Holding Soldiers Beyond Operational Requirements

It has always been my belief that Leaders should release Soldiers when the mission for the day is accomplished.

Of course as Leaders we must let Soldiers know what the "Goal" of the day is. Once it is reached then release them, as long as it is not super early like lunch time.

Having Soldiers standing around waiting for COB is counter productive. Without an obtainable goal Soldiers will not work at peak performance because they do not know what they are trying to accomplish.

The Philosophy I live by is that it will all balance out in the end as there will be times when I am unable to let Soldiers go early. Mission requirements above my level will have us working unusual hours in some instances.

Bottom line, let them go early when possible. NCO's / Leaders should stay for informational purposes to brief Soldiers telephonically if necessary.

In my opinion there should never be a time when your soldiers have nothing to do. What is your definition of Operational requirements? To me, there is always something that can be done. I'm totally against early release as a common occurrence; there are plenty of things that can be accomplished if a SM finds themselves with "nothing" to do. This is where good and bad leadership make a difference: a good leader will train his troops so they understand that there is always something to do...helping others...training...administrative functions...cleaning...more training...learning...studying...fixing...replacing...I could go on and on.
I do believe in giving passes and allowing person AL time...but not early dismissal just because you don't have proper guidance on how to effectively manage and use your time.

I've seen some good opinions posted here. Hiwever, they all seem to be coming from the FORCECOM side of tie house. Letting your guys go early once in a while is a good thing, especially when they've just busted their asses for you in a particularly tough day or week.

My opinion is a little more unique being in a TRADOC support company. The lions share of the resources rightly goes to FORCECOM first. My company isn't MTOE'd weapons, so running my guys through gun drills isn't an option. Butcher block training will only get you so far if you don't have the equipment to train on. Pretty much all we have is the Bushmasters in our M2A3s to train on, and we do our utmost to be proficient at that, but yet again you can only do that so much without running your guys down to a nub. So in my case, if I can let them go early, I will. I will stay around in case something comes up. That's what cellular technology is for.

If there is no reason for the Soldiers to be there at work, then in many scenarios I think they should probably be released for the day if the duty day is over with. I would caution that sometimes last minute things can come down, or sometimes the unit itself is unclear on whether all tasks are technically considered complete by higher. It can get a bit complicated. I would also add that these periods of time make for perfect hip pocket training -- and the best NCOs out there always seem to have useful things on hand to train on at a moment's notice.

Simple answer "NO". But we do need a duty day for other reasons. Generally 0630-0730 for PT 0900 to 1600 or 1630. Now we have 1SG, PLT SGT, SQD LDRS etc, so you manage your people within guidance and CDR's intent. Yes you may work 40 hours this week but then next year you may work 200 days straight 12 hours a day while deployed. If I cut you lose early because the mission is complete for today I think that is Ok considering there will be days when you work until 2100 or later. I am also a firm believer it giving Soldiers the day off for their birthday and encouraging them to attend family events etc. The old motto still rings true. Mission first and People always. We will work hard when we need to, we will be efficient always, we will never let the mission fail and we can be our best without running ourselves into the ground in the process

It depends on the duty. Obviously the TOC and certain duties require 24 hour coverage. Just because nobody has come in to visit the full time staff in 30 minutes, doesn't mean that people should just pack up and leave. There are days that our full timers (and mob staff) get paid to goof off, but that something could come in. If there is ZERO activity expected, we may go down to minimum staffing....but there are times, and duties, that are not able to leave. One thing that can happen, is our Soldiers should cover down. You just sitting around screwing off? Why not check in on SSG Training or SFC Det NCO.....see if they have someone needing help. Some jobs finish early, while others have a constant heavy workload.

When I was the Asst OIC, I routinely was there at 0600 and usually was there until 1800. I had some days it was 0600 to 2100, even though the rest of my troops left. I had to prep for briefings, help with other details. Our WTU Coordinators (SGT and SFC) both stayed long hours as well, communicating with receiving facilities.

If you just completed a surge or something requiring extra hours, I don't mind occasionally comp time for part of that.....but if it's slow on a regular basis, you are still being paid under the assumption that the trickle of business could come in and they need someone there.

Additionally, future staffing needs are based on your DMHRSI timecards...so if you are flexed off, it may create a future question as to whether your job is needed. Which means they may cut your job, so when people DO need help, it creates an overburdened environment when the workload IS there.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Soldiers will always have something to do. There is enough hip pocket training to be done. There is always some promotion or award board out there. There is enough professional development out there. If Soldiers are stagnant then they need to busy themselves before their first sergeant finds them something to get busy with.

We're called to be good stewards of the government's resources. We are well paid and receive benefits that are the envy of most people in America. To be idle while on the government's dime is stealing.

If nothing else, you can always do D and C.

It's in the NCO creed about not wasting a Soldier's time.