Posted on Mar 20, 2019
Can a Drill sergeant search you and only you without permission?
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I’m here at AIT and I have this drill sergeant that absolutely hates everything me and another person in our platoon does the first 2 weeks we did get off on the wrong hand but I just wasn’t use to the freedom coming fresh out of basic I told her that and I’ve been staying under the radar for a while but she just looks for any and everything to chow us out about or give us a counseling so today we had a random room expectation and our rooms got trashed me and the guy she hates also so what she did was thrower everything out our drawers and brought the females to our room and told them that this is how we live and we’re dirty so she took our phones and a couple more guys I gave her a phone but she said I had more than one phone so she made me open my locker and searched through my bags in my locked locker with no permission and found a old phone I was wrong for not turning it in but everyone is telling me to go talk to my 1Sgt because it wasn’t right how I was the only one that got searched and she was never given permission to search any of my personal belongings she just decided to and made me open my locker should I talk to my first sergeant about this? Or is this just something I should just deal with 8 more weeks because I think she is trying to get me put out and I can’t take it
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 411
So, what you're saying is that your DS caught you doing what you weren't supposed to do, apparently more than once based on your comment about not being used to the freedom? On top of that, you believe that your DS is like a police officer who can only search her barracks (the ones you're staying in, and she's responsible for keeping safe and clean) when there's legal probable cause?
It sounds like you've been talking to the barracks lawyers too much.
You got caught doing what you weren't supposed to do. Then you made yourself a target and confirmed your DS' suspicions by becoming a repeat offender. All you've managed to do is confirm to your leadership that you are not capable of maintaining the same level of discipline and standards as your peers. There's an old saying in the Army, "90% of your time is taken up by dealing with 10% of your Soldiers". You've identified yourself early on as the repeat offender 10%.
If you can't take it, feel free to go talk to the 1SG. Tell them how you did, in fact break the rules, but it's not fair that you were targeted because.... Reasons.... I'm sure that 1SG will condone your actions with a complimentary Article 15 so that you feel more fairly treated.
Also, you're writing in English, your job will soon be to write memos and correspondence to commanders, XOs, and other officers. Learn how to use punctuation and write correctly.
It sounds like you've been talking to the barracks lawyers too much.
You got caught doing what you weren't supposed to do. Then you made yourself a target and confirmed your DS' suspicions by becoming a repeat offender. All you've managed to do is confirm to your leadership that you are not capable of maintaining the same level of discipline and standards as your peers. There's an old saying in the Army, "90% of your time is taken up by dealing with 10% of your Soldiers". You've identified yourself early on as the repeat offender 10%.
If you can't take it, feel free to go talk to the 1SG. Tell them how you did, in fact break the rules, but it's not fair that you were targeted because.... Reasons.... I'm sure that 1SG will condone your actions with a complimentary Article 15 so that you feel more fairly treated.
Also, you're writing in English, your job will soon be to write memos and correspondence to commanders, XOs, and other officers. Learn how to use punctuation and write correctly.
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CPT William Jones
SFC?? I only have one problem with your comment. You did what many NCO,s do and misuse the word GIVE. According to Regs the only person that is able to GIVE an article 15 to you is an officer that signature block includes the word Commanding, Further it has to be in your direct chain of command and it includes NO NCO ranks and also does not include any officer of any rank not in your direct chain of command. I understand fully that each one of those officers can be influenced by many NCO but the SM will have to stand in front of the OFFICER giving the ART 15. I passed out several of them myself while a Company Commander.
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PO2 Jim Whitcomb
In the Navy everyone knew how non-judicial punishment was served and when it is served. XO-Screening and Captains Mast was a regular occurrence on a Navy ship and was announced on the ship's 1MC.
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CPT William Jones
Capt Catherine Olson-Schwaegler - the little saying yall had was taken from the combat engineers slogan ad it has been since the beginning
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I'm going to go with the premise that you are a young troop, new to the Army, looking for legitimate advice and not sharpshooting from the internet mob.
If you think you were done wrong in this situation, there is a chain-of-command for that. There are also outside CoC forms of redress, such as the IG, but I would caution you to use the CoC first.
Yes, by regulation the DS can toss your locker. He/she does not need probable cause, as your living space and everything in it are inspectable items at any time. Not that it matters, since the DI DID have probable cause since you had previous infractions. Turns out, their suspicions were correct. You might want to ask yourself how the DS found out about you having a phone. Hint: not everyone in your platoon likes you.
Having said that...
If you can't take it for two months, the Army is not for you. We tell you to do things you don't want to do; even dangerous things that might cause you bodily harm or death. We have rules you are expected to follow, and if you don't your property might get confiscated. You might even find yourself getting called on the carpet to explain yourself, but not really since it is a one way conversation, where an authority figure will chew you out for not following orders and take away your money, your rank, maybe even your job.
Look. I have been doing this for 26 years, and I figured a couple things out. If you show up in my formation, I don't know you from Adam at first, except insofar as you get there on time and in the right uniform. Troops on the radar are there because they did something to get on the radar. Do what you are told, get there on time, and be ready to train and we will get along smashingly. Get in my crosshairs by doing the wrong thing, try to barracks lawyer me, and break rules blatantly and repeatedly and we will not get along. It will go poorly for you, because I have lots of stripes and you do not.
It has nothing to do with "liking" you or not. It has everything to do with are you a disciplined member of a team that I can depend upon in combat or not.
My advice is simple. Shut up, ruck up, and follow the rules. You only have to manage that for two more months and you graduate and move on in your Army life. Then you get a fresh start with someone that you are not on the radar for and you can be the Soldier that we all want in our team.
For the love of Christ, know that your internet comments are seen by all, and live on long after this storm blows over. There is a fair to middling chance that your Social Media is being monitored, so do not incriminate yourself further by showing your ass to the world in a quest for support/ sympathy. All the internet support in the world and likes on facebook plus a bag of potato chips gets you a bag of potato chips and an Article 15.
Your post above also makes it abundantly clear that you did not learn your lesson and used yet another banned cell phone to post to RP. I would reconsider my priorities, if I were you.
You can listen to me or not. After all, I'm old and just don't understand the hell that is AIT these days. Most comments you will get on this thread will be more blunt, maybe even hostile and unhelpful. I am really trying to help you, if you will take the time to read, heed, and make the adjustment.
Good luck, PVT (Join to see) . I hope you figure out what will be your best path forward.
If you think you were done wrong in this situation, there is a chain-of-command for that. There are also outside CoC forms of redress, such as the IG, but I would caution you to use the CoC first.
Yes, by regulation the DS can toss your locker. He/she does not need probable cause, as your living space and everything in it are inspectable items at any time. Not that it matters, since the DI DID have probable cause since you had previous infractions. Turns out, their suspicions were correct. You might want to ask yourself how the DS found out about you having a phone. Hint: not everyone in your platoon likes you.
Having said that...
If you can't take it for two months, the Army is not for you. We tell you to do things you don't want to do; even dangerous things that might cause you bodily harm or death. We have rules you are expected to follow, and if you don't your property might get confiscated. You might even find yourself getting called on the carpet to explain yourself, but not really since it is a one way conversation, where an authority figure will chew you out for not following orders and take away your money, your rank, maybe even your job.
Look. I have been doing this for 26 years, and I figured a couple things out. If you show up in my formation, I don't know you from Adam at first, except insofar as you get there on time and in the right uniform. Troops on the radar are there because they did something to get on the radar. Do what you are told, get there on time, and be ready to train and we will get along smashingly. Get in my crosshairs by doing the wrong thing, try to barracks lawyer me, and break rules blatantly and repeatedly and we will not get along. It will go poorly for you, because I have lots of stripes and you do not.
It has nothing to do with "liking" you or not. It has everything to do with are you a disciplined member of a team that I can depend upon in combat or not.
My advice is simple. Shut up, ruck up, and follow the rules. You only have to manage that for two more months and you graduate and move on in your Army life. Then you get a fresh start with someone that you are not on the radar for and you can be the Soldier that we all want in our team.
For the love of Christ, know that your internet comments are seen by all, and live on long after this storm blows over. There is a fair to middling chance that your Social Media is being monitored, so do not incriminate yourself further by showing your ass to the world in a quest for support/ sympathy. All the internet support in the world and likes on facebook plus a bag of potato chips gets you a bag of potato chips and an Article 15.
Your post above also makes it abundantly clear that you did not learn your lesson and used yet another banned cell phone to post to RP. I would reconsider my priorities, if I were you.
You can listen to me or not. After all, I'm old and just don't understand the hell that is AIT these days. Most comments you will get on this thread will be more blunt, maybe even hostile and unhelpful. I am really trying to help you, if you will take the time to read, heed, and make the adjustment.
Good luck, PVT (Join to see) . I hope you figure out what will be your best path forward.
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CPT David Donovan
1SG; Excellent response. I've been out of the army for many decades, but that training in my early life put me on rails for the rest of my live. I now help in the training of hospital residents and I'm going to use a couple of your paragraphs on them. Excellent job, Top.
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SPC Louis Gillespie
Top,
It is clear you have been here many times ! The information you have provided the Private is completely Crystal Clear and I'm sure many of us have been where the private has been. Discipline is EVERYTHING however sometimes it finds away to evade the best of us. He must know discipline .The private will or better learn quickly. Once has has an attitude adjustment with factual information everything should fall into place and he should become a good soldier and perhaps a reliable member of the team which is absolutely necessary and mandatory. The reduction of pay and or allowances does have ways of getting's ones complete attention and focus . He will learn, he has no choice or his life in the Army will be short and full of consequences.
It is clear you have been here many times ! The information you have provided the Private is completely Crystal Clear and I'm sure many of us have been where the private has been. Discipline is EVERYTHING however sometimes it finds away to evade the best of us. He must know discipline .The private will or better learn quickly. Once has has an attitude adjustment with factual information everything should fall into place and he should become a good soldier and perhaps a reliable member of the team which is absolutely necessary and mandatory. The reduction of pay and or allowances does have ways of getting's ones complete attention and focus . He will learn, he has no choice or his life in the Army will be short and full of consequences.
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PFC Frederick Frederickson
"I'm old and just don't understand the hell that is AIT these days."
I am SO glad that I went to AIT before everyone had cellphones. One less headache/temptation to deal with.
I am SO glad that I went to AIT before everyone had cellphones. One less headache/temptation to deal with.
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You should definitely report this to the 1SG, especially tell the 1SG you kept a phone you were required to turn in.
Keep your room squared away, and go back and read up a bit on Army Values and the UCMJ.
Your DS doesn't hate your or anyone else. It's likely your behavior, such as not keeping your room clean, and disobeying a lawful order. This behavior would lead an experienced DS to believe there is other behavior. This behavior goes against good order and discipline.
Keep your room squared away, and go back and read up a bit on Army Values and the UCMJ.
Your DS doesn't hate your or anyone else. It's likely your behavior, such as not keeping your room clean, and disobeying a lawful order. This behavior would lead an experienced DS to believe there is other behavior. This behavior goes against good order and discipline.
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MSgt Lawrence Guidry
Hey, the Army is not the only place that will check possible goings on outside of military training, try to sneak something pass your Drill Sgt. or TI, good luck. Two months left for Basic, suck it up buttercup and get with the program. As stated previous, you need to be trusted when the time happens, can your comrades trust you, earn that trust, oh, it would also appear someone in your Squad or training cell is not happy with you, put on the big boy pants and make those who need to trust you can.
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SP6 Ron Geatches
From reading what he is complaining my advice would to "Suck it up Buttercup and do as you are told". The cadre is not there to like or dislike you they are there to give you "basic training" of military things you need to know. You said you started out wrong which put you in the spotlight to begin with THEN you admitted to messing up again. You are lucky you only got in as little trouble as you did.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
2 months.
As a DI , it's totally NOT worth it to form any likes or dislikes of Trainees.
The Trainee is a provisional work in progress, to be evaluated; pass, fail, need improvement, or exceptional.
Truly, nothing more than that.
The DI's job description covers it all & speaks for itself.
The longer he's served,
the more he's seen.
Very unlikely any bungle you do will be a first he's seen nor heard of.
Trainee.
Get over that.
You're not "all that."
As a DI , it's totally NOT worth it to form any likes or dislikes of Trainees.
The Trainee is a provisional work in progress, to be evaluated; pass, fail, need improvement, or exceptional.
Truly, nothing more than that.
The DI's job description covers it all & speaks for itself.
The longer he's served,
the more he's seen.
Very unlikely any bungle you do will be a first he's seen nor heard of.
Trainee.
Get over that.
You're not "all that."
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CPL (Join to see)
What happened to the "50 push ups for the whole company for the one persons mistake?" In the late 50's and early 60's this would solve most problems that came up.
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