Posted on Jul 19, 2015
Missing Guard AT because you're self employed? What do you think of this?
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I may be over reacting but we are getting ready for a 3 week AT. I'm wondering if a SSG that trains with the unit all year then stays home because he is self employed only to go on vacation is right. I feel it is a waste of army times and money and not fulfilling your responsibilities as an NCO. Thoughts?
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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SSG (Join to see) I would have to know more facts about the three-week AT and the individual before I would comment on this situation. If he is abusing the system then I would investigate and take the necessary action to make sure whether he is self-employed or not that fulfills his obligation with the unit or makes a decision to leave. There are steps that can be taken for both in a professional manner.
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If he just wants to go to Sturgis because Sturgis, well F that guy. But I wouldn't pass judgement without knowing that I knew the whole story.
So, two potentially relevant questions:
1. What is he self-employed at. Does it involve motorcycles or paraphernalia? I.e. Would it be more appropriate to call Sturgis a vacation or a business activity? While acknowledging that some business activities are a lot more fun than others, I could see a case being made that Sturgis is important to his business.
2. What was the timing of locking in the dates both for the 'vacation' and AT? Are there sunk costs associated with it? (Assuming Sturgis IS a vacation, I would assume not.)
I find #1 to be generally more relevant than I do #2. That said, I HAVE excused people from AT both for self-employment conflicts AND Pre-planned vacations that were locked in with either significant sunk costs or special family significance. Not many of the latter, and I was much more inclined to give off JUST the minimum required days (Travel Kid's graduation day, Day before and of kid's wedding, etc.) But I have also had the situation where AFTER the AT schedule was posted, the Soldier verified the AT dates, and THEN scheduled a non-refundable three week anniversary cruise (Anniversary during the scheduled AT dates) to NOT conflict with the published dates. Three months later, our higher shifted our AT dates to the middle of that cruise. I excused the Soldier.
So, two potentially relevant questions:
1. What is he self-employed at. Does it involve motorcycles or paraphernalia? I.e. Would it be more appropriate to call Sturgis a vacation or a business activity? While acknowledging that some business activities are a lot more fun than others, I could see a case being made that Sturgis is important to his business.
2. What was the timing of locking in the dates both for the 'vacation' and AT? Are there sunk costs associated with it? (Assuming Sturgis IS a vacation, I would assume not.)
I find #1 to be generally more relevant than I do #2. That said, I HAVE excused people from AT both for self-employment conflicts AND Pre-planned vacations that were locked in with either significant sunk costs or special family significance. Not many of the latter, and I was much more inclined to give off JUST the minimum required days (Travel Kid's graduation day, Day before and of kid's wedding, etc.) But I have also had the situation where AFTER the AT schedule was posted, the Soldier verified the AT dates, and THEN scheduled a non-refundable three week anniversary cruise (Anniversary during the scheduled AT dates) to NOT conflict with the published dates. Three months later, our higher shifted our AT dates to the middle of that cruise. I excused the Soldier.
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SSG (Join to see)
I understand sir. This individual could possibly have a business activity by going to Sturgis as he does upholstery, but it is the fact that this is a significant training that we have been preparing for a couple years. Like I said maybe it's just jealously.
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So, this SSG actually stated that he cannot attend AT because he is self employed ( and stated will probably be financially hurt by AT) but can take the time off from work and go on vacation to Sturgis? Personally, I think that is a piss poor example of an NCO. And, if he keeps these kinds of antics up, then they will eventually catch up to him and bite him in the ass. You have a more solid reason to miss AT than he does. Does the CoC know that he plans on going to Sturgis?
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