Posted on Jan 15, 2021
How can I properly challenge a supervisor's decision that I don't agree with?
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Greetings.
I'm an Air Guardsman who is planning on getting LASIK eye surgery just before a drill date, meaning I would not be able to attend that drill. Not my direct supervisor, but someone who outranks me, says that I might not be able to skip/make up that drill due to a "gray area" in the policy (I'm prior service Army and the policy doesn't account for making up drill dates for prior service).
If I can't attend this LASIK surgery I will have to wait until towards the end of the year before another window opens again. Furthermore, this surgery isn't just a quality of life issue for me. I have more than minor issues with contact lenses and glasses.
If this supervisor says that I am required to attend this drill, I am prepared to climb the chain of command to fight it. I am curious to hear the community's thoughts on this. I think of myself as a respectful person when addressing rank; however, I have had to challenge rank in the past (over a more serious issue that required an IG intervention - that won't happen here, certainly).
What is the best way of going about this? Any thoughts any of you have would be appreciated.
Thanks - stay safe.
I'm an Air Guardsman who is planning on getting LASIK eye surgery just before a drill date, meaning I would not be able to attend that drill. Not my direct supervisor, but someone who outranks me, says that I might not be able to skip/make up that drill due to a "gray area" in the policy (I'm prior service Army and the policy doesn't account for making up drill dates for prior service).
If I can't attend this LASIK surgery I will have to wait until towards the end of the year before another window opens again. Furthermore, this surgery isn't just a quality of life issue for me. I have more than minor issues with contact lenses and glasses.
If this supervisor says that I am required to attend this drill, I am prepared to climb the chain of command to fight it. I am curious to hear the community's thoughts on this. I think of myself as a respectful person when addressing rank; however, I have had to challenge rank in the past (over a more serious issue that required an IG intervention - that won't happen here, certainly).
What is the best way of going about this? Any thoughts any of you have would be appreciated.
Thanks - stay safe.
Rank
Inspector General
Prior Service
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 10
Make sure you get a doctor’s not stating that you need to stay home. It would be pretty hard (if not impossible) to penalize someone for following guidance from your PCM.
Rather than opening an AFI, I am going to assume that the authority for authorized absence and rescheduled training (SUTA, RUTA, ET, etc) are the same as the Army Guard and Reserve: unit commander, cannot be delegated.
Applies to every reserve, MDAY, TPU member of the command.
Get the request to the commander, for an authorized absence or to make up the drill within 60 days.
Applies to every reserve, MDAY, TPU member of the command.
Get the request to the commander, for an authorized absence or to make up the drill within 60 days.
I think you can generally get your surgery and not worry about anything so long as you inform your chain of command, and get the proper medical proof of the surgery.
If you do those things I think you are golden for any IG action you might have to execute. I don't think it would come to that. An E5 telling you one thing is going to be much different than your chain of command E8 or O3.
I also think this is a non issue. I can't seen a NG/USAR commander not approving an excused absence for a surgery. Now, you might not get to make up the Battle Assembly, but that's really on you to figure out a suitable duty to make up the day(s).
In the end, if you still get a "good year" of 50 points, then it's not the end of the world to miss a BA.
If you do those things I think you are golden for any IG action you might have to execute. I don't think it would come to that. An E5 telling you one thing is going to be much different than your chain of command E8 or O3.
I also think this is a non issue. I can't seen a NG/USAR commander not approving an excused absence for a surgery. Now, you might not get to make up the Battle Assembly, but that's really on you to figure out a suitable duty to make up the day(s).
In the end, if you still get a "good year" of 50 points, then it's not the end of the world to miss a BA.
Suspended Profile
Thank you sir, this has been really insightful
1SG (Join to see)
Worry about your health first like the Captain says. Let your unit know you are having surgery, but you are not asking them for permission to have surgery or go to the doctor. Do NOT go to drill after the surgery, your eye would just be healing and you don’t want anything to fly into or cause a strain. If they don’t let you RST, so what? Just make sure you do enough drills/AT and you will still have a good year for retirement. Also, I find it odd that the Air guard would have a different RST policy for prior service. Prior service does not immune you from having doctor, family or work appointments/issues so they should not hold you to a different standard. Hope the Lazik goes well. I had it done 20 years ago and I am still 20/20, Best thing I ever did for my self.
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Is that also true for any kind of training?
This ANG AFI talks about Equivalent Traning and Rescheduled Training. Commanders discretion. https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/ang/publication/angi36-2001/angi36-2001.pdf
angi36-2001.pdf
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