Posted on Feb 22, 2014
SSG Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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Recently, we were approached by BDE LTC Lee at our reserve unit and he spoke to us about relevance of the Reserves and how we should remain and maintain ourselves if we wish to stay active in the up-and-coming.

My qualm is that I see how my unit is from the underside, being only a Specialist and I watch the Good-ole-boy system play in favor of people who have been around for years and it's hard to feel relevant.

I'm headed into my fourth year of service, and I know for some of you reading this, you'll snicker because I'm still just a baby tooth in the Army. I joined because I wanted to do something or be something in the Army, and sitting around doing nothing—weekend after weekend isn't how I imagined spending my time.

I've been signed up for Voluntary deployment. 
I've been signed up for AGR slots.
I've been looking for anything that will assist me in an Active slot, to include pestering poor SFC Cerny at the Recruiting station here in Olathe, KS for almost a year up until he moved positions after the FY.

I just feel like I'm lacking motivation when I see the people sprawled out before me. No open slots available. No schools, because we lack money. No way to get out of this rut.

Is there light at the end of this Reservist's tunnel? Because I'm tired of being called a 'weekend warrior.'
Posted in these groups: United states ar seal.svg Army Reserve
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Responses: 3
SSG Military Police
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I don't have a ton of motivation for you, really.  If money is tight, money is tight.  Also, even if you go AGR you will still be called a weekend warrior :)

Keep applying for AGR positions.  It generally takes a few interviews before the AGR board before they start to recognize you and give you due consideration for a full time slot.
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SSG Retired!!!
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Sucks, I never realized how hard it is to go from reserve to active
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SSG It Specialist
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I feel the same way brother. Sitting around month after month is not what I expected. I'm still pretty motivated, but I can see how it can start to wane in the Reserves.


I went back to my recruiting station and had a DD368 started to try and transfer to RA.


I don't have a problem with the reserves at all it just frustrates me that my unit was suppose to deploy twice and twice it got cancelled and now we are back on our five year rotation schedule. I am not waiting five years.



My Commander is trying to get me a deployment with a sister detachment who is tapping the Company for volunteers, but my unit is treated like the red headed step child, so I'm not holding my breathe.



Anyway my next step is submitting an AGR application if it falls through.



I hope everything works out for you. Never give up and keep the fire alive.
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