Posted on Jul 12, 2023
Is it standard or even typical as a form of disciplinary action for an NCO to call a soldier's parents to complain about the service member?
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Hello Rallypoint Members!
I have a question regarding disciplinary actions that I have received from my detachment SFC. So I got myself into some trouble with an MP (argued with an MP after having a few beers), not gonna go into great detail (I own the mistakes that I made) but I am confused about one thing that my detachment sergeant has done regarding my disciplinary actions. The day after my altercation with the MP’s, my detachment SFC called me into her office, she informed me about what reprimands I could be facing (which I expected) but she also made me write down my mother and father’s phone numbers and she actually called them to tell them how much of a dirt bag I had been (which I did not expect). I am a grown man and can face the legal and moral repercussions of my own actions but was taken aback to find out that my NCO had called my family to inform them of the mistakes that I had made. Is this standard procedure in the military or even a typical form of disciplinary action for an NCO to make?
Any and all input is appreciated!
Thanks!
I have a question regarding disciplinary actions that I have received from my detachment SFC. So I got myself into some trouble with an MP (argued with an MP after having a few beers), not gonna go into great detail (I own the mistakes that I made) but I am confused about one thing that my detachment sergeant has done regarding my disciplinary actions. The day after my altercation with the MP’s, my detachment SFC called me into her office, she informed me about what reprimands I could be facing (which I expected) but she also made me write down my mother and father’s phone numbers and she actually called them to tell them how much of a dirt bag I had been (which I did not expect). I am a grown man and can face the legal and moral repercussions of my own actions but was taken aback to find out that my NCO had called my family to inform them of the mistakes that I had made. Is this standard procedure in the military or even a typical form of disciplinary action for an NCO to make?
Any and all input is appreciated!
Thanks!
UCMJ
Paralegal NCO
1SG
SFC
JAG
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 217
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I don't think parents, or anyone for that matter should be contacted. He is a grownup after all! I rest my case!!
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The only time anyone in my chain of command ever contacted my parents was my first duty assignment, my squad leader called my parents. He explained our unit's mission and what they could expect in regards to being away from garrison due to field commitments and deployments.
He also extended to them the opportunity to contact him at any time regarding my welfare.
To my knowledge that was the only contact my COC had with my family.
He also extended to them the opportunity to contact him at any time regarding my welfare.
To my knowledge that was the only contact my COC had with my family.
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no business calling your parents your are an adult and responsible for your own actions
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No, parents should not be involved in any military disciplinary actions.
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Ur in the military he had no business including ur parents in this. The only people that should have heard of this from ur NCO is the next person up the chain of command. Ur parents should have only heard about this from u since they are NOT in the military and are not a part of u chain of command.
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As a commander I did it on numerous occasions. Most of the troops were very new to the military and after their parents had a talk to them they were able to avoid UCMJ that could affect their career. If it did not work then I used UCMJ.
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SPC (Join to see)
U had no right to do that and the Military should have done UCMJ against u for this crap. The parents ARE NOT in the military chain of command. U should be in jail and so should those above u in the chain of command for allowing to do break the law.
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The actions taken seem counterintuitive to maintaining good operational security consistent with AR 530-1 considering most parents of soldiers don’t have access to secure telecommunications. Additionally, the MOS of the soldier proposing this question has access to sensitive information regarding healthcare-and while it may not be classified information, any Senior NCO should encourage any communications to external sources to follow AR 360-1.
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CPL Brandon Gurney
AR 360-1 Section 1-6 Para b: "The First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press. Within DoD, this right must be balanced against operations security (OPSEC) to protect the lives of U.S. or multinational forces and the security of ongoing or future operations. These competing interests sometimes cause friction between the members of the press and the military. The Privacy Act of 1974 prevents the release of certain personal information to the public, but does not forbid individuals from releasing their own personal information on social media channels. Stringent restrictions exist for protecting personally identifiable information (PII). There are strict reporting requirements if PII is released, even inadvertently."
Calling a soldiers parent's creates information spillage of PII due to many factors created in the conflict of Need to Know vs. Need to Share, outlined in the 2011 Congressional Report 7-5700.
Calling a soldiers parent's creates information spillage of PII due to many factors created in the conflict of Need to Know vs. Need to Share, outlined in the 2011 Congressional Report 7-5700.
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Perhaps some SFC should have called Pvt King's mother. He would be in Texas now instead on North Korea.
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MSgt Brian Gundlach
Nothing stopped that young soldier from calling his family if he felt the need. I think it is more likely he did what he did because he would be ashamed to face his family after his DHD. Just speculation on my part.
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GySgt Tim Shea
As usual, the media is not presenting the whole story. Apparently, he needed some extra guidance in high school. Bottomline he was a sh!tbird. Here's an article from his hometown newspaper.
<https://journaltimes.com/news/local/travis-king-father-kenosha-racine-north-korea/article_6e7d3d14-2b20-11ee-b971-a75e19397558.html?utm_source=journaltimes.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fnews-alert&utm_medium=PostUp&lctg=1389347&tn_email_eh1=9b3dde4486126e68102b [login to see] fc81dd2780>
<https://journaltimes.com/news/local/travis-king-father-kenosha-racine-north-korea/article_6e7d3d14-2b20-11ee-b971-a75e19397558.html?utm_source=journaltimes.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fnews-alert&utm_medium=PostUp&lctg=1389347&tn_email_eh1=9b3dde4486126e68102b [login to see] fc81dd2780>
Travis King's father suspects his son was drunk when he ventured into North Korea
Travis King's father says the U.S. soldier who bolted into North Korea and remains unaccounted for probably was under the influence of alcohol and simply made a bad decision.
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If all facts are as you lay them out, then you hat your detachment sergeant did is a sign of weakness. She is passive, non-confrontational and probably not a parent. You, the service member are the adult. Every boss has a boss. So she should have “tagged-in” someone else from your chain of command or support channel to assist. End of the day, you have access to legal services like everyone else. Keep a record of what happened (an impartial one) and best of luck in your career!
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Not a normal tool I would use. However, it is thinking outside of the box. If you have a great relationship with your parents maybe they can still have some influence in your life. If the NCO was slandering your name that isn't professional. Did she call you a dirtbag to your parents? Or is that just what you think she said?
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