Speaking of Staff Duty, how do you feel about retiring Soldiers exclusively making up the staff duty roster?

2015-05-30T13:32:39-04:00

NCO's placed on a rotational cycle of pulling Staff Duty. For the most part, it's based on available number of those retiring (small numbers = tight rotation). They pull it, virtually on a continuous basis, through weekends and holidays, around appointments, etc (i.e. day on, day or 2 off). I just wanted to know how the Rally Point Community felt about this, have any personal experience with it, and just general thoughts on it.

Do you applaud or frown upon this practice?

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made May 30 at 2015 1:37 PM

2015-05-30T13:37:36-04:00

I agree with it mainly because when done right it allows these senior NCOs the time needed to retire and transition. Be it medical or regular retirement, their time invested in the military takes more focus and preparations than a four year specialist transitioning into the civilian sector.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 2:41 PM

2015-05-30T14:41:55-04:00

This covers what I was about to say....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-05-30T20:01:44-04:00

I think it's a load of BS. For one, it sends terrible messages. One, it tells the rest of the unit that they don't have to do it. They'll get their weekends. They'll get their 4-days and other holidays. They get to sleep in their beds every night (this is in a garrison setting, btw). It says to the retiring Soldiers, to me, that your weekends, nights of restful sleep, holidays, and even leave aren't that important.

Nobody, outside of a select few, likes pulling staff duty. To those getting out, especially if it's only a few (say 3) at the moment, it has to feel like a punishment. Just picture in your head for a second, over a 7-day stretch, you pull duty 3 times. Monday, again Thursday, again Sunday.

The following week, same thing. Then another.

Do that math over a 30-day period. :-/ Yeah.

10 or so nights every month that you're not getting any sleep. If this isn't the definition of sleep deprivation, I don't know what is.
You were saying.

I'll even go so far as to say it's IMMORAL. Who can look at a roster with anyone's name on 7, 8, 9 times and think that's OK?

Wanna take leave? Gotta screw over your buddies. Same when they take leave and leave you behind.

Appointments? Are you taking that appointment the day of the duty, or the next day that you're supposed to be off...or the next day that you have completely off, which is the day before you go BACK to duty?

Yeah.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 1:01 AM

2015-05-31T01:01:13-04:00

I don't have enough "nope" in the bank to cover how much I hate this. As someone in the retirement process right now, I would not do it, and if someone wanted to "make" me do it, I'd find my way to that office I have never been to called IG.

This is a blatant punishment being enforced by someone who either doesn't have the guts or the skills to manage personnel in a unit.

Seriously, who thinks this way? Obviously someone who hasn't had to do things like completely change away from the lifestyle you and your family call normal. It's not a "get it in when you can" transition.

If this is actually being done, it's just one more reason I'm glad I'm out on Thursday.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 31 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-05-31T11:20:04-04:00

Why not, put all the people who dont contribute to the actual unit mission such as an infantry battalion, only profiles, non involved s shops, pretty much HHC in general.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 31 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-05-31T13:17:02-04:00

I have seen it day on 4 days off to keep them happy.

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Feb 15 at 2021 1:30 PM

2021-02-15T13:30:43-05:00

Retires or people PCS have enough on their mind with transitioning his unit and other items. It is not a bonus job to most and especially not on a Friday, Saturday or Holiday. If anything it shows to the First Sergeant or CSM your reporting and writing abilities, handling emergencies, sign in and sign out, inspections, security and extra duty. SD will also learn to work with others in different companies or battalions.