Is college a good excuse for not attending drill?

SFC (Join to see) - that's when you use RSTs. I have Soldiers attending classes and I understand that occasional, unavoidable conflict. The key words here are occasional and unavoidable. I raise more than an eyebrow when the same people are using the same excuses, especially when we just happen to be having an APFT or FTX that weekend.

- I started out enlisted in MNARNG and have two AC/RC assignments.
- Short answer, no. College is not a good excuse for not attending drill.
- From a Soldier perspective. The key to success is planning and communication. Know both your annual drill schedule and your college course schedule. Communicate early and often with both your NG chain of command and also with your college professors. Deconflict as much as possible. Where you can not deconflict, again, communicate with both your chain of command and your professors to work out what should be priority.
- From a chain of command perspective, you need to make decisions on a case by case basis but you need to have some sort of criteria to weigh and approve or disapprove each request.
- College is no different than a civilian primary employer in terms of this question. Take out college and would "is my primary employer a good excuse for not attending drill" drive you to the same answer either from a Soldier or from a chain of command perspective?
- The way you worded your question, you imply that college should always take precedence over your NG duties. Apologies if I inferred incorrectly. Obviously I disagree that college should always take precedence but there may be times such as end of term exams where college might take precedence especially when non critical events are planned for the drill weekend.

College is a priority. So is drill. Since BA schedules are published well in advance, Soldiers have plenty of warning and should plan accordingly. Unless a midterm or final is involved, college is not an excuse or missing drill. Both my former Commander and XO attended both drill AND law school. If they can do it, so can anyone else.

SFC (Join to see) I tend to agree that college is a priority. However, there are alternatives to just missing a drill. In Texas, I can have a Soldier "pre-drill" (important as this is how units get the constructive credit for the Soldier's attendance as opposed to making up drill after the fact. This effects training dollars for your unit and state.) for that Friday if it is a MUTA 6 which I have in October. Another point to consider is this: if a unit's leadership is doing their job and providing a drill schedule for the entire FY well in advance, it should not come as a surprise to the Soldiers who are in school or otherwise engaged. As far as Annual Training is concerned, I would advise Soldiers to not take classes either unless it was a class that was only offered during that time period. If that were the case, I would make a case for an alternate AT if available for the Soldier.

I'm also with the no's on this one. College is important personal development, but the Army is a contract and an oath. The only way to make college a priority is wrap up your service or go IRR until you're done (if that's an option for you). But a good chance to learn time management and schedule negotiation in the meantime. :-)

I am of the exact opposite opinion. You're a Soldier first, Student second. You get your college money free and clear from the army when you complete your enlistment. The fact you get it while you are fulfilling that obligation is a bonus. If there is a conflict, army should always come first. No soldier goes into the service without knowing the requirements regardless of active or reserve. I hate that troops somehow wiggle out of attendance by using college excuses. I attend. I still manage to maintain a 4.0 and I RARELY miss drill and NEVER miss AT. Or did I miss the part where you swore an oath to the university?? My opinion of course.

As a college student myself, I would say there are certainly instances where college could and should come first. It has to be prefaced that these individuals, as students, are trying to set themselves up for success. This is what Army leadership preaches constantly... "take care of your Soldiers, set your Soldiers up for success" and so on. This kind of issue needs to be put into perspective. Being in the reserve or guard, you are a Soldier 2 days a month and another two weeks for AT. Outside of that, you are a civilian pursuing civilian aspirations, more than likely. This isn't Active duty. Many Soldiers serve in a reserve component precisely to be able to pursue educational goals. Ultimately, this issue should be put in perspective. A college education and one's GPA can carry with it the weight to determine one's future career opportunities. Is it right for military leadership to be wholly dismissive of an individual's grades and aspirations? To answer the question... no, I don't see drill specifically being detrimental enough that it should be missed for college purposes. AT on the other hand, tends to be the biggest issue for Soldiers. It is my opinion that it should be handled on a case by case basis, but I don't see why a compromise couldn't be reached if the time away from school would be greatly detrimental for the Soldier. After all, it is their future that is at stake. That, to me, is worth supporting.

College is by NO means a good excuse to miss drill. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Biology while drilling and never missing a drill or training date. My college was 4.5 hours away from my duty station and I was never late to drill. When I went to Norway for a two week annual training, I took my organic chemistry book with me and completed the exams I missed the day I returned. I took the Medical College Admissions Test the same day I drove from MN to PEC to attend Unit Movement Officer Course. Yes, college is a way for Soldier progression, but your duties as a Soldier come first. Your college and professors are legally required to accommodate Soldiers military training needs. Yes, you may have to reschedule a test or submit an assignment at an incontinent time for you but you must also remember, the National Guard is most likely paying for these Soldiers tuition. I have had Soldier’s professors email me exams to proctor during MUTA 6 drills; there is always a work around.

I transferred to 58th in May, and the drill memo I had received was changed four times, according to other NCOs, so I know schedule change is a little bit of an issue. I make it work with my schedule, luckily I go to UMUC, and they seem to work with soldiers... I give for warning to my professor that I am guard and am doing a drill that would potentially lead into an assignment coming in late. Some schools are not that flexible with soldiers... I have just seen soldiers struggle to complete classes because a drill schedule change or their NCO not allowing them to make up drill before/after to finish assignments.

1SG Michael Blount Those are the drills I LOVE going to! I will fight my professor for an extension before missing an FTX/APFT.

No excuses. incorporate college with drill, with today's technology you can be there at a satellite location, talk to SIGO and your command for clearance.