What happens if you skip drill weekend
So you're thinking about just... not showing up for drill weekend? As a member of the U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard, that's not just a "oops I forgot" kind of thing. It's a real violation — we're talking Article 86 of the UCMJ, "Absence Without Leave" (AWOL). What happens next depends on how often you do it, if you meant to, and what your unit's policy is. Could be a slap on the wrist. Could be federal charges.
What are the immediate consequences of missing a drill weekend?
Right off the bat, you're marked AWOL on the attendance sheet. Your command's gonna try calling you within a day or two to figure out what's up. If you don't answer or don't have a good excuse, they start an investigation. You won't get paid. You won't get retirement points for that time. And if you keep doing it? They'll put a "bar to reenlistment" on you — basically stops your career cold.
Can you be punished or court-martialed for missing drill?
Yeah, absolutely. The UCMJ applies to reservists too. Miss one drill and your commander can hit you with non-judicial punishment under Article 15 — think rank reduction, losing pay, extra duties, or getting restricted to base. If you're gone more than 30 days or it's a pattern, they can send it to court-martial. That's where things get real — confinement, dishonorable discharge, federal fines. Not fun.
What is the difference between an excused and unexcused absence?
Excused means you got approval ahead of time. Emergencies, documented medical stuff, approved leave — that's all fine. Unexcused is just... not showing up without asking or having a legit reason. Even a medical issue becomes unexcused if you don't tell anyone or get a doctor's note in time. It's all about communication and intent, honestly.
What happens to your pay and benefits if you skip drill?
You don't get paid for that drill, simple as that. But the bigger deal? You lose the retirement points. Reservists need 50 points a year for a "good year" toward retirement. Miss enough drills and you get a "bad year" — doesn't count toward your 20-year requirement. And your GI Bill, tuition assistance, Tricare Reserve Select? They can suspend or terminate that stuff if you rack up enough unexcused absences.
What is the "Unsatisfactory Participation" (UPP) process?
This is the formal process for when you just keep missing. Usually after 9 or more unexcused absences in a year, your commander gives you a formal counseling statement. Keep screwing up and they put a "Flag" on your record — that stops promotions, schools, reenlistment, everything. Eventually they start the discharge process, and it's usually under other than honorable conditions (OTH). That follows you around for a long time.
Data Table: Consequences of Skipping Drill Weekend
| Severity Level | Frequency of Absence | Typical Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | First offense (1-2 drills) | Verbal counseling, loss of pay/points, possible extra duty |
| Moderate | 3-8 unexcused absences | Written counseling, Article 15 (rank reduction, pay forfeiture), bar to reenlistment |
| Severe | 9+ absences (UPP initiated) | Flag on record, loss of benefits (GI Bill, Tricare), discharge under OTH conditions |
| Critical | Continuous absence (30+ days) | Court-martial, federal confinement, dishonorable discharge, loss of all veteran benefits |
Checklist: Steps to Take If You Must Miss a Drill Weekend
- Tell your supervisor or unit readiness NCO as soon as possible — ideally before drill weekend even starts.
- Submit a formal request for excused absence (DA Form 31 or whatever your unit uses) through your chain of command.
- Gather all supporting documents — medical notes, proof of emergency, whatever.
- Follow up to make sure your request actually gets processed and you know if it's approved or denied.
- If they say no, you gotta go to drill. Or face the consequences.
- If something happens during drill, call your unit immediately and explain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be arrested for missing one drill weekend?
Probably not. For just one time, your commander'll try to reach you first. But if you're dodging them or you've done this before, they can issue a warrant. The military can ask law enforcement to bring you in. It's rare for a first-timer, but legally possible.
Can I make up a missed drill weekend?
Sometimes, yeah. Units often let you do "make-up drills" or "split training" on a weekday or another weekend. But you gotta coordinate with your commander ahead of time. Can't just decide to do it later on your own. It needs to be scheduled and approved — either before you miss it, or right after with a really good reason.
Does missing drill affect my civilian job?
Not directly, but there's a risk. USERRA protects your job when you're doing military duty. But if you get discharged under other than honorable conditions because of missing drill, you lose that protection. Your civilian boss could fire you if you're not in good standing with the military anymore. Plus, any court-martial trouble could show up on background checks.
What if I have a medical emergency and cannot attend drill?
Call your unit ASAP and get medical documentation. A valid excuse needs a note from a licensed professional saying you couldn't do duty. No documentation? It's unexcused. Even with a real medical reason, they might make you do a "medical hold" or get a fitness-for-duty evaluation before you can come back to drill.
Resumo Rápido
- Consequências Imediatas: Você será marcado como AWOL, perderá o pagamento e os pontos de aposentadoria do período.
- Punições Possíveis: Desde aconselhamento verbal e redução de posto até corte marcial e dispensa desonrosa para ausências repetidas.
- Perda de Benefícios: A falta não justificada pode levar à perda do GI Bill, Tricare e elegibilidade para aposentadoria militar.
- Processo de Dispensa: Após 9 faltas não justificadas, inicia-se o processo de Participação Insatisfatória (UPP), que geralmente resulta em dispensa em condições desonrosas.
