How do you balance your military and civilian career as a fellow National Guard/ Reservists?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:49:32 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 7:28 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 07:28:03 -0500

When I was TPU I was a platoon leader. I did stuff on weekends and nights. I was a teacher so during summers I was brought in on orders. My work allowed me to go away a few times during the school year as well without charging me vacation days. It was a balancing act, but I had good full-timer staff so it was not too bad.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jan 28 at 2015 7:47 AM

CPT Richard Riley — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 07:47:23 -0500

There are many members participating here who fall into this category and can have valuable insight & knowledge to pass along. MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca CMC Robert Young SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 1SG Michael Blount Col Private RallyPoint Member CH (CPT) Heather Davis CPT Carrie Papproth LTC Chad Storlie CPT Chris Loomis LTC Chris Norton MSgt Private RallyPoint Member Just to name a few ...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 7:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 07:50:26 -0500

It gets harder as you go. E1-E4 I had no issues. The company I worked for was very cooperative with annual training and 2 deployments less than 8 months apart. As an E5 I started running into things like having to make phone calls during work hours and sometimes have to run by the armory for a few minutes from time time time. As I progressed in the Guard, I moved up in my civilian job as well. Before I was a member of a 4 man team, be them time I made E6 I was a service tech with my own truck . Third deployment and still no issues. Right after the deployment I started running into issues. The unit sent me to two different schools, then a week or two later AT. Every drill turned into MUTA5 or MUTA6 to be ready for drill. My employer has been cooperative through it all but it been difficult at times. I'm on ADOS now, but even still my ADOS job is not within the unit so I can still be difficult

Response by LTC Chris Norton made Jan 28 at 2015 8:30 AM

LTC Chris Norton — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:30:42 -0500

Interesting question-I wish I knew better how to answer it other than "just do it."

I was commissioned in 1996, post Gulf War I, and right after the attendant draw down. I had not intended this to be the case-I had all intentions and expectations of serving immediately on AD, but my year they apparently took 1/3 of the commissioning class and sent us to the Reserve/Guard.

As a result, it's all I know.

I have to echo some of the earlier sentiment-it gets tougher as you go along. Responsibilities, be it work, family, military, and "other" seem to increase with time no matter what.

//rant begins//
Honestly, I found I was much more effective in balancing work/military until 2012 or so-when I recall losing AKO mail for routine correspondence and being forced to use CAC-enforced enterprise mail. Not working in an environment with CAC-enabled computers precludes me from easily monitoring message traffic while on breaks, meaning it then becomes a third or fourth priority when I'm at home with the family.

Also (and this is specific to the USAR), losing my ability to access ITRS and the on-the fly reporting it provides has been a killer as well. What used to be an EXCELLENT unit leadership and management tool has effectively gone back to my relying on FTUS, with the technology to access it.

And before they get dropped into a reply, I have the thursby reader for my iPad....while a tool it's just not the same in terms of user experience to replace access from a computer. Also, "get a computer from your unit" is not an option based on our TDA, and my reality of work. Lugging a second machine around for the sole purpose of accessing email, when I'm already carrying one plus multiple cell phones (no blackberry budget either) is not a realistic option.

//end rant//

Good luck. I applaud you, and all the other young troops out there beginning their careers now. It's not easy. Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky, but I think Uncle Sam is really making things unintentionally difficult on the reserve component.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jan 28 at 2015 10:53 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 10:53:48 -0500

For me, I have to be the master of time management in all areas.

First off, you need a plan. Sit down and establish your daily work hours. We all have jobs. We all need to bring home the bacon. Let's say you can devote 1-2 hours daily to the guard. And that one to two hours is immediately after your primary employment closes for the day as you commute home.

Now, you have a basic plan in place. Let your troops know this is your SOP.... 1-2 hours daily from say 1700-1900 hrs.

There are gonna be days where nothing happens and you have that two hours block wide open and days when you're busier than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Don't sweat it. It's a wash....

Then for me I remain "connected." My phone, laptop, and iPad all use calendar and to do lists that synch automatically. You need to learn to use them efficiently and to your advantage. Especially the to do list. Learn to prioritize like a champ. Set realistic goals daily.

Learn to delegate.

Use the calendar and color code entries by priority. Share that calendar as needed with the important folks in your life so everybody is on the same page of the book.

You're gonna have requests with unrealistic deadlines. Expect them. And ask for more time as needed.

I'm blessed in that I can in fact juggle everything so a decent degree. I'm also blessed with great Soldiers and a amazing Platoon Sergeant. That goes a long long way in making things smoother.

On a family note, there are basically four weekends in a month. One of those is devoted to me being gone from Friday to Sunday.... 3 days. I make certain that my family gets two weekends devoted to them. A 2 for 1 type deal. I'm fortunate in that I live close to the base I train at. Unless it's absolutely impossible come home each night from drill. If something is going on for the family on a drill weekend then try to get there after drill. If you're dirty and grubby get cleaned up and put a fresh uniform on. If you're beat to hell tired just suck it up and be a man about it and go.....

That's in a nutshell my SOP. Take what you can from it discard what you can't. I'd be more than happy to yap offline with you about it......

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 3:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:02:42 -0500

Communicate very well with my employer!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 3:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:18:13 -0500

I don't. My civilian career takes second place to my military career. I have turned down what many would consider promotions and opportunities for such in the civilian world because there were military promotions or opportunities that I wanted.

I see my military career as my occupation; its what keeps me happy. My civilian job is just what I do to make money and keep my wife happy.

My calculation has been that once I retire from the military, the civilian promotions will still be there and if not, the point I chose to plateau at is comfortable enough.

The big deciding factor for me is knowing my limitations--if I were to have accepted more promotions (responsibilities) on both sides, I'd have started to fail in one or the other, and maybe both.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jan 28 at 2015 9:18 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:18:52 -0500

That's a tough question to answer because its so different for each of us. It is truly a balancing act so you'll need a good calendar, a good plan A, a better plan B and a great deal of flexibility (Be Gumby, baby). Here's what worked for me:

1. Plan, plan, revise plans, improvise, abort plans, re-plan. Keep a good calendar to plan your time. Know where you have to be when you have to be. Just like your YTC, plan ahead of time - when are my drills & AT, what family events are coming up, vacations, birthdays, ANNIVERSARIES (don't laugh, how easily we can forget! In 20 years I was only home for 3) Look at that calendar weekly and "Roll with the Changes" - REO Speedwagon.

2. Make time for YOURSELF. Don't blow a gasket or seal because you don't relieve some pressure. Put alone time on your calendar, do PT, have a hobby that is just you.

3. You have to have an understanding family that supports you. Your parents and your spouse depending on what stage of life you are at. Your parents hopefully will support your decision. Be up front about your ambitions and what your requirements are. Don't hold punches or think your family will simply be OK when deployment orders come in. You need to keep them in the know. Don't isolate them from your military career, include them at family functions.

4. Your time in troop leading positions will be the most trying. You now have 2 families to support - your troops on and sometimes off duty and your family. Know how to keep those 2 families separated. Use your family possibly to help you deal with a soldier issue, but don't bring every issue home with you. Let your family know that this assignment is going to be taxing on your time up front. Insure you have a good full time staff that will assist you in your leadership duties - not carry you but help you get the day-to-day things done that you can't - getting paperwork through channels, communicating to higher and lower HQ where needed, etc.

5. If you are married respect your spouse, their work, their interests, etc. You are asking a lot of them to support you, you must support them when they need you, not everything can be written off with, "I'm busy with military work", or "I have to be at the armory tonight" even in a troop leading role. Again, keep them in the know with your calendar, what to expect from an AT, deployment, school, etc. Share the load and the work at home.

6. If you have children, make time for them. You'll be surprised at how far some quality time with them will go. Sometimes family time takes effort, especially the weekend following the "12 Day work week" (work week + drill weekend + work week) but you have to put in the time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 10:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:31:58 -0500

It's hard but, it can be done. I'm an active duty soldier and a father of 4. And I have a second job. It seems so hard at times. Days go by and most of the time, I don't know what day it is. Or what I ate. But at the end of the day, I have a family to provide for, and will do everything I can. You just have to remember, life goes on and there is light at the end.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 6:58 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 06:58:03 -0500

This is one of my biggest challenges. I am in relatively high demand at my civilian employer, at my unit (that is almost 300 miles away), as a family man, and as a full time student. Time management, communication, and support are critical.

Sacrifice is built into what we do, but it is vital that you do not sacrifice what is precious for what is pressing. I constantly remind myself to keep my focus on my family, even when I am being spread thin.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 29 at 2015 7:00 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 07:00:17 -0500

I will say from my experience it is difficult and I salute the Guardsmen and Reservist who do make it a career. I did 12 years on Active Duty and thought heck I could do the weekend a month two weeks a year deal. Oh how mistaken I was and luckily I was able to learn that it was not for me in the Guard. I will also echo what others have said and that is open communication between employer and family because without it you will be one drained person and it may cause friction within your family.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 5:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 17:54:06 -0500

It may seem funny, but Google calendar has been my friend for the last 4 years of my military. During this time, I have maintained a full time (plus overtime) civilian job, volunteered, managed several expensive hobbies, dedicated roughly 1 hour per day to Physical Training, maintained my military duties, and kept my family life intact.

One or the other may be disrupted at some point, but the important pieces are to keep them as compartmentalized as possible. When my civilian and drill weekends conflict, I attempt to reschedule my civilian work schedule so that the hospital is not left short staffed. I have agreed to perform expected duties for both of them, and should follow true to my word with minimal disruptions. Saying "You owe me this because I'm a Soldier" doesn't make any sense at all.

Furthermore, you need to maintain a balance as a family man as well. Your military family is important, but you will eventually leave the military. They need a certain amount of time with minimal to zero disruptions. In leadership roles, these are unavoidable. If this does happen, then you need to change the schedule to allow uninterrupted time at a later date. The moment that the family feels that they have no value is the moment that they start seeking approval and attention via negative means, be it another spouse or a negative behavior pattern.

It takes commitment and dedication, but ensuring that your Soldiers understand that you are AVAILABLE at all times, but should use discretion in calling on off hours to urgent and emergent issues.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 7:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 19:06:25 -0500

For me, it is has been very difficult my first 3 years trying to balance a civilian career with my Reservist career. With my military experiences I have truly struggled to translate my military MOS experiences and turn that into a civilian job. I have had to also drop out of college a few times in the past 3 years due to military obligations being in the way of my education. I have found out through many civilian employers that unless you carry a certain high rank, have some amount up to a college degree of sorts, and have many years of your own MOS military experience. You will most likely truly struggle in the Reservist component of the Army, while balancing out a good civilian career. Respectfully, I don't encourage anyway between 18 and probably late 20's to join the Reserve component of the Army because you will most likely not enjoy it. Instead I advice strongly to go Active Duty, if you can get in to that components.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 12:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 12:57:51 -0500

It gets harder every year, but then my civilian job gets harder as well. I'm an attorney, self-employed, and live 300 miles from my reserve unit. It is always a challenge, and that is even with a military-friendly boss (me).