Will the Army reserve reimburse my lodging and travel mileage since the closest medical unit with my MOS is 100 miles away?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 01:17:13 -0500

Got commissioned as a Public Health Nurse 66B in the Army reserve. Was told that the closest medical unit with my MOS is 100 miles away. If I take the position and decides to drive down for drill weekend the night before and stay at a local lodging so I can be in time (and in shape) for drills, will the Army reserve reimburse my lodging and travel milage?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 1:45 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 01:45:39 -0500

They will provide lodging for the weekend. You don’t get IDT or “mileage” reimbursement until you’re over 150 miles away.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 10:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 10:40:29 -0500

To further specify what CW2 Private RallyPoint Member said, you are entitled to Saturday night with the Lodging in Kind (LIK) program. So unfortunately the answer is no in your case.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 11:20 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 11:20:50 -0500

Thank you for the responses. Do reservist often spend their own money to pay for 1 night lodging the night before so they wouldn't have to start driving to drills at 3am?
The recruiter told me there is another place that's about 300 miles away with my MOS but that'll definitely require flying. I'm that case, the military should provide lodging Friday and Saturday plus reimbursement for milage correct?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2020 10:10 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 10:10:47 -0500

The unit you are assigned to will have you set up for lodging with the LIK program. With your distance, you will get one night (Saturday) of hotel stay paid for by the Army for a two day BTA. If you are wanting to have an additional night that is on a Friday before BTA....that would probably fall under IDT funds. But, that will more than likely not fly with your NDEA and Approving Authority. The same goes for your mileage. I would highly recommend you speak with your Chain, the LIK Coordinator for your unit, and your NDEA to get clearer answers. But, my gut instinct is to say that you will not be granted reimbursement. Your mileage is what will keep you from that reimbursement.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2020 10:36 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 10:36:26 -0500

IIRC the limit for IDT lodging and travel is 150 miles. I travel 96 miles every month to drill and I get one night lodging in kind for a normal MUTA 4.

Response by SSG William Endl made Feb 25 at 2020 4:36 PM

SSG William Endl — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:36:56 -0500

Were you issued TA-50?? Sleeping bag? I ask this because because our unit would stay on the the ground waiting to jump until the weather was good. We had to also take a bus over 100 miles to get there. Stop complaining.