Posted on Sep 24, 2020
My chain of command just announced that they're going to inspect on and off-post housing. What are they allow to inspect?
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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.
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 197
Read all the answers.
My question is if you are a good troop and they want to make sure you and your family are OK, do you really want to piss off the 1SG, when he is trying to take care of you.
All things being equal, just saying.
Maybe it as different in the way back when I was in.
My question is if you are a good troop and they want to make sure you and your family are OK, do you really want to piss off the 1SG, when he is trying to take care of you.
All things being equal, just saying.
Maybe it as different in the way back when I was in.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
Why do you assume the 1SG has good intentions? If so why would he be going so far over the line?
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1SG James Kelly
Maybe he cares about his troops and their families?
Of course that being said it goes to show I'm just an old softy.
But if you tell anyone I will rip off your head and shit in your neck.
Of course that being said it goes to show I'm just an old softy.
But if you tell anyone I will rip off your head and shit in your neck.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
1SG James Kelly - If he cared it would not be an unlawful order. Asking is caring
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1SG James Kelly
1stSgt Nelson Kerr - I was stationed in Germany twice in the last century, n ot sure but I think they could inspect for health, welfare and safety.
Some landlords were not nice people.
Some landlords were not nice people.
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Not sure about this - but I believe off-post housing that is located on post property can be inspected, it not any different than the barracks on post and/or base housing. I had a SSgt who's on base housing was terrible inside - judicial punishment was administered to this individual and social services temporarily removed his children. I agree with the other post, off base housing is private property and your leadership has no authority to inspect your home.
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Hey SSG. Not a naive question. But if I remember right. There is a procedure they have to follow before doing health welfare on off post housing. It includes a pre notice.
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Just in case this hasn't been covered enough, there are countless articles online from military sources that cover this topic thoroughly. My first stop would've been Google, where I'd have gotten all the info I needed and never even needed to come here.
Search engines are great at finding the info you're looking for. You just have to actually use them first. Seems like a common thing that people would rather post the question somewhere and wait for hours/days/weeks someone else to give them the answer before they'll ever spend 60 seconds looking for it themselves. 99% of the time, the info they need is in the first 3 search results but again, you have to actually use them to find this stuff. Something most, people appear to not want and/or know how to do.
Search engines are great at finding the info you're looking for. You just have to actually use them first. Seems like a common thing that people would rather post the question somewhere and wait for hours/days/weeks someone else to give them the answer before they'll ever spend 60 seconds looking for it themselves. 99% of the time, the info they need is in the first 3 search results but again, you have to actually use them to find this stuff. Something most, people appear to not want and/or know how to do.
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SFC Robert Walton
Over half of what you find on Google DOES NOT apply to the Military and is nothing more than ill fated thoughts and civilian regulations that Do not apply to the actual Military.
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Times have certainly changed since my TIS. Once you moved off post or off base. Chain of Command/COC lost any and all rights to even Come to your home uninvited, and most definitely could not perform any type of inspection. Then again, one had to prove they were worthy of living off base. You had to be an E5 or higher at some stations. E5 and below had to remain in base housing.
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it is a matter of folks living in slumlord housing. We had a lot of folks living in unsafe conditions and we blacklisted a lot of landlords. This can be done without going in homes. Not everyone knows their legal rights for standard of living against landlords as folks do in the civilian world. We even inspected cars and repaired them for our folks. Not everyone knows how to repair cars or have the money. If folks did not have money to buy beds, food, clothing, appliances or anything else to live well, we stood up and took care of them.
We should demand better for our folks.
We looked out for our folks which is our responsibility.
We should demand better for our folks.
We looked out for our folks which is our responsibility.
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The base housing office wanted to ensure that soldiers were receiving adequate housing from the German landlords. The chain of command bought into the idea, and it was voluntary, although not well known. As a 1SG at the time, the idea came from my CSM.
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Back in the 80's we were living in Sub-Standard off base housing in New Orleans. It was government housing but because it didn't have things like auto dishwashers and the like, we got partial BAQ.
There was a small fire in the upstairs unit directly above ours. The FD had to come in and be sure it hadn't moved into our quarters. Breakfast dishes were in the Sink, and we had a few loads of clean laundry waiting to be folded on the couch. When you have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, that's pretty common.
The Base Housing people said my wife "was a poor housekeeper" and she had to see the CO of the Main base in New Orleans to be "Counseled".
We moved into civilian apartment building 10 days later. Several civilians were lucky I didn't want to go to jail, or "Asses would be stinging" Big pairs of balls on those people.
On base, nothing you can do. They wanted to bring drug dogs through housing in Puerto Rico, and even though I had no drugs in the house, I sprinkled black pepper mixed with Paprika along baseboards, under furniture, etc just on principle. Never heard anything about it.
I'm a former LEO too---If you live off base, they need a warrant. And in many towns (I know for sure about Norwich, CT when I was at New London), the Judge in Superior court kindly told the NCIS to go piss up a rope when they wanted to search my home as well as others---Guilt by association don't cha know. Didn't work.
There was a small fire in the upstairs unit directly above ours. The FD had to come in and be sure it hadn't moved into our quarters. Breakfast dishes were in the Sink, and we had a few loads of clean laundry waiting to be folded on the couch. When you have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, that's pretty common.
The Base Housing people said my wife "was a poor housekeeper" and she had to see the CO of the Main base in New Orleans to be "Counseled".
We moved into civilian apartment building 10 days later. Several civilians were lucky I didn't want to go to jail, or "Asses would be stinging" Big pairs of balls on those people.
On base, nothing you can do. They wanted to bring drug dogs through housing in Puerto Rico, and even though I had no drugs in the house, I sprinkled black pepper mixed with Paprika along baseboards, under furniture, etc just on principle. Never heard anything about it.
I'm a former LEO too---If you live off base, they need a warrant. And in many towns (I know for sure about Norwich, CT when I was at New London), the Judge in Superior court kindly told the NCIS to go piss up a rope when they wanted to search my home as well as others---Guilt by association don't cha know. Didn't work.
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How did you learn of this inspection. Was it from an official memo, or through second hand sources. Is it possible your command wants to do a “ courtesy” inspection and it’s just being blown out of proportion?
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I’ve read many of the comments and most make sense. Firstly, what are the SOPs, Installation, IMCOM Regulations say about this. One base housing is an IMCOM and Installation Commander responsibility. Offpost, That SOP should cover, what are they looking for, with examples, such ad frayed cords, gang outlets, flammable storage containers, whom is responsible for corrective actions and timelines. Reporting chain and remedies if not corrected. Most of the time, for noncompliance from a landlord, the Installation Housing Officer can place a ban on military rentals. What happens if they find illicit drugs or other forbidden items? This is a can of worms that was not well thought through. Lastly, that Commander had better have a regulation that allows this. Like the one poster said, he owns his own house, better have a warrant.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
No regu;lation can allow this since it would contravene the US Constitution and law.
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Hate to burst everyone's bubble. But if you live off post the Army is paying for it too. So a health and welfare can be done. Or you could always give back your baq.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
CPL Jason Northedge - You might disagree, but reality, personal and professional experience, law and and regulations agree with me so I feel OK about that
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CPL Jason Northedge
1stSgt Nelson Kerr that might be your personal experience but not law and regulations. I've been to soldiers off post housing before for inspections and confinement. So I can say the same thing.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
CPL Jason Northedge -Have you ever been in another persons off post housing without permission? If so you committed a crime.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
CPL Jason Northedge - I know the government has no say, it was part of my Job to know, In the USAF 1St Sgt is a JOB TITLE nor rank.
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I had seen a news clip of Military Wife who says that on Post Housing is in poor condition on one of the installations. It is a good idea to let them do an inspection. That way they can make recommendations to Post Command. As for off Post Housing I haven't heard your apartment or house being inspected.
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They have no authority to enter your off post residence without your consent .
JAG may be able to help. Be aware your chain of command may make your life harder because you refused to comply to an inspection. Again JAG would be your best resource . Good luck.
JAG may be able to help. Be aware your chain of command may make your life harder because you refused to comply to an inspection. Again JAG would be your best resource . Good luck.
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This is a very complex issue with many ugly arms. 1st your Chain of command needs to be very careful with the exact wording used when inspecting anything (their JAG rep can proofread stuff, mine use to) While many are right that off post housing is kinda off limits. I assume DOD pays your BAH so that's their reach into your house but with limitations. Your a Noncommissioned Officer so you also have obligations to live up to in support of your chain of command. at the end of the day just make sure you confirm orders and do the common sense thing and always Take Care of Soldiers.
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You have a recourse. Visit the IG and get feedback from them. As mentioned, it might be prudent to let them visit your house, as a guest, but they can remain in the living room and kitchen. There is a lot of emphasis on housing conditions and it could be your commander merely wants to make sure you and your family are safe. Just ensure they understand the bounds of your invitation. Perhaps you could ask them if they are looking for anything in particular.
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They are checking if where you live is livable. This is due to some housing areas, mostly on base, have issues of mold, and other things that might cause people to develop ailments over time.
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Capt Jeff S.
Regardless, they must get permission from you before they inspect your private residence and if you refuse, it should not reflect negatively in any way on your record. It strikes me as odd how Liberals will denigrate Conservatives as if Liberals stood up for the rights of the people and it's just the opposite; they want to take all your rights away -- and people have been so conditioned by the education system and in media that they're okay with that. SMH Liberal Progressivism is a cancer destroying our country.
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SSG Shawn Mcfadden
You're talking about liberals wanting to take everyone's rights away, yet those that are in the "red" States are changing voting laws that make it more difficult to vote.
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If you have nothing to hide, what's the problem?
You'll know when they are coming, fix them something to snack on and take the opportunity to learn and understand the vision of your COC. Get a peek into their life in a off-base atmosphere while using your home as the advantage point.
Thats just my opinion and it worked for me for just under 28yrs.
Good luck, remember that not everyone is out to get you.
You'll know when they are coming, fix them something to snack on and take the opportunity to learn and understand the vision of your COC. Get a peek into their life in a off-base atmosphere while using your home as the advantage point.
Thats just my opinion and it worked for me for just under 28yrs.
Good luck, remember that not everyone is out to get you.
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SSG Ryan Rink
SSG Dennis Mendoza
I honestly believe that it is all in how you as a person respond to it, I had my run ins with the COC and I also seen beyond the immediate actions of them. Each soldier and situation is different, how your subordinates see you react to it could have a long term effect on their careers. It's all about how you want to be seen and followed.
I honestly believe that it is all in how you as a person respond to it, I had my run ins with the COC and I also seen beyond the immediate actions of them. Each soldier and situation is different, how your subordinates see you react to it could have a long term effect on their careers. It's all about how you want to be seen and followed.
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SSG Dennis Mendoza
SSG Ryan Rink yeah i was fine about it, just how they worded initially was that they were going to inspect my off post home and definitely my wife didn't take it as nicely as I did she was like what we keep the house clean even with three dogs. But of course the COC then fixed it and said we're just doing a courtesy visit it's not an inspection. But I was fine with the courtesy visit, just didn't like the wording initially.
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If the off-post housing is government owned they have the right to do health and comfort inspections as if it were on-base housing. At least that was the case when I was still on active duty and I did exactly that when housing issues were brought to my attention.
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