How involved should commands get in personal affairs of the service member?

PO3 Danielle Sandlin — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 02:09:45 -0500

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 30 at 2016 2:31 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 02:31:01 -0500

As little as possible.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 30 at 2016 3:42 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 03:42:12 -0500

If it is illegal or is affecting your job performance or makes the Navy look bad, then your command has every right to get involved. Hell, it's their responsibility to get involved. This is the Navy, not a 9 to 5 civilian job.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 30 at 2016 8:03 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 08:03:43 -0500

Capt Seid Waddell said " As little as possible." True but IMHO needs "As much as needed" to be complete.
Like it or not, everything we do as Service members can affect our service of this nation.
Its only "Personal" if it is, and sometimes that means finding out enough to know.
And some of what a service member WANTS to be off duty "Personal life" .. drug use, out of control gambling, associating with known criminals, terrorist org, theft, other additions that effect service.. ect....Well they can want all they.....ahh want... but if it affects the service it's not personal life issues.... so stop, or deal with the fact the command IS going to be involved.
Service members are free to disagree,,,, normally every few years for enlisted and almost any time (after obligation) for Officer.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 30 at 2016 8:43 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 08:43:45 -0500

Always a good question and always a challenge where to draw the line. Anything that affects the Good Order and Discipline in our Armed Forces needs to be addressed by those in Authority, Unfortunately everything you are and do while wearing that uniform has the capability to "Affect Good Order and Discipline".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 9:55 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:55:06 -0500

I ask my guys to talk to me before any big life decision such as marriage or buying a car. Not telling them not to, just to make them think out loud to see if they have thought it through. If they come asking for AER loan I talk them into going to the finance class along with it. That's about as far as I go. I have gone to a Soldiers soon to be Ex's house to talk her into signing the divorce papers though.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Jan 30 at 2016 10:30 AM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:30:30 -0500

Leadership in the military means much more than in the civilian world. If I got a DUI tomorrow, my civilian no would cut their strings and let me deal with it on my own. When a service member gets a DUI - the newspaper headlines feature "Local Servcemember Pulled Over for DUI." It's different.

Unfortunately we have "life skills" issues for our folks these days like bills not being paid and other dynamics that require action on our part. Leadership sometimes needs to get into the business to promote good order and discipline. Not everyone is victimized - although I think we were GMT'd to death at the end of my career.

I'd rather us get into the business of the few than to continue the GMT Train. Hold people accountable.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 12:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:04:21 -0500

I would have to answer this with case-by-case. We have some service members that need total involvement and others that just need to be guided in the right direction. It really just depend on the individual and his/her command.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 30 at 2016 12:15 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:15:48 -0500

As supervisors if you care about your people you will talk to them and this allows you to be proactive and involved. If you don't give a shit you can just wait until it impacts work performance and be reactive. Once it impacts work performance though the commander is responsible for your well-being, which is all encompassing.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jan 30 at 2016 1:27 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:27:32 -0500

As little involvement as possible unless it impacts the SM's job, family or brings discredit to the service. You have to talk to your people, listen to them. But some things can just come out of the blue and hit you broadside.

I had to get involved more times than i care to remember. Ranging from domestic abuse, to living off base issues, to deployed SM's not leaving the means for spouses to access bank accounts. On more than one occasion i provided emergency funds out of my own pocket for diapers and formula.

Response by PO3 Danielle Sandlin made Jan 30 at 2016 7:08 PM

PO3 Danielle Sandlin — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 19:08:29 -0500

Thank you all for your opinions. It seems as though we all have similar feelings regarding this "constant" issue.