Posted on Apr 6, 2018
Has anyone had success balancing a career as a defense contractor along with being a member of the Army National Guard?
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Posted in these groups: 
General Contractor
NGB
Reserves
ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor)
ETS/EAS
General Contractor NGB Reserves ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor) ETS/EAS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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As one who is presently a TPU in the USAR and a defense contractor, it all depends on what you're doing and where you're working.
If you're looking at defense contracting overseas, balance may be difficult to achieve balance. When I began a contract overseas, I moved to the Inactive Guard and was slotted in a TDA unit as my location made it nearly impossible to drill regularly. If you have adequate leave off from your contract to make up drill dates and annual training, in a given year, there may be an opportunity to arrange block training with your command (provided policies and regulations support it).
If you're working domestically, your contractor work is really no different than a typical job that requires the usual give and take; however, military contract companies are usually more flexible with time off for military duty than the average civilian employer.
I have found that my present contract work and my USAR assignment enhance each other. My unit, my company, and I all benefit from the cross pollination.
The only caveat is to beware potential conflicts of interest.
If you're looking at defense contracting overseas, balance may be difficult to achieve balance. When I began a contract overseas, I moved to the Inactive Guard and was slotted in a TDA unit as my location made it nearly impossible to drill regularly. If you have adequate leave off from your contract to make up drill dates and annual training, in a given year, there may be an opportunity to arrange block training with your command (provided policies and regulations support it).
If you're working domestically, your contractor work is really no different than a typical job that requires the usual give and take; however, military contract companies are usually more flexible with time off for military duty than the average civilian employer.
I have found that my present contract work and my USAR assignment enhance each other. My unit, my company, and I all benefit from the cross pollination.
The only caveat is to beware potential conflicts of interest.
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Hmm, that could be a real bear-- How do you handle drills, musters, deployments, etc. I can see a bunch of problems there. IRR or USAR would probably be a better way.
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I've only been doing it for a few months but my contract company is very supportive.
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SSG (Join to see)
For example, you work for top defense contractor company such as Boeing. Will you still be under the contract if you go on a nine-month deployment with the Guard?
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MSG (Join to see)
Unless it times out you should be. That one would be very situation-ally dependent. I have worked contract 3 different times overseas and my unit was very supportive. Some units are downright vindictively rude, to which i would say. Switch units. Your situation seems backwards from the usual issues.
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Yes, I was working as a contractor for the TN National Guard and was a drilling member as well until retirement. I have 4 M-day Guard members working for me on my contract now. 2 NCOs (Air and Army) and 2 officers (a CPT and a MAJ).
There is no issue working around drill, schools and AT. In fact the MAJ is attending active duty ILE at Leavenworth now. The contract company fully supports USERRA and it would work to their detriment if they violated federal law.
I'm sure there are others who've have negative experiences. I cannot say that. My experience has been very positive.
There is no issue working around drill, schools and AT. In fact the MAJ is attending active duty ILE at Leavenworth now. The contract company fully supports USERRA and it would work to their detriment if they violated federal law.
I'm sure there are others who've have negative experiences. I cannot say that. My experience has been very positive.
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SPC David Willis
Do you have an idea how it would work if you took an overseas contract? Would that be something the guard would expect you to just turn down or would they, in a way, look at is as being somewhat mobilized?
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COL Dana Hampton
Overseas contracting is a bit more difficult. The overseas issues center around making your drills periods and Annual Training. The expense for travel alone is an issue. Most I've seen try that route have requested transfer to the Inactive National Guard. The trick there is gaining TAG approval. In TN, the TAG is reluctant to approve tranfer to the ING in the time of readiness priorities.
In short, it's possible but don't surprised if the answer is no.
In short, it's possible but don't surprised if the answer is no.
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SGT Jake Miller
You have to be in touch with the unit. You get put on a leave, and your time is suspended when you are on contract.
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LTC (Join to see)
It will be tough but I have seen reservests make up drills on their days off overseas. I had a guy in GTMO come in to the office and help out for a few days to make up drills. I just emailed his unit to confirm he did it. That was in 2002 though.
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