Posted on Mar 1, 2017
CPT Intelligence Analyst
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I recently was promoted to first lieutenant, and I still struggle with time management between my civilian career, life, and my military commitment. How have you, as leaders, managed time and fulfilled both obligations while balancing civilian careers, families, and life in general?

I am currently serving in a duty position I have no formal training in and I find it difficult to get motivated.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
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If you are planning on making it a career, I would plan on a minimum of 7-10 hours a week.
If you are in a key leadership position, or hope to be a high performer, I would use a minimum of 15 hours as a planning factor.

I'm making no judgements about how it "should" be. Just how it is.
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CPT Intelligence Analyst
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Thank you so much sir!
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CPO Bill Penrod
CPO Bill Penrod
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Reserve COs and training chiefs often spend several hours per month at the reserve center receiving zero compensation. Expect to give more free time the higher up the ladder you climb. Most wish they were compensated monetary but still seem to enjoy it...............
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BG Dep. Director, Military Programs
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More like 20 hours a week at my level. I call the Reserves my "second full-time job".
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COL Vincent Stoneking
COL Vincent Stoneking
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BG (Join to see) - Sir, that was definitely my experience while in BN Command, I can only imagine at your level!
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Edited >1 y ago
Seems like most of my off time is dedicated to my Reserves. Conference calls. NCOERs. Counsellings. eLAS taskers. SSD and other DL. Training Schedules........and the list goes on and on and on.......

But there are days where I have to say "I'm not touching my email or anything else for the Army" so I can spend time with the family.
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LTC John Shaw
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LTC Stoneking nailed it on experience and expectations, when in Command expect more time and every weekend.
It is the price of being in the leadership of the Reserve.
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How much off time is devoted to your Guard/Reserve service while not in uniform as a TPU?
CPT(P) David Thorp
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Love being a grunt. Passion for the job makes it easier to work after work. Also medication.
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MAJ Police Officer
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I recently left Company Command as a TPU and I can say it is the most frustrating, challenging, but also worthwhile position. After all, we became commissioned officers because we want to lead Soldiers. Leadership takes sacrifice. I served as a commander while also being a full time police officer in a major city. Many times I would be on the monthly huddle call or training meeting call and have to jump off because of an emergency call....

A couple hints: 1. Empower your subordinate leaders. Mentor them so they become able to handle the issue at their level (always keeping you apprised for your SA). 2. Work with your AGR/ MILTECH staff to get into a schedule that works for you (I worked nights so my staff new not to contact me before 1300 unless it was urgent and demanded my immediate attention). 3. Don't be afraid to work with your commander if there comes a time where you need to take a knee and not be in a critical position. I was fortunate to have commanders who understood that TPU pay does not pay my bills and that our civilian career has to come first sometimes.
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BG Dep. Director, Military Programs
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The higher up you go, the more of a time commitment it is. One tip for all of you out there who spend considerable unpaid time is to document your time as "Points Only" on a DA1380. You might not get paid for that time now, but documenting those soft points can get you a larger retirement check later!
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COL Owner
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Sir, I am currently at the training command level and constantly harping on my Iron Majors to document their God and Country time for ppints. Thank you for reinforcing this aspect of the Reserve system for those coming up. It may not sound like much, but $.65 to $.75 per point per month every year of your retired life makes a major difference when you look at 20+ years of retired pay.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
COL Vincent Stoneking
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Sir, I finally figured this out at the senior MAJ level. I really wish I'd done so earlier. That's a LOT of points I left on the table over the years!
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LTC Amd Chief
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It depends on your job and boss. I was on primary staff and command it was about 1-2 hours a night. It was much less for other jobs to a couple of hours a week. This isn't including PT which is about 30 - 60 minutes 5 days a week.
I've had AGR and MIL Tech bosses who expect daily contact Monday to Friday plus time at drill. It did help me with time management. It also made me understand what they do during the week and non-drill weekends.
I was a Brigade S-1 and understand your situation. I relied on my AGR NCO and other full timers for help. I got access to MEDPROS and other systems to help get information. You should keep in mind being picked as the S-1 is usually for the more sharper officers who can get things done. It's one of those jobs a lot of people don't like but, really helps their Army career.
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CPT Intelligence Analyst
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Thank you so much, sir, your response is appreciated. As a Battalion 1 currently, I'm struggling with learning the job as a trained intelligence officer. I'd love to hear more about your time in Brigade as a S1, and any helpful advice you could give on that front would be welcomed!
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LTC Amd Chief
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If you have good S-1 NCOIC and AGR support they should be good resources. Also with OERs and NCOERs tend to be a commander's hot button issue. You should always keep on top of them. Your Battalion CSM and 1SGs are allowed QCing NCOERs before being sent to the BC. It's not a requirement unless the BC wants it done.
Also get MEDPROS access for medical and dental readiness. It will give you information PHA and dental dates. Also, will show who really has a profile.
Also read the FMs on awards and evaluations. This will keep you honest.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT Lawrence Cable
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I have to admit, coming off a company command to S-1 was a big let down, but the LTC is entirely correct, if you have a good NCOIC, which tends to be a technician slot in Guard units, that's half the battle. I expected to get calls at least three times a week for direction or giving me a heads up about things that needed me to stop by and take care of before next drill. I was lucky enough to have a job that required a lot of road time, so I could generally arrange to slide by the office for a couple hours to take care of critical issues outside of scheduled drills and additional training assemblies.
Is your unit that short on Officers? as LTC Polichette indicated, this slot is usually considered one for your senior Captains looking to go to Major. You really don't get much formal education on the subject until CAS3, which is a post Advanced Course school.
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CPT Intelligence Analyst
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My unit had no AG officers, and I was apparently selected from one of the line companies by name and responded to the request. I wish I didn't feel so lost, I've been up at battalion now a couple months, and I've picked up on some things, but not much. I feel like I'm failing, missing C&S briefs, IPRs, etc. My NCOIC is good but a lot of the time fails to keep me updated. Any advice gentlemen? I'm one of those guys whose not afraid to lose face in front of leaders and subordinates, but I'm constantly nervous and uncomfortable, it seems. Should military service be like this? Any advice would be helpful.
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1LT Platoon Leader
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As LTC Stoneking said, 7-10 hours a week and sometimes much more. I have spent several early mornings and late evenings working out CONOPs, etc in order to effect good training for my guys for the next drill and beyond. It's a balancing act involving life honestly. You just do it. While you don't like the position that you're in, it will change. How you handle it is what matters.
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CAPT Kevin B.
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I'll add that it helps to have a day job that allows you to pick up the phone on MIL business. You make up for it by extending your work day. Being "available" gets noticed and breaking up the time during the week into bite size chunks helps. Generally the extra time starts out lower and increases with rank, responsibility, number of people you're responsible for, etc. So you don't get stuck doing it all, it's imperative that you appropriately delegate. That said, know clearly what it is you're delegating and the level of effort to do it. So how much is enough? If you show up for drill and you don't have a discreet and small fix-it list that you'll hit the S-1 up with, you didn't do your job. Weekends are for execution, not trying to figure things out while people mill around.

Actual time in the week. COL Vincent Stoneking is in the correct ballpark. I don't know about O-1/3 level of effort because I was AD. O-4 was 10-12, O-5 was 15-17, and O-6 was 20-24. Since I was CS with the Navy, I came into work early to deal with the 3000 mile screwdriver, and then could do more localized stuff as the day wore on. I generally left after most did to ensure I gave a full measure to the day job. When you are O-5/6, some of your time is "give back" in that you're spending more time bringing good people along because you're nearing the end of your career. My normal workday wound up being from 0600-1900 frequently. That allowed for short days to referee soccer, do something with the kids, etc.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
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I can tell you that I averaged almost 75 days a year between drill, schools, additional duties and AT. Guard units generally have additional unit training assemblies available to compensate the leadership for some of the additional duties, but if you are in a command position, I'm like LTC Stoneking, I ended up spending at least 6-8 hours a week on paperwork, schedules and planning.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
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The important part of serving in the Guard/Reserve is learning how to juggle. With chainsaws. That are sometimes on fire. For the first few years of my enlistment, I was working and going to school full time. Sleep was a foreign concept to me. I recommend using strict schedules to lay out tasks, but not times. Start with PT in the morning, hygiene, work, planning etc. But don't put times. Time will make you rush through a task if you are running out of time.

Follow the 1/3 and 2/3 rule. That is the rule where you give your soldiers 2/3 of the time to do the plan, and you use the 1/3 to make the plan. This helps them but it also helps you. If you have a week to setup for a training event on the weekend, spend no more than 2 days thinking it over and planning. Let the rule constrict your time so you have other time to focus on other responsibilities.
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SGT Dave Tracy
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Edited >1 y ago
Well Sir as you have learned it's a matter of person and position. Myself as a solider and as a team leader (though often fulfilling the roll as squad leader) won't require as much time as a Platoon Sergeant, 1SG, PL or Commander, but if I were to average it out over the month I spend about 5-10 hours on the Reserves, NOT including just getting myself ready for drill weekends or AT. Some months require more time; others less.

I don't envy those in higher positions who have more of a draw on their time and energy with admin, meetings, phone calls, etc. As it is for me, I'm struggling with my civilian career, grad school, family and the Reserves.

You mentioned you are in a position you were not trained up for, and that certainly happens. Seek out what knowledge and assistance you can. Good luck.
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SGT Motor Transport Operator
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Stay calm, work hard, learn your craft and rely on your seargants, they will ease that stress
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SSgt Carpenter
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When I was a combat engineer team leader, I probably spent what would tally up to a day or two a month of my own time in prep for drill. Now that I'm waiting for a school slot to get qualified in my AF career field, I spend 0 hours a month on my own time as I'm practically an E-5 private. I'm enjoying the break, though this last month I realized that I really missed it, to tell the truth.
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MSG Intelligence Senior Sergeant/Chief Intelligence Sergeant
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Sir,
I've been serving in the National Guard for nearly 18 years. The majority of that time as an NCO and in leadership positions. I know it sucks, but you will have to accept that at least several hours out of your month will be dedicated to preparing for the next drill. If there are tasks that should be accomplished by the fulltime staff, then push back (tactfully) and make sure that the full timers are not dumping their work load onto you. If it is something that you can accomplish, take on the extra work. If you have an NCO assigned to you, split the work with them throughout the month. If you have multiple troops, divvy out the work to them throughout the month. Let them take care of the simple stuff that only requires an hour or two out of their month while you handle the rest. It can be a team effort, and you can get the troops to help complete tasks before drills. As for your situation of serving in a position you have no formal training in, you're going to have to reach out to another unit and find someone who has had formal training to mentor you and provide advice on how to accomplish the tasks of that position. You're an officer in the Army, which makes you a generalist, not a career field specialist. Just wait until you start bouncing around from position to position because as an officer in the Army you're expected to adapt and overcome and serve in any role. You can do it. Don't look at being assigned to your duty position as a hindrance. Look at it as an opportunity to succeed, excel, and show the commander that you can kick ass even when doing a job you don't find particularly interesting. Figure setting up an hour every other day to check emails, write responses, or to take care of minors tasks. Dedicate half a day on a Saturday or Sunday to complete certain assignments. If a major project comes along, ask to be put on orders so you can take time away from work to accomplish that without it cutting into your personal life, and adding additional work or stress to your normal routine. I manage 12 Soldiers, 3 x Os and 9 x junior enlisted, and have to complete training schedules and all sorts of other projects throughout the month on top of my career, family, and hobbies. You will have to figure out how dedicated you are to the military and how to manage your time. Sometimes you have to give up the party nights to be a leader and a producer.
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1SG Vet Technician
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When I am planning a task or AT mission, I can spend 15-20/ week. Otherwise, at least 3 to 4 hours a week
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