Posted on Sep 17, 2015
How do you balance time off for training in the NG / Reserves?
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In the past few months I've been volunteering for more training opportunities (1-2 days) here & to benefit my career in the Army (UMO Training, Running Ranges, BFT Training, Convoy Ops ect) . Just to set the stage for you all: I work a full-time job at a reputable company (MITRE CORPORATION) who works very closely with AD / Reserve components from all Branches. However there are few people here in the organization that are current SM in the Reserve or Guard.
A family member who has worked here for 35+ years mentioned to me that they thought I was taking too much time off. Of course they mentioned this after I gave advance notice that I would be absent from work for 4 months to go to BOLC in April!
Does anyone have any advice on the work / reserve / life balance that they had to achieve while they were / are in? My family members point runs along the same "Perception is reality" thought; that many & most people are not exposed to SM of the R / NG in the workplace & that they may just think that I'm taking too much time off or that my priorities are mixed up.
Thoughts?
A family member who has worked here for 35+ years mentioned to me that they thought I was taking too much time off. Of course they mentioned this after I gave advance notice that I would be absent from work for 4 months to go to BOLC in April!
Does anyone have any advice on the work / reserve / life balance that they had to achieve while they were / are in? My family members point runs along the same "Perception is reality" thought; that many & most people are not exposed to SM of the R / NG in the workplace & that they may just think that I'm taking too much time off or that my priorities are mixed up.
Thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
Army National Guard
Reserves
Army National Guard Reserves
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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I was in your shoes early in my Guard career. At first my employer and co-workers were proud of me and my service. I worked swing shifts with 12 hr shifts on weekends. As the yrs passed and rank progressed, I was putting in more and more guard time. Drills were landing on my weekends that I was scheduled to work 12 hr night shifts. My partners could not take time off while I was gone or I had to find someone to cover the worst possible shifts. On top of that I would lose about 36 hrs of pay that drill pay did even come close to making up for. My employer was presented awards for supporting the guard but was not worth the talk behind the back and loss of friends. Just be thankful you have the opportunity to do both jobs, some don't have any.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thanks for sharing SFC Smith! I am very thankful that I work for an employer that recognizes my commitment to the Guard & allows me the flexibility to take that extra time here & there for training.
In my experience, many soldiers in my Platoon struggle with many of the issues you just outlined as far as balancing work / Guard commitments & the disparity between work / Guard pay.
In my experience, many soldiers in my Platoon struggle with many of the issues you just outlined as far as balancing work / Guard commitments & the disparity between work / Guard pay.
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