Has "responsibility creep" in the National Guard gotten worse in the last few years?

2021-02-07T22:40:26-05:00

This is aimed at reservists and national guard members.

Has Responsibility Creep in the National Guard gotten worse in the last few years? It seems like what was once or twice a month outside of drill has turned into multiple times a week.

This is not a complaining post! Just wants some thoughts on it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 1:10 AM

2021-02-08T01:10:02-05:00

It used to be far worse. Try being gone for 15 months. As the military becomes more technical and tactically proficient we require more than one weekend a month. I honestly think it will only get worse until we stop focusing so much on the national guard and the reserve. I was in the national guard for 10 years and I spent a lot more than one week in a month.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 8 at 2021 11:59 AM

2021-02-08T11:59:28-05:00

I retired in 2016, so I can say since 9/11 the Guard as whole hasn't really stood down. If it isn't one mission it is another. Some of these missions IMHO should be done by active duty troops (i.e. overseas deployments) , and some things that are restricted to NG forces do to Posse Comitatus/Title 32 troops under control of a Governor (Hurricane, floods, fires, and the like).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 3:28 PM

2021-02-08T15:28:35-05:00

I think this is honestly what causes us to lose a lot of our good O's/NCO's. It would be interesting to see what that guard could be like with more full-time staff per unit to see if we could prevent so much time put in outside of drill time.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Feb 8 at 2021 7:37 PM

2021-02-08T19:37:38-05:00

Just a thought...you don't have to listen to this retiree, who's been out almost 11 years now, but...since 1991, the AD Army has been reduced, due to cutbacks and drawdowns...because of that, we now have to rely on the Army Reserves and National Guard to make up these losses. What used to be "Weekend Warriors" are now "waiting-to-be-called-up" Active Duty members. The draft ended in 1973 and most Americans don't want to go back there. Btw, I've been in all three components, without any breaks in service. Keep yourself ready for the next call up. Thank you for your service.

Response by SMSgt Sheila Berg made Feb 9 at 2021 10:14 PM

2021-02-09T22:14:23-05:00

The draw down of Active Duty places more requirements for Reservist and Guard. The Pandemic has changed the Mission to include Domestic as well as international. Get use to it. A cyclical process with drawdowns and the uptick of Missions. It happen during the Gulf War to the present.