I recently had a seizure and have been told that state law prohibits me from driving for 3 months. Can my unit force me to use Uber?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:54:18 -0400

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 11:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:09:47 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Can you make other arrangements to get to and from work without driving yourself?

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Apr 6 at 2017 11:45 PM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:45:06 -0400

Yes. You can't drive. Why did you have a seizure?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 11:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:51:50 -0400

The doctors do not know what caused the seizure. It's not so much that I want to drive, I want to work from home until I know what caused the seizure, however I'm being told to use Uber (which will cost me over $2,000 over the next three months).

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Apr 7 at 2017 4:01 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 04:01:12 -0400

I don't see how they can FORCE you to use Uber. How you get to work is your responsibility. If you are late too many times, they can tell you to move into the barracks.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Apr 7 at 2017 4:37 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 04:37:17 -0400

I'm betting they force you into the barracks before they will pay for any public transport.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 8:34 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 08:34:00 -0400

No, your unit can not force you to use Uber, however they can force you to follow the law if your driving right were suspended. As far as getting to work, it is still your responsibility to report to work and to make necessary arrangements to get there. In saying this, you would need to make arrangements with your section NCO's to assist you during your time of need. That's of course it they are good leaders.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 7 at 2017 9:03 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:03:58 -0400

What WILL happen is you will be required to be at your appointed place of duty at the appointed time.
If you can not do that from an off post location, they will likely find you space in the barracks and then tell that Staff Sergeant NCO, figure it out, walk, bum a ride, take on post transportation.

If they are smart they will not tell you HOW to accomplish your task, just remind you of what the tasks are.
If you prefer to live off post, knowing you don't have personal transportation for the next 3 months, its up to you..how are YOU going to work it out? That is your responsibility.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 7 at 2017 9:32 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:32:36 -0400

Are they paying for it? Your unit can't force you to pay for a cab. But yes they can prohibit you from driving. So the more likely scenario is they order someone in your direct work center to pick you up and drop you off every day.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 7 at 2017 1:47 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 13:47:26 -0400

"Told" about a state law? Did the state suspend or revoke driving privileges due to a medical condition?

I have seen it with people who lost driving privileges. I'm sure one way or another you are expected to do as you have always done: show up in the right place at the right time in the right uniform, but specifically having to utilize Uber? My guess is that isn't an order to use one highly specific service; more of a "in the spirit of.." type thing. Uber, Lyft, taxi, bus, battle buddy, the cranky neighbor next door, someone or something that will get you where you need to be. Failing that, as others noted, there's always the barracks.

Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 9:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 21:39:02 -0400

So, one thing I haven't seen on here is actual fact. Telling someone "it's your responsibility to get there" is an easy answer, and may not be the right one. Moving to the barracks is not an option. Why? Because I work in a stand alone facility, with no barracks around. All my work is done at a desk, on a laptop. My unit provided instructions to VPN with the laptop in the event we are unable to work in the building and need to connect to wireless (a bit similar to a situation I may be in now).

If the answer you have is a "suck it up buttercup" opinion, thank you but I'm not interested. If you have something along the line of an Army Regulation that covers this type of situation, that is what I am looking for.

Thank you in advance

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Apr 8 at 2017 9:29 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 09:29:27 -0400

Honestly it sounds like a condition they would put you on a med board for just to monitor you. They cant put you on medical leave?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2017 5:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 17:43:00 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member if you cannot legally drive they can force you to find other methods to get to work besides driving. If your unit had any kind feelings towards you and take care of their Soldiers they would arrange for other members of your unit to take you to work, etc. for official events.

Response by SSG Dale London made Apr 9 at 2017 9:57 PM

SSG Dale London — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 21:57:41 -0400

I do not believe they can force you to use Uber but they can pull your off-duty privileges and make you stay in the barracks -- even if you are married.