Posted on Jun 10, 2021
What does the Army Reserve consider a "reasonable commuting distance" for involuntary TPU reassignment?
5.59K
16
11
2
2
0
I am a TPU solider drilling in Fort Worth TX currently living next to Fort Hood. That's a commute of about 180 miles by the roads and 121 Zip to Zip. A surprise to both my unit and I it appears that last Thursday I was transferred to another unit in the brigade. We found this out after I had already drilled in Fort Worth that weekend and even started my AT orders this week for the year here in FT Worth. FT worth unit says they can't pay me but not to worry...
Anyways the issue I'm having is my new unit is now 700 miles one way. I believe the battalion level and a few of the companies are right next to me at hood but the company with my MOS that I am now assigned is not. I was not ever spoken to about this transfer and from what I have dug up AR 140-10 2-9 c. states "Soldiers involuntarily reassigned between TPUs must reside within reasonable commuting distance (as defined by
DODI 1215.13) of the TPU to which reassigned". Digging deeper I wasn't able to find anything other than they will determine what is reasonable. Am I getting screwed?
Anyways the issue I'm having is my new unit is now 700 miles one way. I believe the battalion level and a few of the companies are right next to me at hood but the company with my MOS that I am now assigned is not. I was not ever spoken to about this transfer and from what I have dug up AR 140-10 2-9 c. states "Soldiers involuntarily reassigned between TPUs must reside within reasonable commuting distance (as defined by
DODI 1215.13) of the TPU to which reassigned". Digging deeper I wasn't able to find anything other than they will determine what is reasonable. Am I getting screwed?
Posted in these groups: 
ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor)
ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
3
3
0
Reasonable commuting distance is 100 miles and/or 3 hour drive one way.
You can talk to the gaining command about performing RST with your local unit, and traveling to one drill per quarter travel the 700 miles with lodging in kind and reimbursement, or getting attached to your local unit so you can drill there and they can pay you.
Or reclass to an MOS that is in a unit local to you.
You can talk to the gaining command about performing RST with your local unit, and traveling to one drill per quarter travel the 700 miles with lodging in kind and reimbursement, or getting attached to your local unit so you can drill there and they can pay you.
Or reclass to an MOS that is in a unit local to you.
(3)
(0)
SGM (Join to see)
CW3 (Join to see) - Sure, but you don't have to join a distant unit, you don't have to accept a promotion at a distant unit, and you don't have to stay in the Army Reserve at all.
Involuntary lateral transfers usually involve deployment, which only means a few drills before mob date, and if that is untenable, there is paperwork to get out of that.
My point is, the Reserve components are organized, trained and equipped for the same purpose as active components, to fight and win the nations wars, not to provide a convenient 50 mile or less commute for where all 1.2 million members choose to live.
Involuntary lateral transfers usually involve deployment, which only means a few drills before mob date, and if that is untenable, there is paperwork to get out of that.
My point is, the Reserve components are organized, trained and equipped for the same purpose as active components, to fight and win the nations wars, not to provide a convenient 50 mile or less commute for where all 1.2 million members choose to live.
(0)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
SGM (Join to see) - Except if you're active duty, you don't have the issue because you almost ALWAYS have a 50 mile or less commute. You're basically advocating for forcing MORE inconvenience on Reserve members than on active duty members. Don't we have enough already, trying to balance our civilian and military commitments??
Plus often, neither the civilian boss nor the unit commander is interested in helping the member balance and reach a compromise. It turns into a pissing contest, and the member is the only one getting wet.
Plus often, neither the civilian boss nor the unit commander is interested in helping the member balance and reach a compromise. It turns into a pissing contest, and the member is the only one getting wet.
(0)
(0)
SGM (Join to see)
CW3 (Join to see) - I don't see where you get that I am advocating anything, I was merely pointing out how the reserve components work, and how anything you do (or don't do) in the Reserves is ultimately your choice.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
The distance is unreasonable, and speak to your CoC and S1's to get it corrected ASAP.
I'm going to share a secret about the Unit Manning Report (UMR) as it pertains to the USAR, and a Company Commander's management of his personnel.
When there are multiple soldiers of duplicate ranks and MOS's and not enough billets on the UMR/MTOE soldiers get double and triple slotted into a single billet. I had at most 160 soldiers for 128 actual slots on my MTOE. We literally didn't have enough rifles for everyone since we were limited to 128 weapons. So I was seeing soldiers come and go all the time.
When higher commands above the company are hurting for various Rank/MOS's in other areas of their command they will automatically level their manning needs from subordinate units. They will automatically transfer soldiers that are NOT IN THE PRIMARY BILLET, and steal those soldiers double/triple slotted.
It's why many soldiers move units when promoted, because a promotion cannot be given unless the soldier fills an EMPTY VACANCY.
***********
That's more than likely what's going on.
700 miles one way though for a SPC is unreasonable, and they will have to pay your travel, and you'll have to go through the DTS fun every money to get paid travel expenses.
I'm betting someone didn't pay attention to your home of record (did you confirm your home of record is what you think it is?)
I'm going to share a secret about the Unit Manning Report (UMR) as it pertains to the USAR, and a Company Commander's management of his personnel.
When there are multiple soldiers of duplicate ranks and MOS's and not enough billets on the UMR/MTOE soldiers get double and triple slotted into a single billet. I had at most 160 soldiers for 128 actual slots on my MTOE. We literally didn't have enough rifles for everyone since we were limited to 128 weapons. So I was seeing soldiers come and go all the time.
When higher commands above the company are hurting for various Rank/MOS's in other areas of their command they will automatically level their manning needs from subordinate units. They will automatically transfer soldiers that are NOT IN THE PRIMARY BILLET, and steal those soldiers double/triple slotted.
It's why many soldiers move units when promoted, because a promotion cannot be given unless the soldier fills an EMPTY VACANCY.
***********
That's more than likely what's going on.
700 miles one way though for a SPC is unreasonable, and they will have to pay your travel, and you'll have to go through the DTS fun every money to get paid travel expenses.
I'm betting someone didn't pay attention to your home of record (did you confirm your home of record is what you think it is?)
(3)
(0)
700 miles one way is crazy. You need to get your chain of command to fix that as soon as you can.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google