Posted on Jun 27, 2019
How would you handle a double standard or disregard for Army Regulation?
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I was approached by Soldier in my office with the question, “ Are we allowed to used tobacco products inside the building?” I told the no not at all for any reason. He then stated “ Well how come everyone dips inside the motorpool, inside the offices, even the LTC and CSM dip in the building and in meetings in front of everyone?” I was speechless for a moment because I also knew this to be true and the regulation: Army Regulation (AR) 600-63, Army Health Promotion, paragraph 7-3a, 20 SEP 2009, states: "Tobacco use is prohibited in all DA-occupied workplaces except for designated smoking areas, as authorized by Department of Defense Instruction 1010.15. What could I tell him if the leadership doesn’t follow the regulation. So I told him two wrongs don’t make a right and to follow the regulation and make an on the spot correction to whomever violates the regulation. Sounds like good sound advice right? Well the Soldier took it to heart and was spot checking anyone in violation and when he did this to a senior leader, he was told to “check down, not up” and walked away with his dip cup on hand. So seeing that there is a disregard for the regulation the soldier started vaping in the office. When told he could not do it he answered saying “ Command uses tobacco in the building and doesn’t care about the regulation so I won’t either.” What are your takes on this seeing that the regulation is posted on the doors of all DOD buildings and getting this double standard corrected?
Professionalism
Standards
NCOs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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Wow. Ok. Ballsy but stupid. The SM needs to checked and quickly.
Ok, as to the problem. This is one of those really fucked up situations of 'do as I say, not as I do.' The answer is fairly simple, if not totally fucked up.
You advise where you have no power to enforce. IE if the person or persons are above your rank, out of your command then you advise by politely pointing out the reg and the prescribed posting of AR 600-63. Side note, update your reg as the latest one is April 2015. No real material changes there, just clarification. Tobacco use is still a no-go.
Second, where you can command you do so. Anyone, such as this SM, that is under your direct supervision you simply tell them that AR 600-63 is the regulation that they are to follow. Failure to follow can and likely will result in UCMJ disciplinary action. If the SM's are smart they will not balk further.
Unfortunately tobacco use is a culture that is not easy to break, much like drinking. Perhaps one day it will be better under control and not be the issue it is today but for now you can only do what you can. As many have said before, this is not the hill you want to die on, even if you are in the right, you are not in the right.
Make an anonymous complaint to the IG but be wary of that as people do have memories and if you were memorable in pointing out the regs, and then the IG comes down, blowback could and likely will happen to you. You might just wait til you PCS that station and then lodge the complaint with the IG about the station.
Good luck.
Ok, as to the problem. This is one of those really fucked up situations of 'do as I say, not as I do.' The answer is fairly simple, if not totally fucked up.
You advise where you have no power to enforce. IE if the person or persons are above your rank, out of your command then you advise by politely pointing out the reg and the prescribed posting of AR 600-63. Side note, update your reg as the latest one is April 2015. No real material changes there, just clarification. Tobacco use is still a no-go.
Second, where you can command you do so. Anyone, such as this SM, that is under your direct supervision you simply tell them that AR 600-63 is the regulation that they are to follow. Failure to follow can and likely will result in UCMJ disciplinary action. If the SM's are smart they will not balk further.
Unfortunately tobacco use is a culture that is not easy to break, much like drinking. Perhaps one day it will be better under control and not be the issue it is today but for now you can only do what you can. As many have said before, this is not the hill you want to die on, even if you are in the right, you are not in the right.
Make an anonymous complaint to the IG but be wary of that as people do have memories and if you were memorable in pointing out the regs, and then the IG comes down, blowback could and likely will happen to you. You might just wait til you PCS that station and then lodge the complaint with the IG about the station.
Good luck.
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You mean there are different standards in the military based on your rank? Say it a'int so.
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Of course there is a double standard. My advice is convince a large number of troops that are bothered by this and openly use the tobacco products. Point will be made, and if the possible disciplinary action is taken. The matter will be openly displayed to higher levels. The old saying, No balls, no blue chips is applicable. However, don’t stop at a Summary Courts Martial or you are screwed. This from a guy that got a Summary two years into my career for smoking in an unauthorized area
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