Can I miss AT due to financial hardship?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 16:45:40 -0400

I have recently transferred to this unit In November. I have not had a MUTA 4 drill sense January. In February we had a muta 10 in March they had me at CLS for 5 days and on Friday I just got back from a week long school. I have AT coming up which is 27 days. I make way more money on the civilian side and I have not been able to collect a steady paycheck due to all these trainings. I can not afford my medical insurance for my family through Tricare because of all the missing full pay checks and I am behind on other bills. Are there ways to miss AT to get my life back on track financially?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2019 4:49 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 16:49:32 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, your best and ONLY bet is to speak with your Chain of Command. They are the ONLY ones that can tell you yes or no.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 15 at 2019 5:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 17:21:01 -0400

It is a conflict in finances and commitment for what you signed up for.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 2:05 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 02:05:01 -0400

I suppose you have no leave saved up at your civilian job (and your job has no paid military leave). Regardless, to answer your question, you may able to miss AT if your command allows it, but AT is often the biggest training event of the year for guard units, making missing it for those units extremely hard. You can try and explain it to your Chain of Command, but it is not a guarantee. These are things you should have planned for when you enlisted. And, even if you were allowed, you will still have an UNSAT year on your record if you don't make it up somehow. I will say that if you have a valid reason, and a valid plan to make up AT, then it is more likely your command will allow it (many units allow Soldiers to attend schools and other missions in lieu of AT as well). Bottom line is, talk with your CoC about it, but work on a contingency plan if they won't grant you permission to miss it.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Apr 17 at 2019 12:42 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:42:29 -0400

When you miss the AT, do you realize that you will not get paid? (Let me know if you do get paid when not attending!!) SSG Livingston is 110% correct, info on RP is info, but decisions are made by your Chain of Command.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Apr 17 at 2019 1:47 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 13:47:29 -0400

Best chance is to get a letter allowing you to miss AT from your company commander. I have skipped a couple ATs because of finances and academic reasons. Normally you will have to make up the time in another way. Being supply it should be pretty easy to find something to do in off time.

Response by TSgt Carl Johnson made Apr 18 at 2019 12:50 AM

TSgt Carl Johnson — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:50:22 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, I agree with MSG Private RallyPoint Member. The first thing you should do in a situation like this is consult your chain of command.