Posted on Oct 25, 2017
When is it appropriate to get Congress involved with a dysfunctional unit? Is the Inspector General appropriate to use instead?
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Background: My buddy has been trying to go from the Army Reserves to Active Duty for 10 months now. I have been trying to do the same for approximately 4 months, both fresh out of OSUT. My friend has contacted Congress and they have opened an investigation.
Our unit is hindering the process by not only putting off the necessary paperwork, but not doing a single thing to help get us released.
Our unit is hindering the process by not only putting off the necessary paperwork, but not doing a single thing to help get us released.
Posted in these groups: 
Military Career
Military Career
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 15
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Recommend you always use your Chain of Command first. If that doesn't work, use the IG. If you're still not satisfied, write your Congressman. Ensure that you mention that you've spoke with all of the above, as that will be the first thing that is ran to ground. I've seen several Congressional inquires through the years. In most cases, the Congressman's aide will send a letter (with a tight suspense) to your Chain of Command seeking information. The response you receive, in most of the ones I've seen, will be a polished version of what was provided through your command channels...adding the Congressman' signature on the document. Best of luck!
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SFC J Fullerton
Actually, the initial Congressional inquiries or "investigations" of this nature will likely first go to USARC G-1 to validate the regulations governing the circumstances of the compliant. If it is determined that the compliant has no merit based on regulation or policy, then it gets closed very quickly.
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OK- you can use either, but going outside the chain of command is a dangerous thing that can bit you in the 4th POC. You can actually get hammered for it. Did you both make complaints/question the unit's CoC? Did you then go to the unit's next higher CoC? Did you continue to go up the next 2 levels of command? ( company-battalion-brigade/regiment-division) Once you hit the brigade level , then you go to the IG. If the IG doesn't work properly- then and only then you go to Congress. There are a gazillion things that are involved- you are USAR- how many times do you get to see your chain of command, how often are they working, how slammed are they paper wise. Is you MOS urgently needed in the AD/ or in your USAR unit. Finally who are you to decide if the are setting on the paperwork or not helping? Have you asked for updates to see if there is progress? How many levels does it have to go thru just to get to the Brigade/regimental levels.
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Suspended Profile
No and No. Unless there matter is absolutely critical, of national importance, and your career is already doomed. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
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Ask yourself this. Do you want Congress to deal with matter affecting the entire nation or one minor personnel matter for a single individual? I would much rather your Congressman be working on something like tax reform as opposed to helping your career out. The right to contact members of Congress is important and serves a function but don't use it for frivolous matters. Just because you have the right to do something does not mean that you should. I am not trying to be harsh, but you need to look at the bigger picture.
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Sir, I could only write so much in the initial posting, so it may seem idiotic and childish in the description.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - SSG I was recommended by my TL and SQL to contact my Congressman, especially after a fellow Soldier in the same situation has been going through the same thing, in which he contacted Congress. An investigation was then opened up on our unit and at this point the S-1 just wants to get rid of us. At this specific moment, the only Soldier in my Chain of Command that has been trying to push my paperwork through is my Training NCO, yet he can only do so much when this is needed to be sent to Battalion. He has even expressed how this is not how the process should go.
I believe the paperwork is stuck between my Company and Battalion, with neither side responding to it. I am green across the board and have done very well on PT, so that cannot be the issue. My unit also is not short of my MOS by any standards, if anything they are over strength.
I am just trying to figure out the best course of action to have my packet progress through the normal steps that should be taken.
I believe the paperwork is stuck between my Company and Battalion, with neither side responding to it. I am green across the board and have done very well on PT, so that cannot be the issue. My unit also is not short of my MOS by any standards, if anything they are over strength.
I am just trying to figure out the best course of action to have my packet progress through the normal steps that should be taken.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - It sounds like you need to use you open door policy and talk to your BN Co and see what he says they can say no but they are the one to talk to not IG or congress at this point.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - SSG, thank you. I never truly considered the open door policy because it was always explained to me as something they have to say, as sort of a policy that must be thrown out there, but to always use your chain of command.
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