AOC Information Release Abilities

SkiesToConquer18

5-Year Member
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Apr 8, 2014
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14
Recently, I was placed on probation by my squadron leadership. My AOC told me to inform my parents about my probation during a formal meeting (SCRB). It would not have been appropriate for me to respond that I had no intention to tell them; informing my parents would damage our relationship more than the average parent-child relationship. I received a Category II Offense for Failure to Follow a Direct Order with loss of civilian clothing for 3 months as a result.

My question is, Does my AOC have the ability/right to inform my parents about my probation. Under my "Privacy Act and Points of Contact" information it states "Cadet has refused to provide." I feel that my commander does not have a right to make me tell my parents or call them because I am an independent adult and responsible for my consequences. I should be able to keep my family and work life separate. I do not need family relationship problems in addition to the consequences of my probation and Academy life.
 
To answer the question no they can not make you tell your parents and I don't think they will tell them either. I'm sure there are others with far more experience than me to correct me if I'm wrong.

I could be reading into this a bit too much so please tell me if I am and sorry ahead of time if I am. But it sounds to me by this statement:

It would not have been appropriate for me to respond that I had no intention to tell them

It sounds like to me that you told your AOC that you would tell them of this occurrence but have no intention of doing so. If that is the case you're now starting to creep into the honor hit area for lieing. Now that is MY view, not saying that's what will happen or even if others will see it that way as well. And like I said I could be reading too much into it.

There is a post in the parents section that I started a couple of months back and I remember one of the stories told there was of a cadet that didn't tell their parents why they were being punished (in your case loss of civies) and the parents found out about the punishment and next thing you know they're calling the school about why their cadet is being punished. You AOC might be trying to head this one off at the pass.

Lastly you talk about being an independent adult but not being able to have a difficult conversation with your parents shows otherwise. Being an adult is about having difficult conversations and working through it like adults.

Once again this is this lowly man's view with the little information I have about your life. Ultimately it's your choice just be prepared to deal with all the consequences of your decision.
 
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When he said something along the lines of "Make sure to tell your parents", I just responded with a "Yes Sir" since that was really the only appropriate response.

I'm not sure what my AOC's intention was, but I do not feel like it was to cover himself from that situation. The loss of civies was in addition to 70 demertis, 50 tours, and restriction for 6 months that I received for the initial probation.

The difficult conversation would likely end up with me not going back home for Thanksgiving/Winter Break based on experiences with my brother. This is a situation I feel most people, even responsible adults, would want to avoid. I've heard of much more serious situations that did not require informing parents.
 
I think the decision to tell your parents is your own. No one knows what your relationship is like except for you and your parents. I recommend, however, going back to your AOC and explaining the situation. Most AOCs aren't ogres and will understand your decision. Just don't put him in a bad position by telling him "yes sir!" and then not following through. Explain that you thought about it and decided not to tell your parents and you want to notify him of that decision.

IF he orders you to tell your parents, then you have no choice and you must follow through. I honestly don't see an AOC doing that.
 
No you are an adult, he can not order you to. As recommended, go sit down with your AOC and have a conversation. To be honest why you don't want to tell your parents is honestly none of their business either. As others have stated they may react badly and even question your honor. Work it out in your head first and remain calm with the AOC if this happens. If he demands you tell them, I would tell him you respectfully decline to. If he writes you up or continues to insist, recommend you go speak with the conduct officer on staff. Your AOC cannot demand this. If you have an upperclass you trust, recommend you sit down with them and just let them hear you out, ask question and help shore up your thoughts.
 
Recently, I was placed on probation by my squadron leadership. My AOC told me to inform my parents about my probation during a formal meeting (SCRB). It would not have been appropriate for me to respond that I had no intention to tell them; informing my parents would damage our relationship more than the average parent-child relationship. I received a Category II Offense for Failure to Follow a Direct Order with loss of civilian clothing for 3 months as a result.

My question is, Does my AOC have the ability/right to inform my parents about my probation. Under my "Privacy Act and Points of Contact" information it states "Cadet has refused to provide." I feel that my commander does not have a right to make me tell my parents or call them because I am an independent adult and responsible for my consequences. I should be able to keep my family and work life separate. I do not need family relationship problems in addition to the consequences of my probation and Academy life.

If you have set your Privacy Act settings in CAMIS to do not notify parents of anything, then the answer is the AOC cannot notify your parents. If he or she does they are subject to punishment. Your AOC should know this and he will be punished for not following the law. You can file an IG complaint if he notifies your parents without your consent. However, be very careful. You must know that you have set your relase information in CAMIS correctly! Check CAMIS and if you don't know how to do this check with the registrar.

Second, your yes sir to your AOC can be construed as agreeing to follow his direction. At best, your AOC may punish you for not following his perceived order. At worst your yes sir can be construed as lying. My advice is to go to your AOC and explain all of this to him. If you do not wish your parents to know, he cannot order you to tell them. If you have set your permissions correctly he would be giving an illegal order. You need to clear this up quickly. If your parents find out and call your AOC, you may have a whole heck of a lot more to deal with. Given that your offense was very serious to start with, you may be on the path to disenrollment. I think your parents would find out about that.

From a non-jail house lawyer perspective I recommend that you think deeply about why you are not telling your parents. My experience is that you have done something that is deeply embarrasing. You should contemplate what you have done and learn from your punishment. There is a reason you recieved such harsh punishment although you may not understand it now. You may still not want to tell your parents and that is your perogative. However, something is definitely amiss with your conduct.

You must resolve this quickly with your AOC or you are headed down a path from which you may not recover.
 
When he said something along the lines of "Make sure to tell your parents", I just responded with a "Yes Sir" since that was really the only appropriate response.

I'm not sure what my AOC's intention was, but I do not feel like it was to cover himself from that situation. The loss of civies was in addition to 70 demertis, 50 tours, and restriction for 6 months that I received for the initial probation.

The difficult conversation would likely end up with me not going back home for Thanksgiving/Winter Break based on experiences with my brother. This is a situation I feel most people, even responsible adults, would want to avoid. I've heard of much more serious situations that did not require informing parents.

First I would like to say thank you for not taking what I was trying to say as trying to bash you or pry too much. Also thank you for expanding a bit on the situation. And for what it's worth Navyhoops and 83Gradwife have given very sound advice to many of our posters. You should use their advice and figure out a solution that works best for you in your situation.

Good luck and if you don't mind come back and update if anything new happens. I think a lot of our young poster can learn from your experiences.
 
Since the original offense was "failure to follow a direct order", you don't want your response (or non-response) to appear to be more of the same. Hoops advice is good. I would be inclined to submit a letter to the AOC very respectfully outlining why you choose not to notify your parents, are declining to do so, and accepting in full the punishment imposed instead of a conversation that evaporates in the air. It depends on what sort of relationship you have with the AOC and if you think you need a paper trail if he decides to push it (keep a copy of the letter, obviously).
 
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