Posted on Mar 9, 2017
CPT Adjunct Professor
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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: F9fb8d7b Chain of Command
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SGT Ben Keen
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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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SSG Squad Leader
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I am very confused by his question.
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SGT Ben Keen
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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 Adjunct Professor
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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
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LTC Joseph Gross
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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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CMSgt Security Forces
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Spot on...
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1SG Jorge Guzman
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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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Chain of Command, or Chain of Demand?
Cpl Justin Goolsby
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Honestly, I'm slightly confused by your question. You ask if there should be a Chain of Command if the Chain of Command is broken? What exactly do you mean by that? The beautiful part of the Chain of Command is there is always someone higher on the Chain. So if someone in the Chain of Command is failing at their job, then you go to the next link in the Chain. It is highly unlikely that every single link in the Chain would fail in a single instance.

You ask why not address the individual directly instead of going through a middle man. Well that's the whole point of the Chain of Command. You address the individual directly. If that doesn't work, you go one rank higher. If that doesn't work, you go another rank higher, and so on and so forth.

I wouldn't exactly call an open door policy a fallacy, but typically it is understood that while people do have open door policies, you should be utilizing your Chain of Command before you walk through that door, because otherwise your Chain of Command will be getting a call asking why you're breaking the Chain.
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SN Greg Wright
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What would you replace it with?
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CPT Adjunct Professor
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There is not a replacement, but it seems more "leaders" in given positions are "broken". They are more bureaucratic and tend to forget that individuals are leaning on them for guidance, support, and leadership for growth. Too many "leaders" are stunting the professional development of their future successors.

Great question.

Very Respectfully,
1LT(P) Edward Krohn
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LtCol Robert Quinter
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Edited >1 y ago
If you feel your immediate superior or commanding officer is failing to properly address a request or situation impacting you, you are entitled under Article 138, UCMJ to request officers above those individuals in the chain to address your issue, but the first addressee must be your immediate superior. This allows your immediate superior the opportunity to ensure he has the complete facts as you perceive them and then to submit his/her actions taken to resolve the issue and make recommendations as to what action the next person in the chain should take. Your request must be forwarded in a timely fashion until it is either resolved, or addressed by the first General Officer Commander in the chain. If the request is being unduly delayed, in your opinion, you go to your immediate superior and request it be forwarded if he/she is delaying it, or if it is their superior, to request status from that officer. It is the responsibility of all in the chain to ensure prompt addressal of the problem, so you do not have to go above your superior, he/she is responsible to represent you in ensuring transmittal and timely addressing of the issue. If anyone up the chain refuses to forward your request, you then have the right to communicate directly with the command IG and present not only your original request, but to identify where it is being held.
Having your ducks all in line and your facts straight is absolutely necessary. By going through the chain, you are allowing the issue to be addressed at the lowest level practicable. If you elect to go the IG path, you are essentially placing whomever is delaying the request on report. Making the request is your right, but if you exercise the right, it must be based upon facts and regulation. I would recommend you contact the legal assistance office at your station for advice and assistance in preparing your 138 request.
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COL Charles Williams
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CPT (Join to see) Your question makes no sense, to me, as stated. I have been in the chain of command, and commanded any many levels....

It appears, you are not happy with how something in particular was handled... Tell me the rest of the story, and perhaps I can provide some better insight.

Because you don't agree with, like, or agree with the decision, does not mean the chain of command is not working.

The chain of command by design, is to pass orders and information. Orders by design are demands.

The open door is not a fallacy. I had them, and used them. When someone wanted to come see me, however, I (when feasible) wanted to know why, so I could be prepared and maximize their time and mine. I am in the civilian world now, at the bottom of the chain, and my boss has an open door policy, and uses it.

So, tell me more.
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CPT Adjunct Professor
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Sir,

The question posed is supposed to be play on words. I figured the description would have clarified the topic area. "Chain of Demand" is referencing toxic leadership with the "demand" that Soldiers use their chain of command, specifically after having been told there is an "Open Door Policy". It is ironic if you are physically present, and a soldier with a concern comes to you, but then as a "leader" you refer them back to the immediate leader when that was ineffective. The whole point of an Open Door Policy is to allow Soldiers to express their grievance when resolution is not obtained at a lower level. This is why SMs are frustrated with leadership. Their expectations are they will be heard, not turned away to get the same ill-responsive "leader". I hope this helps to clarify.

Very Respectfully,
1LT(P) Edward Krohn
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COL Charles Williams
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CPT (Join to see) - Roger it does.

- I personally, at the Company, or Battalion Level would never do that. I would never turn anyone away. The reason for my question, is simple. Most problems are resolved by your chain of command. Heck most are resolved by a SL or PSG. Say you come to me as your Battalion Commander, with an issue in your company. I would want to know.

1. Have you asked our immediate commander or supervisor for assistance? If so, what did they do? If not, why did you not ask them?

2. Anything brought to a commander, that bypasses a subordinate commander, is normally going to be referred back the commander who needs to address it. That gets back to #1. Have you given your chain of command the courtesy and the opportunity to address your concerns? Trust me, if you contact the SECARMY... they are not going to personally address your issue...

3. In the end, even going to the highest commander, they are only going to direct their staff and subordinate commanders to address the issue, if there is an issue. That is, send it back to your chain of command for action and response back as to what was done.

4. Finally, I would ask you, if you were a Commander, how would you feel if a Soldier in your unit, or a leader in your unit, had a concern, and they bypassed you and go to your boss? I mention this, as there are second an third order effects to every decision.

- Our mission as leaders is to enforce the chain of command, and the NCO support channel. Most problems can be resolved by a squad leader, a platoon sergeant, or a first sergeant, if they were given that opportunity.

- At the Brigade Level, as a Garrison Commander of a Large Installation, it was not uncommon for Soldiers, Family Members, or Civilians to wander in to see me all day. (A) I can't just drop everything for everyone who stops by. (B) Since the assumption was no one was coming to see me to tell me we were doing a great job, I wanted to know some background. Generally, if it was not life, limb or eyesight (which is a 911 call), I would want them them provide some detail, I wanted to get them on my schedule at a time that worked for both of us, and my CSM (I wanted them there too) - I was very busy, and I wanted my staff to get the rest of the story. (C) I wanted to be as prepared as possible, so we don't waste their time or my time; both matter.

- The only exception for me would be, if the chain of command above the Soldier, the Family, or Civilian, and below me, was the issue. Then, we would handle that as the situation dictates. That is often the perception, but rarely true.
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SFC Motor Transport Operator
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DEMAND !!
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