Is 39 training days good enough for the National Guard and Reserves?

I don't think so but I try to give the best training I can to my soldiers with what time we are given.

If the command is very efficient in its use of training time and the distractors are minimized, perhaps it is minimally sufficient for some MOSs. The more complex MOS that require serious larger scale environments (e.g. Signal networks, Intell systems, higher level commands, etc.) simply can't do a whole lot on a weekend. Frankly I'm impressed with how much they can do. But the combination of their regular training and post-mob training can get them to speed. As someone mentioned, the needs of the unit must be assessed in the context of the mission. The theater commander, as important as he is, probably doesn't know squat about what the unit needs in order to be truly ready. I've witnessed theater needs dictating reorganization of units and demanding deployment without adequate equipping or training with that equipment and new mission. That is not a pretty picture. Leaders have to be smart enough and have enough guts to say "No". I doubt there is a model for more training days that will work. What everyone needs to do is wring out every minute of value from the limited time available. Not an easy task.

1LT Rosa,
While I personally would like to see more training days I think this would have a negative impact on civilian and RC commitments. Personally being in an ABCT I think we get more bang for our buck so to speak by doing MUTA 6 field drills and (Allows more training time while on tracks under field conditions compared to a MUTA 4 or 5) drilling every other month or even quarterly so that we can accomplish tasks rather than try to fit them into drill weekend (MUTA 4) I've talked with some USAR units that do this and it seems to be more effective. In essence my point is that we have enough time but should structure it perhaps differently to do things like a Table II or a Table 5 or 6 on a drill weekend. Thoughts?

As someone in the training directorate, just some information for ya. Suggest you read DoDI 1215.13 Enclosure 3 and DoDI 1215.06 (These feed AR 140-1). Both talk about the required time for both USAR (14 days not including travel - NMT 17 days), and ARNG (15 days including travel). If your are in the 1 or 3 shops, these three docs might be something to keep in your binder. These are based under federal law via Title 10 (right.. lots of legal mumbo-jumbo). End state is nothing is going to change until Congress makes it happen and they cough up some money to pay for it. We are in a zero-sum world where to get something, you have to give something up. Lots of moving pieces up here so keep your eye and ears open as changes are coming. Maybe not as fast as you like but at the speed of the budget.

The only thing better than training is more training readiness is very critical for the Reserves and Guards.

I spent eleven years in the Marine Corps Reserve---Most of the time was wasted on bullshit. Just before Desert Strom I transferred to the New York National Guard--Every second was spent on being a solder and perfecting your MOS skills. NCO's came in on their own time to train troops between drills. The company Master Gunner, 1st Sergeant and Platoon Sergeants would spend days of their own time setting up drills so no time was wasted. ---In the Marine Corps the Inspector & Instructor staff consists of active duty Marines. Most are only interested in passing inspection and doing their time in the I&I to insure their careers. I know that statement will anger many Marines reading it. I think a lot of the Marines---their great war fighters---Unfortunately there are to many senior NCO's and officers that are career men first and leaders second. .

I whole heartedly agree with his assement on a lack of time. We have to do get all of our admin / et al. Done normally throughout the year's drills only to launch into our major core training (per aforgen status) for two weeks per year. Personally this is not enough time to do the job correctly. Do we want to sacrifice quality and competency for costs? I say no.

I must admit, as time progressed in the many years served, training changed to meet the opposition we would face.

True, training days decreased. In Germany (West), we would live in the field for several days (20-30), Grafenwohr/Hohenfels, jumping back and forth as a Forward Support Battalion.

What I’ve learned over the past few years as money has dried up, we must be creative with how we train. It’s not about quantity anymore but quality that enriches the purpose to be ready. This means several things, train along other units to improve upon efficiency, utilize various simulator training equipment, use hip pocket training to fill in dead space and see what units are training that if you can’t shadow, you can observe.

We must equip ourselves to ready until funds are more readily available to increase areas we see fit to increase proficiency. It’s like doing a SWOT Analysis (IE Matrix) to accomplish the most out of our unit’s capabilities.

Finding a delicate balance and voicing our opinion without overly arguing which loses higher commands ear is what we as leaders do and must continue to show with research how to accomplish the mission, what the outcome will result and let them figure out the next steps. We give them guidance and past experience we’ve learned to keep us as current with global situations we will front.

Remember, we do more in the morning then our civilians do all day. We also do more with less too (personnel, equipment and funds).

We’re our own worst enemy as we take every situation regardless of how it’s given in short suspense to meet every task assigned and this over time becomes expected but our Soldiers who are our future must still feel they’re getting quality training to face every objective successfully.

BLUF, be creative and effective.

It may be off scope a little, but I would like to see DOD stand up full time the number of units needed to fight the wars. The 2 and a half wars plan worked well and we should return to it. The reserves should be used as just that, reserves, needed for the mobilization of a great force such as was needed during WW2.

The 39 training days a year have always been the model. The post mobilization training period usually adds another 60 days to the process. Whether the 1st Army CG like it or not during times of dwindling resource that will be the best that can be hoped for. BN CDRs and above need to always find better ways to build year after year on training. No easy solution, but if a 3 year training plan is followed it should work. The other problem that I experienced during mob was that my unit's post mobilization plan was different then what the theater commander demanded. Until these two plans are put together a RES/NG unit CDR has no control on the time at MOB Station.