What is the military installation standard on how far out a soldier has to be notified before being put on staff duty or CQ?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 19:11:09 -0500

So when the green book states
‘the standard behind the DA 6 is to provide our soldiers predictability of when they will work a 24 hour duty at least 30 days in advance”
Does that mean the soldier has to be notified 30 days out or can the soldier get put on staff duty or CQ the morning of the shift?
Asking for a friend.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 9:04 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 21:04:55 -0500

The "standard" is how it should happen, not how it has to happen or else you get a free pass.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 3 at 2021 9:05 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 21:05:31 -0500

It can be as little as the day prior, but most 1Sg's like to do a week at a time, unless there is an illness, etc..

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Mar 4 at 2021 8:30 AM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 08:30:27 -0500

I see Fort Carson still hasn't changed its ways.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 4 at 2021 9:17 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 09:17:46 -0500

Why would any soldier need 30 days notice to pull a duty?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 4 at 2021 9:48 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 09:48:54 -0500

How far out does a Soldier HAVE to be notified? 1 minute.
How far out SHOULD a Soldier be notified? Really as far out as practicable.

The DA 6 should be posted prior to the start of each months - the earlier the better. Most units I was in, the goal was mid-month, and the No Later Than was the 25th. Each unit has their own standard, generally set at BN Level (but sometimes directed down from higher echelons). But... shit happens.

If SPC Schmedlap is schedule to go on duty at 0900, and gets a Red Cross message at 0745, SPC Frankenschmitz is going to end up getting a call at 0830 that they now have duty, TODAY. If SPC Schmedlap reports for duty at 0900, and then is attacked by a raccoon and sent to the hospital while doing security checks, SPC Frankenschmitz is going to get a call at 1015 that they have duty NOW. Etc.

This should, however, be the EXCEPTION, not the rule.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2021 11:10 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 11:10:01 -0500

We never questioned things like this. The duty roster came out in plenty of time to plan from. Can they? The answer is almost always yes. There are workarounds such as swapping duty in advance. Extreme cases require less subtle methods. In the spirit of always sharing I will gladly. The last work day before graduation from an Engr school we heard rumors that we were going to get shafted on a Friday. An instructor had an issue about his duty, so they planned to have one of us stand his duty, but never officially ordered anyone. He should have been replaced with an instructor per SOP. There was a donkey softball game scheduled that afternoon with concessions. I advised all the fellow NCOs to drink heavily, knowing they couldn't post a drunk. I guess they drew straws for who would drop the bad news to us. Once the short straw saw the Corporal of choice spooning up salami sub puke, they left us alone. We were one class they were glad to get rid of. I wouldn't advise this in today's climate.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 4 at 2021 12:49 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 12:49:24 -0500

Every month, in my experience and generally being on staff, each section provides their exemptions for the month for CQ and staff duty to the 1SG. Are those always taken into account? No. I've seen my own soldiers put on staff duty when we sent up exemptions for exercises, etc.

Then I usually see the staff duty/CQ roster the last week of the month for the next month.

If for some reason someone needs to be replaced on duty, someone could be notified they day of that they are a replacement.

In 16 years, I have never seen a staff duty roster put out until the last week of the month for the next month.

Response by 2LT Brian L. made Mar 4 at 2021 7:25 PM

2LT Brian L. — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 19:25:59 -0500

Sounds like your just mad... sorry shit happens.... you are a Soldier 24/7 and this does and will continue to happen. I have never heard of any unit adhering to this and doubt any do at best they are general guidelines and as an Infantry Soldier you should know that a unit has to be very flexible to accomplish the mission... even if the mission is CQ lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2021 10:19 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 10:19:25 -0500

No, 'he' definitely works for Uncle Sam, and his chain unceremoniously cleared his schedule so he could do the due. Happens all the time, and it's just a shit-sandwich that has to be chewed. If he's pulling duty cause another soldier dropped the ball, tell him that instead of barking up the chain about it, he should focus his energy on collecting his back-rent from the soldier who f'd him.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 5 at 2021 11:26 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 11:26:50 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member The DA Form 6 is a tool to assist in predictability and fairness in assigning duty, but it is a tool, not a contract that when violated relives all others not listed, from performing an assigned task.
Your Commander or designated representative, senior officer or non commissioned officer can assign a task to a Soldier as the need arises. It may be inconvenient, it may suck, but it happens and is within regulations.