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

SSG Jonathan Rowley — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:06:12 -0400

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?

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 2 at 2014 11:12 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:12:19 -0400

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!

Response by 1SG Ariel Rosario made May 22 at 2014 4:38 PM

1SG Ariel Rosario — Thu, 22 May 2014 16:38:22 -0400

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.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 27 at 2018 10:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 22:42:29 -0400

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