I thought open door policy was for the commander and first sgt?

2021-02-06T17:06:06-05:00

As a SGT, I have a soldier who's family members (not immediate) passed away. The Soldier went previous Team leader is taking care of the Soldier without telling me the current first line supervisor anything. I told the previous team leader that talking about the issues is ok but it's my job to handle the coordination of getting my Soldier home.

My platoon Sgt said it was actually the previous team leaders job now to handle it for her because she trusts him. I disagree with half because other than the talking about personal issues it's my job. After I asked what reg covers that anyone in the chain command can take of your soldier without the first line supervisor given info on the situation. The platoon sgt also said its ig and open door policy that soldiers can have the platoon leader handle the red cross message/etp without notifying the commander about the situation. I asked what reg covers all this and the platoon Sgt said ig covers this. What regulations cover this I'm very confused on my responsibilities here

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 5:36 PM

2021-02-06T17:36:03-05:00

The Soldier can talk to whoever he/she chooses. As the team leader, should you be in the know, probably, but do you have to be - no. The platoon SGT has knowledge of the situation and is allowing someone else to help the Soldier.
If a red cross message was sent, it went to the commander.
It is internal policy how leave forms/requests are handled.

Open door Policy - is a command policy that allows Soldiers to see the commander for any situation(usually requested through the chain of command and/or if cannot be handled at a lower level).

From redcross.org - The American Red Cross does not authorize emergency leave for members of the United States military. The Red Cross role is to independently verify the emergency, enabling the service member’s commander to make an educated decision regarding emergency leave and then to provide transportation assistance and/or financial assistance if needed.

Inspector General (IG) - https://www.daig.pentagon.mil/faq.aspx - lists what type of complains are appropriate. Unless the SM was denied leave, there is no reason for IG. IG is not regulation, it is a facilitator to resole issues.

Your responsibility is to support your Soldier and assist if needed.

Official Website for the Office of the Inspector General | Department of the Army Inspector...

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Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 6:32 PM

2021-02-06T18:32:05-05:00

Red cross messages come through Red cross to a staff duty desk who inform the chain of command and the chain of command talks to a psg or pl. It sounds the pl just pulled in the individual Soldier and never thought of pulling you in. As long as you know your Soldier is going on leave and when to expect them back dont worry about it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 7:50 PM

2021-02-06T19:50:03-05:00

I think the main focus here should be helping the soldier and getting their needs met first. All of this he said, she said can be handled after the situation is taken care of. Get the soldier to their family and then you and the other parties can discuss the situation. Don’t lose sight of the real battle you should be following right now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 8:41 PM

2021-02-06T20:41:24-05:00

This is confusing. The soldier can talk to whomever they want. What do you mean the PSG said that the soldier can have the PL "handle the Red Cross Message/ETP" without notifying the commander? I have never been in a unit that a commander wasn't notified about Red Cross messages. Also an ETP for what? Pretty sure the commander needs to know about an ETP since I think those are signed much higher than company. Is it still the first general officer? Or at the very least an O6 has to approve some ETPs.

I mean - if the soldier doesn't want to talk to you about details, that's on them. As long as you have accountability and know the basics, that's about all you need to know. I would be asking myself why my soldier doesn't trust me but trusts the team leader more - especially a prior team leader who isn't even their team leader anymore.

If you're a SGT, why does your profile say SPC?

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Feb 6 at 2021 8:52 PM

2021-02-06T20:52:47-05:00

The issue is taking care of the troop, not worrying about who does what and proper chain of command. For emergency leave, as I recall, the shirt or cc are the approving official after the Red Cross verification. Get the troop taken care of.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2021 3:52 AM

2021-02-07T03:52:01-05:00

Taking care of the Soldier is top priority. Should you be in the know? Probably. Ask yourself these questions:

Is the Soldier getting the assistance they need?

Why does the Soldier trust someone else more than they do you?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 7 at 2021 11:29 AM

2021-02-07T11:29:42-05:00

Here is my opinion. If you are the first line supervisor then you need to be informed of what is transpiring. You are where the rubber meets the road and should be intimately familiar with what goes on in your soldiers' lives. I told the team leaders that I expected them to take care of soldiers, to do that they had to be informed.

Response by SGT Justin Brothen made Feb 7 at 2021 4:55 PM

2021-02-07T16:55:09-05:00

Honestly, your platoon Sgt is your Sgt so you follow his lead. He made the decision in regards to who knows, and takes care of it. Rank wins

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Feb 7 at 2021 5:03 PM

2021-02-07T17:03:58-05:00

You "should" have been informed by your PSG or Plt Ldr; but it sounds like the notice came in and one of those two got the service member's former Team Leader to help. That's not a big deal - don't make a mountain out of it. The emphasis should be on the soldier's needs; and his/her family's need.
As it was, it saved you time. When the soldier returns, just speak to them and encourage them that if they need anything further, you are there to help if requested.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 4:36 AM

2021-02-08T04:36:51-05:00

If you remain in the military, you will have Soldiers who would rather confide in someone else. Or, someone else’s Soldier may come to you. Get used to it. This Soldier obviously has a relationship with the previous team leader and you have yet to earn his trust.

It is no different than my child who come to me for certain issues, his mom for other issues, or to his brother for something else.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Feb 8 at 2021 3:59 PM

2021-02-08T15:59:39-05:00

There is has to be more meaning than just the first line leader being kept out of the loop, because I see the word "trust".

Response by SPC W. Neil Cantor made May 6 at 2021 10:21 AM

2021-05-06T10:21:56-04:00

When I was active duty, was best to go through CHAIN OF COMMAND to get the best results!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2024 7:53 AM

2024-03-30T07:53:45-04:00

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