Posted on Nov 24, 2017
1LT Field Artillery Officer
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1LT Field Artillery Officer
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My unit is changing drill weekends with little to no advance notice. For example, I had plans for this upcoming weekend, and I just got word yesterday we are changing from a MUTA 2 to a MUTA 8. There are also all kinds of rumors flying they may be moving our AT up 5 months, and my employer is growing tired of the changes. I can't blame my civilian employer, and want to know at what point can I stand up for myself and my platoon and say they need to provide an accurate training calendar? Is there a reg specifying what the policies are for commanders to change a schedule?
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
COMMANDS DO NOT ALWAYS MAKE ACCURATE PLANS THAT WILL HAPPEN!

That reflects poorly upon the command and it’s higher command!

A great example of poor leadership in action!
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT Lawrence Cable
>1 y
CPT Gabe Snell - That's how I would read it. Generally speaking, training areas and resources are allotted far in advance and changes and accelerating training schedules usually means that the Regular Army is about to make your life exciting. And yes, the Soldiers job is protected, doesn't even have to provide documentation, although I always did to the degree possible.
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MAJ Operations Officer
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>1 y
I'm also Texas Guard and had to deal with this for years after I moved back to Texas in '99. The reality is that it is NOT your unit, it is much higher than that, usually at the division level (36 ID) and sometimes it's even higher than that. Ft. Hood (Bliss too) loves to let us schedule training areas and then cancel it at the last minute because Big Yankee Army decided they needed it all of a sudden. Remember, National Guard is Compo 2, so you're second in line for everything. I lost many jobs over this kind of nonsense so, after 20 years of trying, I was finally able to an AGR position. Took me out of Texas though. You need to decide which career is more important as all Guardsmen do. Lots of officer vacancies in the active component right now too. I lost a lot of good soldiers due to better civilian careers. Just a part of the deal...
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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From NGR 350-1

(4) All unit training activities will be scheduled into a comprehensive plan for each FY. This unified yearly training plan (YTP) is maintained at each echelon, State headquarters and at NGB in the DTMS. This includes annual training, inactive duty training, individual schools requirements and special training, and the associated logistical support. Units will submit to the State IDT Program Manager any changes to the IDT schedule 45 days in advance. When possible, training will be conducted to emphasize unit integrity and collective training proficiency. Unit commanders will ensure the maximum numbers of assigned personnel are present for all scheduled training. (5) All units will ensure that all environmental impacts and risks are analyzed, documented, and mitigated as appropriate. Additionally, units will take proper steps to minimize the environmental impacts of training.

So your unit should know the changes much farther out than they are letting you know but it also states in AR 135–91
4–10. Employment conflicts. Employers sometimes schedule several weeks of career training, which prevents the Soldier from attending IDT periods. When this occurs the circumstances may, in the judgment of the unit commander, justify rescheduled training authorization.b. Employment conflicts, overtime, schooling, and loss of income are not normally considered valid reasons for absence from training. If any of these conditions create a continuing hardship, the unit commander will refer the case through channels to the approval authority. The general officer commander (for USAR) or the State adjutant general(for ARNGUS) will decide whether to retain or remove the Soldier from the unit. While awaiting this decision, the Soldier is required to participate.

It seems the Guard has the upper hand on this. But they should know at least a month out if they are going to change the drill days. But if no one is holding them accountable then I wouldn't expect them to do the right thing.
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SFC Readiness Nco/Platoon Sergeant
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As a training NCO I can tell you from a technical aspect. It is as simple as filing the form (a 1021 in my state-2pages) and justifying it to the next higher commander (bn CDR for example). From a personal standpoint that sounds pretty unacceptable. If I get time I will hunt through some regulations but for the most part, the statutory requirement only says how many MUTAs will be conducted, not in what manner.

Respectfully
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