Hypothetically, what should an ARNG Soldier do if they haven't been paid in a year (the unit is aware and "addressing it" with the State HQ)?

2017-05-10T14:20:19-04:00

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 2:33 PM

2017-05-10T14:33:18-04:00

SGM Private RallyPoint Member - might be time for an IG complaint. Have LES's been generated, indicating the individual is at least in DFAS? Have deposits just not shown up in the account (e.g, wrong banking information submitted)? I can see a month or two to resolve an issue (maybe), but certainly not a year.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 10 at 2017 3:04 PM

2017-05-10T15:04:59-04:00

Step One: Not wait a full year.

Don't trust the unit to fix it; clearly this aint happening. Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 5:50 PM

2017-05-10T17:50:46-04:00

I'd be kicking down the door at the finance office.

Response by LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. made May 11 at 2017 9:22 AM

2017-05-11T09:22:02-04:00

Get as much detail from the unit as possible on what has been "addressed" and ask for the Military Unit Pay System (MUPS) data to back up those claims.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 11 at 2017 11:12 AM

2017-05-11T11:12:53-04:00

I think we've seen a similar question before. If the Soldier is satisfied that the chain of command is doing everything it should to get his or her pay straightened out, then let the system work. In any case, the Soldier should keep exhaustive notes on all interactions with the chain of command and the pay system. Keep copies of any documents related to the situation.

If the Soldier is not satisfied, then he or she should go to the State Guard Inspector General and file a complaint. If the IG declines or fails to act, then the Soldier should write to his or her State legislators (State Representative and State Senators). Also figure out which committees in the State legislature handle the National Guard, and write to every member of these committees in both the State House and Senate (different names in some states).

Since this is a pay issue, if all the above fail to get action, then contact the State labor relations board and file an unfair labor complaint. Failing all that, move to the Federal level and complain to the Guard Bureau IG, US Representative, US Senators, and Federal Labor Relations Board.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2017 1:59 PM

2017-05-11T13:59:46-04:00

There are several factors that need to be considered:

1. has the Soldier actually drilled or trained in the past year to the point pay is warranted (I am assuming so from the post) 2. how long has the unit known and 3. what have they done about it so far or whats the timeframe for resolution. If the answer is the Soldier has drilled or trained in the past year, informed the chain about training (meaning there was orders and actual drill dates scheduled or SUTAs) and the unit has not paid him in the last month or two, then the unit is wrong already. It is even worse if they are giving him or her the run around about "addressing it"

Regardless of rank, the Soldier should let the chain know he is filing an IG complaint and move forward with it to let IG figure this out. I caution however, that Soldier better have proof of all this (dates trained, emails confirming, LES etc) Hopefully he has a good Commander and 1SG or even first line leader that would advise them of this. Do not let them take the "addressing it" answer, have them ask specifics on what will be needed to get paid in the next few weeks or when should he be expecting to get paid. If no specifics then IG it, do the organization a favor on highlighting this leadership failure.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 5:55 PM

2017-05-12T17:55:42-04:00

I'd be looking into who my Congressman is like 6 months ago. I wound assume by this time the Chain of Command is exhausted. MSG I'd be jumping up and down on Congressmen by this point.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 1:14 PM

2017-06-01T13:14:42-04:00

Make sure the Soldier has written communication stating the problem and the responses from leadership. The Soldier needs to ensure he/she was coded correctly for those IDT weekends. Finally if LES's were generated with a 0.00 balance then bring said documentation in hand to the IG office after notifying the chain. Prior to that I personally would make sure banking information is correct.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2018 1:42 PM

2018-08-05T13:42:43-04:00

When all else has failed, I recommend the "Don Corleone" method. "Colonel, either your signature or your brains are going to be on this pay voucher before I leave here today".