How important is the "10-minute" prior to formation?

For the AD, you have nothing else to do, for the NG and RA and other reservists, we have things to do. I have people who drive upwards of 8 -10hours to get to Drill, myself I have a 2 hour drive and have to go through a major city to do it. If we have a three or four day drill odds are I will be driving through weekday traffic, so when leaders start asking for meetings 10 minutes or 30-45 minutes prior to the start of drill your putting an imposition of people. Possibly forcing them to drive recklessly to get to hear exactly what pearls of wisdom? 99 times out of 100 nothing that would justify that soldier getting in an accident on a dark road in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes we don't apply safety on the front end of missions.

MSG (Join to see), the way I always looked at it was like this: As long as everyone was formed up before I got there (and I usually got there before my Chief and Division Officer) I didn't give a rat's ass if they formed up at 0759 or 0745 (or whatever the hell time quarters was, lol).

I'ts just that extra touch of communication that can mean a whole lot in the future. TIME TO ADJUST!!!

I really do not see what the problem would be. "I know things change over time", but there àre some things that will never change as far as I know, (Soldiers are soldiers 24/7/365 & when they are told to do or be, it's their job to do or be). 10 minutes is as important as you're told. If you show up any time after that it could cost you rank, time & money, they was all three important to me & I planed accordingly. Was I wrong for thinking that way? It always worked trust me!

I’m embarrassed at today’s military complaining about everything. It’s the responsibility of the soldier to do what their leaders tell them to. If you don’t like it, get motivated to make the rank to make the decisions

In my day, it was very important. 9/10 times it still gave you time to get "SQUARED" away in case the 1st Sgt, Plt Lt, or the Co Cmd decide to pop an inspection. Always, somebody knew before hand & could warn you so you could fix your "gigs". Also allowed for idle chat/cig breaks w/ members of the other Plts that you wouldn't get to see as much during the day, as you all may not be on the same Training Schedule for "said" day's work.

It also gave people time to try & find someone to pay & take their CQ Duties off their hands. I used to make it rich when in Garrison by taking extra CQ Duties. Back then you could get $200 for Co CQ duty, $300 for Bn CQ, & almost $500 for Regt CQ. Very few ever wanted Bn or Regt CQ, as you had to be "Impressive" in your uniform or be gigged by the SgtM/CsM's or the Lt Col/Col's.

Made for long days, but good $$$. Hehe!

So, IMO, it was VERY! important & profitable...

10-15 minutes prior is fine by me. It's when you get stupid with the prior to the prior to the prior and end up in formation 2+ hours is when it gets bad. Once upon a time, we showed up at 0400 for a range that opened at 1200.....

if your on time your late always be earlly, when i held formations i want to know who is there, who isnt and why, i'll tell you later or i'll find out is'nt the answer, especially in the reserves, in those ten minutes nco's can be making thier accountabillty checks, did sm have car failure, over slept, or anything accountabillity no one is left behind

As long as it's ONLY 10 minutes prior, that's fine. I was active duty for a long time, and the larger the formation got, the more it was 10 minutes prior to the 10 minutes prior to the 10 minutes prior. Report at 0530 for a 0600 formation? That would have been a luxury back at the beginning of my career...more like 0450.

In 10+ years of military service, it was always be 15 minutes early to all appointments. The cop field really preaches the importance of being on time and it's a good way to make sure you're not late.