Posted on Nov 1, 2016
Have you ever been told that you follow/enforce the AFIs (Regulations, OPNAVs, ARs etc.) too strictly by a superior?
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For example: it appears some individuals from all ranks interpret the regulations as "suggestions" and guidelines. There is legal terminology at the beginning of most Air Force Instruction (AFI) that specifically identifies the meaning of words such as "should", "must", and "will". Simply put it states that if it says you should do it, then, you will do it! And if for some reason you cannot do it, you will notify up the chain of command the reason and request a waiver or sorts. People say this is not the true intention of AFIs, they state they are "instructions" but meant only as guideline to assist one in carrying out the mission.
I for one disagree adamantly. If we only loosely follow the instructions authored and signed by our superiors (often times General), how can we expect our subordinates to follow us?
If the AFI says jump, you should read a few more lines to see how high. And if it's unsafe, immoral, or just plain wrong... then you need to follow it to the best of your abilities within safety and moral/legal guidelines and then immediately route of the chain the issue through the channels provided and get it fixed!
The top brass don't know the system is broken because no one wants to tell them! If we follow the regulations to a "t" and things don't work out then we can prove what's wrong and recommend a way to fix it.
Anyone agree or disagree?
I for one disagree adamantly. If we only loosely follow the instructions authored and signed by our superiors (often times General), how can we expect our subordinates to follow us?
If the AFI says jump, you should read a few more lines to see how high. And if it's unsafe, immoral, or just plain wrong... then you need to follow it to the best of your abilities within safety and moral/legal guidelines and then immediately route of the chain the issue through the channels provided and get it fixed!
The top brass don't know the system is broken because no one wants to tell them! If we follow the regulations to a "t" and things don't work out then we can prove what's wrong and recommend a way to fix it.
Anyone agree or disagree?
Regulation
UCMJ
Orders
Command
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 5
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I was in a Command and Staff meeting (commonly called the "Demand and Laugh"), when the Captain suggested the command cadre back off of enforcing Coast Guard regs (COMDTINST). We were floored - and then my blood ran cold when a Lieutenant Commander (O-4) agreed, saying, "This is going to free up SO much time!"
As the only person that could get away with it (since I was an E-9), I just said the following: "This is great. I was looking to get laid this afternoon, and there's that new Third Class Petty Officer that works in Admin that's caught my eye. I figure I could just ask her into my office, walk up and mushroom tap her on the forehead and take her there, whether she's willing or not."
Jaws hit the damned table, and I heard the Finance and Supply Warrant (Female), say, "That's rape," under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
I smiled and asked, "If that isn't acceptable, can I get a full list of which Instructions are voided and which are to be enforced in full? Is there any wiggle room in murder? AWOL? Stealing tools and selling them on e-Bay? If you won't give us a list, then I suggest we enforce everything as written unless we all want to be relieved for cause for violating the lawful orders of the Commandant and the entire UCMJ."
The CO smiled and said that he was glad that SOMEONE actually wanted to enforce the rules. That LCDR just melted in his seat. I don't know why he retired that next fall...
As the only person that could get away with it (since I was an E-9), I just said the following: "This is great. I was looking to get laid this afternoon, and there's that new Third Class Petty Officer that works in Admin that's caught my eye. I figure I could just ask her into my office, walk up and mushroom tap her on the forehead and take her there, whether she's willing or not."
Jaws hit the damned table, and I heard the Finance and Supply Warrant (Female), say, "That's rape," under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
I smiled and asked, "If that isn't acceptable, can I get a full list of which Instructions are voided and which are to be enforced in full? Is there any wiggle room in murder? AWOL? Stealing tools and selling them on e-Bay? If you won't give us a list, then I suggest we enforce everything as written unless we all want to be relieved for cause for violating the lawful orders of the Commandant and the entire UCMJ."
The CO smiled and said that he was glad that SOMEONE actually wanted to enforce the rules. That LCDR just melted in his seat. I don't know why he retired that next fall...
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SSgt (Join to see)
Excellent answer Master Chief! Thank you for the response, I am glad I asked this question now.
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Airman Raphael, If you learn one important lesson on this site, it's that "All regulations/instructions can be waived". You just have to go high enough in the chain of command to do it! A regulation/instruction tells you how things should be done under ordinary circumstances. When a situation falls outside the "ordinary", you raise it up the chain for further guidance, do what you are told/ordered to do, then document what you were ordered to do and who gave the order.
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SFC James William Bolt [ 40 Yards ]
We got orders on 12 July 1950 that we were not to fire our weapons only when we were fired up on . On the 14 July at 1300 hundred hour the out post call the switchboard told them troops were approaching them. they were told not to fire only if they were fire up on .The NK walk into the out post captured the Machine guns and crew member turn the guns the battalion .The battalion lost 11 officers 126 Enlisted men in a 2 hour battle that saw the battalion being overrun . sign 40 yards
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To an extent, I do agree. But Black and white leaves the grey area and that is what is interpreted, The grey area.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Agreed. It's frustrating when you see leadership follow the rules when it is convenient and then shun people for doing the same thing is a different capacity. If we are to be professionals we cannot pick and chose when it is convenient. It's all or nothing. Thanks for the response
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