RustyBattleship

Obviously that's where the chain of command has broken down. Shek is perfectly correct that somebody has to be responsible for equipment lost through carelessness or damaged through misuse or negligence.

But HOW the equipment got lost or damaged is another thing. That's the problem here. The equipment is not identified. Therefore there is no way of knowing if it got damaged or abandoned in a hot combat situation.

Read that link again and you will notice that there was a case some time back when an ex-GI was billed. He paid the bill but protested and checking the records his body armor was damaged when he got hit by a mine. He was reimbursed, but this should not have happened and it's going to cost the taxpayers a lot of money researching these claims and either validate them or cancel them.

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Able to leap tall tales in a single groan.

Maxor

This is very tounge in check here so a bit of an advance warning.


Last time I went through military training (admitadly a few years ago now.) We were instructed to be aware of our surroundings and pay attention to detail. I seem to also remember some nco as well as a couple of breifings mentioning don't drive over or step on mines. Now I don't recall all the details of every breifing word for word but I believe that disobeying standing orders from a superior was considered to be your fault, and therefore negligence. Now I also seem to remember that you couldn't be held responible for enemyy actions but seems open for interitation.

Albany Rifles

In the American Army, the company commander signs for all of the property in his company from the property book officer. The property book officer is warrant officer with years of experience and technical know how in the realm of property accountability. The quartermaster (or the S4 whcich Shek referred to) does not have responsibility for the property; he has staff oversight to make sure everything the unit needs is available and advises the commanders on all supply and maintenace matters.

When a commander signs for all of his gear (that would be every vehicle, weapon, tool, radio, etc) he furhter sub hand receipts it to his platoon leaders and sections sergeants. Usually all gear is assigned a by name responsibility to the user level...i.e., the machine gunner signs for the tripod, T&E and carry bag, etc.; the mechanic his general mechanics tool box, etc.

Assigning responsibility down to the lowest level of use is one of th eways to make sure gear is cared for....you break it, you buy it. Now a commander can conduct an investigation into the who, what, why and how. If it is fair wear and tear then it is written off as the cost of doing business. However, if it is seen that PFC Joe Bagofdonuts was negligent in the care of his gear, then you have to pay up to the tune of up to a months pay (unless it is a weapon, then you get to buy the whole thing!)

So short story made long, if it is a low cost item, the soldier has money deducted from pay and then the unit purchases a new item to replace the old one...if it is fair wear and tear repalcement comes out of the Army budget.

Like Shek, I was a battalion S4 and mechanized infantry company commander (24 & 18 months). I also was a brigade S4 for a year. Of course that was 20 years ago unlike young Shek.

And currently I am fielding the Army's new property book system to all of those property book officers.

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"Always with the negative waves Moriarty, always with the negative waves." TSGT Oddball, Tank Commander