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All too often we are reminded the importance of the Chain of Command. However, is this a valid assertion when individuals up in the chain fail to do their job when the direct chain is utilized? Should there be a Chain of Command if it is broken? Why not address the individual directly versus having a middleman that may not have all the information needed? Thoughts? Open Door Policy fallacy?
Posted in these groups: 
Chain of Command
Chain of Command
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 8
I am a little confused by this question. Are you ask what should be done if someone along a service member's chain of command fails to act? If so, one answer is going to the next person. If a service member has a problem they should start at the lowest possible position and go up. Everyone has a boss so if they fail to act you go to their boss. At some point, someone within the chain of command will act.
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SGT Ben Keen
SSG (Join to see) - I'm trying to work with him to get some clarification and hopefully make this a great question. I think the question of what to do when your chain of command is broken is a good one for the community, I'm just not sure if that is what he is trying to ask or not.
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CPT (Join to see)
SGT Ben Keen and SSG (Join to see) , please see response to COL Charles Williams. This should provide the clarity necessary.
Very Respectfully,
1LT(P) Edward Krohn, MBA
Very Respectfully,
1LT(P) Edward Krohn, MBA
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A crappy chain of command does not invalidate the idea of a chain of command. A good leadership team is always ready to handle problem by exception such as you suggest here but by no means should it be the standard. Likewise even when we are handling a problem directly, the chain of command should be informed of the situation so they understand what is going on. And we still solve all problems at the lowest level possible.
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Nothing says you can't go to an individual directly to fix an issue. However, if you as a LT have a problem or issue that only the BN Cdr can fix, you better damn well make sure you company command team know that you went to see the big man/woman. One thing I hate is getting a phone call from higher asking if we were tracking an issue with someone in our company. Then that makes the 1SG and Cdr look like they can't handle business at their level first. I empower my NCOs to try their best to handle all Soldier issues at their level as best they can. If they cant, they they come to me. If all my Private E1s thru E4s came directly to me to solve their problems, they why would I need Platoon leaders and NCOs in my formation?
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