Baghdad – Extra duty is one option open for unit leaders to ensure good discipline, but recently United States Forces-Iraq Joint Inspector General’s office has received numerous complaints from Soldiers regarding the types of labor given them while assigned the duty.
It’s important for service members to understand the intention and guidelines behind assigning extra duty, said Sgt. Maj. Vince Denning, Joint Inspector General sergeant major.
Soldiers must know that extra duty is a result of Uniform Code of Military Justice action such as an article 15. Otherwise it is simply corrective training, said 1st Sgt. Brian McCutcheon, Company A, III Corps Special Troops Battalion.
“If a soldier comes in late and you have them stay late, that’s corrective training,” he said.
McCutcheon sees the extra duty as a rehabilitation tool that is intended to help the soldiers understand where they made their mistake.
“I explain to the soldiers, ‘here’s what you are going to be doing for extra duty, and here’s why you’re doing it,’” McCutcheon said.
Denning said soldiers know that during the normal duty day they work to achieve things that are purposeful and meaningful. There is a reason for the work; it is something that needs to be done.
Denning and McCutcheon agree that extra duty should be labor that is similar in nature to that performed during the regular work schedule.
“Extra duty normally entails something in the unit that’s required to be done anyway; they just do it after their normal duty hours,” said McCutcheon.
Denning said that there are official guidelines that should be followed when it comes to assigning the duty.
He pointed out that according to AR 27-10, no extra duty may be imposed that constitutes cruel or unusual punishment.
“An example is cleaning a barracks floor with a toothbrush or forcing a service member to stand at the front gate of a military instillation holding a sign saying, ‘don’t drink and drive,’” Denning said.
The work should also not constitute a safety or health hazard to the offender; for example, working in extreme heat for a long period of time without the proper rest intervals, he said.
“What I tell my troops is first ensure that the soldiers are not in the position to hurt themselves, said McCutcheon. “ You don’t want soldiers to get hurt in the course of doing extra duty.”
The offender should also not be used as a personal servant and should not be subject to anything that would demean the soldier’s position as an NCO, according to AR 600-20.
There are distinct differences between extra duty and hard labor without confinement; some leaders are confusing the two, said Denning. Granted, extra duty shouldn’t be a cake walk.
However, it must be purposeful and meaningful to those performing and supervising.
When in doubt Denning said to simply call the IG for further guidance. For questions or concerns soldiers can call 485-5495.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2010 05:29 |
| Story ID: | 54576 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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