command, but it does mean that you have the right to talk to Commander if you feel that the chain of command is not being responsive or is giving you a raw deal. So requesting to talk to the Company Commander would be my first stop. If the Company Commander can't or won't help with your problem, I would request to talk to the Battalion Commander, who also is required to have an Open Door Policy. Generally the Battalion Commander can motive the staff to take action, but I would request permission to hand carry the Conditional Release to the appropriate authority. That takes the guess work out of where it lands.
This may not make you popular with the chain of command, although it never bothered me to have to listen to one of the troops gripes. Sometimes I could do something, sometimes it was just bitching. Remember that the first General in your chain can say no, although in my experience that isn't very common. Only after I had tried all of the above would I consider going to the IG since that is going to be the first thing that they will ask anyway. I really haven't seen Congressional enquiries be very effective and they take forever, but YMMV.
This may not make you popular with the chain of command, although it never bothered me to have to listen to one of the troops gripes. Sometimes I could do something, sometimes it was just bitching. Remember that the first General in your chain can say no, although in my experience that isn't very common. Only after I had tried all of the above would I consider going to the IG since that is going to be the first thing that they will ask anyway. I really haven't seen Congressional enquiries be very effective and they take forever, but YMMV.
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SGT (Join to see)
Sir, this was a very detailed plan you gave me and I will make sure to follow through what you advised me to do. I will go higher in the Chain prior to blasting them with an IG complaint. I always appreciate the solid input, Sir!
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SGT (Join to see) - Knowing the rules on how to proceed is often half the battle and they generally don't teach you this stuff in Basic Training. Good luck.
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SPC Erich Guenther
Absoutely correct. You should discuss the issue with your 1SGT first after telling your PSG your going to do so and then stick with the chain of command. Be persistent and escalate if you need to. With a conditional release you need to demonstrate that one way or another your going to let everyone in the Chain of Command know or your going to get the release. Also, you do need to ask about min service requirements in your USAR or NG unit. Usually a 2 year min in most units. Not all units have one established so you maybe OK. You could be wasting your time though if they do have one established.
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Congressional? No.
IG? Yes, because your chain of command is not following reg and, according to you, actively circumventing it. You also make it sound like you have put yourself in a compromising position in taking an ADOS job as compensation for playing along with their effort to slow roll your request. You may want to avoid phrasing that way when you talk to the IG.
Contact the IG because your chain of command is not adhering to AR 140-10 in the process of your conditional release request. Read AR 140-10 before contacting your IG, then provide them with just the facts of your case, no personal issues, no whining, no assumptions, just the facts. Allow the IG to investigate whether your requests were handled properly, and you will probably see your request make it to your RRC for final approval or disapproval.
IG? Yes, because your chain of command is not following reg and, according to you, actively circumventing it. You also make it sound like you have put yourself in a compromising position in taking an ADOS job as compensation for playing along with their effort to slow roll your request. You may want to avoid phrasing that way when you talk to the IG.
Contact the IG because your chain of command is not adhering to AR 140-10 in the process of your conditional release request. Read AR 140-10 before contacting your IG, then provide them with just the facts of your case, no personal issues, no whining, no assumptions, just the facts. Allow the IG to investigate whether your requests were handled properly, and you will probably see your request make it to your RRC for final approval or disapproval.
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SGT (Join to see)
Sergeant Major, I appreciate the solid input. I will read AR 140-10 before deciding to go higher in the Chain or before even considering IG further. This information will certainly be put to good use, I appreciate everything.
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SPC Erich Guenther
LTC (Join to see) - Yes I agree with that if his unit is 100% manned nobody should be standing in his way and I have seen both USAR and NG units stuck on stupid. It was just the way he wrote the first post that has me suspicious he jumped over peoples heads.
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SPC Erich Guenther
SGT Eric Knutson - I made the mistake back in 1984 of going directly to the S1 instead of via my chain of command at the suggestion of another SPC4. Third visit they complained back to my CO and 1SG and that was the end of that. Had to use the chain of command from then on.
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC Erich Guenther - I think I should clarify... I have notified my team leader, who was to supposed to inform my squad leader, who was supposed to inform my PSG, etc. They were all aware, because if the one person didn't inform the NCO above them, I did it myself. I have performed this process for every Conditional Release, but the issue isn't that I go to S1, in my long rant I stated that "With each of these packets, I contacted my NCOs appropriately requesting the status, and the common reply was 'Quit bothering us' mixed in curse words and occasional" and that "My PSG told me to NOT contact BN S1, because I am only allowed to talk through him"; this was meant to allude to the fact that in no way was I able to see the status of my packet, considering the insuffice responses from my NCOs and the inability to contact S1 myself.
The only time I directly contacted S1 was when I had as S1 soldier at this unit I am currently attached to contact my home S1 on my behalf since my Chain would also no reply to them. If there are more details that you would like me to clarify, please advise before assuming details that way others do not get the wrong idea. Thank you for the input.
The only time I directly contacted S1 was when I had as S1 soldier at this unit I am currently attached to contact my home S1 on my behalf since my Chain would also no reply to them. If there are more details that you would like me to clarify, please advise before assuming details that way others do not get the wrong idea. Thank you for the input.
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SPC Erich Guenther
SGT (Join to see) - I still don't understand why your bouncing all over the place. OK, so for a Conditional release you follow it yourself up to the 1SG and only if the 1SG designates you to go further you do so. So submit to 1SG, meet or call them to ensure they have the submission and sign it..........then it goes to the CO........then it goes up to BN. The last step is it is returned to your CO or 1SGT who should hand deliver it back to you since once it has the final signature your under a time constraint and the clock is ticking. So if there is an issue right now at BN with your conditional release, you should be working with your 1SG or CO directly, not your PSG or anyone below that level as you have already passed them on this specific issue. That's how it worked for me. I never went back down the chain once I reached the Company Admin level and honestly.........they didn't care that I did at that point. However, I never once had to bother BN or above myself. The 1SGT or CO handled that.
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