Posted on Nov 23, 2014
Legal Question- Is it legal to mandate a signature from your subordinate?
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All USAF reprimands require a signature, from the accused, that simply states you have been notified of the reprimand.
It isn't uncommon for the accused to refuse to sign if they find the accusation unfounded. Yet, the language written usually reads something like, "Your signature upon receipt of this letter is mandatory."
So... is it legally kosher to mandate a signature? Is it legal to refuse to sign?
It isn't uncommon for the accused to refuse to sign if they find the accusation unfounded. Yet, the language written usually reads something like, "Your signature upon receipt of this letter is mandatory."
So... is it legally kosher to mandate a signature? Is it legal to refuse to sign?
Law
Air Force
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 16
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My personal take is if it requires my signature, then I have a choice to do it or not.
Normally there is a procedure where they can enter "the service member (Soldier/ Airman/ Sailor/ Marine) refused to sign".
Normally there is a procedure where they can enter "the service member (Soldier/ Airman/ Sailor/ Marine) refused to sign".
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SSgt (Join to see)
"My personal take is if it requires my signature, then I have a choice to do it or not."
I feel the same way, which is my dilemma. That is why I cringe when I see, "Your signature upon receipt of this letter is mandatory." Thank you for your input, LTC.
I feel the same way, which is my dilemma. That is why I cringe when I see, "Your signature upon receipt of this letter is mandatory." Thank you for your input, LTC.
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Soldiers can refuse to sign anything. No one can "order" them to sign anything since a signature is a legal acknowledgement of you. It can be annotated the soldier refused to sign something with a witnesses signature to verify they refused. I have seen soldiers refuse to sign event oriented counseling because the didn't agree with what was said. However a signature on the Army counseling's is just verifying the admin information is correct. Any disagreements should be written in the comment block provided.
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I have had individuals refuse to sign, though once I explained that it is only an acknowledgement of receipt and in anyway an admission of guilt. Followed by explaining that hey would have three duty days to submit a rebuttal to state their side, usually at that point they would sign it.
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