Can a reservist (TPU) RST in a (short duration) school/course that is listed on ATRRS?

2015-04-29T18:13:49-04:00

So basically, this is coming from a "make-it-happen" scrounger mindset:

When a higher echelon’s S-3 answer is “no” to funding a SM for a 4-day class (Combatives Level 1); can arrangement be made with the school so that the reservist SM RST the short period. As in: show up, do the course, and submit a DA Form 1380 signed by the school house (It's only a 4 days event).

“Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is” – Mark Twain.

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Response by CSM David Heidke made Apr 29 at 2015 6:21 PM

2015-04-29T18:21:23-04:00

If you get hurt, and at this course there is an 80% chance, you may not have the same recourse as you would if you were there on orders.

Plus you won't have travel or the school may not be able to provide lodging or food.

Different kinds of duty.

Response by SSG Derek Varchulik made Apr 29 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-04-29T23:00:04-04:00

I would think so... dependent on how many days RSTing... Then it would need orders for a training slot through unit..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 11:34 PM

2015-04-29T23:34:08-04:00

I didn't think they could rst like that. I figured they would have to have RLAS orders. But, it would make sense of they let them= 2 birds with one stone. Soldier gets productive training and keeps the good year

Response by COL Randy Alicea made Apr 30 at 2015 5:46 AM

2015-04-30T05:46:18-04:00

Commanders discretion, policy and USAR reg should dictate.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 9:05 AM

2015-04-30T09:05:50-04:00

Short answer is you *could* do it, if the commander blesses off. However, I see three significant issues:
1. This is not a "rescheduled training" (what RST stands for). This is not an event that is being done in lieu of a BA; it is replacing 8 UTAs of planned training. This is a violation of the USAR pay regulation, but the commander can do it. He would be wise to write up a memo explaining his deviation from established practice and policy and enclose it with the monthly commander's pay report.
2. There is a very high risk of injury and an accompaning Line of Duty. If the injury was significant enough to warrant a CIR, your commander would receive some heat from higher. This is not a small risk for combatives, and should be considered before executing this plan.
3. DTS authorization for travel. Assuming the course is outside commuting distance, the right answer is to book TDY travel through DTS. This is also an opportunity - particularly since "no" was the answer once - to draw scrutiny from at least the battlion level.

All things considered, I would advise you to continue to search for a better method that is fully approved.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-04-30T12:04:53-04:00

SGT David Oliver,
There has been a lot of good answers and information given as I have read through them. Bottom line is if your Commander wants to sign off on the RST and if anything should happen to you take that heat round it is on him/her. As far as getting into the class if you do not have a reservation or a wait in ATRRS the likely hood is limited. Know if you talked with the instructors and whoever inputs the information from there school house and they can walk you on that is another story. Let me know if I am wrong, your unit has a need for Soldiers trained in combative. I believe it would make since to have at least 1 Soldier in every unit Combative certified, even in the Bed Bath and beyond units, also known as Laundry, Shower and Renovation. Good Luck!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Apr 30 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-04-30T15:26:18-04:00

Interesting, question two things come up is travel required because no funding will be provided too, unless the soldier pays for it. Also for comparatives courses there is a possibility of injury therefore being on orders protects the soldier and his commander. RST have been used in the past for short courses but they were within travel distance, Commander discretion apply.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made May 2 at 2015 4:45 AM

2015-05-02T04:45:00-04:00

Anyone in the reserves gets the equivalent of four active duty pay per battle assembly. To rst the training would pay the equivalent of eight days. The training is under a different status. So no to the RST