If the barracks manager/LNO/NCO is inspecting my room, can I throw a padlock onto my closet door? Will/can he make me open it?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 01:52:26 -0500

So I get out of the Army Dec. 26th but I begin ETS leave on November 30th. My roommate has been complaining to the barracks manager non-stop about dirty dishes left by me when I've only left 2-3 dirty plates at a time in the sink.

Anyway, the BM is going to inspect my room at 0530 every for a week to make sure it's straight. if i throw a padlock on my closet door because i don't feel like cleaning up my closet, can he force me to open it? lol

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 14 at 2023 6:09 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 06:09:18 -0500

There is a Garrison and command policy letter, or the like that dictates verying processes within the barracks.

Bottom line, why subject yourself to such scrutiny when all you need to do is clean up your area.

Read your note here and ask yourself what that sounds like, and how it is interpretered.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 14 at 2023 8:34 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:34:47 -0500

There should be a guiding policy by Base or Command that should state what is allowed/disallowed in this instance. I can't speak for the Army but in the Marine Corps you are expected to lock your closet/wall locker during the day. Standard inspections are just looking for general cleanliness and compliance. The major "Health and Comfort" inspections that go through all spaces to include wall lockers and the like require higher approval and that's when you would see MP's and dog handlers coming through. Bottom line is that squeaky wheels get attention. Do your dishes and just go above and beyond for your last two weeks. You need to be under the radar and not give anyone an excuse to be in your business.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2023 8:51 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:51:32 -0500

To answer your question, no they cannot inspect your closet /wall locker if it is closed and locked.

However, being Preventive Medicine, I can tell you that your actions can lead to other health issues down the road.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Nov 14 at 2023 10:29 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:29:08 -0500

Suggestion: got to the Commissary and buy a cheap 100 pack of paper plates. Throw them away after each use. Problem solved for $3.00.

Response by CSM Scott Campbell made Nov 14 at 2023 10:58 AM

CSM Scott Campbell — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:58:48 -0500

SPC Butler, The Barracks NCO might not be able to have you open your "locked" wall locker, but the Company Commander can. You have two weeks left. Like CSM ZaGara said, just get with the program and get your room squared away.

Back in the late 80s/90s if a Soldier had a problem keeping room clean that Soldier would be sleeping outside in their pup tent really.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 14 at 2023 6:44 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 18:44:27 -0500

Even if you keep the level of dishes at 2-3 more often than not, you are inviting an infestation of mice, rats, roaches and flies. Plus, your crap is in the way of your roommate using sanitary kitchen facilities unless he does your dishes for you.

Be glad I'm not your OIC, there'd be some remedial health and sanitation training in the DinFac Pot Shack for about 30 days anytime the unit was secured. The remedial training would be supervised by your very unhappy chain of command.

How long does it take to wash 2-3 dishes. On pot shack duty you'd be washing hundreds every day. Do your damn dishes.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Nov 15 at 2023 5:38 PM

SFC Marc W. — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 17:38:48 -0500

The reality in all this is, bide your time, bite your tongue; this is the furthest thing from a hill to die on than anything else. With so little time, pack all but 2 sets of pts, 2 sets of civis and 1 set of uniform into duffles and tuck that under the bed or in the closet. Even with a locked closet you refuse to open, I doubt that you'd lose leave over it, but why even give some dip stick the opportunity?
Once you sign out you'll be done with special folk like the officer saying he'd put you on KP for a month or outside sleeping in a tent over a couple dishes in the sink. It's really not a big deal, but neither is you cleaning it up for 3 minutes.

At this stage of the game, do NOT give them any sort of reason to be any stupider than they already are.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2023 9:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 21:35:48 -0500

Legally, the commander can.

What they can't do is go through your personal belongings without your consent or without court authority. So, like your book bag, for example.

Just clean your closet dude. It's just two weeks.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Nov 26 at 2023 9:07 AM

SGT Tim Tobin — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 09:07:41 -0500

As a medic, there is a good reason for rules like this. Dirty dishes attract bugs and vermin and in a barracks situation it can cause an illness to spread quickly. Two weeks.is a very short time to keep it together!

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Nov 27 at 2023 9:00 AM

SSG Harry Herres — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:00:32 -0500

I thought I had it bad in the 60s. You have rooms now! Open bays only thing lock ,foot locker!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2023 8:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:03:23 -0500

well gentlemen this issue has been long resolved, i start terminal leave tomorrow thanks for the responses i appreciate it !

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Nov 28 at 2023 9:03 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 21:03:26 -0500

Why keep dirty dishes behind a locked door??? Clean up after yourself, doesn't take much time, and would solve what is really a small problem.

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Nov 29 at 2023 4:53 PM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:53:26 -0500

Doesn't matter how many were left dirty, Grow Up, take a few minutes and clean your licker out or square it away.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Nov 30 at 2023 1:20 AM

MAJ Ron Peery — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 01:20:06 -0500

You will be there during the inspection. Yes, they can require you to open the locker. If you refuse, there are always bolt cutters. When I was a youngish Captain, I used to leave dirty dishes around the apartment. My roommate complained once...."My, what an interesting display of pottery you have." I took the hint and washed my dishes thereafter. You should too.

Response by GySgt Clarence Moser made Nov 30 at 2023 12:22 PM

GySgt Clarence Moser — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 12:22:18 -0500

Just go with the program and enjoy life. Clean up the dirty dishes.

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Nov 30 at 2023 12:43 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 12:43:32 -0500

Heres my take on this. The SPC doesnt want to clean his closet. His roomate says he is "nasty". I wonder, is your closet full of dirty clothing. A closet with dirty socks, underwear and PT clothes will easily leave the room stinking to high heaven. Closing the door will not contain the stench. Be very glad I am not your 1SG. You would open that clost, I would post your FLL in your room to watch as you cleaned it top to bottom. In fact, your behavior would initiate a weekly inspection of all living spaces for everyone in the Company. Then I would let the Joes provide you with motivation to keep your area clean.
Of course that was all possible before the military became a summer camp for people who cant even look in the pants to determine there gender.

Response by SGT Joseph Dutton made Dec 19 at 2023 10:51 PM

SGT Joseph Dutton — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 22:51:56 -0500

Inspection is what it is, a Inspection. If you have a Locker of any sort that is secured, they cannot force you to open it. They can only inspect common areas that is not secured by a device. If the inspector/s warrant further inspections. Then the inspector/s must secure the area and call the MP's. If the MP's warrant further investigation, then they must get a search warrant and must be specific to what is being search for. Been through two of these in two different units called a "Shake Down" which is illegal to conduct by the command.

Response by SPC Michael Budzinski made Dec 20 at 2023 10:47 AM

SPC Michael Budzinski — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:47:57 -0500

If the barracks NCO is asking anything you have problems

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2023 9:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 21:56:40 -0500

As already stated by CSM Campbell & ZaGara. Review this post and think about what you’re asking.
Are a few dishes worth the headache?

Response by SP6 Richard Kellar made Dec 22 at 2023 11:23 AM

SP6 Richard Kellar — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 11:23:48 -0500

That building does not belong to you. You may not lock it without providing good access to the owner. Maybe stop waiting for your Mom to clean up

Response by PO3 Ted G made Dec 22 at 2023 11:35 AM

PO3 Ted G — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 11:35:06 -0500

If your closet smells they can make you open it. Also once a pair of shoes has bacteria in it that makes them smell you should toss them because you will never get that smell out. Ask me how I know these things.

Response by WO1 Dean Casey made Dec 24 at 2023 7:44 PM

WO1 Dean Casey — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 19:44:15 -0500

Go to the IG.

Response by CWO3 Robert Fong made Jan 22 at 2024 11:47 AM

CWO3 Robert Fong — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 11:47:15 -0500

Speccialist,
Throw a lock on ship's crew spaces, or on a shore facility room and you will find out how handy an EPO's toolbox comes in handy. You cannot deny entry to crew spaces. Personal bags, trunks, and other personal gear may not be broken into without authority.

Response by SGT Rhonda Rawson made Jan 26 at 2024 12:56 AM

SGT Rhonda Rawson — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:56:38 -0500

Apparently you live in the barracks for a reason….. a single soldier: unmarried. If you want to remain unmarried, keep not cleaning up after yourself. You don’t live with mommy any more buddy. Grow up and start cleaning up after yourself.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Jan 27 at 2024 1:44 PM

1SG John Millan — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 13:44:29 -0500

As 1SG, I'd cut it wnd give you a letter of reprimand

Response by MSgt Craig Gauger made Feb 12 at 2024 1:47 AM

MSgt Craig Gauger — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 01:47:30 -0500

Why live like a slob. What happened to your integrity and discipline?

Response by CAPT Edward Schmitt made Mar 10 at 2024 6:09 AM

CAPT Edward Schmitt — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 06:09:07 -0400

Yes.

Response by SGT Brian Jarvi made Apr 7 at 2024 9:45 AM

SGT Brian Jarvi — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 09:45:39 -0400

I might be old school but what the hell, I can’t relate to a sink in the barracks, but whatever you don’t own the barracks so clean your stuff and quit being a whining slob. Who cares if you’re short. You sign your name, you do your time

Response by Sgt Michael Clifford made Apr 14 at 2024 6:21 PM

Sgt Michael Clifford — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:21:56 -0400

Don't know why they are still called barracks. If mess halls are now dining halls why not simply call them dormitories. I am still a believer in the old squadbay to create unit cohesivnes. When I was in grad school I was a dorm director I found the long hall "old fashioned" dorm to be much better at getting the residents to knoew and work together than the suite set up. That would go for platoons as well.
I don't know what the current rules are but in my day you can bet your bibby if I was inspecting and found a pad lock I would be cutting it off. An inspection means an inspection.
I guess you might detect a bit of old corps in my comments.

Response by SSG James Lopez made May 1 at 2024 5:27 PM

SSG James Lopez — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:27:44 -0400

Yes he can under the direction of a higher authority

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2024 6:09 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 May 2024 06:09:00 -0400

The time it took to type that question, would have been used to clean those supposedly only two dirty dishes.

If you can go the extra mile of buying or getting lock for your locker, why not invest that energy into organizing? How much stuff do you even have?

Have you heard the saying out of sight out mind? Just what you are supposed to do people would stay out your business.