then Add to Home Screen.
Date
State
Massachusetts
Category
Joint
Type Draft
New Resolution
State Association First Name
Ryan
State Association Last Name
Peterson
Resolution No.
0
Fiscal Year
2028
State Association Email
State Association Phone Number
5089161195
Relating To
Enhancing the Army and Air National Guard by Providing Support for all Personnel Missions - Personnel Pay and Member Benefits
SME Email
SME Phone
5089161195
State Association Title
Resolutions Chair
Proposal Statement
Redefine the period of Inactive Duty for Training for purpose of death gratuity and funeral expense benefits to stipulate that a National Guard Soldier is considered to be in a duty status for a full 24-hour period for each day of authorized IDT, or for a period of no less than 12 hours following the official time of release from the IDT weekend, whichever is greater.
Recommendation Information
Members of the Army and Air National Guard are dedicated professionals who accept the inherent risks of military service, even during periods of training. The current interpretation of "Inactive Duty Training" (IDT) status creates a coverage gap for death gratuity and funeral expense benefits, leaving our Soldiers and their families vulnerable. Under current policy, a Soldier is not considered in a reportable duty status upon release from an IDT period. For instance, a Soldier who completes a drill weekend from Friday to Sunday and is released at 1800 on Sunday is no longer considered on an official status. Should they suffer a fatal incident at 1801, their death may not be considered "in the line of duty." This provision does not adequately cover the period immediately following the conclusion of duty, leaving a dangerous void. A Line of Duty (LOD) determination, the administrative tool for determining a Soldier's duty status at the time of injury or death, is the gateway to critical benefits for survivors. The current narrow definition of duty status for IDT weekends unjustly denies these benefits to families of the fallen. This change would ensure that Soldiers who die in the hours immediately following their drill weekend are eligible for a Line of Duty determination and that their families receive the death gratuity and funeral expense benefits they have rightfully earned.
