Congress Orders DoD to Justify Enlisted Aides for Generals, Admirals

2014-12-07T08:13:21-05:00

It's time to sound off on this latest question from Congress.
Starting next year, the Pentagon may have to justify to Congress the number of enlisted aides the services' admirals and generals keep in attendance.
A provision of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mandates that the defense secretary report to Congress each year the number of enlisted aides and "[justify], on a billet-by-billet basis, the authorization and assignment of each enlisted aide to each general officer and flag officer position.''

Most of us have never been an aide (either as enlisted or officer), but I would appreciate hearing what others think.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/12/05/congress-orders-dod-to-justify-enlisted-aides-generals-admirals.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm

Starting next year, DoD may have to justify to Congress the number of enlisted aides the services' admirals and generals have.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 7 at 2014 8:25 AM

2014-12-07T08:25:01-05:00

LTC Jason Strickland Sir the value of an enlisted aid to a General Officer, while different from that of an Officer Aid, is still quite valuable. I met the enlisted aid to Admiral Mullen when he was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he was a Master Chief Petty Officer and was responsible for ensuring the support services such as uniforms, billets, food etc were taken care of. At the level where enlisted aids are assigned these roles are critical. No one wants to see a General or Flag Officer whose uniform is wrong, because lets face it, they have many things to do and an order of importance must be established.

While budgets are important, more important is the professionalism of our military. At some point in balancing the budget I am hopeful our elected leaders will begin to examine the cost savings versus long term damage done to the American fighting forces.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 9:10 AM

2014-12-07T09:10:14-05:00

I would say when Congress can justify their hill staffers then the Admirals and Generals can justify enlisted aides. Wow!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 7 at 2014 12:20 PM

2014-12-07T12:20:35-05:00

LTC Jason Strickland Sir, I have a few officer friends that are Aides to a COCOM CCDR, and from what they tell me, the way Flag/General Officers employ their aides can vary widely. I've heard of a 4 star General from a service that will remain nameless requiring his enlisted aides to fly ahead of him, check into the hotel room and unpack his suitcase into the dressers for him, then stay after him and pack it up, he would also send aides (oficers and enlisted) to pick up dry cleaning and to fetch barbers to come to his office to cut his hair (then to clean up after). The 4 star general for which my friends work, on the other hand, uses his officer aides principally as trip planners. They're given wide authority trust and responsibility, alternating turns on planning his upcoming travel including timing, logistics and calendar for his entire trip. He travels so frequently (necessarily-to supervise and perform KLE's) that while one is executing a trip the other is planning the next. He's a Marine (Ill claim that one for my service) and he picks up his own dry cleaning and goes down to the barber himself. And he also PTs-when his aides build in enough time in his schedule for it. He imbues them with such trust and confidence, if they scheduled him a 20 hour day, he'd execute it, trusting they did everything they could to make the mission work.

I'd say like most things, it depends on the quality of the individual.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 1:22 PM

2014-12-07T13:22:06-05:00

I covered down in the absence of an aide and I was utilized as driver and escort for his promotion ceremony. I know during the weekends his enlisted aide was used to prepare the awards and evaluations and other paperwork needing his sugnature as well as his schedule. If that slot is to go away the work will be shifted to a NCO in the G-1 and an officer that will be an aide in deed, just not in word on paper.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 7 at 2014 1:29 PM

2014-12-07T13:29:09-05:00

I've served as a temp aid as needed from time to time and its just like the civilian world, you have to justify what you need. How many people does it take to run your office? PV2 Private RallyPoint Member hits it out of the park.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 2:40 PM

2014-12-07T14:40:58-05:00

These jokers who are leaning on the DOD and the Pentagon must know that payback is a B**** and we plan to take more than a pound of flesh politically and it won't be nice....

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Dec 7 at 2014 3:04 PM

2014-12-07T15:04:08-05:00

It seems to me that Congress always wants everyone to rationalize themselves but Congress never does it on themselves.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 3:29 PM

2014-12-07T15:29:17-05:00

I find it interesting that the number of enlisted aides is mandated by statute to not exceed 300, yet the NDAA stipulates that each General and Flag Officer is assigned one billet for these personnel.

With over 900 General and Flag Officers across DoD, I wonder why Congress has not asked the DoD to justify those positions billet by billet?

We have already had separation boards and selective early retirement boards for our O3-O6 population, but why have we not done the same with our GO and Flag population?

Response by CPL Rick Stasny made Dec 7 at 2014 3:41 PM

2014-12-07T15:41:28-05:00

As an E-4, working in a Unified Command's Command Group. I gladly accepted each task or errand if you will. I looked at it like this. I could be standing guard, mowing grass, filling sandbags or being shot at. I was treated very well by all of the senior officers and took pride in the job that I performed. There was only a small handful of us enlisted folks around and were always very busy. Also I never carried the title enlisted aide, but we got the job done.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 7 at 2014 4:27 PM

2014-12-07T16:27:37-05:00

I love how we have to justify for a position that already exist on a pay roll to congress but they can do what they please with out really having to justify it. I remember when the Government was getting ready to shut down a reporter asked why should congress get payed if the government gets shut down but others don't. His reply was he has bills he needs to pay and he is working. I laughed and turned to my wife and go man glad my rent and other bills arnt real.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2014 12:05 PM

2014-12-08T12:05:58-05:00

While we're at it lets have them justify them having their own personal jets too.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Dec 8 at 2014 12:37 PM

2014-12-08T12:37:26-05:00

I agree with PV2 Private RallyPoint Member, when Congress defends and justifies their $3,000,000.00/year office budget they can start throwing Stones.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 8 at 2014 1:33 PM

2014-12-08T13:33:40-05:00

Having served as an Aide de Camp for a 3-star who also had an Enlisted Aide, I can tell you that I think both positions are fully justified.

While it is true that GOs use the aides differently, most use them to take care of the routine things that they frankly do not have time for or to plan/prepare for the unending official/unofficial social events that come with the job/position the GO holds.

The social responsibilities of GOs is mind-boggling. My boss rarely had a free evening to himself, as there was always something he had to attend in an official capacity. There is no way he could have handled his daily work load and met his social obligations without the assistance of aides (officer and enlisted).

As the old saying goes, "You had to have been there"... I speak from experience when I say they are absolutely necessary. No question.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Dec 8 at 2014 11:46 PM

2014-12-08T23:46:26-05:00

From Wikipedia: "In 2000, every Representative hired 14 staff members, while the average Senator hired 34. In 2000, Representatives had a limit of 18 full-time and four part-time staffers; Senators had no limit on staff.[1] Budgets for staff were determined by the population of the state; Senators from California, the most populous state, get more money for staff than Senators from Wyoming, the least populous state. Members can choose how to distribute staff between their Washington office and their district or state home office or offices."

Sorry, Mr. Congressman, but as a Soldier, I already know the General's justification. As a voter, I would like to hear YOURS.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 9 at 2014 2:44 AM

2014-12-09T02:44:15-05:00

Congress is going to spend time trimming "fat" by concentrating on this issue? Which genius in Congress got this idea? I hereby request permission to examine Congress operations and go on a "fat-trimming" mission myself.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 1:01 PM

2014-12-12T13:01:05-05:00

LTC Strickland...interesting question. My frame of reference is working for SACEUR on down to BG level. I have the highest respect for an "aide-de-camp", which has always been a demanding position, whether officer or enlisted. That's a tough job, and there are a few personal services involved from time to time from picking up uniform from the cleaners to ensuring the brass is on correctly--nothing wrong with that. It's not a full time butler or orderly as some in Congress might assume. One rarely sees an "enlisted aide" per se, below four-star rank (although I am told there are some). I've known quite a few including those who served for 5 star Gen Bradley. In many cases but not all, drivers and perhaps a few other special positions are effectly the "personal staff" and usually not classified as "aides". I don't think the CSM's driver or admin assistant is classified as an Aide, but perceptions are reality for they are in an aid-like function. There are also Military Assistants, such as at NATO/SHAPE that might be considered Aides, yet they are not. And of course the White House, DOD, JCS and other levels where the high ranking brass effectively has an Aide. Why, we might even consider and intern or a White House Fellow to be a type of Aide.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 12 at 2014 1:09 PM

2014-12-12T13:09:59-05:00

My last assignment was rife with Generals.. ..22 in one location in Afghanistan, 8 Go's in another were I spent most my time.

Most of the GO's I worked with, (my unit) had three "aids" an enlisted driver, and enlisted admin, an officer aid decamp. And all were worked well and truly hard.

A few of the GO's took advantage of rank / position and treated subordinates as servants. last i heard she did not make it much farther. But that was just the exception .. all the others truly respected the enlisted folks that were assigned (chosen) for them

I'm fine with DOD having to justify their GO aids.. check and balances.. Sounds like a good idea for congress and senators as well.

Response by MSgt Bill Eastburn made Dec 13 at 2014 2:55 PM

2014-12-13T14:55:56-05:00

Ok, comparing Congress to the military isn't realistic. They get theirs first and we get the leftovers. It's always been that way and always will. Regarding the military, all I can draw on was what I saw back in the 80's and 90's. These observations are only my subjective experience and it's too long ago to dig up the stats. If you wanted to make a bet on who would get promoted Below-The-Zone, or get Stripes for Exceptional Performers, bet on it being the General's Aide. Forget the Security Forces troop guarding a B-52 on midnight shift in a winter at Minot ND, the guy with leather hands from wrenching a jet, the admin troop holding the Squadron together, the missile troop going down a silo to troubleshoot a nuke, or the Comm troop working 14-16 hours a day trying to keep a deployed unit in the desert connected. The troops on the line just didn't get the time in front of Senior Leaders, but they were the glue that made he Air Force work. The Aides had a tough job that I would never do, but what I observed was they got the early promotions. I might get a lot of hate for saying this, but I didn't see a lot of justice with the system, and if Congress doesn't authorize the billets, and they set the rules, the Services shouldn't be scrounging around trying to make them up.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 3:02 PM

2014-12-13T15:02:01-05:00

Does this mean they're going to start justifying their Congressional aides on an individual basis?

Response by MSgt Bill Eastburn made Dec 13 at 2014 4:56 PM

2014-12-13T16:56:45-05:00

SMSgt Duffy,

Saw that too. No names, it happened, followed by a swift retirement when exposed to the light of day. Now, a Sr. NCO who gets too "friendly" with a female subordinate get everything he has coming to him under the UCMJ. In this era of PC, even the accusation of impropriety is enough to trash a good man's name and career. As for Congress, well, P.J. O'Rourke said it best in his magnificent work, "A Parliament of Whores"....

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 15 at 2014 2:21 PM

2014-12-15T14:21:02-05:00

I was the Provost Marshal aide for a couple months. That guy was a LTC and I worked my butt off. There is no way he could have ever got anything done if somebody had not been there to sift though the paperwork. My brain hurt at the end of the day...everyday. Not saying I did a great job, but there has to be someone to take care of the bullshit.

I could not imagine a general trying to keep up with paperwork for his entire command without an enlisted guy to keep him strait.