Missing Guard AT because you're self employed? What do you think of this?

2015-07-19T04:51:12-04:00

I may be over reacting but we are getting ready for a 3 week AT. I'm wondering if a SSG that trains with the unit all year then stays home because he is self employed only to go on vacation is right. I feel it is a waste of army times and money and not fulfilling your responsibilities as an NCO. Thoughts?

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 19 at 2015 6:02 AM

2015-07-19T06:02:50-04:00

I agree. This guy is NOT fulfilling his duty to the unit or the state. He may be due a vacation but drill is scheduled out far enough (I assume) to have been the priority over the poorly scheduled vacation.
Maybe I'm wrong. Thoughts?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 7:33 AM

2015-07-19T07:33:42-04:00

I think it is wrong but I doubt the Guard is going to make him come to AT. Money is so tight if you said you stabbed your toe and you had to go to a doctor while you were at AT there is a good chance they would excuse you. In my state you could either to go a School or AT. You can't do both. So if you go to WLC or ANCOC then you can't go to AT. It is means of saving money. I am sure that some abuse it as he is doing.

Response by SSG Eric Eck made Jul 19 at 2015 8:46 AM

2015-07-19T08:46:50-04:00

I don't agree with the guy taking his vacation during AT when he knew the AT dates and is self employed and can choose his vacation. Though, I also don't agree with a 3 week AT when 2 weeks is in the contract. Before or just after I retired, my unit had 2 ATs scheduled in the same fiscal year, which is also wrong.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 19 at 2015 9:05 AM

2015-07-19T09:05:55-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I would have to know more facts about the three-week AT and the individual before I would comment on this situation. If he is abusing the system then I would investigate and take the necessary action to make sure whether he is self-employed or not that fulfills his obligation with the unit or makes a decision to leave. There are steps that can be taken for both in a professional manner.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 9:08 AM

2015-07-19T09:08:33-04:00

No sympathy for this guy. I didn't want to do a second AT this fiscal/RYE year due to being on a new project at my civilian employer, not due to a vacation. I got called whiny and selfish by people on this board....and this guy doesn't want to do his FIRST one? He can go pound sand.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-07-19T09:16:12-04:00

We are the only national guard unit to get a rotation thru jrtc this year so it is 3 weeks and a pretty big deal, but he would rather go to Sturgis motorcycle rally. So maybe I'm just jealous. My wife is on dialysis and had to juggle that and take care of our 4 kids

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-07-19T09:46:56-04:00

So, this SSG actually stated that he cannot attend AT because he is self employed ( and stated will probably be financially hurt by AT) but can take the time off from work and go on vacation to Sturgis? Personally, I think that is a piss poor example of an NCO. And, if he keeps these kinds of antics up, then they will eventually catch up to him and bite him in the ass. You have a more solid reason to miss AT than he does. Does the CoC know that he plans on going to Sturgis?

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 19 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-07-19T11:29:03-04:00

If he just wants to go to Sturgis because Sturgis, well F that guy. But I wouldn't pass judgement without knowing that I knew the whole story.

So, two potentially relevant questions:
1. What is he self-employed at. Does it involve motorcycles or paraphernalia? I.e. Would it be more appropriate to call Sturgis a vacation or a business activity? While acknowledging that some business activities are a lot more fun than others, I could see a case being made that Sturgis is important to his business.

2. What was the timing of locking in the dates both for the 'vacation' and AT? Are there sunk costs associated with it? (Assuming Sturgis IS a vacation, I would assume not.)

I find #1 to be generally more relevant than I do #2. That said, I HAVE excused people from AT both for self-employment conflicts AND Pre-planned vacations that were locked in with either significant sunk costs or special family significance. Not many of the latter, and I was much more inclined to give off JUST the minimum required days (Travel Kid's graduation day, Day before and of kid's wedding, etc.) But I have also had the situation where AFTER the AT schedule was posted, the Soldier verified the AT dates, and THEN scheduled a non-refundable three week anniversary cruise (Anniversary during the scheduled AT dates) to NOT conflict with the published dates. Three months later, our higher shifted our AT dates to the middle of that cruise. I excused the Soldier.