What do you think of an SM spending personal money to support unit OPS?

2015-04-01T12:59:32-04:00

A little background. I am the training supervisor for my section in an Air Traffic Control company in the National Guard. My section's equipment is a heavily networked truck which requires a fairly large area of land next to the motor pool when we set up for training (almost every month), primarily for an extensive antenna farm. But a required part of training is to be able to remote the trucks computer interface into a simulated TOC.

This means un-spooling between 300 and 600 feet of CAT-6E cable from the installation position to the simulated TOC in our armory. The problem is that this cable crosses the exit to the motor pool where it gets brutalized by passing heavy vehicles, which has resulted in me and another tech-savy soldier having to recover and repair the cable. This ends up being both time consuming and costly, so I had an idea to avoid it. I wanted to get some of the roadside cable protectors that look and function like speed bumps, they aren't expensive, but supply hasn't the budget to order them and I have been told that we can't be authorized for them in the system.

Is it wrong for me to simply go out and get something myself to save my unit some money in the long run? Why should/shouldn't a soldier simply be able to contribute in this way to the success of their team if they are willing and able to do so?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-04-01T13:01:01-04:00

Actually, I'm pretty sure there is a regulation or law against spending personal money for things that are for official use. Why? I dont know. In theory, it's a great thought.

I remember asking the question when I was an E-3, my supervisor said we were not allowed to do it.

Response by SSgt Joe V. made Apr 1 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-04-01T13:04:58-04:00

I found that in some instances, for the good of those around me, it was better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 1:06 PM

2015-04-01T13:06:10-04:00

Were I your supervisor, I'd put that to your credit in an eval. Go for it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-04-01T13:09:37-04:00

Yet, I bet constantly want to know why the cables are getting chewed up and why nothing is being done about it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-04-01T13:32:33-04:00

Is it wrong? I think there is actually some regulation that's says it is. Have I done it? YEP! Sometimes you don't have time to wait 3 weeks(or longer) for some things to come in. If I can run down to Lowes and buy a small tool or whatever I need to get the job done I will. If need be, I'll do it again. I'm talking small purchases though.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Apr 1 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-04-01T13:49:41-04:00

Absolutely against a Soldier spending personal money to support unit operations for several reasons:
1. What starts out as voluntary can quickly turn into expected by higher leaders, peers, and/or subordinates.
2. The illness is not enough unit funds. Using personal money masks the problem rather than solving the problem. Masking the problem ensures that higher leaders are not properly informed that there is a problem in the first place.
3. Some Soldiers have access to independent wealth while others do not and live pay check to pay check. Just because a Soldier can do something (use personal money to support unit ops), it does not necessarily follow that a Soldier should do something.
4. I am not aware of private industry having the expectation that a worker contribute personal funds for what the organization should be funding. If private industry does not expect it then why should personnel in the public sector to include the military?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 11:20 PM

2015-04-01T23:20:49-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member,

Slightly off-topic, but do you not have a 94D (Air Traffic Control Equipment Maintainer) who does QA/QC as you're setting up? If I were your 94D and saw my ethernet cable lying there unprotected, I'd have flagged this as a safety hazard and alerted the CO. I'd provide him with both the short-term and long-term solutions along with associated costs, and advise him how this would affect our ARMS inspection score. More than likely, the CO would temporarily foot the bill and get reimbursed later.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 11:50 PM

2015-04-01T23:50:41-04:00

I think most of us who have been in the Reserve Component for awhile have done this at one point or another. I think this is a result of a lack of funding and leaders wanting the best for their troops. I have a project right now I've been trying to get through the official channels for months. It would be far easier for me to shell out $100 and get what I need. It would also benefit my troops. I don't know what the right answer is on this. I certainly wouldn't punish someone for doing it.

Response by TSgt David Blakley made Apr 2 at 2015 4:15 PM

2015-04-02T16:15:05-04:00

No, my (now retired) E9 and several other NCO's (including myself) have purchased items for use within our flight because funding 1. wouldn't, 2. couldn't, 3. shouldn't. What we all did may be against policy, but it helped train our airmen for downrange problems in communications and networking that could save not only their lives, but others as well.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 11:45 PM

2015-04-10T23:45:33-04:00

As a general rule I don't spend my money on things that directly support mission essential ops. I think it sets a bad precedent. However in you situation since a small investment will save YOU time and hassle I'm ok with that. Just be careful its a fine line between being a team player and getting hosed.

Response by SFC Jesus Garcia made May 28 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-05-28T14:00:25-04:00

This should be part of your Library. look it up research and ask for guidance from senior NCO's.
Army Regulation 750–10
Special purpose modification
Materiel change incorporating a special modification and designed to meet a specialized requirement.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 3 at 2015 4:35 PM

2015-06-03T16:35:06-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, you could achieve much the same effect with a 10- or 20-foot section of pipe covered with a single layer of not-quite-full sandbags...

EDIT: Oh, and a little bit of 550 cord will do nicely for anchoring the ends to the sides of the exit gateway.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 4:59 PM

2015-06-03T16:59:14-04:00

1) When the cable is damaged beyond reasonable repair, order another.
2) When the bean counters ask why you need a new cable every few drills, explain COAs
a. Do nothing and continue to order cable - long recurring cost, lead time for new cable
order
b. They order cable protectors - one time investment, no recurring cost
c. Buy the thing yourself and miss opportunity for people to trust your expertise the next
time a similar situation comes around
Authorization (AAL list) has little to do with things when it comes to an operational need to fill a capability gap. You cannot accomplish the task without the proper resources. All it takes is for a decision maker to agree that the protective measures are a requirement and overrides something else in the budget.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Jun 3 at 2015 5:00 PM

2015-06-03T17:00:12-04:00

When I was in the infantry we bought our own camie paint among other things. I think is unfortunate that supply saying no, but do what you have to do. Also talk to your CO and the S4 officer and tell you need this. Make them realize this will save money.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-10-25T20:25:56-04:00

Put sand bags over the wire. Your unit should have them on hand.