Single Soldier Quality of Life Initiative: Great Expectations of Privacy.

摘要

This thesis examines the Single Soldier Quality of Life Initiative (SSQOL) program that exists within U.S. Army, Europe, to determine how the program affects the soldier's Fourth Amendment expectations of privacy in the barracks. This thesis posits that the SSQOL's new privileges create greater expectations of privacy for soldiers living in the barracks. Not only does SSQOL adversely affect the commander's authority to regulate conduct within the barracks, but the program also reduces his authority to inspect and search his unit. SSQOL has the potential to change the barracks into a Fourth Amendment 'home,' protecting soldiers from warrantless apprehensions in the barracks. Because commanders' interests in maintaining good order and discipline outweigh single soldiers' privacy interests in the barracks, the author proposes changes to enhance command authority in the barracks. These changes include modifications to the SSQOL program and amendments to the Military Rules of Evidence and Rules for Courts-Martial.