How to counsel a soldier who failed to be at their approved leave address? What regulation should I reference?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 22:15:42 -0400

I have looked in to AR 600-8-10 but I have had no luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 10:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 22:28:40 -0400

This may help - http://www.armywriter.com/failure-to-report.htm

Google is your friend

Failure to Report Counseling

event-oriented counseling example for failure to report or being late

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 10:34 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 22:34:38 -0400

This actually opens up to a bunch of questions 1st. What do you mean was not at thier approved leave address? How do you know they weren't? Is it a massive difference in locations? Why is this an issue?

The reason I as some of these questions is because I am currently on leave. My original leave plans involved going to Florida. The recent weather changed my plans. All I did is walk into my Commanders office and inform him that I was going to alter my plans and go to Vegas. To easy.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 25 at 2018 11:31 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 23:31:48 -0400

You understand that they aren't required to be physically present at that address at all times right? A lot of times people will give a hotel address, but will be traveling around. There's nothing wrong with that at all. They're off duty. On leave. So long as they aren't going into off limits establishments, they can go where they please.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you're being a bit overzealous on this one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 12:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 00:38:48 -0400

The leave address is not what's approved, the leave dates and type are what's approved. That Soldier can fly to the other side of the country if they want without being in violation of leave unless your unit has specific mileage policies in place for leave.
Now, if he intentionally misled his leadership for a nefarious purpose, that gets to be more subjective and situation based. But, if the police haven't contacted you, there's not much to do as far as punitive action.
What you can do is counsel him on the importance of being in the location he said he would be in case of recall. That's nothing punitive, just informative.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 26 at 2018 1:10 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 01:10:25 -0400

Was there a recall for this Soldier that requires this action? A rule of thumb I have is if it takes more time than the infraction, it is time to let it go.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 26 at 2018 8:37 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 08:37:12 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member what was the significance of the disparity?
- did they go OCONUS/leave the country? Counsel for failure to get a country threat brief. The servicing G2 section can articulate more detail.
- did they go somewhere and commit misconduct? Counsel for committing misconduct and potential referral for UCMJ and admin separation. Consult with the company command team and the CJA for which article and definition of the crime. I've had someone counseled for returning to Their AIT post for a graduation and violate a no contact order for fraternization. It just depends on the what and the where.

I've used my parents address for a PCS leave because they could find me if something happened. I was not sitting in Houghs Neck Massachusetts waiting for the phone to ring....but as a courtesy I've sent an email outlining my tentative plan just in case.

What address do you use for a cross country RV trip? What address do you use for a cruise ship?

EDIT: it appears from the rest of the discussion input, the soldier was not going to return on time from leave and called for an extension to his leave. The counseling needs to center on his failure to plan his travel, however, there needs to be the mention of using good judgement by calling in to communicate the issue and request an extension to the leave rather than engage in a risky return trip or doing nothing and being AWOL, all causing you ass pain as his first line leader. You can also include that leave extensions jam up the unit because letter of the law, no more than 10% of a unit may be on pass or leave at any given time. By taking more on no notice, another soldier may Be denied leave. In practice, I know no,one keeps track of this unless you are in Korea or deployed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 10:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 10:11:40 -0400

After doing some research and reading the answers provided. I believe it was wrong of me to focus on the soldier not being in the same location as stated on their leave form. The soldier’s lack of planing which could have led to a FTR if the command team did not get involved has no become the topic of the soldier development. I would like to all the leaders and soldiers who have help me through RP.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 26 at 2018 12:04 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 12:04:12 -0400

You have no luck because the Soldier doesn't have to be present at that address for their duration of Regular leave. Not even for bed rest while on convalescent leave. The leave address serves as point of contact that the Soldier can be reached at for recalls to duty.
Your post is a little vague for any of us to offer any real advice. Why are you pestering the troop when they are on leave anyways?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2018 4:15 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 16:15:31 -0500

Depends upon your duty station. In Korea, soldiers were required to be in their assigned billeting during curfew hours. This also included the address on an SM's DA31.

If the soldier had been previously placed under restrictions by the unit, your would quote the restrictions, and who gave the soldier those instructions.