Who has final authority on determining the appropriate execution of a class through ACS?

2019-01-15T18:33:22-05:00

Retired SGM is giving soldiers a class through ACS. Unit says the class is soliciting by making soldiers visit on/off post vendors to get information. How do we approach this situation since we still have to attend the briefings?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 15 at 2019 8:09 PM

2019-01-15T20:09:34-05:00

1. The unit does not control any classes outside the unit.2. If there is a complaint, I would suggest talking to the Post education folks who do handle training thru vendors, etc.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 16 at 2019 2:07 PM

2019-01-16T14:07:13-05:00

We ran into something similar at Fort Hood with financial counseling classes offered by a financial management outfit. They would give free classes on checkbook management / balancing and on how investments and stocks worked in general. They would pay for the Soldiers lunch and did not pitch their investments.
One of the 1SGs was sending a PLT at a time to the classes after he had several troops in trouble over bad checks and overdue bills. After a Soldier complained, I spoke with the IG and at THAT TIME there was no issue because the business stuck to training and wasn't pitching it's products. Just providing a public service for the Soldiers. The IG was very clear that the moment they used their product as an example in the training that it would become solicitation and then inappropriate.
Later those same classes became available through ACS on post and it then became an issue because that service was being provided and was available through the military system regardless of what the outfit did. Soldiers could still go to the classes off post and get the free lunch and training but it could no longer be mandatory.
Remember the Commander has wide ranging authority on training, look at AR350-1 and AR 600-20. Ultimately the CO is responsible for ensuring the Soldiers receive required training and time and assets are allocated to conduct it. My approach would be to have the PSG and PL coordinate the training through the Commander.