Is study abroad possible for reservists currently in school, and are there possible hurdles besides missing drill?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 22:37:39 -0500

I'm planning to study abroad (3 months) while in the Marine reserve so would that mean acquiring a military passport or even getting permission from my area command?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 6 at 2016 10:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 22:40:56 -0500

I think you need a letter and acceptance stating the logistical problems.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Feb 6 at 2016 10:41 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 22:41:43 -0500

Talk to your unit commander, depending upon your annual training, you should be able to RST just before and just after your overseas travel to keep in line with the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2016 10:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 22:54:30 -0500

I don't think this should be an issue unless it is going to cause you to miss your annual training. If you are not I would just talk to your CoC and inform them of what you are wanting to do. It is likely they'll approve it and you will just have to make up the drill dates in advance or after you return (depending on how your trip falls within the fiscal year). Also, unless you are going on a trip for the military on official orders you will need a civilian passport, not a military one.

Response by SgtMaj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2016 11:16 PM

SgtMaj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 23:16:41 -0500

Per the MCRAMM you must submit a formal letter via your command to MFR. I'm not currently reading the reference but I believe it states that you can request to be drop to the IRR if you're overseas stay is longer than 30 days. Look it up or ask your 1stSgt.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 6 at 2016 11:49 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 23:49:33 -0500

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member - Like the others stated, get clearance from your command. BUT, I do not recommend that you get a government passport (unless, of course, you're going on official business). Get a regular civilian passport. No need to "flag" yourself for being anything other than American.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 7 at 2016 12:12 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 12:12:31 -0500

Unless travelling on "Official Business," you use the standard Blue Passport. I used to have the Maroon (Official), but only used that when travelling on Government Orders.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 12:29 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 12:29:39 -0500

It is all dependent on the Reserve participation scheduled designed by your Command and the blessing from your Chain of Command (CoC). If you discuss it with your leadership, adding the benefit to both you and the Unit once completed, you will likely be allowed to do some stacked drill before or after your 3 month sojourn. I would be hard-pressed to see the downside to this unless there is a mandatory exercise or mission support Annual Tour during this timeframe.

Irrespective of that, congrats on the amazing opportunity! I hope it all works out since something like this is more complicated to into life as one gets older.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 12:34 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 12:34:11 -0500

As others have said, you won't need a military passport to study abroad, but you should get clearance from your command. There are also different policies and procedures for different branches and depending on where you want to study, and there are some special security concerns for military personnel overseas as we can often be targeted in certain locations. It's also important that your unit has full accountability for you at all times. One of my LTs just did a semester abroad in Paris and was living near the concert hall where one of the recent terrorist attacks occurred. Because he was briefed and prepared, we were able to maintain accountability and offer him assistance if he needed it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2016 8:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 20:56:31 -0500

I returned from Germany not too long ago and depending on where you end up you can probably courtesy drill somewhere I know EUCOM there has a lot of reserve billets that are filled, they would surely have an answer for you if your command grants it. I am positive they would hook you up if that was a choice for you.

HOWEVER; if its just for 3 months though you can drill ahead of time, or upon return from your trip. Drills do not have to be done 1 weekend a month, you could do a week or two if your command approves you before or after and it would just be like a short AT, just a week or so for however many drills you need to make up. All up to your command though they just need to make sure you get a Sat year of drills, which will mean they would most likely have you complete your drills before you leave.

Response by MSG Don H. made Feb 9 at 2016 11:03 AM

MSG Don H. — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:03:28 -0500

I am not a Reservist but there are Army reserves units in Europe if that is where you are going to study, If your home command is willing to accept a certificate of training attendance, maybe you could work out an arrangement.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Feb 9 at 2016 1:07 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:07:33 -0500

Keep in mind outside of talking to your command about having a "good year". It also depends on your job- I work within the medical field and we don't have the option to miss. Certification issues are an issue you may need to look ahead and consider. Good luck and 3 months is not a terribly long time to be out, so can't imagine command would balk. Always looking to well-round our troops.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 1:25 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:25:13 -0500

Since you'll only be gone for 3 months, the easiest thing to do would be for your unit chain of command to work with the Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC) admin section to reschedule your drills so that you conduct the drills you missed when you are back in the states and preferrably prior to your departure. If you really want to drill while you are overseas, that will take a lot more paperwork. Your command would have either have to file a telecommuting drill agreement with the NOSC for you or work with a Marine or Navy command in your host country to muster you for conducting drills there.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 1:25 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:25:58 -0500

Response by SFC Cameron Cranston made Feb 9 at 2016 9:33 PM

SFC Cameron Cranston — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:33:22 -0500

On the Guard and USAR side there are excused absences. You don't get drill points and this can cause you to have a bad year. As long as you do your AT you should be good though. As mentioned in a previous response your unit could let you RST prior.

Response by Sgt Vaughn Sizemore made Feb 10 at 2016 7:26 AM

Sgt Vaughn Sizemore — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 07:26:30 -0500

I'll preface my thoughts by noting I've been out for quite a while, but if standards haven't changed it is possible, depending on your command. You would need to pre-drill for all the drills you would miss in addition to ensuring your 2 weeks were also scheduled. I know my command allowed reservists to pre-drill each month for a reservist who walked on to play football and yes, they also allowed a study abroad.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 8:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 08:01:32 -0500

You can also take online correspondence courses and get points only so you'll have a good year.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 11:49 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:49:41 -0500

Another factor in the equation, where and studying what? There is a unit I can't mention that may want to debrief you upon your return.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:00:14 -0500

Unless it is military related, it will not involve a military passport. Write a letter to your commander and security manager expressing your intent to study abroad. I taught English in Japan for a year when I was a captain, and arranged to work with a unit at Camp Zama, though I was still assigned TPU status in California. I would thing that three months should not be a big issue, as long as your command is tracking. You can RST before and after the three month tour, but remember, the RST must be written in the interest to support your unit. I am sure your command will be happy to have you in for a few days to work on weapons inventory or equipment maintenance prior to departing for the three month study abroad.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:03:38 -0500

Three months should not be a big issue, but I agree, it depends on your command. If you were in my unit, I would allow it, but would have you RST prior to departing. As a LCpl, there are many things you could do for the unit prior to leaving such as equipment maintenance and weapons inventory. Be sure and let your security manager know what is going on so you do not have a security clearance issue. Also, make sure you complete your anti terrorism training and country briefing prior to departure.

Response by SPC Darren Broderick made Feb 11 at 2016 12:37 AM

SPC Darren Broderick — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:37:49 -0500

LCpl Kashyap,

I was fortunate enough to study abroad in the Army Reserves. I hope the Marines will be as gracious to you. While it has been said, you should get the blue passport. The blue passport does cost around $100; however, passports for those over 18 years of age are valid for 10 years. Think of it as only costing $10 a year to leave the U.S. The blue passport allows you to leave the US, but a student visa from the country you are going to will be needed to enter into your desired study abroad location. If the program will be through your home institution, they will probably help you in filling out the correct paperwork.

In my case, I received multiple approvals from my Chain of Command, all of my drill dates and AT was "front loaded", and I had to fill out a risk assessment matrix.

To give you an idea of the preparation involved, here are some of my timelines I had.

1 year 3 months out, I received approval from my home institution to study abroad, and applied for my blue passport.
5 months out, Applied to study abroad institution.
4 months out, Attended a Pre-Departure Orientation (study abroad meeting).
3 months out, Accepted to study abroad institution.
1 month out, Returned housing application.
In the last 30 days, Certificate of Eligibility received from study abroad institution, and passport sent to consulate. Passport returned with visa in it.

I hope this information helps. Good Luck!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 12:47 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 12:47:07 -0500

One more thing, I'd avoid the IRR if at all possible. While it doesn't happen to everyone, the IRR can be a black hole that can be difficult to escape.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 12:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:46:37 -0500

We had a kid do this a couple of years ago. He didn't have any problems at all.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 12:06 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:06:57 -0500

It's certainly possible. I'm on I&I duty now, one of our SMCR Marines is currently spending a year abroad. The most important thing is you need to plan it ahead of time, he started planning this more than a year out. He did RIDT to ensure he was caught up on drills, and as much required training as possible. He also maintains communication with the I&I staff, and still completes Marinenet courses as required.
You can't use a military passport for this, so you must still get the regular(blue cover) passport.
That being said, your commander is not required to approve this, but as long as you are willing to meet them half way, I don't see a reason why the command would say no. Feel free to shoot me a private message if you have any questions.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2018 6:59 AM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 06:59:53 -0400

Did you ever have the opportunity to study abroad while in the Reserves?