What happens if you stop showing up for drill after you've earned active duty benefits from another branch?

2019-12-04T15:57:24-05:00

So I got out of the marines last year and have been having a tough transition. So I joined the navy reserve for extra cash on the side. Long story short, I've lost my job, plans had not been working, about broke, losing my place and my car isn't suitable for a 250-300 mile drive to and back for drill. Compared to all these problems, I'm not concerned about the navy and hadnt showed up for last drill. What should I do?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 5:00 PM

2019-12-04T17:00:00-05:00

What active duty benefits are you talking about, and what does that have to do with your missing your last drill?

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 4 at 2019 6:54 PM

2019-12-04T18:54:04-05:00

I joined the guard after active duty. We had a SPC who stopped showing up to drills. No one was able to get hold of him and he didn't communicate back to command what was going on. They ended up busting him down to E2 and chaptering him out with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
I'm unsure of the benefits you will be eligible after that.
I encourage you to communicate immediately with your unit. You will need to show up for drills still. Chances are there is someone that is more than willing to pick you up and drop you back off or possibly get you a buss ticket.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 9:33 PM

2019-12-04T21:33:54-05:00

Regardless of why you can't or don't want to show up for drill, you need to contact your unit immediately, before drill is the standard, to get an authorized absence from drill, or a SUTA or ETA (Split Training Unit Assembly or Equivalent Training Assembly) or whatever your component calls it when they allow you to drill with some other reserve component unit closer to your home during, before or after your unit's scheduled drill. Your unit can possibly even authorize Additional Training Assemblies if you need the work.
The longer you remain out of contact with them, the less likely that commander will be to help you out.
If you are reported AWOL or UA from your drill, you will lose eligibility for benefits (GI Bill, bonus, loan repayment, Tricare Reserve Select, etc), and if you are chaptered out General OTH, you lose VA benefit eligibility.

Response by SSG Dale London made Dec 4 at 2019 10:02 PM

2019-12-04T22:02:09-05:00

You need to contact your CPO ASAP! They'll work with you and may even have a few ideas regarding your situation. But if you blow off your drills they will destroy you.
The reserves may seem kind off part-timey and easy-osey but the US Naval Reserve is still the US Navy and AWOL is still AWOL.
Get your head out of your fourth point of contact and all your sh*t in one sock. This isn't a game and you ought to know better.
On the practical side, if you don't have money on your phone for a call go to your local recrtuiting office and borrow theirs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2019 3:45 PM

2019-12-06T15:45:23-05:00

Did you tell your leadership all this?