Should single and married Soldiers be treated differently?

SPC Bobchin,

This is all my personal opinion, but, lets look at the average across the Army. A majority of single Soldiers are 18-21 years...barely old enough to drink. Soldiers of a young age or maturity level tend to be more unruly. Soldiers are treated like children because most of the time, they act as so. I don't have enough hands to count the number of times I've walked through the barracks to see trash in the hall, laundry rooms in disarray, Soldiers rooms are messy, have excuses as to why their room is not to standard, etc., and this is all during the work week, lets not even talk about the weekend! Granted, there ARE Soldiers who NEED housing inspections because some of these Soldiers who are married behave as if they live in the barracks, but, I believe that if you decide to make the decision to get married, that's a "grown up" decision..therefore, the Army gives you "grown up" privileges. Not saying that single Soldiers aren't grown, but Im simply speaking on the decision to get married. I believe that the inequality exists because being single and being married is not equal. I hope this gives you some sort of guidance! Good post!

SPC,

I can tell you from experience about some of your concerns. The issue with there not being more events for single Soldiers is that a majority, based on studies and survey conducted at all installations pre-9/11 and in the last decade have shown that the active participants are so low that it is not financially viable or feasible compared to marriage retreats and participants.

2nd, most Soldiers that do complain about not being able to participate have disciplinary issues or use the event to just get out of work and not actively participate or even show up for the event, this has been shown to be a large majority of problem for years.

I applaud you on being the representative you have been and contributing to the program and pursuing more activities, but I would also encourage you to be an advocate for getting more participation from your fellow single SMs, which will also show the command that there are more Soldiers looking to and willing to participate in recommended events or activities. CDRs do conduct research and look for recommendations and suggestions from COC and single Soldiers for these types of issues, but they many times receive little input from the ones that complain about the issues but also are unwilling to commit and participate when the opportunity does present itself.

Hope this helps to explain and give you an idea of what occurs and what can be done and what you may be able to do to help and continue to do what you do as well.

I lived in the barracks
and never was bother with inspections only once a week on Mondays. My first
line gave me that breathing room because I never made him look bad when my room
was inspected. Even when unannounced my room was orderly and clean. However,
some of my section battles did not have that privilege because they could care
less about having their rooms in order.