Posted on Jan 14, 2014
Should single and married Soldiers be treated differently?
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<p>I have been in the Army for 4 and a half years. In those 4 and a half years I have noticed that married soldiers seem(and I put the emphasis on seem) to be listened too more than the single soldiers. There are the unit FRG programs and garrison level ones as well. I have been an advocate participant in B.O.S.S.(Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) in those 4 years. It has always seemed to me that a married soldier was more likely to get a marriage retreat approved than a single soldier. Even as former VP of the Fort Detrick BOSS Committee and Unit representative it seems like if an event is geared towards families then Units push it and encourage married soldiers to attend but if it is an event for single soldiers there does not seem to be much emphasis put on it. I have had Soldiers be told they couldn't do certain events that may happen during the duty day but there are marriage retreats people go on and they take up duty days as well. <br><br>It seems to me that though the Army took steps to correct starting with the implementation of BOSS in 1989 it still does receive as much support from unit CoCs as family events do. <br><br>Any thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? </p><p> </p><p>****I know I messed up the title*****</p>
Army
FRG
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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The real why: angry wives are an extremely influential lobby (seriously, have you ever read the policy for the survivor benefits plan?). I'm pretty sure leaders would treat married troops the same if they were immune to the complaints.
I would support removal of the command from all permanent troop quarters. Perhaps create semi-privatized dorms as the alternative.
I would support removal of the command from all permanent troop quarters. Perhaps create semi-privatized dorms as the alternative.
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SFC Stephen P.
I do have disagree on the frequency of inspections. When you have a large body of your organization quartered in close proximity to each other, health hazards pose a greater risk to the readiness of your unit.
It's a simple matter of reviewing your risk assessment matrix to see that more control measures should be implemented in a barracks than family housing.
That said, health and welfare inspections should focus on health and welfare, not cheese and discipline. Dust on the blinds or water spots on the fixtures pale in comparison to chipping paint, broken windows, and leaking plumbing.
It's a simple matter of reviewing your risk assessment matrix to see that more control measures should be implemented in a barracks than family housing.
That said, health and welfare inspections should focus on health and welfare, not cheese and discipline. Dust on the blinds or water spots on the fixtures pale in comparison to chipping paint, broken windows, and leaking plumbing.
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My response is regarding the alcohol in the barracks. The reason for this is because some Soldiers, not all, are not responsible enough to handle a considerable amount of alcohol on their own. Although we all know it does happen. The CQ is there to maintain the good order and discipline while the COC is away, and also to prevent the glamorization of alcohol.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Yeah while I hear what you are saying but still what are we going to do? With commercials on TV that depict that glorification what are we going to do? Ban TV? And besides kids in Junior High were drinking and that seems to be the trend. We pass legislation to restrict activities and it seems to be of no effect.
When do we make them responsible and furthermore they better have some discipline in combat, otherwise we are really hurting.
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Its all about maturity. The average age of a single soldier in the barracks is 18-23. They are still kids and often act that way too. They are often used to having mom and dad clean up after them and fix their issues and to be honest are not taught how to maintain once they are on their own. Each environment has their own set of rules: Barracks living usually entails occasional GI parties, room inpsections and so on...while married individuals in housing play by big boy rules and have more responsibilites. On Fort Hood, if you live in housing, you have to maintain your own yard and are required to recycle. If you dont, you are written up and reported to the chain of command. When you get married, it is expected/assumed that you are mature enough to carry yourself as an adult (sometimes not the case) and dont require the leadership to 'babysit' you. Barracks personnel on the other hand are more regulated by individual units have a few more rules because 9 out of every 10 soldiers are young and inexperienced at living in the 'world' and not with their parents.
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SSgt (Join to see)
When I was an Airman we had inspections based upon the appearance of our rooms. An 'A' room was inspected only once a month although they could go in any time and providing it looked lived in and not a mess you were good.
The 'B' room was once a week. That individual could make them room look good and then didn't have to bother.
But wo unto the 'C' room, because they got babysat every day until they got with the program. I totally do get the need for inspections but not 24/7 and what others have said that it should based on rank.
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There is no justifiable reason and I made that point with an E-9 one day, who was not even in my squadron. By the time I was at McGuire I was a forecaster and our schedules were more hectic with standby and all. I was in no mood to be harassed once a week by people I did not know.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Well someone down-voted me, perhaps you have an explanation, since I did live there in their barracks. As a SSgt I felt I had worked hard enough and with a demanding enough schedule in a technical job to have a strong opinion.
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