Posted on Apr 2, 2014

Does treating reserve component servicemembers like active duty servicemembers affect morale and retention?

SSG Jonathan Rowley

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The concept behind this question is the fact that reserve component servicemembers are mostly civilian and have a different mentality. I have come from Active Duty Marine Corps and now I am in the Army National Guard. I have noticed a huge difference between the two and have made certain adaptations to my leadership style, however it seems that I still ask too much. Does anyone out there have similar stories or advice?

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1SG Ariel Rosario

Posted >1 y ago

Very much so, we usually end up squeezing 20 lbs of stuff into a 5 lbs bag. With that said we are in competition for our existence so I'm afraid that the optempo will continue to rise before it gets normal again. I struggle with the same, we need to find the happy medium, if such thing exist, so that we don't push our Citizen-Soldiers out due to bitterness.

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SGT Bryon Sergent

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

It being the National Guard most of the guys work together or have went to school together or grown up together. I have noticed the same thing. When I went to the guard from active duty it was a hard transformation. The mind set is totally different. But with that being said, because we are laxed in certain things, we bring more to the table in my experience. We have civilian jobs that differ from our mos. I'am in an MP unit. My guys are welders, mechanics, jailers, police officers, ems, firefighters, bankers, and different things. So as a group we can actually get more done in my humble opinion. But yes there is a different mentallity because we are "weekend warriors" they think that the hair doesn't matter because Monday Ill be back on the block. But I still hold my guys to time you are supposed to be here, in the uniform you are supposed to be in and with the proper grooming responsiblities. You don't have to have a high and tight but get a cut! Shave and look respectible iin uniform!

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SFC Michael Hasbun

>1 y

Honestly, my experience has been that the NG generally outshines it's Reserve counterparts 6 days a week, and twice on Sunday. I work a lot with all three components, and of the three, at least in terms of schools and training, it's the NG that puts out a better product than the other two components. The NG has really impressed me to this point... The RTS-M's I've accredited have been HANDS DOWN superior to their Reserve and Active counterparts..

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SSG Jonathan Rowley

>1 y

I agree with your response SPC Sergent and I have heard similar to what SSG Hasbun has said and am pretty proud of my Soldiers for their accomplishments being that they have to do a months worth of work in 2 days. My question is since we are required to hold our Soldiers to the Army standard where is the incentive for a Soldier that has a civilian life to want to continue to sweep floors, perform continuous inventory, do pushups for being late, get in trouble for a half ass shave, etc..? a good number of Soldiers in the National Guard get out because they have better jobs and are tired of being treated like children. Personally I am a lifer but I am an I.T. Manager in the civilian side and I am a TMC NCOIC in the Army. I have a Soldier with multiple Masters degree's and they won't commission her so she wants to get out. I have a Soldier that wants to go active duty but they made it so difficult for him he just wants to get out. and many more examples. I know if a Soldier wants to get out they will but I am loosing some good Soldiers that I feel should stay in. what can I do to give these Soldiers the spark back that made them join in the first place? I only get 2 days a month with these guys and it is usually filled with tons of stuff to do.

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SGT Bryon Sergent

>1 y

And I fully agree. I am not the one to say to go around the chain of command my NO means, But sounds as if the career counslor needs to be envolved and get the correct answers. I have a similar siuation. I re-enlisted in Iraq in 11. They told me that it was lump sum and tax free. Well get back to the states, they take taxes out. Went through my chain and a couple of congressman. Finally get the counslor envolved and she gets the right contact the first time last month. Then I am told I should have spoken sooner. I even had my CoC write an exception to policy memo and it still wasn't fixed. So they are going to adjust my w-2 and I can claim it next year!!!! so yes I understand.

Maybe more awards. AAM for, yes it is petty for someone that is just doing there job, but it shows that they are WORTH something to someone. Maybe getting released early for exceptional work, certificate of apperciation from the commander. Yes well all know the dog and pony shows suck, but to some that is all they need is recongization. They don't get it at home or at there civilian job for being in the army because they VOLUNTEERED but if we don't recongnize them who will.

If I am off base please someone chime in with better answers cause I am having the same issues. The current admin is taking the reasons to stay in for 20 so why should they stay! Cutting pay, Pt, SSD1, promotions, profiles, and even busting you butt dosent get anything so I can see why.

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MAJ Ken Landgren

Posted >1 y ago

I have seen RC/NG soldiers treated poorly on deployments or back fills. It should not be that way.

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Does treating reserve component servicemembers like active duty servicemembers affect morale and retention?

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