Is it a lawful order to tell a soldier they must check in with you daily via text message while not on drill status?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 00:30:46 -0500

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 3 at 2018 11:06 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 11:06:35 -0500

OK, so we are talking NG, USAR I assume. Why would this be necessary unless the unit had some kind of alert status requirement?. I could certainly see checking in with status changes between drills, and updates from higher on upcoming drill requirements/prerequisites. You might elevate this one level higher on the chain of command, if you can't get a good answer from who ever issued the order.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 3 at 2018 12:26 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 12:26:31 -0500

I agree with SGM Frazer; I don't see the point in such a practice and it would probably be best if you directed this kind of issue with your next higher up (if this is your squad leader, then direct it to your platoon sergeant). Also, for thing like this, I would expect that there be a counseling statement that usually accompanies such a thing; did you get counseled as to why this is being done and why it is important; if not, first red flag that you probably do not have to do this. If so, did the counseling not cite a regulation or SOP that was being followed in order to do this action? If not, red flag number two.

Response by SGT Jamarl Jones made Mar 3 at 2018 10:55 PM

SGT Jamarl Jones — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 22:55:06 -0500

Let's see.... When you aren't on drill, you're not bound to the UCMJ. Therefore, Article 92 doesn't apply, so.....

Response by MSgt Peter Vatistas made Mar 4 at 2018 11:50 AM

MSgt Peter Vatistas — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 11:50:36 -0500

I retired in 2014, so things may have changed - but the only time I've instructed my troops to give me a simple SITREP on a daily basis was:
A) During the final countdown for a deployment
AND
B) After I called a briefing and got everyone's buy-in

Short answer: MET-TC dictates