Posted on Jun 18, 2018
What are the ARs regarding jumping the chain of command?
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Q. What specific Army Regulation deals with Soldiers (Enlisted / Officer) that jump the COC with complaints?
Q. Is there any AR stating that a Soldier can not write a complaint letter to a Congressman or Senator?
Q. Is there any AR stating that a Soldier can not write a complaint letter to a Congressman or Senator?
Posted in these groups: 
Chain of Command
Army Regulations
Chain of Command Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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IG guy here (Air Force though). Per Title 10, US Code 1034 (Whistleblowers Protection Act): "no person may prohibit or restrict a member of the Armed Forces from making (or preparing to make) a lawful communication to a member of Congress or an IG"
Commanders cannot require subordinates to report wrongdoing to the chain of command instead of Congress or an IG.
Commanders can ENCOURAGE subordinates to work through the chain of command, but cannot restrict access to the IG or Congress.
Restriction can be tricky because it can sometimes be subtle, however it does come down to if the MEMBER felt they were restricted.
An IG will ask if you've worked it with your chain of command first, however it is not required and has no bearing on the validity of a complaint until investigated further.
Furthermore, if the immediate Chain of Command is either part of the issue of the complaint or there is reasonable expectation that addressing the issue at that level in the CoC will have no results, then a member can go higher in their CoC or just go straight to the IG.
Commanders cannot require subordinates to report wrongdoing to the chain of command instead of Congress or an IG.
Commanders can ENCOURAGE subordinates to work through the chain of command, but cannot restrict access to the IG or Congress.
Restriction can be tricky because it can sometimes be subtle, however it does come down to if the MEMBER felt they were restricted.
An IG will ask if you've worked it with your chain of command first, however it is not required and has no bearing on the validity of a complaint until investigated further.
Furthermore, if the immediate Chain of Command is either part of the issue of the complaint or there is reasonable expectation that addressing the issue at that level in the CoC will have no results, then a member can go higher in their CoC or just go straight to the IG.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
Seems as it should be depending on the circumstances being referenced. There’s levels of seriousness obviously and perhaps the problem is in the chain of command.
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By regs you must 1st use the chain of command- what level of command is your problem, then you go to their higher command. Be warned if you are not absolutely right and jump the CoC by going to the Congressional level you will have a rocky career/term in the service.
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Are you joking? You can contact the IG, your Senator or Congressman. But if you do, you are not allowing the chain of command to do it's job which is to correct the problem. You don't allow new leaders to learn....
If you are a 1LT that tells me you have been in the Army for a couple of years and around a SFC, CPT, MAJ and a LTC for some time. Listen to them and keep the emotion out of your decision.
I don't know it all but I'm a retired MSG. Good luck
If you are a 1LT that tells me you have been in the Army for a couple of years and around a SFC, CPT, MAJ and a LTC for some time. Listen to them and keep the emotion out of your decision.
I don't know it all but I'm a retired MSG. Good luck
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