Staff Duty Importance and Consequences

In the US Army, staff duty generally consists of a 24-hour period in which a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) and a runner are responsible for the safety of their fellow soldiers, equipment, and buildings (American Military, 2015). While performing staff duty, the individuals will answer calls, respond to emergency medical situations, support police investigations on site as necessary, identify the emergence of military gangs, and safeguard against foolish actions by drunken or otherwise impaired fellow soldiers. This position may appear superfluous but is actually vital to the safety and wellbeing of those soldiers and properties being protected by the staff duty officers. Failure to properly perform staff duty can result in charges under the U.S. Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including for dereliction of duty. Those charges carry serious consequences and can quickly derail a military career. 

Staff duty is often perceived as a dreaded task because of its draining 24-hour duration. However, there are also perks to being assigned staff duty. One such positive is that you will have the day after staff duty off. If it is placed well, that could lead to an extended weekend. Also, while serving on staff duty, you will be excused from other activities assigned to your unit which, depending on the tasks, can be a huge advantage to the role. Perhaps the most important aspect of staff duty, however, is its importance to the overall functioning of each unit. 

When a soldier is assigned to staff duty, they become responsible for the wellbeing and safety of their fellow soldiers. The importance of following instructions while on staff duty cannot be overstated. Answering calls may seem monotonous, but for someone in trouble on the other end, the staff duty officer becomes a lifeline. If for instance, consider what would happen if a soldier on staff duty left their post or were sleeping or otherwise occupied and an emergency call came through and was neglected. That soldier would face consequences as would the person calling for help.

 A former soldier at the American Military Family Museum blog cites a night when a call for a well-being check for a fellow soldier came through. The caller was concerned that, due to events in another soldier’s life, that the other soldier might due themselves harm. The officer on staff duty, upon arriving and not being let in after knocking, used a master key to enter and found the occupant unresponsive after having taken a bottle of pills (American Military, 2015). Had the staff duty officer not been available to take that call and act on it, it could have led to serious consequences for everyone involved. The soldier in question could have suffered irreparable physical harm, possibly resulting in their death. The staff duty officer would have likely faced a dereliction of duty charge under the UCMJ. The penalty for conviction on those charges can result in reduced pay, confinement, or a dishonorable/bad conduct discharge as potential consequences (“Dereliction,” n.d.).

Within the U.S. Army, all roles are necessary for the proper functioning of each unit. Staff duty is an important role, and failure to perform the duties required of the assignment can have serious consequences. These can include endangering the safety and wellbeing of other soldiers as well as UCMJ charges and possible dishonorable discharge.

References

American Military Family Museum. (18 November 2015). Staff duty. [blog article] Retrieved from https://weservedtoo.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/staff-duty/

Dereliction of Duty (Military Law) Law and Legal Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://definitions.uslegal.com/d/dereliction-of-duty-military-law/