What's the vacation policy for reservists like? Can we go outside the US or do we need permission to travel?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 11:36:16 -0500

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 21 at 2022 6:51 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:51:29 -0500

Default answer: check with your unit's chain of command...

A lot depends on their drilling schedule and type of duties that it performs. If it is a non-deployable or administrative unit, it will not be a big deal. If it is involved with classified information or special operations support, they may have concerns. Many units also encourage, but do not require taking online anti-terrorism training depending on your area of travel.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2022 7:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:28:57 -0500

Even as a Reservist, we need to follow the proper procedure when traveling outside CONUS for vacation. Get with your CoC. Oh, and it's not permission, per se, but more for accountability and threat assessment

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2022 8:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 20:01:09 -0500

Your S2 will help you with the science of stupid. I live in Canada but my unit in Washington state had to go to a large military exercise 2 hours East of where I live in Edmonton Alberta. They had to go through a security warnings about crime in Canada which it's probably a lot less than the crime in Tacoma, Washington especially with George Soros District Attorneys who don't prosecute people. This was before the George Floyd Summer of Love and destruction. I had to do this yearly when I went to visit my mother in Honduras because I had to fly into Honduras and El Salvador and there is serious crime wave worse than even defunded cities like New York and Chicago. That was justified that we had to do the Intel worrying about kidnapping and registering with the embassy to make sure you got all the latest updates and you had your itinerary registered with the Department of State. You do all this before you go and then you check in when with your S2 and chain of command after you get back. They'll worry if you have been approached by other seeking information on US military etc etc. I don't think you're going to donbas Ukraine or 2 dangerous parts of the world. I remember as well that you had to have a one-star general sign off if you were going to certain parts of Mexico because it is pretty Lawless.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2022 8:48 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 08:48:02 -0500

No, with the addition of for your security clearance the Intel folks will have a packet to fill out and ask questions about where you are going and more when you get back.

As a reservist not on orders the chain can't tell you not to go somewhere, but they can insure you are informed.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 22 at 2022 1:33 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:33:28 -0500

Depends on the unit. If the unit has a specific travel policy you have to follow it. I would check with them first.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Feb 23 at 2022 12:19 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:19:44 -0500

You should let your command know and you should go by S2 to get a security brief. If you have TS/SCI you have to let your SSO and S2 know. Actually you also have to do a foreign travel form, like a debrief, within 72 hours after you return of you're read on to SCI.

Also S2 can tell you if the foreign clearance guide says anything specific you need to do for the country you're going to as well.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 25 at 2022 10:39 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 10:39:35 -0500

The official answer may be to check with your CoC, but I can tell you as a reservist that as long as it doesn't conflict with training, just go. I never heard of anyone having issues taking an overseas vacation when they weren't on orders. Of course if your unit is slated to deploy, given a WARNO, or on any kind of alert that may change. To be safe, I'd just let your first line leader know and provide them with the dates, place of travel and your contact info while you're gone.