So the 4-day weekend for President's day is coming up.
My 1St Sgt tells all the soldiers in my battery that he's going to a Noodle factory I guess to see how Noodles are made & packed(We're based at Camp Carroll), because he don't really feel like going with other soldiers from another unit. NOW....all this is Voluntary!!!

The next day my Platoon Sgt comes up to me & says..."You're going on the Noodle Factory Tour" & writes my name down to go...but I never said I wanted to go..and I still don't want to go....

This Noodle factory tour happens on a day-off(during 4-day weekend). If I don't go does that mean I can get a Consulting Statement or allowed to give me extra duty?!

I mean it's bad enough I have to see Platoon leaders & SGTs on workdays...Now I have to see them & hangout with them on a day-off??!?...If you still don't understand my situation..it's just like the example below:

Sgt: "Hey Private! You're going with me to the movies on your day-off because I don't feel like being lonely!"

Can they really do that?

And please...I don't wanna hear none of that..."Stop being a pu-sy & go..support your 1st SGT!"
I wanna ENJOY the FULL EXTENT of my 4-day before we go to the field (Time period deleted)
You know...on a day-off...I thought YOU yourself decided what to do on your own time if it doesn't involve anything that has to do with missions or anything military-based....

To an old Air Force retiree it sound like your leaders are using coercion and are undermining the very thing that they should be fostering- cooperation and team spirit. I know the Army is different, but I also know forcing someone to behave in a manner which is against their will may be something that causes serious repercussions, even if the sergeant may be trying to instill team spirit or just making the commander believe his guys are working together as a team; it just isn't right.
I'm in no position to tell you the best solution, but if it were me, I'd quietly tell someone of higher authority who can control the situation. Perhaps a chaplain or legal counsel.

I would tell my SGT first. Let him know that you don't want to go and that you don't think that it's right. Be respectful. I know he might get mad...but if your squared away he won't be able to pin anything else on you.

If he don't listen go up your chain.

Nope, CANNOT make you go...Now, if that is your PLACE OF DUTY that is different...

Sounds like that is not your place of duty though....

A quick call to JAG will take care of that...

But prior to JAG, explain yourself and tell them how you feel..You cannot be punished or given counseling for that..

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

It depends on which day he is going on. If it is on THE Holiday, then you have a legit gripe most likely. IF it is on Friday, in conjuntion with the weekend, and the day is classified as a Training Holiday, or Donza, he is most likely in his right to encourage you to get some knowledge in local culture, etc.

Well it's on Tuesday....isn't that on president's day?

BTW..I asked some other people(on another site) the same question I posted here...some said "don't go at all"...while other said "This is what soldiers call mandatory fun".....but My 1Sgt(Who planned the trip) made it VOLUNTARY..he said.."If you don't wanna go..then don't go..if you wanna go then go..this is NOT MANDATORY!"

But Can a Platoon Sgt make you go even if The 1Sgt said it's not Mandatory?
I feel that's kinda like going behind the 1Sgt's back to FORCE soldiers to go & put words in their mouths...

They cannot make you go.....PERIOD....Unless it is your appointed place of duty. If your 1SG said it is not mandatory, thats the final word. If your PSG is trying to fluff the 1SG I would talk with him and tell him how you feel; respectifully...

You also CANNOT get a counseling or EXTRA DUTY if you say no....

Bear in mind my first sentance...

IF you say no, and you get a counseling you need to PM me and i'll tell you who to contact...

Do not be afraid of your PSG, if you say no and then he comes at you later in the week with anything deemed unfair their is ALOT you can do....

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

President's day is Monday. You might accidentally eat something Monday that causes you to be too "ill" on Tuesday to go anywhere...

Hmmm...I'll just go out running on early Tuesday(30 minutes before the tour bus leaves), so if they come looking for me in my room(barracks) I won't be there..then when they come back from the trip..either they'll have so much fun on the trip that they won't be thinking anything about me..OR when they ask me why I missed the bus..I'll say..."Oh..I forgot!"

It's kinda funny because I just think the trip as a little thing...But the certain things a couple of NCOs do to bring people on this trip..is the main principal of this matter.

BTW..I know this is alittle off topic but...in a way I think my Platoon Sgt kisses my 1st Sgt's ass all the time & looks up to him....I guess my Plt Sgt just wanted to surprise my 1st Sgt with many so-called "VOLUNTEERS" from my platoon to go on the trip.....*SMH*

I think you're setting yourself up for a lot of ass pain if you go this route. You're not breaking a lawful order, but at a minimum, you're going to elevate your name to the top or near the top of your PSG's shi+list - and that will be a lot worse than missing out on a day of free time.

Just be straight forward with your PSG and respectfully tell him you already had other plans for that day, and you'd really appreciate it if you could go ahead with your plans. And make sure you can clearly explain just what those plans are.

Whatever you do - do not take this above your PSG's head without first giving him/her a chance to reconsider. And if you've got an E-5 or E-6 between you and the PSG, it wouldn't be a bad idea to enlist his/her aid in this matter.