Can a Soldier/NCO be on staff duty/CQ alone?

2014-08-26T15:22:00-04:00

I am having a debate with another NCO in my section. He believes that it is authorized to have an NCO pull CQ without a runner. I do not believe this is accurate, but I can not find any doctrine that confirms it.

Response by SPC(P) Samantha Moore made Aug 27 at 2014 4:35 PM

2014-08-27T16:35:52-04:00

Unless there is an exception to policy? In my old unit, an NCO that was on CQ without a runner received an article 15 for dereliction of duty. That information should be under FM 7-21.13, chapter 3. But I don't think it says anything about an NCO pulling CQ solo.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2014 11:00 AM

2014-09-19T11:00:49-04:00

I have not been at a unit yet that would post a CQ/SD NCO without a runner. The purpose of the runner is to always have someone present at the place of duty. If a situation arises that would take the NCO away from the place of duty (i.e. making security rounds, checking the barracks, etc.), it would be considered dereliction of duty without a runner being present.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2014 11:07 AM

2014-09-19T11:07:11-04:00

Look at the company SOP!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2014 12:17 PM

2014-09-19T12:17:40-04:00

Its possible, given the right set of t. If one were able to secure entrance against entry while doing security checks or making rounds. Inconvenient for those who don't have the key? Sure. Dereliction of Duty for making due with the resources (manpower) provided? That might be a stretch. While Units can delegate the authority of Charge of Quarters, they don't get to absolve themselves of the total responsibility of manning it properly.

Not advocating this being the standard, just don't quite see this as a right or wrong situation.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 19 at 2014 12:20 PM

2014-09-19T12:20:06-04:00

It was always my understanding that the reason why we had at least 2 people on duty was:

a) it allowed for at least one person to be physically manning the duty desk at all times, while the other person did rounds, ran errands, went to the bathroom, etc.

b) they kept each other awake.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2014 12:53 PM

2014-09-19T12:53:25-04:00

In my last unit, we had an SDO/SDNCO and a runner on Staff Duty, and there was only one runner for both of the Barracks on CQ. In My unit now, there is a SDO/SDNCO and runner on staff duty, and an NCO and Runner on CQ. So I think like 1SG Private RallyPoint Member said, it would be dependent on your units SOP.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 12:01 AM

2014-10-09T00:01:26-04:00

As these duties are locally managed, there is no doctrinal requirement.

That said, the Army also says in Safety briefings that after 24 hours, a Soldier driving will be as if they were at a BAC of .08, yet we still take issue with having the personnel on such shift establish a rest cycle.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jun 3 at 2015 2:47 AM

2015-06-03T02:47:25-04:00

Totally depends on local SOP. I was in an overseas medical unit that manned a traditional CQ desk and also covered a Medical Treatment Facility 24 hours. After duty hours, it was a medic under E-5 and an ambulance driver (foreign nationals with EMT training). the drivers were provided with a place to sleep so they could be fresh in case the ambulance was needed to get to the hospital, about 40 minutes away. The driver also covered the phones while the medic went for chow or left the building. So after about 2400 I was driving the desk solo, but the drivers were very good about getting up if a patient came in. We had to stay alert enough to unlock the doors if someone knocked or if an ambulance from another post drove up needing more definitive care (X-ray, MD, etc.) Our NCOIC made it clear that sleeping was authorized, but the first time we missed a phone check or a knock on the door it was over. We never had any problems while I was there.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 10 at 2017 12:33 PM

2017-02-10T12:33:24-05:00

When I pulled SDO, I would find on occasion where there was only a runner around 0300 hrs. Once a NCO actually came out of closet as he was sleeping for the past few hours. You have to include a runner because as we know, the NCO has to conduct security checks.