Who is the actual formation excusal authority (if it is explicitly stated)?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:04:28 -0400

The status quo, from what I’m aware of, establishes that your scope of authority is one level up (squad leader can excuse from platoon formation, PSG from company formation, etc.)

My question is: is this actually stated anywhere? If there were discipline issues could 1SG/CO state “nobody misses formation unless we know about it” and enforce that as a lawful order?

On the other hand, if there’s a very good reason, would it be wise for a team leader to excuse a Soldier if leadership isn’t responding?

*Not real occurrences, just theoretical*

Looking for doctrine, SOP, personal experiences, etc.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 21 at 2021 1:38 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:38:27 -0400

The authority of the Company Commander is basically everything not prohibited by AR or by higher. Can the CO order notifications before excusing someone from Formation? Absolutely. That is called Command Authority. He can delegate the to whomever he pleases. Just as his boss, the BNCO, can mandate rules for formation, PT, etc as long as they are within his Commanders guidance and Regulations.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 21 at 2021 1:45 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:45:30 -0400

So there are a few things at work here.

First, there is probably a reason the CO/1Sgt are making this call and taking that stance.

It isn't uncommon for Plt Sgts and Plt Commanders to cover for their people while they are handling issues whether it is work related, family issues, medical/dental etc. That is normal but it is also normal for the head shed to crack down when things happen and people abuse the system. So leadership discretion takes alot of space in this realm. The best thing you can do is for the Plt Sgt and Plt Commander to build a relationship with not only their troops but their next level leaders because those relationships or lack thereof will dictate how this goes.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2021 3:27 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 May 2021 15:27:06 -0400

Formerly a USAR company commander, if someone missed Battle Assembly it was MY signature on the paper work that approved the Rescheduled Training. Otherwise, they didn't get paid, and they started racking up unsatisfactory days (regardless of what anyone else gave them permission for).

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made May 21 at 2021 5:29 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Fri, 21 May 2021 17:29:15 -0400

In a formation there are three reports that are given: All Present everyone there, self-explanatory. All present OR accounted for, those not present are excused and their where bouts are known to the reporter. # absent There are a number # of soldiers missing, and there where bouts are unknown/not excused.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 21 at 2021 8:15 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 21 May 2021 20:15:24 -0400

The CO is accountable, but the 1SG is responsible for accountability. Generall, for a Company formation, the PSG is reporting on the status of Soldiers - which means that PSG had better know and approve of any absences, because (s)he will be the person answering the hard questions.

Likewise, for a BN Formation, 1SG is answering for missing Soldiers, so 1SG had better know and approve of absences. And on and on.

But ALL of it starts at the Team Leader level. Soldier notifies TL of reason for absence, and TL starts running it up the chain. And if there is even a LITTLE bit of question, generally that PSG is going to pre-approve with 1SG (or 1SG with CSM). Most units have an informal "acceptable excuse" list. Sick Call, Appointment, duty recovery, taskings, etc. are known things that the PSG can simply report "1 on sick call, 2 on leave, three on detail" and be good to go. But if the 1SG/CO puts out "100% presence, THAT is when the PSG starts getting that pre-approval.

At the end of the day, though, essentially EVERY formation is "no one misses, unless we know about it" because the PSG SHOULD be getting accountability at every formation and reporting absences, along with excuses (even if 1SG does not order a report). This is trebly true for the first formation of the day (usually PT) which is generally considered an "accountability formation."

For all of our BN (and higher) formations, where 1SG (or CSM) was up front, I was always accounting for all my folks, and reporting to 1SG prior to that first "Fall in," even if it wasn't a "formal" report like at morning formation.