Can my command have my ALC canceled due to a training event?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:29:58 -0500

I am a SGT (p) and have an ALC date for April. My unit is conducting two big training operations and I am only able to attend one due to my ALC date. I was just informed that my command is trying to work up a memo to push back my ALC class date. Can they do this? To my knowledge they have the personnel to fill my position while I’m in class. What can I do if anything to keep my date?

Response by SSG Kasius McCall made Feb 1 at 2018 12:33 PM

SSG Kasius McCall — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:33:42 -0500

You can’t do anything about it. You are a number and they will get their numbers they need to have at training. They are trying to put in a deferment order for you. You can talk to your PSG or request a meeting with the CSM to plead your case. They did this to a bunch of people in OCT when we went to NTC. Hope they let you keep your dates man.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 12:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:36:16 -0500

Unfortunately, they can postpone your ALC dates in order to make mission. Even if they have the personnel, that memo can and will get your date pushed. Only thing really you can do is convince your COC to let you get ALC done, or maybe take advantage of the open door policy if that fails because after all said and done, they are holding your career up.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 1:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 13:05:02 -0500

Well fml...so here is another part to this question / dilemma I’m in. My contract is up in 2019. I can not push out my contract any further due to me reaching RCP. From what I was told by HRC schools I need 6months left on my contract to even attend the school and the points to even get the slot....does this even factor into the process at all? I really feel like my unit is screwing me out of my advancement with trying to push my date back. If I can not do anything how for sure is it that I will have the next available slot for ALC? I mean I don’t have a lot of time as it is...

Response by SGT David T. made Feb 1 at 2018 2:20 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 14:20:13 -0500

Remember this when the retention NCO comes to see you....

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Feb 1 at 2018 6:25 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 18:25:44 -0500

The simple answer is yes. If you are needed, then they can push your ALC attendance to the right in order to conduct operations. I don't quite understand what makes one E5 so important to the mission that he cannot be replaced for an exercise, but perhaps you can give us more insight to just how mission essential you are.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 8:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 20:49:05 -0500

I work in BN S3 and I cover down on Schools for the BN. If your unit wants to push your ALC date, then 1, they don't care about you because everyone is replaceable and ALC is mandatory for your next promotion. 2 it is way more than a memo if you have been slotted for ALC. ALC is Da/hrc directed. It takes a 4187 signed by your 1st GO in your CoC plus a justification memo, last two NCOER's, da form 705 and 5500 if applicable, and substantiating documents that support why you can't go. I am telling you this because I am dealing with NCOPDS deferments and cancellations right now.

You need to go to school. That's the bottom line. If you don't, you are delaying your career progression. And because of the STEP program, you won't just hop in the next available class. There are tons of eligible soldiers that DA/HRC is going to fill in those seats before you get another slot

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Feb 1 at 2018 10:27 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 22:27:37 -0500

SGT Brown,

They will have to push that memo all the way to HRC to see if that flies at all. On top of that the entire chain of command will be involved in that silly memorandum. Therefore, I think that it is not the right move from them. There it is a reason why the Army created the STEP program. It was for this reason. To prevent units from arbitrarily manipulating the promotion system.

I find it ridiculous that units still pulling the card that “they can’t afford” to let one individual go for an NCOES. The mission never or should not stop because one person is not there.

There is not a whole lot that you can do at the unit level but keep your eyes and ears open to see if you can bring this up to somebody that read Milper Message 16-089 or the latest one in reference to this issue.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2018 12:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 12:19:51 -0500

I’m sending an NCO home from deployment to attend NCOES. Safe to say I think you’ll be fine.

Response by SFC Antonio Nieto made Feb 5 at 2018 11:18 PM

SFC Antonio Nieto — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:18:55 -0500

Yes they can unit readiness comes first do not be discourage