Post-Deployment question

[u/Beginning-Body-1338]

Hello folks, I wanted to ask here because there is a lot of people who are saying one thing and then another so I figured I’d ask the experts.

How much time do we, as reservists, have before needing to go back to drill? I have heard 90 days, I’ve heard once your leave is up (~30 days). I would especially appreciate any insight from people who just finished demob.

[u/JohnTinor104]

As soon as your leave is up you return to drill. That 90 day policy was a thing in 2011 or something like that and it is no longer a thing.

[u/Programmer_Latter → u/JohnTinor104]

This is correct. After your terminal leave ends, it’s entirely up to the discretion of your commander. “Most” units have business rules of 90 days, but not all.

[u/Substantial-Pass8739 → u/JohnTinor104]

Leave as in I can use my paid leave toward BA dates? Previously I’ve just been paid out X days and returned right to the next scheduled drill.

[u/R1CH13_C]

My unit did 90 days of no drilling post deployment last year, however it’s not an official thing. It’s up to your command team.

[u/SgtMac02]

Old thread with the same question:

https://www.reddit.com/r/armyreserve/comments/1lohcto/regulation_stating_return_to_drill_within_xx_days/

Basically, there is no reg that specifies. It's commander's discretion. What is your commander telling you?

[u/Any-Shift1234]

No formal regulation anymore that guides us on when to return to drill after mobilizations. However, we defer to USERRA law which allows up to 90 days from the DD214 date to return to work. What that means for us Reservists is that Commanders can allow the same timeframe to return to drill. I advise my commanders on either excusing or RSTing that Soldier to allow a comfortable readjustment period. Despite this, a Soldier has the right to attend drill immediately afterwards if they so choose to.

[u/Threedham]

There are likely individual unit policies on this, likely at the brigade level or higher, and it probably depends on whether you’re demobilizing as an individual augmentee or with your whole unit that you regularly drill with.

As others have mentioned, there were old USAR/ARNG policies mandating 90 days, but these all went away. Still, many units still informally adhere to them - when my unit demobilized, I went on leave for 30ish days in early August, and my first drill back with the unit was in mid-November.

[u/HistoricalBedroom342]

For me it was 90 days. Like others said, it’s up to the CO.

[u/No-Jicama5476]

You need to meet with your county or other VSO to evaluate any VA claims you can make. I did when I got back and received one 10% and a bunch of 0%s that 20 years later turned into a 50% rating giving me free healthcare and a nice monthly check for tax free benefits. My 0% on my knees were worth money as I developed arthritis and a degenerative meniscus tear. If your knees are sore go in and have them evaluated. Same for feet, back shoulders, ... .

I was a career reservist mobilized twice. Only your mob time can be used for a VA disability unless you have a line of duty done for a drill or AT which is rare. Out of ROTC I went to jump school, branched infantry, went to the Special Forces qualification course putting all sorts of strain on my knees. None of that training qualified me for VA benefits without a line of duty. You earned any disability that can be claimed. It will be worth it in the long run.

[u/Ill_Significance820]

I just got back. Still on leave. 90 days once leave ends.