Can your command make you clean someone’s house?

My only real issue with this situation, is when the SM returns and start making accusations of theft.
I understand the many reasons why this might be done.

However, one must realize the liability, this type of action might create.
Imagine, the Pandora's box of problems you open up, should you find contraband, or worse.

If it has to be done, document, document document, and for God's sake, take before and after pictures of everything.

My 1SG had my whole company form up in front of the BN CDRs house, because the CDR needed help getting his 70in tv out of his house to get it repaired (back in 2006, this sucker was huge). I stayed outside, and the 1sg, said, get your ass inside and help, and I said, that's the 2nd abuse of power order I got today, unless you want me to go to the IG, I'll stay here and supervise; 1sg walked away.
Those are not your quarters, they cannot make you clean them. They can tell you where the formation is, but they cannot make you clean, that would be unethical.

Everything is stated. The most relevant is what it will do for both the Soldier and his spouse. Health and welfare check by the command is authorized as the soldier gave you access, and you did the right thing by reporting what you found. The most relevant is that it helps the Family in the long run, yes at first there is the nasty mess, and embarrassment in the form of anger from the couple. In the end it helps all around. If this guy let you in, he thinks that state of living is ok. Likely raised that way this is much deeper than it appears.

I had this happen in three of my units with similar circumstance, usually involving children as well. Yes my Soldiers cleaned with appropriate gear, yes it was embarrassing and drought with a tough period for all involved. In the end it was better for the Soldier, family and the units.

It should never have been an order. Another situation of the order giving NCO/PO having a "failure to realize" or my abbreviation an "FTR".

Why would you not want to support a unit comrade in a tight spot? Would you want the same support if the roles were reversed? "Taking care of our own" is more than just a nice phrase.

Forced? Nahhhhhh. Not with today's Leadership. How about the NCO's get together and have a Feild Day party at the Troops house. Then just forget about it. Never to be discussed again.

Not the call I would make, but this seems more like a "shipmates helping shipmates" thing than personal servitude. My guess is, legal but ill-advised.

That is what’s considered an unlawful order.

I do not know whether it is legal or not, however: the more appropriate thing to do would have been to as for volunteers to clean up the house. It seems like the trooper whose house was a mess, need some sort of help, which the NCO wanted to render. Just as an aside, I was assigned the task to carry the baggage of foreign VIP by my NCO. I did not like it but I did it.

That should not happen! But if the group agrees to do it, if asked not ordered, then it'd most likely be alright.