Posted on Sep 24, 2020
SSG Dennis Mendoza
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So my question is can they order me open up my kid's room if my son and daughter are in their rooms, or if my dogs are in one of the rooms behind a closed door because of not being friendly to strangers can they order me to open. I apologize for such a naive question, I just have never experienced this before. Is there anything I can reference about off post house inspection by the chain of command.
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SGT Ed Walden
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No, and you don't have to let them.

But keep in mind that, although we want to believe that our CoC is too professional to do so, they can decide to make your daily duty life "Uncomfortable".
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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I was stationed at Marine Barracks Washington DC from 2001-2003. This was before the current annex was built and many Marines were allowed to live out in town after their first year at the Barracks. Some of the Platoons were tasked with doing courtesy visits of those who just recently moved out. It was to ensure that they had adequate conditions and weren't sleeping on the floor with a poncho liner. It was specifically for the unmarried guys who were just forced to move due to limited space. My platoon didn't do this but a roommate of mine was and our place was checked out. Our circumstances were a little different than what you are describing. Our scenario was directly related to guys drawing BAH for being in DC and living in their cars to pocket the money or living in a studio apartment with no furniture to save money. It wasn't a power trip but I have seen Commands try the heavy handed stuff in the past and it go poorly.
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SSG Paul Headlee
SSG Paul Headlee
5 y
SSgt Christophe Murphy Correct implementation will be key. I can just see a bunch of untrained yahoos saying improper things, doing improper things... Its got the potential for serious liability.
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COL Health Services Plans, Ops, Intelligence, Security,Training
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>1 y
SSG Paul Headlee - When I arrived in Germany in 1989, there were no quarters available. Since my unit was at gunnery, they directed that I store my gear in my office (90 sqft) and join the unit. When I returned, they still had no quarters and a 3 month waiting list. So, I lived in my office, slept at or on my Army grey steel desk, showered at the gym and slowly went nuts. After 4 months, I found housing, my family arrived and I moved off base. But the damage was done. I had no confidence in my chain of command on personnel matters and trusted them less when it came to leadership. This was my first and last time experiencing what living in a cell was like.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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3 y
Woe brother what a terrible trial. I understand your situation. T keep me and my cat safe I used Walmart Parking lots. I would park in garages with most managers ok. Oh and my cat was always safe from heat and cold.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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3 y
Daytime I hung out at DD. I got food and so foth. It is hard and it was, Complaining is Counter-intuitive. Duke Hospital as well.
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SGT Jon Goldsberry
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OK. This happened to me in Germany in the early 80's. Any self respecting commander would do what mine did at the time. He came to my door, glanced inside and left. It was that simple. He knew he was intruding but was required by higher command to do so. It was required at that time (only once) because some soldiers were living in very poor conditions due to bad landlords. It was winter, and if memory serves, either a soldier or family member got frostbite in their home because the landlord kept turning off the heat. The command wanted to ensure the health and safety of all soldiers in what we called "living on the economy ". I personally had no problem with it since I knew my place was well above any standard post housing at the time. I was surprised he didn't want to cone in. We moved to that apartment because of a bad landlord. He controlled the heat, but not so bad as to get frostbite. He would come in the apartment any time he felt like it. He also turned the chimes on our grandmother clock off and we thought it was broken. (Luckily the repairman didn't charge us to move the lever back! Lol) He was also strongly suggesting we get stuff from the commissary for him. He had shelves of American food from previous renters. We finally complained and were authorized to move closer to post on the government dime.
Short story long, if they are wanting to do this, there probably has been an incident, especially since its winter, to make the command want to ensure others are not in the same boat. I am hopeful they arent there to do a full blown inspection. That is a line not to be crossed. But command has the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of ALL soldiers in their command, no matter where they live. But like a previous poster stated, check with JAG. Also, if you have concerns about how your landlord is treating you, the visit is a perfect chance to air your concerns. A letter from the Army goes a long way to get bad landlords to behave correctly.
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SGT It
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I would do 2 things, I would ask to see the regs that allow them to do this, I would also attempt to find those regs. If it just is a command policy I would talk to an individual that works in JAG and get their advice.

This sounds really shady to me. I work at the brigade level and I hate to see people ask for regs but its effective. They might give you the regular it's in, then you ctrl-F it.
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SSG Dennis Mendoza
SSG Dennis Mendoza
>1 y
Yeah this already happened I did research the right I was just wondering if anybody's ever experienced this. So apparently because a 3rd Corps they're trying to persuade us to do this to call our subordinates parents, friends, and next to kin. Also a leaders book that has some content that are a bit personal and my CSM's answer was well they joined the Army when my former platoon sergeant told him that some soldiers didn't want us to call they family.
Apparently all this because of what's going on with all the deaths in fort Hood/3rd Corps.
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Brad Miller
Brad Miller
4 y
Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I grew up in a 3rd World military dictatorship. I see this desperate search for "white supremacy extremists", hear that the WH intends to hire civilians to monitor social media, then this inspection comes up ... my Sorry sense is going off at about 200 decibels.
You guys are sworn to protect the Constitution, doesn't mean you aren't still protected by it.
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COL Health Services Plans, Ops, Intelligence, Security,Training
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3 y
SSG Dennis Mendoza - As an NCO, I kept a leader book with all of my trooper's info (DOB, Blood type, Spouse's info, Children's info, address, etc.) I would call the trooper for alerts and phone tree checks but never the spouse or family. I will ensure the trooper had personal time for birthdays and if I remembered, I sent a card. I also met with the trooper once a week to discuss family, friends, social life, etc. to ensure there wasn't something up. The knee jerk reaction related to suicide only causes more stress. The deaths are most likely tied to the social changes that are impacting the military. In my day, there were only 2 genders and I didn't care who you were sleeping with. All that mattered was that you could perform your soldiers skills and MOS skills while staying out of trouble.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
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This is likely related to health and welfare concerns based on this protracted nationa emergency. They are looking at quarters to ensure you are all healthy and living a healthy life. You can refuse entry, they do have other recourse to check on your health and welfare. If you live in a clean and healthy environment you should not be averse to a quick walk through and hello. I have had this happen to me and done this in many units based on circumstances to individuals or groups. Sometimes people are not even aware that they live in unhealthy conditions based on how they were raised. These visits can be eye openers for all involved. Again, it is for your health and welfare. I would add that whomever you allow should at the very least be someone you and your spouse are comfortable with. As for kids and dogs, they can be moved to other areas? Just one mans opinion.
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SPC Rich Jackson
SPC Rich Jackson
4 y
SPC Rich Jackson - I know it's probably tacky to self reply, but i ended up back on this thread to read new comments.

I just wanted to add that while the CSM was at my apartment, I don't think he was more than an arms length away from the front door at any given point in time. Of course, my appt wasn't really all that big, but this thread made me realize how comical it really was.

But hey, he seemed happy with what he saw, I got some CSM face time about some things going on in the company and I ended up with a coin that trumped just about every coin I saw while in country. lol
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
CSM Darieus ZaGara
4 y
Glad to hear the experience played out well. As for the CSMs positioning, he can see and smell all he needs once in the door. He obviously felt no need to go further. SPC Rich Jackson
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CDR Joel Paine
CDR Joel Paine
4 y
“If you’ve got nothing to hide there should be reason for you to refuse a search of your stuff.”

That’s essentially what you just said, CSM, and it’s bad advice.

Even in the military, we have rights and they shouldn’t be surrendered to the government but rather the government must provide a legal reason to supersede your rights.

In this case, there appears to be a reason, but it’s not a legally enforceable one, thus the member’s right to decline the offer.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
CSM Darieus ZaGara
4 y
You are most certainly welcome to your opinion Sir. I can site many examples where home inspections saved lives, marriages and careers. I am pretty sure I said he could refuse. I respect your opinion. CDR Joel Paine
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SFC Steven Borders
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In all my time on active duty I have never had my chain of command do an inspection of my on post housing. It just seems odd to inspect a families house hold unless something was suspected. It's different for Barracks inspections. I know they can do it for on post housing, not sure about off post. Because that is not run by the military.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
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1SG Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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SSG, my recommendation is talk to JAG. JAG knows the laws and regulations, if your rights are being violated. We still have rights even though we serve and I think the 4th amendment applies. As a 1SG I made health and welfare visits but I didn't enter the home unless invited and didn't inspect like a barracks. It was is the house in good repair and do you have what you need to live. But it is about "intent" talk to JAG. That's my recommendation
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PO1 John Johnson
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Edited >1 y ago
My guess is: If you live on base in Govt. Housing they can inspect because the totality (house and land property) of the property belongs to the Govt., if you live off base but still in Govt. Housing they can inspect, and if you live off base in private housing that is not "leased" by the Govt. they CANNOT inspect.

Keep in mind that "inspect" means to determine that their property is functioning as it should be and becoming a safety hazard, and not a "white glove" inspection because the Admiral or General is coming.

I lived off base in Govt. Quarters in '96-'99, and Base Housing Personnel made annual walk through inspections to see if everything worked properly, nothing major was broken, etc.
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SGT Randall Smith
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In 1970 I was living in a duplex in Killeen, Texas been out of the Army for a year. Had gas heat which I was afraid to leave on at night. Too many cases of house fires because of the gas fires. Next door in a 2 bedroom house lived a E-6 Staff Sgt. They had 3 small kids. His rent was $135.00 a month and he made aprox. $450.00 a month. The kids would come to my place sometimes for a sandwich or to get warm. They were covered with bug bites and always hungry. The inside of the house was a pig sty. They needed to be inspected and the landlord fined. GI's from Ft. Hood were screwed every time they turned around.
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