Virginia National Guard AT in November; what can somebody full time in college do?

Civilian education conflicts has to be one of the most compelling reasons for a Soldier to be granted an alternate AT. I honestly can't imagine any Commander would not let you make up AT, especially if you approach them with a plan. Let them know exactly when you're available and more than likely they'll work with you so it works out for both you and your leadership.

Since you just found out the training dates, bring up the conflict ASAP. Your CoC will appreciate that you are on top of your commitments.

Unless you are having a major inspection or exercise during that AT, your leadership should be accommodating to letting you reschedule. It is something to bring up early and not spring it on them after they started the deployment planning.

Work with your Professors in advance. A lot of schools record the lectures these days - perhaps you can watch the lectures later, and get a waiver from your profs for due dates on assignments, exams, etc.

I completed a Master's degree on active duty, while being TAD (TDY) 2-3 weeks a month, and watching the classes on tapes...

Most professors are willing to work with the military, and it may be that there is also protection under the Soldier's and Sailor's Relief Act...

Your CofC should allow you to do an alternate AT or year-round AT as a work around because you have a valid reason. Go through your chain, PSG to 1SG to CCdr if necessary, to get this resolved as early as possible. As a former CCdr, I can't think of a single reason that your request wouldn't be granted. I let soldiers do Alt AT or YRAT ILO summer ATs for lesser reasons.

Wow. I have never heard having AT during the fall. What VA ARNG unit are you with? I am with 276 EN BN. Maybe I can help?

You already got a lot of good advice about requesting an alternative AT or working with your professors to try to make up classes. But assuming that the unit cannot (or will not) be flexible, and that your professors are also unwilling to excuse your absences over such a long period of time, it's ultimately going to be your decision to make.

As a First Sergeant I only ran into a few situations in which there was a true unavoidable conflict between what my unit absolutely 100% required of a Soldier, and what the Soldier's other obligations required of him or her. One advice I gave in those cases: you're a grown person, and you're going to make the decision that best suits your needs. I won't take it personally if you opt against performing your military duties, so don't you take it personally if as a result of that decision I mark you as Unexcused, conduct an event-based counseling, and document the absence as the preliminary step for an eventual separation proceeding. Just as you "needed" to be somewhere else doing something else, these are the things I need to do as a unit leader. But again: I'm not taking it personally, so I'm not going to be out to "get you" or anything like that. If this absence is the only blip in an otherwise solid performance, the steps I take will not result in separation or any irrecoverable harm to your career trajectory. But if it's part of an ongoing pattern, it's what I need to do right by the Army should your overall performance warrant separation.

Best of luck, I hope your unit or your school can accommodate you.

I've been instructing various graduate and undergradaute courses at several universities while serving 26 years in the California Army National Guard. I've had several students approach me with situations such as yours and was always glad to work with them to make alternate arrangements for assignments and exams. Approach your instructor, counselor or dean and explain the situation, you would be surprised at the number of veterans now in the field of higher education.

CC Silva
MAJ, CAARNG (Ret)
UCLA

Your commitment to the guard is part time. You can do a year round AT for the next FY. There is always taking time off and doing a year in the ING. There are lots of options just because your command team decided to conduct its AT in November doesn't mean you need to Change your plans or life to meet the units needs. It's nice if you can and it always best to have max participation at AT's for training sake. Work with your chain of command now and make them awhere of your schedule.

When I served in the National Guard, students were almost automatically exempt from AT that occurred during the school year. They had to be given notice, but it was usually no problem. For the most part, our unit would send college students to various MOS or leadership schools as an alternate AT, especially if were an extended time of say 4 or more weeks which helped the student-soldier by more or less giving them a summer job that pays more than most summer jobs. One kid went with me to Ft. Brag one summer and we stayed for 2 months going to a MOS school.

I hope you are in a student friendly unit. My unit figured if they worked with those young kids that they would be more likely to re-up and make a career out of it. Many of them put in for OCS later on.

When I commanded a USAR company, one year we had a major exercise we were supporting and would be sending chunks of the unit in increments beginning in March. One of my soldiers was a college student who couldn't go for the whole 2-week chunk in the middle of the semester, so I arranged an alternate AT for him with a different unit that had a need for his MOS. It can be done, but the command structure has to WANT to accommodate you, the soldier. Make an appointment w/ your platoon/section leadership and ask for support for you pushing it further up the chain. Use the phrase, "I'm willing to do an AT, as required by my membership in the Guard, but I cannot go during that time frame. Is it possible to to arrange an alternate AT?" And repeat it and repeat it and repeat it, occasionally throwing in, "Did I mention the AT period is only X weeks before the end of the semester and I'm graduating in December?"