Can access to a latrine be restricted without cause?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 09:59:59 -0400

I am a SGT currently in the Army reserve. My reserve center is shared between my company detachment (90 personnel) and a small group of CID personnel (approximately 20 persons). A chief warrant officer has been designated facility manager due to his AGR status. As such, he has taken it upon himself to restrict my company from utilizing the male latrine (it is on the second floor of the building, and he dislikes our company being on the floor for any reason). This leaves our 90 soldiers with only the female latrine and a single toilet unisex latrine. As much as I disagree with this leadership style, it hit a new low this morning.

My unit was in the middle of a urinalysis when the CID group reported for duty. The warrant officer immediately restricted use of the male latrine. This left us with our much larger group, executing a mission essential task, to utilizing a single toilet latrine all because of a preference.

I have always viewed this as an abuse of power/position. This morning I have been trying to find doctrine or guidance on the subject, but have been unable to find anything. Is there a course of action I can take to correct this issue for my soldiers?

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 13 at 2019 11:18 AM

SGT Javier Silva — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 11:18:04 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member You can report it up the chain of command. Technically latrines can't be restricted unless there is a reason, e.g. urinalysis. You can also submit an IG complaint, if it's bad enough.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2019 11:23 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 11:23:10 -0400

Yea. Screw that guy on the power trip. He may be the building facility manager, but there is someone above him that is in charge of the entire compound. Turn and burn.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2019 11:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 11:49:14 -0400

Due to the ongoing nature, I was leaning towards an IG complaint, but wanted to exhaust all other options prior to initiating that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 13 at 2019 4:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 16:42:52 -0400

Your top leadership should get involved. Whose building is it? Who pays for the upkeep? What is the center called?

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Jul 13 at 2019 5:22 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 17:22:33 -0400

It's definitely a chain of command thing. After there male bathrooms on another floor? If so, although it may be inconvenient, that may become your new latrine.

Response by COL David Turk made Jul 13 at 2019 6:53 PM

COL David Turk — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 18:53:17 -0400

Normally, I would say let the senior NCO’s work it out, but this involves CID. Your unit commander should have a brief discussion with the CID unit commander explaining the improper position taken by the CID individual. The facility manager, unless specifically stated in the assignment orders, does not have the authority to restrict usage of “common” areas. Hopefully this can be handled low key. If not, then the respective reserve command may have to step in to educate the on site personnel as to their responsibilities and authorities.
To put it in perspective, that chief could not go up to your commander and say, as the facility manager, “I’m restricting your units access to the facilities main gate to the hours our unit is not using it.”

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jul 16 at 2019 1:16 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:16:10 -0400

Take it to your chain of command first. That CWO has a boss who needs to know about his actions, and the complaint needs to go up the chain, and then back down to the AGR's boss. Sometimes it takes the intervention of an O-6 or higher to show folks the error of their ways. And a reminder from the building manager's commander, reinforced by the signature of, say, a General in his chain of command, that his further service in the reserves depends on his future good behavior is very effective, while at the same time avoiding the distasteful spectacle of displaying your dirty laundry to the rest of the world.

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Jul 16 at 2019 1:31 PM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:31:28 -0400

well the CWO can explain to the Base general or the IG why everyone is shitting on the floor..

Response by SPC Nicholas Wood made Jul 16 at 2019 1:45 PM

SPC Nicholas Wood — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:45:54 -0400

Honestly just go with it and have your commander deal with him. God willing your commander has a spine and takes care of the issue.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Jul 16 at 2019 2:04 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:04:27 -0400

I am pretty sure there is a reason why this CW2 put the latrine off limits. Is it possible your unit was not being good tenets as it pertains to cleaning up after yourself. Regardless, the senior person in your unit needs to sign a MOU with the senior person in CID as it pertains to using the building including the latrines and their cleanliness.

Response by COL William Oseles made Jul 16 at 2019 2:16 PM

COL William Oseles — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:16:29 -0400

Use his office then.
He should be relieved.
(pun intended)

Response by SP5 Ward Posey made Jul 16 at 2019 3:21 PM

SP5 Ward Posey — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 15:21:11 -0400

Put a rattlesnake in his desk drawer in his office.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Jul 20 at 2019 12:31 AM

SFC Don Ward — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 00:31:50 -0400

A call to the IG would be in order, IMHO. There are other steps I would probably advocate if I were in the Unit, but they would be illegal if caught.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 9:49 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 21:49:43 -0400

What state is this reserve center in? If it’s one of my subordinate units I’ll put an end to that crap.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 20 at 2019 11:40 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 23:40:48 -0400

This is a VERY simple Commander to Chief conversation. Inform your Commander you were unable to properly carry out your mission because of the Chief's restrictions. It will end quickly.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made May 19 at 2020 12:52 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Tue, 19 May 2020 12:52:36 -0400

I think I remember, years ago, that CID was moved out from under local control and are a tenant whose CoC goes straight through to CIDC and not local commanders, But I could misremember. I heard this was from local commanders giving them problems with investigations. Agents have to say yes sir and no sir but are free to ignore local chain of command.