Can my commander restrict me to post?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 05:03:01 -0500

I am not being punished or currently being held under any punishment. The reasoning is that it is for my "own good"

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 29 at 2015 5:21 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 05:21:17 -0500

That somehow doesn't sound quite kosher. If he didn't hold and Article 15 on you I don't know if he can do that but it is within the realm, I don't know if it constitutes punishment. I am more used to hearing about its use in conjunction with some other punishment.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Nov 29 at 2015 6:30 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 06:30:46 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, if you are not being punished for some infraction then this sounds like a punishment in and of itself. I would call and speak to your local JAG office to find out if this is within the purview of your commander under the circumstances. It feels like there is more to the story than you are telling us, and that makes it hard to give you a good answer.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Nov 29 at 2015 10:43 AM

SGT Patrick Reno — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:43:07 -0500

Well buddy what is the rest of the story. They didn't just pick you at random.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 29 at 2015 11:07 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 11:07:20 -0500

No, but in any case you’re asking the wrong folks.. Go seek assistance at legal on post. Nothing ANYONE says here makes a difference to your commander.
And there are always three sides to a story, any response here is to only one side.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 29 at 2015 11:19 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 11:19:55 -0500

As has been said, there is more to this than what you stated. I'm not sure what the size of the command is or the level of the Commander is, but, I have found in most circumstances, you are far better to take the "unofficial" restriction and leave it go.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 5:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 17:28:14 -0500

Restrictions are not imposed for shits and giggles.
The key word I hear in your limited explanation is "currently".
What I get from that is that there was in fact an infraction of some sort, and you are receiving an informal punishment.

If I have accurately deduced the situation, take the restriction (assuming it is not in perpetuity) and shut up. You need to earn your leader's trust back.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 8:30 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:30:49 -0500

Way back in my day we had to have a pass to leave base.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 6:10 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 06:10:48 -0500

Just went through trying to restrict someone...no, he's not unless you're awaiting trial. But like 1SG Healy said, if they put conditions on liberty, listen to them. Stay on post. Obviously you've made some questionable decisions that led him to make that decision.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 11:29 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:29:56 -0400

Short answer: a Commander can impose a restriction, so long as there is cause. He can, in fact, restrict you down to the Barracks, DFAC, and Unit areas alone (this never happens though).

Long answer: what di you do? A Commander wouldn't restrict you simply for being the new guy, to keep you out of trouble. that would be a waste of everyone's time and energy. Now, this can be an informal punishment (such things are not unheard of). A "well, since you can't behave on your own, you're gonna stay close so people can keep an eye on you" kind of thing. Outside of a punitive action however, the commander cannot (to my knowledge) just decide to lock you down on post without cause.

But like SGM Erik Marquez said, you're asking the wrong people. That is why you have the SJA on post. Go talk to them, find out what the Regs and the UCMJ say about it, and what legal options you have. They are the only ones that can show you the light. And if your commander is illegally attempting to restrict you, IG can light that fire in a big way and make that come to a stop.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Nov 8 at 2021 9:34 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 09:34:44 -0500

If you don't have your pass card and get picked up by the MP town patrol, you are in a bigger hurt. That why ID cards clearly state this is not a pass.