Posted on Feb 6, 2021
I thought open door policy was for the commander and first sgt?
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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
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
American Red Cross
Regulation
Responsibility
Duty
Posted 5 y ago
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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.
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.
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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.
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SGM Bill Frazer
It sounds like echelons above you reacted and did it without informing you. Not the ideal way to handle it, but no its their problem and out of your hands, Later I suggest a chat w/ your NCO chain to explain your point of view on this- politely please.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Absolutely. How far down that goes in the chain can also depend on the situation. We were involved in a major exercise and our location was on Adak, Alaska. We had a soldier get a death notification through Red Cross and the Chain of Command. In this case, the Chaplin, SGM and BnXO came out to notify him, waited for him to secure his gear and escorted him to the Airfield. I was a PL at the time (not my soldier either), but I wouldn't have had the slightest idea how to coordinate a Navy or Air Force plane to get him back to the mainland.
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Suspended Profile
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.
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When I was active duty, was best to go through CHAIN OF COMMAND to get the best results!
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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".
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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.
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.
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SPC (Join to see)
That is not what I am concerned about. Again what I am concerned about is the open door policy and the red cross stuff. Idk why people think I'm trying to get in the way of the soldier is talking to.
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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.
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.
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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
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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?
Is the Soldier getting the assistance they need?
Why does the Soldier trust someone else more than they do you?
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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.
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