My NCO is denying time to repair my A/C Unit that has been out for 30+ days. What can I do to fix this?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:23:25 -0400

I have been trying to have my A/C repaired for 30+ days just outside of Fort Bragg, NC. After a constant battle with the property manager, a company has finally come out to start repairs. The problem now is that the contractor requires that my wife and/or I be present for the repairs. We are both active duty and both of our NCO's refuse to let us take time to have it repaired. Each NCO states that the other spouse needs to handle it and refuses to accept that we take time away from work, despite the fact that we are currently doing nothing. I'm tired of sleeping in a humid 80-90 degree house with no end in sight. Is there any sort of army/base policy or regulation that determines that such action is not allowed?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 1 at 2018 10:42 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:42:54 -0400

elevate it to the next NCO in the chain, keep going till someone understands

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 1 at 2018 10:46 AM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:46:05 -0400

Have you put in to take leave to get it done? Sucks but try that option if they won't just let you miss work for it.

Do they not do repairs on the weekends? Just wondering.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 11:19 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:19:42 -0400

Take a day of leave if necessary. But first I'd try using your chain of command. I personally wouldn't want a soldier under my command not having AC in the south. That's just part of taking care of your troops.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 1 at 2018 11:46 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:46:41 -0400

Your NCO doesn't NEED, meaning he/she is not required, to let you do this. You should probably attempt to schedule the repairs to be done on the weekend or a training holiday or put in for a pass or something. If this seems impossible, I would try bringing up this issue with your NCO support chain. If this is your first line that is being hardheaded, bring it up to your squad/section sergeant and move on up from there. Someone is going to allow you to get this fixed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 11:56 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:56:28 -0400

Thank you for all of your answers. I have discovered that AR 420-1 states that AC is a requirement for off-post housing as long as local laws authorize its use. My intent was to go through my chain the moment I had hard supplementary facts to back my claims.

Leave is not an option, as all leave is being denied currently. I've tried to schedule for the weekend but the earliest booking that they have is September and the property manager insists on getting it done sooner rather than later at this point.

I will make one final attempt to address it with my NCO before bringing it to my 1SG.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 12:21 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:21:06 -0400

This is just crazy. When I was stationed down south no way would I let one of my troops not make sure his house was in good standings especially when he/she has a family. I hope there are no children in this house. I have always understood the mission comes first but if yourself as an NCO or a supervisor cannot figure out a way to make sure your soldier is token care of especially when there is family involved that is a total fail on you.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 1 at 2018 4:47 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 16:47:15 -0400

Well, you can continue to ask for permission, but there are other options. If you have a 3 day or 4 day weekend coming up, you can see if the HVAC repairmen can come during that time. You can see if they can make an appointment for the weekend. You can also request leave, which I know sucks, but sometimes you have no other choice. Absolutely try explaining the situation again to your supervisors. Perhaps bringing them a copy of the work order might get your NCO to listen to you. It's possible that he's sceptical of your story and the showing of paperwork might prove to him that your story's on the level.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 2:05 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:05:22 -0400

My AC is fixed now. I appreciate all the answers that everyone has posted. Thank you very much.

Response by SGT Darin Jenkins made Aug 7 at 2018 3:46 AM

SGT Darin Jenkins — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 03:46:49 -0400

Use the 1st Sgt open door, if that doesn't work use the Commander's open door.