How do any other Mil Techs on here approach rank while on Tech status?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 10:00:28 -0400

(This will probably have you active folk cringing or confused)

The endless debate I'm always hearing is should Mil Techs conduct themselves in all aspects as if they are on orders, IDT, AGR, some kind of actual military status or as civilians which we really are, just the condition that we have to stay in the Guard/Reserves to keep the job.

Outside of you can't out rank or have more time in grade than your supervisors, wearing the uniform within reg, and doing your job how the Army says to do it.... that is kind of where the "Army way" ends. Which I believe plays into why the Tech program is sometimes viewed negatively or undisciplined.

I work with a CSM that loves to remind other Techs who try using their rank that they have no rank, and that they are only senior to someone by their Tech pay grade and step. I run into this one a lot now because in my section all of the Techs senior to me have moved on. Gets me a lot of confused looks when the Sgt on Temp status is directing them to me or asking me for guidance or what needs to be done. Also creates situations that seem disrespectful, and would be any other time, when I have to explain to NCOs and officers from units we support that I don't take orders from them, but from the Warrant that supervises my section.

I haven't seen too many Techs completely throw customs and courtesies to the wayside. In public, emails, working with AGR/Mdays,or on a base I, and most Techs I've seen, make a point to address by rank, salute, and all that jazz, but at the shops it is just last names, nick names, sometimes first names. The worst offense I see is not dropping the "buddy, buddy" interactions when not on Tech status. You get to know a lot of people of all ranks, but some forget to flip the switch get back in their lane.

The argument I hear the most is that Techs should act as if on a military status since you're in uniform, preforming military work, and are still a solider. It is a good point, and I agree for the most part. However, it also isn't really set up to work that way. You have people in higher pay grades who are senior to others who have more rank on their chests, all but a few regulations don't apply, and you're not getting any of the other things Active, AGR, and ADOS receive.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 6 at 2018 11:36 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 11:36:22 -0400

Nice write up on the differences. I had no idea there was that much variance regarding the rank structure, who does what or is assigned to who and what not. Thanks for the primer.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Oct 6 at 2018 11:58 AM

SPC James Neidig — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 11:58:44 -0400

I know what you mean i was a SPC in the PA guard but was also a tech GS-6 who was supervising SGTs who were only GS-4 or 5s but when we went to drill or AT I showed them the respect they deserved

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Oct 6 at 2018 3:36 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 15:36:00 -0400

Ahh, the Military Technician. I was an Air Technician with the Air National Guard back in the early 1990’s at then Andrews AFB. Electronics Mechanic, WG-10, Excepted Civil Service. I had a WS-11 Foreman for a supervisor, but I was more or less my own boss. I used to hate it when the weekenders (Traditional Guardsman) came in on the weekends as some were just biding their time, waiting for their discharge. The Air Force used to have a program where you could leave active duty early, but only if you went immediately into a reserve unit. That’s not to say all of them were lazy, they just created issues for me. I have a lot of fond memories of that time. I was in a Combat Communications Squadron and I spent more time in the field than when I was in the Army.
I never had an issue with wearing the uniform or maintaining military bearing as my job was on an active duty base, even though I was technically a civilian while at work. There were some of my coworkers that belonged to the union, but I didn’t see membership as anything valuable.
One of my coworkers, whenever he went TDY, would make reservations at the base BOQ, based on his civilian grade, and he’d walk out in the morning with his SSgt stripes and would get a lot of perplexed looks from the officers also staying there. Technically he was correct, but I believe the National Guard Bureau came out with a regulation stating you would be billeted according to your military rank.
At least in the Air National Guard, the units “civilian” full time staff never had issues with the part time supervisors.

Response by LTC Peter Hartman made Oct 7 at 2018 7:12 AM

LTC Peter Hartman — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 07:12:12 -0400

I did some reserve time and in my unit the Mil techs were told their rank was not relevant except when they were doing reserve duty. I am not sure if this is Army policy or just the unit commander's preference. But the good Mil Techs were treated very well.

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Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2022 3:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 03:26:13 -0500

ARNG fed tech here. Yes you go by WG/WL/WS status, rank isn't a factor in running a fed shop. I was an E6 WG11, and had a CW3 Wage Grade 10 on the floor. Just do your job, rank isn't the same.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2022 2:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 14:09:29 -0500

I was a miltech, Monday thru Friday I was Mr. and I represented my commander, I did not make decision I just represented what my commander's wishes, on Drill I was Staff Sergeant and did my assigned duty, most of the time, occasionally the commander would pull me away to do Mr. work .