what covers a commanders discretion when it comes to flag a person or not? can't find in 600-20 or 600-8-2, is it other reg or am i missing?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 14:52:58 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2016 3:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 15:16:04 -0400

AR 600-8-2 governs flags. There isn't much room for discretion. There are circumstances that require the initiation of a flag (Para 2-2 and 2-3). "Require" doesn't leave room for much discretion.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2016 5:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 17:21:14 -0400

That's interesting. I believe that the regs are pretty specific of when a flag will be placed. It's not really an option. However how much teeth are behind enforcing the reg, that's another story. In the long run though the Commander could well be screwing the soldier, because awards, benefit's and the like can be taken back if a rheto- active flag is put in place. Either way it turns into a IG nightmare

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2016 6:30 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 18:30:16 -0400

Commanders discretion is a very broad topic. This is something so dear to every soldier or at the least to so many both aware an not aware of "Commanders Discretion." Commanders are held to the highest of standards to bring about a righteousness in the battlefield. Thus in the garrison. We are to train in Garrison as in the field. Battlefield environments and life threatening seconds, beliefs, values, actions are often up to commanders as well as the most senior on the battlefield. We then need require the chain of command. This chain of command is critical. If I go to one level in the chain that is too truly busy and cannot help it is better that level thank me for following the chain and should send me up to the next higher level (discretion), should this person also be to busy it should continue until I am able to have the requests worked by the discretion of command.
Many know of issues when a soldier could not receive an answer and may have went AWOL because of a dying family member. Others know the times when the chain broken, caused a soldier to not get home in time for a dying breath, but arrive after the fact and had the discretion of command permitted: the soldier would have been present to say goodby.
So, it is this discretion that also places command in many a hard choices that command is either too busy or can be reduced to a lower level of importance due to pressing matters (triage), and becomes a gap or omission rather than dereliction on behalf of command.
Understanding and not getting ones feelings hurt (person in chain of command) needs to recognize their limits and time constraints to soldiers and thus support by allowing the NCO chain or higher level of command to take care of discretion or pressing matters they cannot for various reasons.
Peace.
Strength to our Military Leaders.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Aug 31 at 2016 7:40 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 19:40:53 -0400

Most cases are very clear and you flag and leave them flagged until they overcome the status. The only cases I've seen discretion with flags is when it comes to commanders investigations and the commander waits to see the investigation and ensure that they feel the wrongdoing truly occurred before flagging a Soldier. You'll see this more based on the nature of the allegation and the who the parties involved are.
I would not use a regulation though to try and force discretion as the commander can flag right away. It would also be their option to drag their feet a little bit, but no one could require that.
We need more specifics for a better answer.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2016 2:20 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:20:51 -0400

Flag management is a serious topic. There is no discretion on whether to initiate or remove. A good commander ensures that flags are managed on time and correctly. Anything other is just poor leadership.