What regulations, if any, govern whether or not a transitioning soldier may take time out of the duty day to attend a job interview?

2018-03-12T20:34:47-04:00

About my situation. I am transitioning out of the army, I have less than 60 days until my ETS date, and less than 30 days until my ETS Leave begins. I have been going through the application process to begin an apprenticeship with Amazon that would require me to relocate OCONUS for three months for training, then move back to CONUS for one year of "on-the-job" apprenticeship training. I have had multiple interviews, and have only one left. I was notified of the interview on Friday (today is Monday), the only information I received was that it was in the neighboring state (where the job portion would take place), that is was on Wednesday, and instructions to prepare and be scheduled for it. I immediate told my leadership about it, and was instructed to tell them once I had more details. The rest of the world operates on business hours, so I didn't hear back until today, the following Monday. Upon receiving more information, it is clear that I have to be gone all of Wednesday, a duty day of course. I can drive the distance, almost a five hour drive, or they will fly me there and back plus a hotel stay, either way I'm gone all of the one duty day. So, I went back to my leadership with that information, and they asked higher (PSG). He answered by saying they have no obligation to help me out, if I want to interview for a job then I can do it during ETS leave, and if I go to the interview he'll consider me AWOL and act accordingly. If I follow that guidance, I lose out on a great career opportunity that would be a great situation for both me and my wife. If I don't, then even if I'm offered the position, then my ETS leave would likely be denied, which would result in me not being able to relocate in time to start the training, and I would lose it. I am readying to call higher leadership/command, but I want to do so prepared.

So, my question is this. What regulations, policies, or other sources, if any, provide guidance to whether or not a (transitioning) soldier may take time from the duty day to attend an interview for a job after their service? Also, what would you do in my position?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 12 at 2018 8:43 PM

2018-03-12T20:43:52-04:00

It is a shame that your leadership does not support you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 8:45 PM

2018-03-12T20:45:20-04:00

Jeez man, either your leadership blows or you gave them reasons in the past to not fully trust you. On the other hand, why can't you attend the interview on a Saturday? And why can't you just can't take a few days of leave to go to the interview? If your ETSng, I don't see why your command should care that much to not let you just take like a week of leave to go do it.

Response by LTC Mark Ensign made Mar 12 at 2018 8:47 PM

2018-03-12T20:47:28-04:00

I can’t recall the specific regulation, but there is a regulation which authorizes up to ten days permissive TDY (Mission permitting), in order to seek a job. The key is Mission permitting and must be approved by your Chain of Command.
That said, any leadership team worth anything would do whatever they can to assist a transitioning Soldier. Assuming there are no Mission essential reasons for denying your request, I’d recommend elevating it up your Chain of Command. Since your PSG has denied it, You next step should be your 1SG, followed by the BN CSM. If that gets you nowhere, then involve your Officer Chain.
Again all of this is predicated on the assumption that there is no mission essential reason for denying your request and your PSG is denying it without reason

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 12 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-03-12T21:54:42-04:00

Request "Special Liberty." A commander can authorize a pass a for up to 48 hours at his discretion.

If the Army is going to "Talk the talk" about "Soldier for life" they need to "Walk the walk."

They don't do that by treating outgoing troops like garbage. They treat you like the you are posters who are going to talk about how well you were treated "on the way out."

Think about it. Sure you might have had some rough times. You might have screwed up. But when you needed the Army. When you needed leadership. When you needed the 1SG, and and knocked on his door (that Open Door Policy he talks about), and said "Hey Top, I got a favor that's going to change my life and my future career. Can you help me out?"

Is a good leader going to say "$^&% off!?!$*&^ Dirtbag. We don't need you anymore!" or "Hey man. Sure, let's see what we can do! And don't forget to send your cousin when he's of age!"

Response by SSG Keith Amacher made Mar 12 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-03-12T22:25:50-04:00

You need to contact and let your NCO know the details and he will take care of the officers. I had a private that was my driver that was AWOL for a day and I told the officers I would take care of. I went to his house and his wife answered and they had a baby and he was there. He told me he was working a 2nd job we did not know about. I chewed his ass but no Article 15. It was early 80s I gave his wife $100 to help with food and family and told her don't let him do that again or there will be judicial punishment. Moral of the story trust you superiors and ask for help troops. You'd be surprised how many hard ass NCO's are open to helping you...

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Mar 12 at 2018 10:55 PM

2018-03-12T22:55:28-04:00

Shayna Blumenthal MBA, MS Do you know anything that might be helpful from your end?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 10:57 PM

2018-03-12T22:57:45-04:00

AR 600-81

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Mar 13 at 2018 12:31 PM

2018-03-13T12:31:24-04:00

Sounds like poor leadership. There are great answers in this forum so take heed. Sadly, once you finally separate not a single person in your chain of command will remember you...

Your service belongs to the military until you hand in your id card and have a DD 214. Best bet is to call your interviewer and reschedule due to a timing conflict.

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Mar 13 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-03-13T12:32:15-04:00

Also, your question is wordy. Please don't interview like that. Google S.T.A.R for interviewing if you haven't yet.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 13 at 2018 1:14 PM

2018-03-13T13:14:34-04:00

I, as the PSG, would tell you to put in for leave for that day. In fact, I would have told you take the week off so when you heard back, you could go. If they changed the dates, you change the leave dates.

Did you ask if you could take leave on that day? It's tomorrow? You can get a leave form fast tracked - if not you may have to ask them to reschedule and explain why.

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 13 at 2018 1:19 PM

2018-03-13T13:19:39-04:00

Sounds like my unit. I'm not sure how others have been treated while getting out, but in my unit we were told enroll in college get ready to get out, and then when you made the decision to get out they did two things. 1. Act shocked that you wanted your life back and almost insulted you didn't think the Army is the greatest thing since sliced bread (it was very good for me, but not for life) 2. Treat you like a shit bag that they're chaptering out.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 13 at 2018 4:18 PM

2018-03-13T16:18:57-04:00

I believe you can request Aministrative leave, however they are not obligated to approve. Why are you not simply asking for leave. I have to say that I never gave anyone free time for interviews. I do allow for telephonic interviews. Imagine is a Service Member had 15 interviews in 30 days! Thank you for your service.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Mar 13 at 2018 4:24 PM

2018-03-13T16:24:26-04:00

As others have said you need to request a Pass or Leave-Or even better request from the possible employer that they reschedule your interview to a more convenient date/time if your military duty conflicts with it. If you were in the Guard/Reserves you might be covered under Federal Law regarding this-Good luck!!