What is the regulation on changing regulations?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:22:18 -0400

You hear all the time 'you can add to, but not take away'. The question is actually to define this statement. Is the purpose to grammatically add to, but not take away? If so I can add a few specific words that would flip the reg on its head. Or is it add to in favor of the CoC? But in that case commands could do there word and get away with it. Maybe it's in favor of the SM? But then you breed...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 1:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:32:01 -0400

weak and entitled individuals that are unable to conduct themselves in war, and do nothing more than degrade and poison the organization.

Over all how do you feel the statement would benefit the organization the most and why?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 1:32 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:32:05 -0400

'you can add to, but not take away' is nowhere to be found in any regulation. I have challenged people who have parroted that line to find the regulation that governs that military legend. Thus far, no one has shown me in black and white. Many have tried to use various regulations as a basis, coupled with lots of twisting and reinterpreting to support the phrase, but not so much.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 1:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:32:28 -0400

SGT McClure,
I don't think the term is meant to be applied to the regulations themselves, but serves as a guide for leader's when they are writing things like SOP's and Policy Letters. They have to be sure that in the application of such documents, the regulation is not violated, nor takes away from the purpose of the Reg (if that makes sense).

So, to answer your question, I don't think this guide applies to writing regulation, grammatically, but serves its purpose when writing policy.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 31 at 2017 1:59 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:59:55 -0400

A Commander (thanks SGM Erik Marquez ) can make a regulation more stringent (add to) but not take away (relieve people of obligation to follow it in part or in the whole of the regulation's spirit or letter).

There is a process to change regulations, doctrine, and other official publications by submitting a DA Form 2028. Same Form is also to change an MTOE or TDA (have fun storming the castle on that one).

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 31 at 2017 3:03 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 15:03:45 -0400

A: Sergeant, you can not add anything.
B: Your commander can add to make a reg more restrictive, but can not relieve you of a reg requirement
Ar671.1_EM
Para 4.9
Sm may wear underwear on the outside of the ACU uniform if not in formation.
Commander Bob can ADD to that "Sm may wear underwear on the outside of the ACU uniform if not in formation, and inside their living quarters not in plain view of any fellow service member, DOD civilian, Federal employee, Dependant or small animals.

Commander BOB can not take away.. "Sm may wear underwear on the outside of the ACU uniform to include in formation"

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 31 at 2017 5:28 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 17:28:13 -0400

Also a supplement can be added to a regulation from a lower level in the command structure but cannot change anything the original Regulation required, they can only add to its requirements. The printed supplement should be attached to the original printed regulation.

It is interesting one supplement I saw and used to an Air Force Regulation (Back before they were called Instructions) the AF Regulation had 15 Pages, the supplement from SAC, Strategic Air Command, had 86 pages. As I recall that was AFR 207-16 which perhaps some of You old AF Minuteman missile security troops may recall.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2017 1:53 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 01:53:03 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member to use another thing you hear all the time "at Commander's discretion". If it favors Soldiers ok, if it favors command or the mission ok. It is up to the Commander.