When you are on a recovery scene, which regulation states you are in command?

2018-06-21T19:02:46-04:00

We tried to tell a 1sg we were in command as professionally as possible and he wouldnt leave or stay out of the area.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 22 at 2018 11:44 AM

2018-06-22T11:44:08-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - I would say it isn't so much you are "In Command" as you are "In Charge" of the event. I understand completely the frustration of having higher ranked (either by position or grade) getting in the way. I usually find some nonsense task for them to accomplish that keeps them out from under my feet. THEY think they are doing something important but all it does is keeps them out of the scene.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 22 at 2018 2:10 PM

2018-06-22T14:10:58-04:00

This is tricky, as you are the senior person of the recovery crew, are in charge of the recovery, but that First Sergeant is still over those troops. Now if the 1sg is getting in the way, interfering with the safety aspect, stop the operation and go sit down, get on the radio, call you BMS, BMT, or BMO and ask them to have a conversation with the 1SG if they are interfering with the safety of the recovery operation. Some people feel they need to be involved in all aspects of a given operation, but if you are an untrained person in my mechanics AO, Either my BMS or I will have a conversation with you. One E-8 to another should clear the situation up, but I have met some hard headed E-8's and some think they can tell maintenance what ever they want. And you may need higher level people to get involved, the next level would be the BMT and Commander having a conversation, or for some units the BMO and Commander. Keep in mind after the BMO is the BN XO, and I doubt it will get to that level, but some times the CSM and BMS need to have a conversation. 99% it can be alleviated at a lower level. Top I can't have you in here, this is our recovery, I appreciate you want to secure the comm gear and rifles and personnel affects, but let us get this done and once we are secure you can have everything or words to the affect. Or "1SG, do you need to secure anything before we get started, because once I start holing up, I can't have any one in the AO for safety purposes, if not I will have to stop operations."