Is there a regulation that states a soldier must be a certain rank to use bolt cutters?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:49:01 -0400

I got some bologna excuse from a fellow sergeant who stopped is soldier mid-way through cutting a lock for me. The lock was on my hand receipt item also. Not to mention there were some OIP personnel in the vicinity so I can only speculate was showing his butt off to look good.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 20 at 2017 2:56 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:56:39 -0400

No, there is no such regulation. Sounds like an "ego attack" more than anything.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 3:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:02:22 -0400

Well, I would say that since you signed for the lock, then it's your call to have someone pop it.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 20 at 2017 3:05 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:05:05 -0400

LMAO!!! What, does the Army also issue licenses for that now too?!

An actual regulation? I call BS and it looks like you do too; don't doubt yourself. Smells like "rank stank" to me.

Response by Cpl John Barker made Jul 20 at 2017 5:21 PM

Cpl John Barker — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 17:21:18 -0400

I would have told him you assigned your soldier to a lock cutting billet, just for the reaction

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 21 at 2017 3:14 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 15:14:57 -0400

Could be that a policy letter covers this - but no actual reg that I have ever come across. My unit had a policy letter that none below the rank of SSG could sign for or utilize bolt cutters, the exception was the supply clerks with an officer present.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 21 at 2017 3:30 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 15:30:35 -0400

The reason such a policy letter would be written is this

Locks come out of the company/troop supply budget, and they are not cheap, especially when a unit has to budget their money, the TP used at your comapny, ink cartridges, paper, pens, dry erase markers, and locks quickly eat up the monthly allotment a company receives, this is not counting what the platoons need to conduct their business, this also comes out of that allotment.

Now, look at all the vehicles and connexes your company has, each one has locks. It has come to my attention on more than 1 occasion that joe, and team leaders would rather just cut a lock than go and find the keys, or ask the PSG for the keys because they do not want to answer the questions they would be asked. so you get policy letters.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2021 11:46 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 May 2021 11:46:09 -0400

AR 190-51 SECURITY OF UNCLASSIFIED ARMY RESOURCES (SENSITIVE AND NONSENSITIVE),
See Appendix F
There is an entire process