I recently answered a similar question for another user, so in lieu of typing out the whole thing again or pasting it here, I will just post a link to my other comment: Manage privelages.
The “recent messages” option is only available to those with the “manage troop members” privilege. I agree that that one isn’t very intuitive/clear. It’s not a setting that is meant to be accessible for most individuals, since you can see all recent messages. I’m not even sure if it stops you from seeing messages sent from others even when you only have a lower access level (for example, one parent could see sensitive recent messages sent between leaders or to another parent). So I think that’s the rationale behind attaching it to that privilege, since that is one that only leaders usually have. If you have more questions, shoot me an email at support@trooptrack.com. 