Can a Commander re-org a unit based on personal desire?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:39:43 -0400

Assuming a Commander would like to restructure his unit internally, is this acceptable?

For example, creating notional positions , i.e. staff shops when not authorized by a UMR, or having Soldiers work outside their assigned position, such as a mechanic, assigned to a mechanic slot on paper, working as a supply sgt or operations NCO.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 20 at 2015 9:41 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:41:27 -0400

“We trained hard—but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams we were reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while actually producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.”
― Petronius Arbiter

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 20 at 2015 9:59 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:59:17 -0400

It happens in the AF all the time. They are called "out of hide" billets in AF units.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 20 at 2015 9:59 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:59:42 -0400

I can't speak to the Army, but in the USMC we have the T/O (Task Organization), which is almost "never" filled to 100%. This gives a Commander A LOT of leeway to manipulate the structure based on (perceived) need.

As an example, my S-2 Shop consisted of the S-2 Officer (Intel Officer), S-2 Chief, and 2 Analysts. We also had the Scout Sniper Platoon (1x Officer, 24x 03xx, 1x Corpman), and the Substance Abuse Control Officer (2 people, both 03xx), as part of our combined Section. In theory (at the the time), our actual T/O was actually about the size of a nominal platoon. We almost always had an 03xx as an extra person in the shop, as a driver/radio operator/helper, and during workups we would usually "borrow" a couple 03xx from the line companies to help out & cross train.

It's not that the Commander is re-organizing the unit... not really.. he's just jugging people and billets around to maximum effect. Now, when you start shoving an Admin guy over into Motor T and they don't rate one... there's an issue. But using a spare 03xx (for us they are "go anywhere do anything" aka operations specialist) not so much.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 20 at 2015 11:31 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 23:31:55 -0400

A commander can task organize any way he sees fit to accomplish the mission based on his estimate of the situation. He/She will be staffed IAW the authorization document only.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 3:59 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 03:59:24 -0400

The commander has the authority to move folks around as he/she sees fit. The next problem is filling the positions you emptied. Higher HQs says you are authorized this many and you have this many, so no more for you, especially with the shortage of manpower to fill positions nowadays . So, the must have may get filled well before the really needs and would like to have positions. When you make the shuffle someone is going to get the crap hand. So pick who you’re gonna stick it to.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 21 at 2015 6:51 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 06:51:43 -0400

Sounds like being an AGR...

The Commander has quite a few tools at his/her disposal; one of the biggest tools is the additional duty appointment memo.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 21 at 2015 8:58 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:58:25 -0400

Something to consider is manpower studies are not done as often as maybe they need to be done, especially in units that have extremely dynamic missions (cyber/comm for example) where by the time the study is done and they figure out the manpower requirements, the complete mission and how to do it changes. Now factor in standard I am authorized X number of Y but have Z number which is 2 over due to how assignment are done at the HHQ level and you get Commanders using their personnel to best execute their mission that might be outside of their exact manning document organization.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 8:58 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:58:42 -0400

I like to call it "The Matrix" ...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2018 9:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 21:48:07 -0400

My comment is not going to be doctrinal because I don't know the book answer but my opinion leads to why not and of course they could.

I am a signal soldier and I personally have worked as a training room NCO, Orderly Room clerk, supply sergeant and motor sergeant.

There are many positions in an organization i.e. supply that are a 100% must have. And if you don't have it with a slotted soldier of the right MOS than you find a high speed that can handle the job and put them in it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 6:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:40:21 -0500

Yes, to a certain extent, it depends to a great degree on their higher's guidance to the extent of their unit's Mission Command. This is called a Task-Org or they may create a Task Force. Read up on ADRP 6-0.