All volunteer army

[pattyrn376]

I am getting ready to go to my 3rd drill, I was comissioned in january, this coming drill they expect me to jump off a 50 ft tower with a rope apparently for free! when I drill I have to move my week end work day over and lose my differential which is 200, so I am not getting paid and losing 200 bux. The bonus that I was supposed to get in january is nowhere to be seen. I havent gotten the 600 for the uniforms I bought. I have my son's fall tuition bill coming due and in january I thought I would have the bonus by now. I keep getting yessed to death but no results. do they pay us at the end of the 3 year obligation? I am hoping to eventually go to OBLC then I will be deployable. I can tell you one thing for sure is that I cannot afford to be deployed for 6 or more months and not get paid. granted my job will be there when I get back but my savings arent that good yet. Should I have planned better for that or maybe get another job and save up just in case?

I am looking to do some agency work on my 1 week end off a month to make up for what I am losing on drill weekends. how long did it take for you all to get paid (that is if you did get paid) I cant even send an ako email because they are saying I am in IRR and need a sponsor, when I ask for a sponsor they say I dont need one so I have no AKO access. I was going to try to take some classes this fall using TA but it seems that I am invisable when it comes to the army. what experiences have you all had do you get paid? how long did it take? so far I am almost 8 months from comissioning. thanks

[Iworecords, RN]

Deep breath -- deep breath. You sound frustrated -- actually you sound hysterical!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes you get paid for the drills you attend -- but it does take time to get into the system. If you are not paid on the first pay day after your 3rd drill you will need to talk to one of the AGR (Full time Reservist) at the unit. They work during the week but you should call to insure that the person you need to talk to is there on the day you are going. You can do this over the phone -- but face to face is better. They can also track down your bonus. On your 4th drill you should also seek an appointment to talk to the Chief Nurse. Altho she/he does not have anything to do with you getting paid -- she/he is responsible for the nurses -- and their moral. Now making everyone happy all the time is impossible -- but pay glitches normally are simple fixes. The Chief Nurse can put a bee in someone's ear to get this straightened out.

On your part -- make sure your automatic deposit routing number is correct!!!!!!!!!!

As to pay while you are deployed -- yes -- of course you get paid Now will it equal your civilian pay? All according to what you get paid as a civilian. Now realize BAH will be added on and it is non taxable -- and if you are assigned to a combat zone you will have tax advantages -- but there is no shift differential or overtime pay. You get paid the same for working 20 days a month or if you work 30 days -- if you work an 8 hour shift or if you work 16 hours. I would recommend having a savings account to fall back on for shortfalls.

As for that 50 ft tower -- lolololol Sounds like the Confidence Course. Enjoy and have fun with it

[olderthandirt2]

"The bonus that I was supposed to get in january is nowhere to be seen. I havent gotten the 600 for the uniforms I bought."

You will not get your $600 clothing allowance until you return from OBLC. Your bonus is another matter. Call HRC and choose the "incentives/student loan repayment option".....speak with your counselor there. They can tell you if YOUR RECRUITER put your bonus paper work through. In my case, they did not----so I had to contact my recruiter again and have them submit it. But, I wouldn't have known this if I HAD NOT CONTACTED HRC.

As for your drill pay. YOU need to contact your Unit administrator TODAY. If "he" has submitted your hours at drill, Then contact DFAS and ask why you are not getting your checks. Your chain of command can help you here.

Lots of phone calls......lots of time......be prepared.

good luck,

c.