Posted on Oct 6, 2020
Can a platoon leader order you to make and turn in a personal family budget sheet?
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I have a family member in the hospital where I might have to pay for some insurance costs/bills. My platoon leader wants me to turn in a budget sheet which I understand they're concerned but I don't want them involved in my personal life
Budget
Platoon Leader
Personal Finance
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 16
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By joining the Army you involved them in your personal life. This isn’t a civilian job where you can go off the rails when you’re not at work. Your PSG, 1SG, PL, Company Commander, CSM and BN CDR are all responsible for you. When you can’t pay your bills, they are the ones who start getting the calls. Imagine your Battalion Commander getting a surprise call from one of your lenders saying that you’ve missed payments for the last three months, or S2 calling your Company Commander to inform them you have had your clearance suspended because you missed several payments or have amassed some amount of unsecured debt, and are no longer eligible to do your job because it requires a clearance. Now, as the PSG you have to explain to the Company Commander and Batallion Commander how you failed to foresee this very foreseeable event and stop it. Instead of preventing a preventable problem, you’re struggling to fix a big one.
Your leaders are in your business because it’s their business to make sure you’re ok.
Your leaders are in your business because it’s their business to make sure you’re ok.
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Suspended Profile
and if you are looking to use AER...
SFC (Join to see)
I think there's a LOT missing here to leap to some of your assumptions. You could be right, maybe there were replies elaborating that I didn't see?
Is the LT just trying to help?
Are the medicL bills known to be a chunk of this Soldier's pay?
Are they in an Intel or SOF unit?
Before jumping to saying they control your personal life, is the request appropriate?
Is the LT just trying to help?
Are the medicL bills known to be a chunk of this Soldier's pay?
Are they in an Intel or SOF unit?
Before jumping to saying they control your personal life, is the request appropriate?
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PO3 Pamala McBrayer
Absolutely! I spent alot of time helping my fellow sailors with these issues, as I cam to the military with a background in finance from college. Clearances and ability to maintain a government credit card are issues to address!
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PO3 Pamala McBrayer
LTC (Join to see) actually this can be done with any US government employee, especially if it involves UNPAID INCOME TAXES or failure to file timely. That SSN WILL FLAG. The NCOs find out when the US Treasury files a TAX LIEN, then either Levies government reimbursements through Treasury Offset Program, then does wage garnishment through DFAS, also. IRS can do BOTH. You woukd be surprised how many junior enlisted, filing as SINGLE, underwithhold for taxes!!!
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If you'd rather not work this with your LT, offer to consult an actual financial advisor and make the appointment.
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CPT (Join to see)
It's a very common service at most active duty locations, and free to the soldier just like family counseling.
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I understand your concern but this isn't uncommon. Medical debt can be crushing and debt is also a major concern for federal employees in regards to being compromised and targeted by outsiders wanting to turn someone into an insider threat. Many of the federal employees and Military members who get coerced into sharing information are compromised because they are severely in debt and they are bribed for their services. I have personally witnessed service members lose their Security clearances because they were so far into debt they were viewed as a security risk. I would take the help and fill out the budgeting form.
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CPL Jason Northedge
Amen to that response. It was point on. If you have debt above your ability to pay it back you can not get security clearance. Well except for the commander in chief.
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PO3 Pamala McBrayer
52 percent of all bankruptcies are attributable to catastrophic medical bills. Medical billing and reimbursement is often complex and can be time consuming for the servicemember/insured to contest and follow up on. Example: your family member has a serious illness like cancer. Getting ahead of the problem may also mean assisting that family tap into resources like SSA Disability, SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, WIC…referral for donated leave, FMLA rights, a whole host of options, like the unit fundraising for that family, help from Navy Relief.
But some of that military help starts with that budget info to QUALIFY. It’s on that checklist. But, the other thing, if the issue is KNOWN to the command, it cannot be weaponized against that person by outsiders.
In the worst case scenario, the situation forces the servicemember to avail themselves of Chap 7/13 bankruptcy protection. That is NOT NECESSARILY a career killer. It is a shelter from creditors to enforce a debt discharge or payment workout to resolve the issues. Yes, sometimes creditors get zero. But the damage to the servicemember is minimized when it is clearly shown that responsible actions were taken early. Life happens. Except for the grace of God, go I.
But some of that military help starts with that budget info to QUALIFY. It’s on that checklist. But, the other thing, if the issue is KNOWN to the command, it cannot be weaponized against that person by outsiders.
In the worst case scenario, the situation forces the servicemember to avail themselves of Chap 7/13 bankruptcy protection. That is NOT NECESSARILY a career killer. It is a shelter from creditors to enforce a debt discharge or payment workout to resolve the issues. Yes, sometimes creditors get zero. But the damage to the servicemember is minimized when it is clearly shown that responsible actions were taken early. Life happens. Except for the grace of God, go I.
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Can he/she order you to do it? Of course.
Should he/she order you to do it? No. Platoon Leaders are not financial advisors, hell, they are paid double what you make, so they probably don't know how to make a family budget anyway.
The real answer is to go to wherever AES is managed in your post (FRC?) and ask to see one of your installation's MFLC (pronounced em-flac).
Military and Family Life Counselors are licensed to assist soldiers with all aspects of navigating the military with a family, financial counseling included.
They do not report to your Commander, so there is some family privacy there, but likewise if you let your CO know that an MFLC is assisting you, that should be more effective than a green LT on your family's finances.
Should he/she order you to do it? No. Platoon Leaders are not financial advisors, hell, they are paid double what you make, so they probably don't know how to make a family budget anyway.
The real answer is to go to wherever AES is managed in your post (FRC?) and ask to see one of your installation's MFLC (pronounced em-flac).
Military and Family Life Counselors are licensed to assist soldiers with all aspects of navigating the military with a family, financial counseling included.
They do not report to your Commander, so there is some family privacy there, but likewise if you let your CO know that an MFLC is assisting you, that should be more effective than a green LT on your family's finances.
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Yes, it’s legal; however, I agree with MAJ Zeski: you should see if you can’t utilize a financial planner.
I don’t know this LT’s background, but I’m willing to bet that that he or she isn’t a financial planner. He or she could cause more harm than good. The intention is good, but the execution could fall flat.
I don’t know this LT’s background, but I’m willing to bet that that he or she isn’t a financial planner. He or she could cause more harm than good. The intention is good, but the execution could fall flat.
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1LT Christopher Gonzales
SPC (Join to see) I’m a firm believer in that if you can’t say what a standard is supposed to do, it’s possible that it’s a bad standard.
Your LT is trying to help remove obstacles, which is part of the job. A two way conversation with you about what has them concerned, why they want to do something, and have you help them craft a plan of action would probably have gone better than how it sounds like it went.
There are times for directives. Execute what is said. This sounds more like a teaching moment. It could have gone better.
And it doesn’t necessitate leave if you don’t like it. Leaders should absolutely demand criticism of how things are done and what needs improvement or clarification. We need Soldiers who can think and make things better. Not just let stuff stagnant.
I would say that you should bring up your concerns with your PL in a one-on-one. This is a situation they should delegate to a professional to get you the right level of guidance. I’m not your PL, but I ran my platoon with one very strict demand: if there is a bad plan and you say nothing, that will piss me off more than anything that could be said.
Your LT is trying to help remove obstacles, which is part of the job. A two way conversation with you about what has them concerned, why they want to do something, and have you help them craft a plan of action would probably have gone better than how it sounds like it went.
There are times for directives. Execute what is said. This sounds more like a teaching moment. It could have gone better.
And it doesn’t necessitate leave if you don’t like it. Leaders should absolutely demand criticism of how things are done and what needs improvement or clarification. We need Soldiers who can think and make things better. Not just let stuff stagnant.
I would say that you should bring up your concerns with your PL in a one-on-one. This is a situation they should delegate to a professional to get you the right level of guidance. I’m not your PL, but I ran my platoon with one very strict demand: if there is a bad plan and you say nothing, that will piss me off more than anything that could be said.
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SPC (Join to see) If the LT believes it is or may affect your job performance, your personal physical or mental health, yes it is completely common and allowed he ask for something that will help you better take care of your family, and these do your job.
"I don't want them involved in my personal life"
Then Id suggest you start planning on your exit from the military and hope you make it to your anticipated ETS date as planned.
That you had so little understanding of what you signed up for is telling in of itself. If your able to adapt to what you did not bother to learn in advance, great, you can likely have an enjoyable and successful time in the military for as long as you wish to stay.
"I don't want them involved in my personal life"
Then Id suggest you start planning on your exit from the military and hope you make it to your anticipated ETS date as planned.
That you had so little understanding of what you signed up for is telling in of itself. If your able to adapt to what you did not bother to learn in advance, great, you can likely have an enjoyable and successful time in the military for as long as you wish to stay.
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Greetings. It sounds like your LT is actually doing his job. He is responsible to ensure that you, and the others in your platoon, are prepared for combat. It appears that he wants to make sure that your readiness is not hampered by financial concerns or worries. Talk with the LT, ask him what his intentions are with your financial information. I believe your fears will subside.
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This may seem to be an invasion of your personal life by the LT, but in reality, I believe he is looking out for the welfare of his men, which he should be doing. It is the LT's job to ensure that all troops are battle-ready without the encumbrance of personal finances taking away from the focus on the mission. Cut the guy some slack and let him help.....
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Are you active duty? Is this a dependent on your DEERS? If so, why are you potentially going to get hammered financially? If not, and they are say for example a parent or sibling but you still feel obligated to pay? What are the "other" family financial resources that could be leveraged?
These are questions that need to be put on the table in front of someone that can look at the entire picture and create a payment path of least impact to you.
I am a financial professional so I understand the PL's concern.
Not for me to ask, but I'm thinking of things like............ If an extended family member not on DEERS then why not let the financial ax fall on them and liquidate everything they have to settle the debt, but do not sign yourself as a co-signer of the liability then you're in a position to get out from under anything that results from this situation.
It's one thing to help financially, it's another to contractually commit to it.
I can tell you the PL isn't going to know the best path. Knowing your monthly budget probably isn't going to be enough.
Could you even get the person on DEERS as a dependent? So many paths to be played. Find someone that can figure them out.
These are questions that need to be put on the table in front of someone that can look at the entire picture and create a payment path of least impact to you.
I am a financial professional so I understand the PL's concern.
Not for me to ask, but I'm thinking of things like............ If an extended family member not on DEERS then why not let the financial ax fall on them and liquidate everything they have to settle the debt, but do not sign yourself as a co-signer of the liability then you're in a position to get out from under anything that results from this situation.
It's one thing to help financially, it's another to contractually commit to it.
I can tell you the PL isn't going to know the best path. Knowing your monthly budget probably isn't going to be enough.
Could you even get the person on DEERS as a dependent? So many paths to be played. Find someone that can figure them out.
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