Open Door Policies. How Real Were They?

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 18:54:47 -0400

http://terminallance.com/2015/09/08/terminal-lance-399-come-on-in/

Terminal Lance - Terminal Lance #399 “Come On In”

Nearly every First Sergeant in every corner of the Corps will tell you the same thing during your weekend liberty brief.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 6:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 18:58:38 -0400

I love Terminal Lance. Im not a Marine, but that is some funny scheisse.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 7:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 19:07:11 -0400

IMHO, open door policy is as real as the "fabled unicorn".

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 8 at 2015 7:08 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 19:08:00 -0400

"Open Door Policy" = Pure Fiction. The only time a youngster went to see the SgtMaj was when they were either being posted to, or relieved from, watch. And unless you were a staff officer (or the SgtMaj), there was no reason to bother the ol' man.

Response by LCpl Steve Smith made Sep 8 at 2015 7:24 PM

LCpl Steve Smith — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 19:24:47 -0400

the "Open Door Policies" are Real ( ok I admit depends on the people in your Chain of Command) you just have to be careful on when and how you use it. It technically goes like this as long as you hit everyone in your chain of Command 1st. meaning like Terminal Lances example 1. you Can not just go right to the 1st Sgt. and Bitch (Vent). Your issue has to be a real issue. 2. if you do, one of the 1st things that superior will ask you if you had brought up the issue with your Cpl, Sgt, SSgt, Lieutenant. Because if your issue could of been handled at a lower level but you just Jumped links in the Chain of Command, Your ass is Grass and they are the lawnmower. For Just Venting and Bitching vent to your friends not the chain lol. you do not want to get stuck having to Burn the Shitters.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 8 at 2015 7:33 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 19:33:18 -0400

Just so everyone knows, I presented the comic for the "Fun Factor" more than anything else.

I've seen variations of the "Open Door Policy" in effect, but the most common, and useful was simply the "Hey, 1stSgt, got a sec, I've got a problem." I've never seen a guy lit up for using it. I've seen him referred back down the chain, or asked why he jumped chain, etc, but ALWAYS helped. Usually with the "I know a guy who's best able to help with this," approach.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 8 at 2015 10:45 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 22:45:45 -0400

In the Marines? Well, better watch what you say, who you say it about, and better say it tactfully.You may or may not feel repercussions; depends on who you are open dooring with and what they think about who or what you are open dooring :-)

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 9 at 2015 10:54 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 10:54:02 -0400

They were very real. May God have mercy on your soul after you use it, because depending on how it went down, the CSM, 1SG, PSG, SQD LDR and TM LDR damn sure won't.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 1:55 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:55:42 -0400

With 2 exceptions everywhere I have been both 1st Sgt(Sgt Maj as well) and commanding officers had very real open door policies, however it was on us to have a good reason to use it. It wasn't just a way to complain, and you damn sure better knock first.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Sep 9 at 2015 8:29 PM

TSgt Marco McDowell — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 20:29:36 -0400

Classic TL!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 10 at 2015 4:33 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 04:33:45 -0400

Depends on the unit. Back at Scott my shirt and chief as long as they weren't particularly busy didn't mind people stopping by and visiting or asking any questions they had and what not. Here at Whiteman I haven't actually met our new shirt but I would say even still we could stop in and talk if they weren't busy. I wouldn't do that with the squadron commander though. If they want to talk to me and they see me walking around they'll stop me and talk, otherwise I won't be just stopping in to BS with them. It's one thing if you knew them as a young Lt or Captain but I don't think I have been in long enough to see any of the Lts I know become Lt Colonels.

Humor of the comic aside I would never go as far as to walk in complaining about my leadership. If I truly had that big of an issue I would try to run it up the chain before using the open door policy for that. If I just went in without trying to channel it through other means first then the reaction of the shirt in the comic is exactly what I would expect in the real world and that's assuming they don't close their door with you inside and light you up.

Response by SPC David Harrington made Nov 21 at 2017 10:57 PM

SPC David Harrington — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 22:57:18 -0500

Open door policy reminds me of the grizzly bear wearing the "free hugs" sign. It's always entertaining when a sucker tests it.