Does my first sergeant have the right to pull my property from one barracks room to another?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 03:33:53 -0500

I was told right before i left NTC that we needed to pack our rooms so that we could change barracks rooms. I was okay with that completely. However they never told me anything after that. I was one of the very few that got sent our early for getting things set up for my company. I am finishing up NTC still, but i get a call earlier today about some extra stuff that needed to be sent to my new room and when i heard that, it had been the first of me hearing anything about getting my room moved while i was gone without my knowing or consent. I immediately got extremely stressed out because though i had most of my stuff packed, i still had expensive and fragile electronics that i wanted to careful transport from one room to another. Instead i had one person that i know of in my company and apparently the rest were people that arent in my company and i dont even know them. Apparently this was priority for the first sergeant to move everyone from the second floor which im on to the first floor by the Squadron commander. I know no one is going to treat my stuff gently as they would if it was their own. So my questions are:

1. Was that even allowed?

2. If that wasn’t allowed, what are my rights and what appropriate action should i take to get compensated in the event something was broken or stolen?

3. I have looked at other discussions on this topic and i heard that they have to inventory everything they are taking out, is that true? And if so, could i get a little more information on that?

I understand the health and welfare inspections and how according to the army theres nothing saying they cant just walk in with or without you, im fine with that, but having random people that ive never even met move my stuff that’s worth thousands of dollars rubs me the wrong way. If anyone thinks “its the army thats the way it is” i think thats clearly bs and anyone saying that likely lives in housing and not in barracks.

I could potentially be freaking out over nothing, however i want to be proactive about this and be aware of what my options are as soon as possible in the case that something is in fact damaged or stolen. I have a list already made that i check off to see if my items are there when i get back and am able to inspect everything. I am willing to best atleast one thing is damaged...

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 16 at 2018 4:13 AM

SrA John Monette — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 04:13:59 -0500

IF there is something broken or stolen, you will probably have to prove that you owned it to begin with. I am assuming you have receipts for your electronics. what about photos?
I don't know if your personal items are allowed to be removed to another location without your prior approval, but I would bet it isn't. what if you had something prohibited that they discovered ONLY because they moved things without you being there?

Response by 1SG John Aaron made Nov 16 at 2018 6:20 AM

1SG John Aaron — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 06:20:21 -0500

Your property can be moved under specific circumstances. Conduct a thorough inventory on your property when you get back. File a claim for damages for any lost or damaged stuff. For more information contact your posts Inspector General office.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 16 at 2018 8:01 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:01:04 -0500

The short answer is Yes.

Would I have as a 1SG? not as a 1-9th choice, and probable not unless I was anticipating you not returning to the Barracks, say pretrial detention or otherwise.

As well as Rear detachment commanders are often forced to do Barracks consolidation moves when deployed commanders have failed to re-organize in accordance with the unit plan or plans changed after they have gone forward, barracks became unavailable, overfilled, unusable or otherwise unforeseeable changes that now have to be reacted to.

Lastly, you said "However they never told me anything after that." I'll take that at face value....if you'll accept, that it does not mean leadership at the decision level did not publish and distro the proper instructions,,,but someplace between a CSM and a Specialist E4 the information chain broke... that sucks, and you got the bitter end of it...
But look at it from another side..

The CSM and 1SG KNOW they issued the instructions ..and the 1SG is now having to micromanage and make it happen, your being forward does not make it acceptable for the 1SG to not complete his tasked mission.. and make no mistake, like you get tasked to do things and you darn well better do it, your 1SG is likewise tasked and yup, his butt is in a sling if it does not get done.

All that said,,,,it was also his responsibility to ensure information was put out to the lowest level. perhaps the distro issue was not his, but the lack of it is.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 8:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:07:30 -0500

I'd be salty if I were you too.
To answer your questions, yes they can move your stuff.
Prior to doing so, a full inventory should be conducted.
If you have loss or damage, take pictures and present that to the authority that approved this move without you present.
As far as getting losses or damages replaced, that will be an uphill battle. However, if you have good records of what you have, you have a puncher's chance.

For what it is worth, I'd have to have a pretty compelling reason to move Soldiers without them present. It is a gigantic pain in the ass and administrative burden, and this kind of thing happens. Just because we CAN do something doesn't mean we should. Disrupting Soldiers is not something I take lightly.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Nov 16 at 2018 8:35 AM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:35:12 -0500

Yes the 1st Sgt can have your stuff moved with or without you there and there is little recourse you have in the matter. They should have conducted an inventory of the material in the room prior to the move. I say should have, as it does not always happen.

When you return you should conduct a thorough audit of what is there, noting whatever is missing or damaged. Hopefully you have kept sufficient records of what you purchased, when and how much. This does not guarantee that it will be replaced or even repaired, only that you have a chance at such.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 17 at 2018 2:59 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 14:59:53 -0500

1. You are not even a renter, the room belongs to the CO and the 1Sg is his doer.2. You were told to pack in case a move was needed- sounds like you disobeyed orders (UCMJ) 3. Whether you are ok with it or not is immaterial! Now what you can do upon return- if you find damages and have proof of the condition of the items before you left you can make a claim to the unit for the damages. I strongly suggest that if you want to stay in, you read you contract closely, and if you can't work within that framework, do us a favor and leave.

Response by MSgt Gene B. made Nov 20 at 2018 8:45 AM

MSgt Gene B. — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 08:45:23 -0500

Yeah, your command is within their rights to move your stuff while you are gone.

They do need to inventory your stuff and the service is liable for any damages or loss of your property. See the JAG for procedures on filing a claim.

I returned from a 2 month deployment to find my barracks building gutted for a major renovation. It took a while to track down where my room was now located (late on a Friday and everyone had bailed for the weekend). Some stuff was missing and I was eventually compensated for it.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jul 24 at 2020 2:10 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:10:12 -0400

Why did you not make your concerns known to the person who advised you to pack your gear

Response by 1SG Alfred Webster made Oct 23 at 2020 4:43 PM

1SG Alfred Webster — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 16:43:19 -0400

I understand your anger and anxiety, however this sort of thing happens when a unit gets orders to move .
It's always good to inventory and pack up personal belongings when you are being sent on a mission or TDY.
after inventory the property should be secured with the unit supply SGT along with a set of orders
and a forwarding address should something happen,, by doing this then the unit is responsible for your property, never the less you should speak with your 1SG & unit CDR.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 31 at 2020 10:29 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 10:29:25 -0400

This is a pretty old post. I’d like to know how it worked out. Was all your stuff moved to your new Room? Damaged?