I have a question. RST denied what should I do?

2021-05-26T13:11:21-04:00

My husband is active duty and pcsing to korea next month, commander sponsorship got approved. I am in army reserve and i am going to Korea with him. I am only 8 months away from ets. I checked If I can transfer my unit to korea. However, there are no oversea units needs 92f(fueler). So, I asked my company commander for RST. my company commander denied without giving me any reason... I know he has a right to deny it. But now I need to come to the states multiple times just for 1-2 day training. I need to pay flight ticket, renting car, hotel, food, and even now I have to be in 2 weeks quarantine each time I move to korea and texas back and forth.
Now I cannot find a job until I ets, because no one is going to hire me since I will be gone few months because of covid quarantine. And I will be in bad financial problem.... Anyone has any advice what should I do?

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made May 26 at 2021 2:11 PM

2021-05-26T14:11:13-04:00

I would look into regulations surrounding required travel distance from your home of record/permanent residence. I know there are limits on how far you can be required to travel as a junior enlisted (at least for our service). I would imagine there is something applicable here, on my phone so its hard to look anything up right now. I think that is a better route than trying to drill out with this unit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 3:21 PM

2021-05-26T15:21:01-04:00

You could transfer into the IRR for the time you're in Korea. There are Reserve units in Japan you might be able to drill with as well for your remainder

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 3:25 PM

2021-05-26T15:25:01-04:00

Have you explained to the commander, if they want you to fly back to the states for drill, I think they should pay for the ticket etc. I know people who were in Germany and were allowed to drill with a unit in Germany but the home unit paid them with no problem.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 4:55 PM

2021-05-26T16:55:59-04:00

1) Get the IRR request submitted. That needs to happen regardless if they say they will do it or not. If you only have 8 months left to ETS then it is not an unreasonable request.
2) Let your CoC know of your situation. They have options open to them that can get all parties through this. Heck, even a few Excused absences and RST's (just knocking out on-line training certificates that add up to 16 hours solves an entire BA RST) could solve this.
3) If #2 and #1 are not solutions, and you have let your CoC know of your situation then having asked for a reasonable IRR transfer will give you teeth to an IG inquiry or JAG appeal, or anything higher you might have to involve.

*************
The reality of the worst case scenario of just not showing up this close to ETS probably isn't going to result in a negative action resulting in a less than Honorable Discharge. But without formally submitting an IRR transfer request you leave that option on the table to your higher command. If you formally submit for an IRR in face of your disclosed situation and time line you complicate matters for a General to discharge you in a negative way.

What I try an convey to soldiers is you need to make all attempts to make things right by your units way of doing things, but at the end of the day you need to balance the pros and cons of your actions and how they impact you going forward in life.

If you look into your options you might find you have a lot less "negative" courses of action open to you if you explore those choices.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 7:09 PM

2021-05-26T19:09:29-04:00

Find the POC for the Army Reserve unit in Korea and have them initiate the transfer.
They can make it work.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 8:30 PM

2021-05-26T20:30:30-04:00

Contact the 658th Regional Support Group (they have a Facebook Page) they will find you a slot to drill in Korea.

Response by Lt Col Valorie Baggenstoss made May 26 at 2021 8:59 PM

2021-05-26T20:59:58-04:00

Not sure what kind of work you are looking for, but there is no need to tell you will be leaving...honestly orders change every day and you don’t know you will be able to travel with your spouse, so it could be longer. As for having to make trips back and forth, as a single person you can get on the Freedom bird in an out of Seattle most of the year, so you can save money that way. Also if your immunized, at least in the States you don’t need to quarantine and I am betting Korea will be the same way soon.
Sorry for the difficulties, but I hope you enjoy your time in Korea. I loved it both when I was active duty and as a spouse a few years ago.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 11:23 PM

2021-05-26T23:23:52-04:00

IRR is your only option at this point. I'm dumbfounded by your Commander not allowing you to RST for the last 8 months. The amount of financial burden you're going to accrue from flights is going to be stupid high since IDT only reimburses up to $500.00. Friggin dumb.