Posted on Mar 7, 2017
SGT Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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In a few days, my unit (or 25% of my unit) are going to conduct annual training for three weeks. Being in school, obviously this interferes with my education. While I was trying to get out of it, this being my last semester and whatnot, they told me "him going to AT is contingent to being transferred". So I'm wanting opinions on what you think about this situation. I'll elaborate below.
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CW3 Network Architect
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Now, having said what I said, SGT (Join to see) , bring your laptop and books anyway, and do homework in the evenings as best you can. Load up on coffee to stay awake. You're an adult, so you do what you need to do in order to balance things as best you can. If anyone says anything to you, your response is "Well, command didn't want to work with me, so I'm doing what I can to adjust. I'm here, I'm doing my duty, so what I do with my down time is my own concern, and I'm using the time productively."

I, as a young SGT, used that sort of language when I was on active duty to justify to my at-the-time 1SG why I was in college and not out getting drunk with my fellow new NCOs....
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Bobby Dibert
Bobby Dibert
2 y
Sounds good and in practice this should be okay.
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Bobby Dibert
Bobby Dibert
2 y
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CW3 Network Architect
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My job conflicted with my annual training, and the commander pretty much bullied me into going anyway, and I got no sympathy, even though I'd already done two weeks of annual training.

I was given to understand in 2015 that my going to the MRT course was my annual training, and then at the last minute, I was put in for two more weeks, and I was switching positions at my civilian job. It was important for me to be there. When I tried to appeal to the commander based on an undue burden on my civilian job, he yelled at me and threatened my OER in a hallway in full view of everyone.

I caved, and didn't press the issue, went to the AT, and still got stuck on a data entry mission. Yes, you read that right, a data entry mission. A senior CW2 (at the time) with a Masters degree in Software Engineering, and all I was good for was data entry. When I pushed to try to automate it, since that would increase our productivity, I was told "that's not our job". I'm sorry, but I'm a Signal Chief Warrant Officer. I solve problems in my field. If you don't need me to solve problems, you don't need ME. That's when I started my IRR packet.

So yeah, don't expect anything like a timely commitment from your unit, but be prepared to jump when they say jump, on their timeline.
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SGM Billy Herrington
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My 2 cents from dealing with this in the past.

You should have asked your commander months ago. Stated your situation that it's your last semester and I'm quite certain he/she would have been able to arrange an alternate AT date for you. Contrary to popular belief it isn't an easy thing to do. AT must be performed at a training location, your home station armory is not that, so they would need to coordinate you doing AT with another unit.

Also, professors are very understanding. If not your VA rep can help. I did many AT's with homework late at night in the TOC after my 1SG brought me in from the field or the range. One reason why I preferred online classes. I did have some resident and some classes that required a log in X times a week. I coordinated this all well in advance.

Do you use TA or GI Bill or are you doing a VA work study? If the answer to any of those is yes, then that is what's allowing you to go to school or paying a portion. You have to make right with the bill payer. AT is scheduled well before it's conducted and the AGO 40, or whatever document your state uses, lists all training events well in advance.

Probably not what you want to hear, but the hard right is just that, hard.
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SGT Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
I definitely understand, although I did state that it was my last semester when this AT was first announced around November/December. I didn't get a definite yes until last drill, which was around three weeks ago. Even in January it wasn't 100% that many of us were going or not. Another reason for waiting is because my last class didn't start until late February so I was waiting to see what that instructor had to say. He did help by recommending letters to try and help my case in case I did take it to IG, so I asked my instructors to do that for me, another reason why it was so late. Anyways, thank you for your input MSG.
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SSG Paul Carrier
SSG Paul Carrier
>1 y
I have to disagree with the statement that AT must be at a training location and not at the unit armory.
As an M-day soldier I did AT both at the armory and other times at the adjacent CSMS shop.
As an AGR I set up AT for unit soldiers at both places and often had one working with my for their 15 days of AT.
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SGM Billy Herrington
SGM Billy Herrington
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It's usually state or MSC dependant. As a readiness NCO and a BDE ops NCO, it was a very rare and extenuating circumstance for a Soldier to do a homestation AT. AT is for collective training, not individual training, hence why hanging out at the armory and mopping or working on SSD isn't conducive to the training model.
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