Purpose of Counseling
Event-oriented: Article 86, Absent Without leave/four UTAs
You did not show up for drill on 5-6 March 2016 and failed to answer your phone when called. Not only was your crew short-manned, this constitutes four UTA absences and puts you in serious danger of being demoted or discharged.
Plan of Action
Attending UTA/drill weekends is not optional. All members receive written orders from the commander, in advance, listing the annual UTA schedule. All members are expected to fulfill their service obligation and participate in scheduled training periods and perform satisfactorily as members of their unit.
An unexcused absence is failing to attend one four-hour period of the UTA/scheduled training period. Unexcused absences are normally defined as:
o member fails to report for the UTA without prior approval
o member is late for the UTA or leaves early without prior approval
o member fails to comply with uniform standards or perform satisfactorily
One drill weekend is comprised of four 4-hour UTAs. If one drill weekend is missed, four UTAs have been missed. Missing eight UTAs within one year is considered sufficient indication of intentional misconduct and meets justification for reduction in rank or discharge.
Army National Guard members are subject to discipline under Title 32. This leaves punishment for absence offenses to the individual states' unit commanders. Punishments for missing a part or all of a weekend drill can be:
o counseling or letter of reprimand
o having to make up the drill and/or extra duty
o not being paid and/or having to repay payments received
o reduction in rank (six or more UTA absences in one year)
o discharge (eight or more UTA absences in one year)
If the commander elects to initiate a discharge, a Notification of Separation and an Election of Options will be sent via USPS to your home. You will have 30 days to respond to this notification. If you do not respond, the commander may proceed with the discharge.
The characterization of discharge is up to the commander. He could recommend a General (Under Honorable Conditions) or an Under Other than Honorable Conditions. If you are discharged, any bonuses or financial aid received will have to be paid back and you will be ineligible for any benefits associated with serving in the National Guard. If you received free vehicle registration/license plates, that registration will be revoked.
In addition to any disciplinary action meted out by the unit, I am reassigning you to the Food Service section under SFC Ford during the next three drills.
Session Closing
Individual counseled: I agree / disagree with the information above.
Individual counseled remarks:
Signature of Individual Counseled: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date: _ _ _ _ _ _
Leader Responsibilities
I will determine if there is a valid reason for SPC Niles missing drill. I will ensure he is aware of our drill schedule. I will ensure that all members are treated fairly and equally and that discipline is enforced when necessary. I will inform SFC Ford that SPC Niles will fill in for SPC Jones who is away for school.
Signature of Counselor: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date: _ _ _ _ _ _
Assessment
SPC Niles has not been late for or missed any drills since March. He has rejoined his crew and is progressing satisfactorily.
Counselor: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Individual Counseled:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _
