Army Reserves - If I perform additional duties outside of a normal drill, can I be compensated for them? If so, are there limitations?

2023-12-14T11:59:03-05:00

I'm needing some clarification on AT/ADT day limits per FY. I've read a handful of regulations but it is still a gray area for me. I recently got trained as UMO and we have an upcoming mission that is going to require me to put in quite a bit of time. I am currently sitting at 13 AT/ADT days. I'm going to burn through another 14 days in January for my Paramedic/68W refresher. I know they usually cap AT/ADT days at 29. So after January I'll be at 27 days. I also plan on dropping a promotion packet so I can make it to ALC this year as well. What will be my best route of approach to get on some type of pay status for UMO duties while still giving me the ability to attend additional training later this year? I've been told that I'll be limited on the amount I can get paid to complete my UMO responsibilities (I know I can always just get retirement points at the very least), but I know there are ETPs for everything. Should I just push for some type of ADOS orders since technically its not training but operational support? They haven't mentioned this option at all, but I'm sure it is what is needed in this scenario. Thanks in advance.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2023 12:53 PM

2023-12-14T12:53:42-05:00

If you're performing duties as UMO and you're about to run out of your AT/ADT days, then ADOS would be the best route to go

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 14 at 2023 1:11 PM

2023-12-14T13:11:10-05:00

The only limits places on Active Duty for Training (ADT) or Active-Duty Operational Support (ADOS) is funding. There is no statutory limit. Regarding Annual Training (which is ADT), the Army Reserves limits it 29 days a year as “Annual Training”, but again, there is no limit otherwise as “Active Duty for Training”.

You may have local policies in place that stipulate otherwise, but that is something you would have to find out from your unit (the Army and/or DoD doesn’t place a limit on it). Additionally, obviously you can’t be placed on an active-duty status (ADT, ADOS, etc.) if the funding is not there. DOD usually provides each military department provides enough funding for each active reserve component member to perform 48 UTAs and 15 Annual Training days a year.

Regarding your UMO duties, this might be a case of mixing apples and oranges. I could see a UMO being needed full-time if you were prepping for a deployment, but likely you would be like most additional duties for a reserve component – a couple of days (hours?) a month. For those periods, they would be handled through additional IDT not ADT.

UMO duties would normally be considered something you would be paid through a Readiness Management Assembly (RMA) as RMAs support ongoing day-to-day operations of the unit such as unit administration, training preparation, support activities, and maintenance functions.

IDT DOES have limitations each year on how many can be performed each year. While DoD limits are higher, the USAR limits Additional Training Assemblies (ATAs) to 12 each FY and RMAs to 24 each FY. However, those limits usually aren’t the issue – again, it’s local policy and funding.

I would talk with your readiness NCO about how many RMAs you’re able to tap into. If the funding is there, then take it to your unit commander to see if they will authorize additional RMAs for you.
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* DODI 1215.06 - https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/121506p.pdf
* USAR FY 2024 Budget Estimates - https://www.asafm.army.mil/Portals/72/Documents/BudgetMaterial/2024/Base%20Budget/Military%20Personnel/Reserve%20Army%20Personnel%20Volume%201.pdf
* AR 140-1 (Army Reserve – Mission, Organization, and Training) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/r140_1.pdf

121506p.pdf

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 16 at 2023 12:39 AM

2023-12-16T00:39:18-05:00

If you are doing essential work for the unit, "where there is a will, there is a way". While in a Detachment size unit I was the SNCO, my additional duty was the 1SG duties. I drilled in Germany, living in Denmark so traveled down on Thursday evening, spent every Friday doing 1SG work getting ready for drill. I would have done it for points only, but somehow my UA always found a way to pay me. Along with the Fridays, there would be other times I needed to attend to work. Some how my UA always found a fund site to support me. RMAs were a big part of it. He told me once there were two or three different fund sites he used. But there were always times when the work needed done and there was no fund site which happens a lot in a Reserve unit, these times I worked for points only. Points only is good because now I am reaping the rewards (retirement pay). Many times there was a lot of unit work I could get done online. Just remember you many not always get money now, but it will be money in the bank later.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Dec 16 at 2023 1:52 AM

2023-12-16T01:52:04-05:00

I Spent Almost 3 Years On What Was Called ADSW Orders At Ft Indiantown Gap PA ,
This Was In Addition To My Regular AT And Drills
My.Listing In The TOE Was Duty Driver For The Garrison Commander I Did Everything From Driving Him To Meetings To Overseeing State Prisoners Doing Community Service Work On Post .
This Was The PA Guard In The 90s , I Don’t Know How They Do It Now Days But If Your COC Wants To Put You On Orders Bad Enough They Will Find A Way To Allocate The Money.

Response by SFC David Hackett made Jan 5 at 2024 6:38 PM

2024-01-05T18:38:22-05:00

I was a reservist for 13 years though it was some time ago. Our unit administrator would periodically ask soldiers at drill if they wanted to volunteer for some additional duty time in what used to be called ADSW. (active duty for special work). She would have us doing various things for the unit and points and pay were included. It gave us more points than a regular year and was never a problem with command. I'm not sure if this is still an option but ask your UA if it is available or perhaps today's equivalent if there is one. I used to volunteer all the time for these little 5 or 6 day orders and the extra pay never hurt! Good luck with your situation.