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I didn't know how else to title this. I'm in the Army Reserve and I have a Soldier (SPC) who is prior active. He's been with us for almost a year and still doesn't have a vehicle. He's been relying on others to give him rides and oftentimes that has been falling on me and it's getting really annoying. Since he's been here, he's bought enough firearms to probably buy several affordable vehicles. I know I can't force him to buy something, but am I justified to counsel him with it being his personal responsibility to have a reliable means of transportation? I feel like that's a jerk thing to do, but this has become a thorn in my side. I'm not sure what else to do. I've communicated several times and ask him every month and during check-ups if he bought anything yet, but then I hear from other Soldiers that he bought a new firearm. And again. And again.
Army Reserve Elements
Army Regulations
Responsibility
Advice
Leadership
Edited 7 mo ago
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 11
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SSG (Join to see), No, you cannot make them, but as MAJ (Join to see) pointed out you can counsel them.
I will note, that the counseling should be a conversation with the expectation that Soldiers are required to be at their appointed place of duty and relying on others to help, while beneficial in the short term to bridge unforeseen circumstances, is not sustainable to a successful career. You can indicate that you, and fellow Soldiers, will not be able to reliably support his lack of transportation over the long term and agree to a plan of action, with specific dates that includes gaining the reliable means to arrive and perform their duties.
This may even include some financial preparedness outlines, such as saving $X each month towards a specific price range of car, detailing insurance, registration, fuel and maintenance costs, and the Soldier's plan to budget these amounts.
This could dive into other issues such as credit rating, lack of financial skills or discipline, availability of vehicles in a desired price range, etc. All of which you should be ready to provide mentorship to assist the Soldier through. If the Soldier does not want to purchase an automobile, but has alternative plans for arriving, be prepared to ask and hear them out remembering that "bumming rides" is not reliable transportation. In the end, the agreed upon plan of action is the appropriate outcome.
I will note, that the counseling should be a conversation with the expectation that Soldiers are required to be at their appointed place of duty and relying on others to help, while beneficial in the short term to bridge unforeseen circumstances, is not sustainable to a successful career. You can indicate that you, and fellow Soldiers, will not be able to reliably support his lack of transportation over the long term and agree to a plan of action, with specific dates that includes gaining the reliable means to arrive and perform their duties.
This may even include some financial preparedness outlines, such as saving $X each month towards a specific price range of car, detailing insurance, registration, fuel and maintenance costs, and the Soldier's plan to budget these amounts.
This could dive into other issues such as credit rating, lack of financial skills or discipline, availability of vehicles in a desired price range, etc. All of which you should be ready to provide mentorship to assist the Soldier through. If the Soldier does not want to purchase an automobile, but has alternative plans for arriving, be prepared to ask and hear them out remembering that "bumming rides" is not reliable transportation. In the end, the agreed upon plan of action is the appropriate outcome.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you, CSM. This is the exact eloquency I was hoping for which is why I said I felt like a jerk for mentioning counseling. Your way sounds so much more helpful, short term and long term. I appreciate your reply.
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SGM (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - CSM Everroad covered most of it.
Credit rating shouldn't be an issue. If he can afford multiple guns, he can afford a used car without financing. And it sounds like he could afford a used car by selling most of his guns.
That said, it's not just drill once a month. How is he getting to his job, job interviews, school, appointments, or anything else going on in his post-active duty, adult life?
A counseling and some follow-on mentoring about basic financial and personal transportation responsibility is warranted here.
here.. here.
Credit rating shouldn't be an issue. If he can afford multiple guns, he can afford a used car without financing. And it sounds like he could afford a used car by selling most of his guns.
That said, it's not just drill once a month. How is he getting to his job, job interviews, school, appointments, or anything else going on in his post-active duty, adult life?
A counseling and some follow-on mentoring about basic financial and personal transportation responsibility is warranted here.
here.. here.
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Maj Bruce Miller
Good comment, CSM. Another potential issue with such an individual is their driving record and how this could affect affordability. A poor driving record could make auto liability too expensive for junior enlisted persons to afford.
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The issue for counseling and eventually discipline is not his lack of reliable transportation, but his failure to be at his place of duty at the appointed time and place. How he gets there isn't really part of the equation. How he spends his money is not a question for the chain of command. How he gets places is not a question for the chain of command. But whether or not he is at the appointed place at the appointed time IS a matter for the chain of command.
In counseling you are addressing his performance, not his lack of transportation. If he brings up transportation as an excuse, that is where you explain that being at his place of duty on time is his responsibility, whether that means having a car, taking an uber, or whatever method he chooses.
Before formally counseling the soldier you should probably informally discuss the problem with the chain of command so you understand to what extent the CoC sees this as a problem and what (if anything) will be done when the problem continues.
In counseling you are addressing his performance, not his lack of transportation. If he brings up transportation as an excuse, that is where you explain that being at his place of duty on time is his responsibility, whether that means having a car, taking an uber, or whatever method he chooses.
Before formally counseling the soldier you should probably informally discuss the problem with the chain of command so you understand to what extent the CoC sees this as a problem and what (if anything) will be done when the problem continues.
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You've already acknowledged you can't 'force' anyone to purchase anything.
You can stop giving him rides. You can counsel him on his obligation to attend scheduled training events (and personal responsibility for making arrangements to get to said events; IAW AR 135-91 3-1). However, if you are talking about transportation each month with no change, I highly doubt writing it on paper will make any difference to the Soldier.
You can stop giving him rides. You can counsel him on his obligation to attend scheduled training events (and personal responsibility for making arrangements to get to said events; IAW AR 135-91 3-1). However, if you are talking about transportation each month with no change, I highly doubt writing it on paper will make any difference to the Soldier.
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MSG (Join to see)
If the Soldier is not worried about it now, they won't be worried about it later. Unless it affects their pay check
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