What happens if I don't show up for AT for the Army Reserves?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:40:59 -0500

Little back story: I'm pursuing a dual degree in physics and engineering, and last year I had to miss the month of May for AT. This set back my degree path a whole year, and now they want me to do it again. I was scheduled for BLC in June to avoid having to skip a quarter of school, but low and behold, my BLC seat was revoked for no reason. If my command can't schedule me for another BLC date then I am planning on just skipping AT.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 1:23 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 01:23:26 -0500

Possible outcome:

UCMJ for violation of Article 87, Article 91, Article 92 and Article 134.

What you need to do is sit down and speak with your Chain of Command and request to be left off orders for AT and see if you can do a Home Station AT this summer. Explain all the facts to your situation and concerns/ramifications if you miss up to an entire month of school again (academic and financial hardships).

There had to be a reason for your BLC to be revoked.

And if you do get put on orders, and don't show up because you just planned on skipping it, you not only screwed yourself, you screwed your buddies and you screwed the mission. This is basically the UBER Blue Falcon.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 3:57 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 03:57:42 -0500

Called suta in the guard. Just talk to your chain of command. If you have a real reason you can make up the time later

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 3 at 2019 3:58 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 03:58:55 -0500

Been in that situation eons ago!

Talk with your CoC ASAP!!!!!! Explain your situation and that you took one for the team last year (bring proof) and how it hindered your civilian career.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 7:54 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:54:32 -0500

As AT is performed using Active Duty orders it is not like skipping BA and receiving U's. This is called missed movement and is enough to get you discharged (general or other-than-honourable).
To echo the advice you've already received, talk with you CoC. Keep logs of your conversations as you work up the chain. If your FLL can't help and you have to move up, that next level will want to know what you discussed with the level below.
Thank you for trying to address this six months out and not the week prior.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Dec 3 at 2019 9:03 AM

SGT Chris Stephens — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 09:03:49 -0500

In the NG, we were doing a mission over in South Korea. I had an E-7 NCOIC who got on the plane with us in Atlanta, but before the cabin doors closed, got off the plane without letting us or the second wave that had still yet to get on a plane scheduled for later. They demoted him to E-6, but because of a death of the E-6 that took his place and another E-6 team leader getting commissioned into the Coast Guard, they allowed him back into the unit as just a regular team leader and he had some other punishments that I wasn't made aware of.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 3 at 2019 11:45 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:45:43 -0500

Possibly, on the streets as a civilian, with no gov't education money!. This is serious, you are violating your contract and word/oath.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 12:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 12:57:15 -0500

Have you talked to your professors about this? They are required by law to make reasonable accommodations for your military requirements. Provided you do your part and notify them in a timely manner, which is where most of my joes have screwed up in the past. I understand the demanding nature of your academic disciplines but lots of soldiers have made this work in the past...

I’m not familiar with what kind of alternate AT arrangements can be made in the Army Reserve, but have you tried to talk to your chain of command about this at all? We typically can make resources available, even in a field environment, for soldiers in similar situations.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 1:52 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:52:14 -0500

I would talk with your professors and your university’s reasonable accommodations department and military liaison. It is easier to have the civilian side bow to Uncle Sam than it is to have Uncle Sam bow to you. AT is important as it is what shows you are trained and prepared to actually do your job when the country actually needs you and your unit to go to work and not just play weekend drill. It’s what all the training and drills are to prepare you for. It’s not something to be missed or taken lightly. When you signed up you knew it was one weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. I understand you have school, but they usually will work around a soldiers schedule for military duties. If you want to not have drill ever interfere with school then you either need to transfer to the IRR until you finish school or go ROTC while completing your degrees.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Dec 3 at 2019 1:57 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:57:08 -0500

Basically, if you don't show up, you will be considered an NP (non-participant). This will allow the CoC to flag you, and start the process for separation (including sep board for those with 6+ years). Once you are flagged, you CANNOT attend any schools until your flag is lifted.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 3 at 2019 6:51 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:51:42 -0500

There was a SPC in the guard unit I joined after active duty that skipped AT and then started skipping monthly drills.
No one was able to contact him. He got busted down to E-2 and given a general discharge under honorable conditions.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 10:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 22:17:13 -0500

I will not repeat things already said but I do need to highlight some stuff for you.

1. USERRA covers a lot of stuff to help prevent your school from taking punitive action against you for military obligations. Your chain of command can also speak with them if you have brought it up in a reasonable time frame. If you still have significant issues with your civilian institution, you can also talk with ESGR (employment support for the guard and reserves).

2. Although it sucks to push back things, I promise you honorable service opens a lot of doors when it comes to employment. This is not something you should be so willing to chuck away.

3. To end on a negative note: This is active duty time - and if you do not show up it is punishable under UCMJ. This stuff follows you to the civilian side as well when you go to employers because they can find out this stuff as well.