Can leadership mandate that a service member download an app to their personal phone?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 05:08:16 -0400

My hospital got a new interactive communication system that has an app that can be used. My unit is implementing the systems use and mandating that all SMs must have the app downloaded on their phone. Using the app allows for ease of access but does not prevent the system from being used as there is a huge interface on unit.

I do not want to download this app as I know it would turn into SMs taking work home. I already work a minimum of 84 hours a pay period and majority of the time I work more than that. When I leave my work I do not intent to take it home with me.

Can I be forced to download this app on my personal cell phone?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 6:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 06:23:57 -0400

No of course not. But they can sure make you check in, in person, every other hour, and that sure makes a phone app easier

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 25 at 2019 8:01 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 25 May 2019 08:01:47 -0400

I do not understand your aversion to a method of communication (it appears is to refine the flow of information) that assists your unit in oroviding you with vital real time information. 84 hours a pay period? You are in the Army, you are not paid by the hour, you are paid a flat salary and work toward mission requirements not bybthe hour. Your phone is yours, let your conscience be your guide, there are many appropriate ways in which your unit leadership can influence your decision without violating the law, your 84 hours will likely increase. This is truly not worth it. Consent and see how it is used, I am sure it is intended to benefit both the unit and the Soldier. If you don’t like it, deletvit and start back here.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 9:13 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 09:13:10 -0400

84 hours sounds like a lot. But for a Soldier working Monday-Friday, that's about 6-7 hours a day. This is a hospital, so I assume what you mean is a week with 3 x 12 hr shifts, and a week with 4 x 12 shifts, with 3 or 4 days off per week. For every deployed NCO working 12 hour shifts 7 days a week for 9 months in a TOC, and every NCO back home working 10-12 hours a day Monday-Friday, plus the occasional weekend managing extra duty, remedial PT, picking up Soldiers at the police or MP station, and writing NCOERs, awards and training schedules, your schedule sounds like a pretty good deal.
Back in the olden days, before smart phones, information was put out in formations. And some of those formations meant showing up for an hour even if it was your "day off".
Seems like a free app on your phone is a better deal.
You work in a hospital, I don't know how much HIPAA-related work your command expects you to deal with on your unencrypted personal phone or personal computer, but I am willing to bet it is close to zero. So I assume the primary use of this would be informational: schedule updates, DLC and online training reminders, etc.
Bear in mind, just about every award you have seen, every NCO that got an NCOER, those documents were the product of leaders doing those write-ups on "their own time" at night and on weekends, because the Army does not shut down at quitting time.
You are in the Army 24 hours a day until you get out.
And when you do get out, you will be disappointed to learn that most civilian employers also like to be able to contact you when you are not at work.
So for now, just download the app and try to appreciate how much worse your Army experience could have been while you enjoy your 3 and 4 day weekends.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 2:12 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 14:12:36 -0400

I think you will find little sympathy here, SPC Private RallyPoint Member, When the first responses are coming from some old-school NCOs, you are on the losing side. Most of us hear someone griping about 84 hours a pay period and recall times when we would have given our left arm to work so few hours. While on active duty, I had periods of time where if I wasn't on my mandated 8 hours rest, I was busting my hump to accomplish the mission and sometimes, I even worked through that mandated "rest."

Just because you download the app, doesn't necessarily mean it is running. Do what you think your career can handle and let the chips fall where they may. And ask yourself, is this the hill you want to sacrifice your career on? IMNSHO, you need to pick a better battle to fight. Just my nickel's worth.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 4:26 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 16:26:49 -0400

Ok let me clue you in a bit to the civilian side. When you have a salaried professional job on the civilian side you are expected to work over 40 hours a week and you don’t get overtime. (People in my position are considered exempt employees) I generally work 50-60 hours per week. I get calls at home and on weekends and many times bring my work compter home with me to finish stuff up at night and on weekends. Certain jobs require expanded time commitment. If you are having a hard time with 84 hours every 2 weeks in the military make sure you don’t go for a high paying civilian job when you get out. You couldn’t hang...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 11:44 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 23:44:36 -0400

This reminds me of SPC Sharp in 2003 when he was going on block leave and leadership said they would run a phone roster during the period. That would require him to hangout near the hotel room phone during the entire weekend, or buy a cell phone and use its number as the contact number for leave. Needless to say, I purchased my first ever cell phone.

SFC Boyd is absolutely right. As times change, we change with them. Using apps I’m sure will be a part of Army notification systems in the future. No they can’t force you to get them, but I would bet your life would be better if you did. Also, if your intent is to not be a Specialist forever, you need to get used to “bringing your work home with you.” They weren’t lying when they told you the military is really a 24/7 job. My wife could tell you her story of sitting in the front seat while I took her with me to pick up drunk Soldiers at the club while I was a squad leader because they called me while we were on our fifth date. I couldn’t say “sorry, I worked my 8 hours today. I’m done.” This Army thing is bigger than you, and you need to realize that. You can’t just turn it off at 1700 hours. It needs to stay on all the time even when you are with your buddies at midnight at Wild Country. This app may make that easier to endure rather than harder. So instead of trying to find reasons to push back, maybe put yourself in the shoes of your superiors and think of reasons why they are pushing it and why those might actually be better for you in the long run.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made May 26 at 2019 6:28 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Sun, 26 May 2019 06:28:22 -0400

It appears to me that you are confusing your military status with that of a civilian job. You are a soldier 24/7/365, not just during “normal duty hours”, even if they are “a minimum of 84 hours a pay period”.
My advice to you is to simply comply. If I were your commander and you made an issue of this, I would do as SFC Private RallyPoint Member stated, to show clearly demonstrate your error in judgement.