If a Reservist or NG is instructed to do tasks outside their drill status, are they obliged to do it? If they don’t, can they face UCMJ?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:22:51 -0500

@J.C.: If someone is in the reserves or guard and are instructed to do tasks outside of their drill status, are not on orders, are not getting paid, are not having time added towards their retirement are they obliged to do it and if they don’t can they face an article 15??? Anyone have to deal with such things?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 5 at 2025 8:31 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:31:42 -0500

In your rank or mine, there are task such as scheduling and training plans that you will always end up doing on your own time, but I have never been ordered to do any of those task. Even Article 15 needs a charge and I would have to see the article used to justify it.
The only other exception I can think of is being on the weight or drug program, where off duty compliance would be required to maintain membership

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 5 at 2025 9:01 AM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:01:25 -0500

This is too generic of a question, so the answer is "it depends", but generally the answer is no. You cannot be legally held accountable to perform official tasks or duties while in a non-official status, so the threat of an article 15 would be meaningless in that specific situation.

However, as I stated, this is too generic of a question and the context is missing. Is the task something that was supposed to be accomplished during a drill, was not accomplished in the allotted timeframe, and your leadership said "get it done by next drill"? If so, then it's a gray area because you were allotted the time and resources (presumably) to get it accomplished on drill and could be held accountable for not doing it then, even though they extended the timeframe for you to accomplish it on your own time.

That's just one of many different hypothetical situations where the answer isn't a definitive 'no'.

Additionally, there is a difference between "officially" and "unofficially" getting into trouble as well as the expectations of the individual. While you may not officially get into trouble, as a SFC, you've been around the military long enough to know that there is a world of difference between what is expected for leaders and what is expected of junior Soldiers. This is especially true in the reserve component where it seems that the 'things that have to be done' exceed the amount of time available to accomplish it (at least while in an official duty status).

Response by SGM Jeff Mccloud made Nov 5 at 2025 9:53 AM

SGM Jeff Mccloud — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:53:17 -0500

Need to be just a little less vague on the task.

5 min example:
Is it something like the MDAY being directed to log into DTS and sign a voucher that is already a month late? Or log into IPPS-A to sign an action? Or open an email, sign a pre-ex checklist for a school and send it back?

1 hour example:
Is it something like the MDAY being directed to complete an hour of mandatory online training because they were not present at the previous drill for it?

As already stated, there are no grounds for an Art 15 while not in a duty status.

But even for junior enlisted, a 5 minute "log in and sign" task is not an unreasonable expectation while not in a duty status.
A responsible MDAY company commander is spending at least an hour a month between drills on the "log in and sign" tasks.

Typically, awarding points requires 4 hours of training, similar requirement as an RMP, without the uniform and showing up at a place of duty.
There is an exception for training meetings, which competent units can wrap up in an hour or less.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2025 4:42 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:42:04 -0500

I would say things like corespondent courses, addressing uniform alterations etc might be task (situations) where a troop might have to accomplish outside of duty hours. I agree with COL Randall C. that the question is very generic for absolute answers.

Response by PFC Rome Batchelor made Nov 6 at 2025 1:58 PM

PFC Rome Batchelor — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:58:24 -0500

My understanding is NO.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Nov 12 at 2025 7:58 PM

1SG John Millan — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:58:30 -0500

It depends. Generally 1, 4 drill (4 hours = still period) and 10-14 day AT annually is the standard. Voluntary additional training is mostly non-mandatory except callups federal Totle 10 or state Title 32. Most extra drills are optional for points and pay. Title 32 state status is not subject to the UCMJ, but to what, if any state disciplinary code there may be; up to a special-misdemeanor court martial and possibly a bad conduct discharge, VERY rare. Some states don’t have a state-level UCMJ. Federal reserve components ARE subject to the UCMJ.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 14 at 2025 12:58 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:58:02 -0500

Ultimately it depends. Some things can fall in that small area of grey where it can be done in the month before the next drill and it falls into the same category as Uniform maintenance, physical fitness, self grooming, and getting a hair cut. All of the basics that should be normally happening in preparation of a drill weekend that you wouldn't be getting paid for or ordered separately to do as it is a normal expectation as well but you are clearly expected to do because it is part of the job. You do it. because it is part of the job. There are other things that fall into that category as well but people want to pick and choose what they want to do.