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I was in the field with my platoon supporting battalion STX lanes, when one of my soldiers came to me and told me his grandmother passed away. I immediately gave him my condolences and asked if his mom was doing okay since she is also terminally sick. I told him I would talk to the platoon Sargent and see what he would say about sending him out of the field for the funeral? I thought since the soldiers family only lived 70 miles from the base that the platoon Sargent would say sure he could go to the funeral and be there for his family in their time of need, but he didn't instead he kept him out in the field and the said he shouldn't have his cell phone! I am not trying to get anyone in trouble but I have to ask doesn't this sound messed up?
Policy
Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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It does sound messed up however...the correct answer is to tell the SM to contact his family and have them send a red cross message. The Red Cross message verifies that there was a death (not that I think anyone in their right mind would make that up) and gives the PSG some kind of a paper trail to offer anyone who may question why the soldier isn't in the field. I know my response may not be popular but it is the best COA.
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SGT (Join to see)
That was all exercised however the family didn't act in time for the funeral, besides being that it is a grandparent it is not immediate family. The intent was to get him out for a day early and to let him have the weekend.
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MSG (Join to see)
Then you take it up the CoC. I've always been able to go home for funerals of my grand parents regardless of the distance. But at the end of the day it's really the COs call. If there was some reason the field exercise could not be missed in my minds eye it should be stated...it doesn't make it better but at that point an explanation would make for understanding. We aren't always going to get what we want because we are military...however just because a command can do something doesn't always mean they should.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SFC Wesemann, you are correct in that the SM/family contacts the Red Cross and then the events unfold. Especially when OCONUS. The unit then responds with urgency to take care of the troop. The result is that when at all possible, our troops get taken care of (cannot always happen). I have seen it work, and seen it not work (to the full satisfaction of the troop) due to airflow issues and timely notification. My theory is to always take care of the troops when possible. The rewards for that tend to be great loyalty.
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It also really bothers me when Sergeants misspell the title, Sergeant. In response to your question, if you disagreed with the PSG decision, what steps were taken to discuss the matter further up the chain? With respect to my peers who serve in that position of distinction, the Platoon Sergeant does not have the authority to deny or approve the Soldier's leave of absence. The Soldier should not have had his cell phone in the field, a concept I believe in. There is a method in place for executing communication of family tragedy that helps the SM more than anything else. Utilizing the Red Cross message system, which the Squad Leader, Team Leader and SM should be educated on, the Soldier's Chain of Command would all have been made aware of the situation. In that case, communication would have been from top down and immediately allowed the actual persons of authority to make decisions regarding the best interest of the Soldier. In this case it sounds like communication attempts were made from the bottom up, creating gaps in conveyance and understanding, and ultimately leading to a hip-fire decision. Several leaders here dropped the ball, that is what was messed up.
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SFC (Join to see)
All good, man, good learning experience for when you are some hopeful young man's Platoon Sergeant.
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SFC (Join to see)
Correct, Sir, didn't mean to leave that out. Doesn't have the authority to deny leave of absence ever.
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