Can anyone just come into my Barracks room even after I say no?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:59:16 -0400

Often my specialists and below just come into my room during off duty hours to do inspections when its my personal time even when I tell them no. is this okay for them to do?

Response by SPC Jared Robbins made Jun 20 at 2023 11:35 AM

SPC Jared Robbins — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:35:44 -0400

As a former E4 SPC, I never had to do that, and I never had it done to me.
Generally that’s an E5 NCO thing, but to be honest that, still, never happened to me. All of my barracks inspections were not so impromptu.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jun 20 at 2023 11:36 AM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:36:01 -0400

Can your chain-of-command (below the unit Commander) do an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours? No.

Can your unit Commander who is responsible for the barracks conduct an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours? Yes.

Can your chain-of-command (below the unit Commander) do an informal walkthrough during your off-duty hours IF the Commander has delegated that authority to do so? Yes.

Bottom line: The Commander 'owns' the barracks and is the only one that can authorize entrance for formal or informal inspections of a "private" living area (put in quotes as it is technically "more private" than "public"). HOWEVER, Commanders usually delegate this (I always did) down to first line leaders (for informal inspections).

There is no restriction on WHEN or HOW OFTEN a Commander (or those he delegates authority to) can do inspections, however they will have to use their judgement on what is 'too lax' and what is 'too onerous' and starts to affect morale.

There is a difference between a "spot walkthrough" for general cleanliness/upkeep and a more formal health and welfare inspection. If the latter, then those have to be systemic and applied across the board throughout the unit and are usually scheduled (not 'announced to the unit') by the Commander.

Can they "just come into my room" to do "inspections"? Again, it depends. Is it an informal "Just doing a quick check on you" or is it a more formal "Health and Welfare"? Yes to the former and No to the later.

There will usually be a unit or installation policy (typically called a "Barracks Management Policy") that governs when walkthroughs/inspections can occur.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Jun 20 at 2023 1:03 PM

SGT Chris Padgett — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:03:47 -0400

I don't know how long you've been with the unit, but when I was in, as a SP4, I was instructed by my section chief to do informal room inspections on the new guys. I wasn't to scream or discipline, just correct and report. Once we knew the new guy wasn't a slob, that stuff stopped.
On the obverse, I've seen some nosy barracks rats who just want to see what you got.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 20 at 2023 3:52 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:52:44 -0400

You said Spc and below, there are no leaders or supervisors in that group, unless the SPC is in an NCO billet and the Commanders policy allows First line sups to check healthy md welfare.

Bottom line is the should be a unit SOP on barracks inspections and walkthroughs. Again that is almost always delegated to the NCO support channel, but with specific guidelines your cello section mates have no business in your room.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 21 at 2023 9:52 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:52:57 -0400

I really not see the difference the room makes. If you were in the bay instead, folks would stop by your rack at anytime.
Reminds me of a thought that I had the other day. Does a troop in the barracks have to keep his Foot Locker set up for inspection at all times? That is, have the Colgate tooth powder, Gillette blue blades, shaving mug, clean brush, etc. properly displayed on the towel and socks and drawers rolled on beer cans etc. Perhaps military wall locker, too?

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Jun 21 at 2023 10:09 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:09:29 -0400

You Have A Barracks ROOM?.... As In "By Yourself"?
At BEST I Had 3 Room Mates = 4 To 1 Room,
While Stationed At Little Rock AFB.: ~A SAC Unit.~
.
And When We Landed In South Korea....
Uh.. Do You Even KNOW What A "QUONSET HUT" Is?
Well Anyway, We Had Those At Osan AFB....About 60 + Men To A Hut.
It Looks Like A LARGE Piece Of Sheet Metal, Cut In The Shape Of a 1/2 Moon.
Placed On The Ground With A Concrete Floor Under It;
And WE~ ALL Of US ~ Actually LIVED In Them; ~ 1 Large, Shared Shower ~
And ALL That GREAT STUFF.!
And You're Bitching About An Inspection?.....WTF's That About?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2023 1:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 13:11:07 -0400

What do you mean your "SPC and below" just come in your room to inspect? Are they in some type of squad leader position? Did the commander direct for their to be inspections done?

I know that generally there is an expectation by NCOs to check on their soldiers in the barracks but not usually an inspection after duty hours. It's usually a squad leader or PSG. SPC could be a squad leader. But I never had anyone come do an inspection after duty hours any time I lived in the barracks. When I first came in at my first unit, NCOs were to check our rooms before PT and the CSM would come through sometimes. But never after duty hours. I think on 4 days it would get put out NCOs from each section were supposed to go do a walk through and check on soldiers but never a full room inspection. The only time I've had those done was before or after PT. Maybe once during the day. Never after hours or weekends.

If this wasn't something put out by any leadership, I'd be checking with your PSG/section NCOIC about this and find out where it came from. Honestly next time they come to your room, tell them they can't come in. Legally they have no authority to do it. If the commander did delegate to PSGs and the PSG delegated down, then the commander needs to put that out.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jun 22 at 2023 2:14 AM

SPC James Neidig — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 02:14:46 -0400

I Was A SPC In A Team Leader Position Mentoring 3 E-2 , E-3s And I Would Stop In Their Barracks Rooms After Duty Hours, Not To Inspect, But To See How They Were Doing , Answer Any Questions And Give Them Tips On Driving .
I Was Also Instructed By My Squad Leader That If Anything I Saw Or Heard Was Of Concern To Report It To Him So He Could Take Appropriate Action, More Eyes And Ears Watching The Young Troops Can Benefit Both The Troop And The Army.
In One Of Those Visits I Found Out A Young Private Planning To Go AWOL , After Having A Few Hours Of Conversation With Him I Found Out What Was Bothering Him And Brought It To Attention Of Our Squad Leader ,We Got Him On The Right Path, I Found Out A Few Years Later He Was Awarded A Silver Star For Service In Iraq At The Rank Of Staff Sergeant .

Response by MSG Robert Rivera made Jul 16 at 2023 6:37 PM

MSG Robert Rivera — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 18:37:48 -0400

That is part of having a great leader in caring of his troops. If you care, you can checked them anytime you want to. There is I say "NO". That building belongs to the governments. As well as you do. We are to ensure that both are taken care off at all times.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Jul 25 at 2023 9:54 AM

SGT Mark Rhodes — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:54:35 -0400

I’m going to try to say this as politely as I can. GROW UP. You are in the MILITARY. You would have never made it in my Platoon

Response by SP5 Bruce Campbell made Jul 29 at 2023 12:38 PM

SP5 Bruce Campbell — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 12:38:31 -0400

Yes

Response by SGT Robert Martin made Jul 29 at 2023 12:48 PM

SGT Robert Martin — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 12:48:17 -0400

okay this is a simple answer. at least in my experience. your chain of comand all the way down to squad leader can and will do informal a walk through randomly. I as a rule tried to keep it simple. my concern was always concerned about the over all safety of my people and those in the barracks. I would make sure no one was building a thermal nuclear device, or had dead bodies stashed. I'd ask if they needed anything remind them to clean up before the next formation. aside from your chain of comand the CQ, duty Officer, and MPs will enter your room as needed during the course of their duties. we did make sure only one of us was walking through on any given day. we didn't want to do it any more than you wanted us bugging you on your off time.

Response by Sgt Mervyn Russell made Jul 30 at 2023 7:39 AM

Sgt Mervyn Russell — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 07:39:43 -0400

In my time we lived in squad bays. Just open from end to the other.

Response by PO1 Todd McMillin made Aug 1 at 2023 11:37 AM

PO1 Todd McMillin — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 11:37:52 -0400

When I was doing Instructor Duty at CNATTU Norfolk and also my time living on base in the Barracks; we typically had both "Formal" and "informal" inspections including the Base CO and others come in. This included random sweeps by Base Security (mostly after 9/11) to make sure there wasn't anything illegal in the barracks.

As long as your room was clean and neat they usually left you alone. As a Supervisor and Instructor after I was an E-5 it was required weekly to do a "Health and Safety Check" on Monday Mornings to make sure that your room wasn't a disaster area; but usually it was a open the door check there was no body (or bodies) on the floor and/or other evidence of a crime and go on our way. A few more nosy busy body types would poke around. While I would go in and make sure there wasn't booze or other stuff laying around in case higher ups came in and decided to snoop because of having nothing else to do. This was because of the whole underage drinking nonsense that was going on.

Mostly it was from the asinine backlash from MADD and SADD due to a rise in Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Post 9/11. Sadly, a lot of Senior leadership and management had recently become Teetotalers (I suspect that most were form addicts and alcoholics looking to spread their message to others with the zealotry of a fanatic). Rather than actually using rationality and reason to speak with people like adults and peerage; they engaged in treating enlisted and junior personnel with infanitle messaging instead of bothering to be professional and honest about things.

Ironically when the Bush Sr. "War of Drugs" (1981-1992) happened the Alcohol and Drug Counselors actually treated us better than most Military Leadership did. In addressing it including the understanding the desire to experiment and test our boundaries. This was including a Former Amish dude; who had explained Rumspringa to us as a comparison. In fact the Former Amish guy was able to better related to a lot of teenagers and address their own curiosity about it and also provide a reasonable intelligence argument to discourage us from underage drinking and other substance usage.

Sorry, went off topic...

Any way, at NAS Norfolk, we also had a maid service which you paid for individual to handle daily or weekly room cleaning and linen changes at certain BEQs. I took care of myself and only used the service when I moved out a week before and on holidays to make sure the room was clean since I was living in Enlisted Senior Leadership and TAR BEQ where the "Weekend Warriors" would come in and share your space for a few days. So I rotated out several roommates but kept my personal stuff under lock and key for privacy and security.

I had a laundry basket by my bathroom with a lid; a full closet with a key and keypad. it was more like a hotel room than an actual BEQ because it was the only space available to Senior Unmarried Enlisted at the time. However, I did finally move out and have an apartment. But again it was different times from 1989 to 2009 and a different branch of service and base regulations.

Response by SGT Nickolas Ortiz made Aug 14 at 2023 11:25 PM

SGT Nickolas Ortiz — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 23:25:53 -0400

In the Military, there IS no “off hours” or “personal time”…. You’re on 24/7, held to the UCMJ Standards 24/7. If you reside the the Barracks, you don’t have “personal space”… it’s ALL Military property. If your Squad Leader wants to enter your area, then you let them. If you have an NCO eneter your area, regardless of the time, you snap to Parade Rest and announce his/her presence. The rank doesn’t stop at 16:00. Keep your Military Bearing and provide the respect the rank was earned for.

Response by SFC Aubrey Campbell made Sep 3 at 2023 10:24 PM

SFC Aubrey Campbell — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 22:24:05 -0400

Bring this up to your chain of command (start with squad leader) to get the correct answer. A lot of us “Old School” guys might give you a “back in the day” answer. Not sure how things work in 2023! Take care of yourself and love that scout MOS!!!

Response by 1SG Rick Seekman made Sep 4 at 2023 5:45 PM

1SG Rick Seekman — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:45:20 -0400

barracks room? we had an open bay with a metal locker and 2 foot lockers.

Response by MSgt George Fillgrove made Sep 5 at 2023 1:06 PM

MSgt George Fillgrove — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:06:17 -0400

Short answer: YES!
Remember, a room in a barracks IS NOT private property. It is government property and inspections can be no notice health and safety inspections or they can be more formal scheduled white glove events. This is because your supervisors have every right to determine if your living conditions are clean, dry, servicable and folded to inspection side.
You're in the military, not your bedroom at home. You need to suck it up and be prepared for those inconvenient times where the first sergeant and someone from the orderly room knock on the door for an inspection.
I retired in 1994. Has the military changed that much in 30 years? Be glad you're not in a tent.

Response by SFC James High made Sep 5 at 2023 1:32 PM

SFC James High — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:32:23 -0400

No it is not. SPC are not NCOs! The only People that can enter your Barracks room while you are there or not there is your 1SG or CO. CDR. If one of your supervisors wants to accompany the 1SG or CO then that is allowed. The next time a SPC 4 enters your room without permission, don't say anything, just call 911 and report your room is being broken into. That will get someone's attention.

Response by LCDR Mike Scott Singh made Sep 7 at 2023 1:42 PM

LCDR Mike Scott Singh — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 13:42:35 -0400

Once discharged then you have freedom.

Response by LCDR Mike Scott Singh made Sep 7 at 2023 1:45 PM

LCDR Mike Scott Singh — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 13:45:44 -0400

If you have to question your freedom then you have none you are part of a team or unit that is not singular.

Response by CDR Tom Davy made Sep 8 at 2023 9:09 AM

CDR Tom Davy — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 09:09:01 -0400

As a junior officer and mustang, I would do an informal visit to the barracks in uniform every few months. I would give my boss a heads up before I did. These were not inspections.
I only performed a formal inspection when ordered by the C-of-C. AS a former Corpsman, I considered these intrusive unless there was a specific reason or concern.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Sep 8 at 2023 9:36 PM

PO1 Don Uhrig — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:36:09 -0400

There are regulations regarding barracks inspections and right to privacy. I recommend you educate yourself on those. In my Navy career I had my own experiences on this. I was hit for leaving my barracks locker unlocked in a single occupancy room even though the most valuable items in my barracks were exposed. For example, a boombox (back in the day) and a PC. When I addressed this to my Command Master Chief, he stated that the purpose was to train you for when you were aboard ship to lock your stuff up. I then asked who is training the married or single people who are living off base? Who is inspecting their spaces? He was not happy with my response. Bottom line, know what your rights are and stand up for them. This is a form of "being single" discrimination.

Response by MSgt Michael Madden made Oct 1 at 2023 9:27 PM

MSgt Michael Madden — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 21:27:32 -0400

The barracks can be subjected to an inspection anytime they want. You are no longer a civilian you are a military member with fewer rights than what you used to have.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2023 1:31 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 01:31:48 -0500

"come into my room"
Those four words just jump out at me. In Basic and AIT the only room was for the Duty NCO the rest of us were in a 40 plus MAN bay in bunk beds.
In NCO Academy (shake and Bake School) it got a little better. Same same bay but now we had thicker mattreses and a desk. Lets not even talk about Nam. Got out in 73 then back in the ANG in 89, Mechanised Infantry
Then in 91 switch to AFRES. Amazing. SSGT E5 got my own room with a shared batheroom. If there was no room on base then Billletting gave me a nice 4 star hotel room. Basically worked 8 to 5.
My Air Force expeirience was amazing and a lot like the military.
COME INTO MY ROOM hehehehe

Response by SPC David C. made Nov 23 at 2023 12:30 AM

SPC David C. — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:30:53 -0500

You can fight the system if you so choose. Win or lose, doesn't matter. You will be targeted for extra "attention". If you're THAT low on the food chain that a specialist is checking out your room, you REALLY need to grow up and learn to pick your battles. You're in the military now kid, you conform, not the other way around. Unless you REALLY just want the platoon Sgt and 1st Sgt all up in your shit

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Jan 10 at 2024 10:35 PM

PO1 Don Uhrig — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:35:36 -0500

Every station or unit should have a written policy on barracks inspections. That policy should specify the frequency and the standards that are set forth. Side note: As an individual, you can always simply not answer the door and claim you had your headphones on.

I once had an experience where I failed an inspection because my locker was unlocked. I was in a single room and my " boombox " was on a shelf and my old school large computer was on a desk but the Command Master Chief said that the locker had to be locked and the purpose was to train you for when you were at sea.

In further conversation with the Command Master Chief I stated, "The only things that were of high value were completely out in the open, so what is the big deal with my locker being unlocked?" And further; "Who is "training" the sailors who live out in town with their wives and/or kids?" "Why are barracks dwellers subject to more stringent training?"

He did not like my answer, but I also did not have to suffer a reinspection that weekend.

Bottom line, know what your rights are and stand up for them.

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Jan 15 at 2024 5:42 PM

SGT Juan Robledo — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:42:35 -0500

NO, if the other party refuses to leave call the SDNCO and MP's, file a Complaint with your Command and don't shy away from getting this taken care of

Response by CWO4 Miles Weaver made Jan 20 at 2024 11:54 AM

CWO4 Miles Weaver — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 11:54:47 -0500

A lot of people feel current service members are "soft". I don't necessarily agree but they are definitely softer than when I was in. "Personal time" in a barracks is something that e never heard of or even thought it existed. Our toilets were all in one room, with no dividers, and we could toss TP from person to person and request a "courtesy flush" when it got particularly bad. Most of today's service members would refuse to "serve" if they did not have the creature comforts of today and their "personal time". Just sayin'.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2024 11:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:49:04 -0500

This "New Army" never cease to amaze me, LOL!! First of all, if you're in the barracks, that room does NOT belong to YOU! And lastly, how do you find the *galls* to tell your leadership "no"...boyee you're in the Army, you signed most of your rights away!!! Deal with it or get out on a Chapter!!

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Jan 26 at 2024 4:30 PM

Cpl George Matousek — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:30:12 -0500

Why not?? If they are in charge of the barracks and have been told to check them often. Semper Fi

Response by SSG Douglas Shaffer made Jan 27 at 2024 4:43 PM

SSG Douglas Shaffer — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 16:43:03 -0500

I don't understand that those below the rank of specialist can do a welfare check. When you would be of the same rank or higher, unless the other PFC are pulling "Time and Service" the other about the specialist needs to be brought up to your squad/section leader or Platoon Seargent about the frequency of these inspections. After hour inspections are a "No" but "Health and Welfare Check" is a "Yes" which has its limits. Generally, just a look around the room to see to its cleanliness and how you are doing that evening, and move on.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Jan 27 at 2024 5:43 PM

PO1 Don Uhrig — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 17:43:27 -0500

Yes. Let's say there is arterial spray and a person struggling with their lastoments of life visible when you answer you barracks room door. YES, they can enter even if you say "no". If you truly want to understand your rights, read the barracks regulations and cave a conversation with your senior Master Sergeant, Command Master Chief, etc. But asking questions in a forum is really just allowing yourself to pick and choose the answers that fit you pre determined mindset - and possibly mislead other readers. Federal Laws govern personnel living on Federal property - not state laws. And this includes persons who are living on enhanced use lease (EUL) housing that is on Federal property, meaning, for example, you cannot even smoke inside your home if it is on EUL property. Educate yourself and read usage agreements (which are legal documents),

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jan 28 at 2024 3:58 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 15:58:03 -0500

A Specialist? NO. That said, POSSIBLY yes if that Specialist were acting as a Squad Leader and maybe even a Team Leader. The 1SG or Co. CDR would set that policy. "Off-duty" hours is kind of a misnomer. No service member is ever really, "off-duty" in that they are ALWAYS subject to military control. To your point though, you SHOULD have private time and there really should be no reason for any Specialist to "inspect" your room unless it is a pre-announced or pre-approved function. Now, you NCO's might be able to depending on policy; and certainly, your 1SG can inspect any time, UNLESS prohibited by local policy.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Feb 22 at 2024 2:55 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:55:56 -0500

Barracks life is so complicated now, or so it seems. Back in the day when I was company Clerk and acting CPL, I was in one of the two downstairs rooms and the Company XO used the other for an office. This was headquarters platoon. The two upstairs rooms were used by the cooks (large one) and the other by the supply sergeant (barracks NCOIC). All four rooms had padlocks to keep folks out. Maybe troops today should follow this practice. Spare keys for each kept by 1SG in a key locker in orderly room.

Response by Cpl Jeff Ruffing made Mar 3 at 2024 6:08 PM

Cpl Jeff Ruffing — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 18:08:35 -0500

Uh, duh, yeah! When your on a military installation you and your possessions are subject to search. It’s a sign posted in n the entrance to every military base.