In trouble for not utilizing chain of command properly?

Question

I emailed a SMSgt about a "volunterr/voluntold" opportunity which is on Sunday and conflicts with me going to church. Now I am in trouble for not utilizing my chain of command. Suggestions? Can I call the IG if they attempt to question my faith.

Answer 1

Chain of Command is boot camp stuff... it's the backbone of military life, and you know it. Please don't use your faith to try to excuse your error. That just makes people of faith look like irresponsible folks who don't respect the CoC.

You apologize. You do the volunteer work without complaining or saying ANYTHING about it, and you remember that a missed Sunday here and there doesn't affect your faith as much as setting a bad example and using your faith as an excuse does. You will be a stronger witness of your faith by honoring your commitment to your team and to the Chain of Command.

Answer 2

Bit the bullet and take what little punishment they give you. Call the IG, you will make a lot of paperwork, and in the end they will say you do not have the right to skip work for a religious even without permission. Remember the first amendment, separation of church and state, you work for the state.

You are wrong for not using your chain of command when the assignment first came up.

Answer 3

You can contact IG, however, it will probably make things worse for you. You do not have a valid complaint. You aren't in trouble because of your religious beliefs. You are in trouble because you didn't properly utilize your chain of command, and rightly so. The Chain of Command exists for a reason. You failed to abide by company protocol.

Aside from that, duty ALWAYS comes first. Most men aren't given permission to be home with their wives for births of their children, or to be there for sick loved ones. Attending service certainly is not considered an emergency situation.

Answer 4

"Can I call the IG if they attempt to question my faith" I suppose, however your faith is not likely to come up. You jumped the chain of command. Your faith is not an excuse for that.

Someone should also remind you that the service is a 24 x 7 organization and apparently your going to church conflicts with your duty. Your oath did not have an exception "except when I want to go to church."

Answer 5

First you should have talked to your supervisor directly in charge of you....jumping the chain of command is serious just be honest with them and let them know it wont happen again...hey heres one why dont you tell them you are going to give a class on chain of command....that way they can see you are willing to teach others that way they will know how important Chain of Command is.....

Answer 6

Going outside the chain of command is a very serious issue. Not even the IG can help you on this one.

Answer 7

Your FAITH told you to jump the chain of command? I would like to see you argue that one at a court martial. LOL

Why did you not e-mail the proper person? Your supervisor.

Sounds more like you failed to notify your supervisor and tried a last ditch notification to get off the hook and instead drove the hook in deeper.

Answer 8

your faith has diddly squat to do with it. if you were told you had to be somewhere on a Sunday, you will be there,period. skipping over your immediate supervisors' Head was a dumb thing to do. It's quite possible other arrangements could have been made that would have allowed you to fulfill both your militray and your spiritual duties. don;t go crying religious discrimination, you don't have a leg to stand on.

Answer 9

They are not questioning your faith, you are being admonsihed for not using the established chain of command. You're toast dude!

Answer 10

There is a reason for the Chain of Command

There is a reason, for being punished if you go outside the chain of command.

NOW YOU KNOW and you won't do it again... WILL YOU?

Personally, since you supposedly did it for 'religious' purposes.. I think they should give you a summery court marshall... then SHOOT you.