Is federal recognition outdated?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 23:24:57 -0400

I think that the purpose of federal recognition was important in the past, especially when the National Guard was an organization run very differently from active duty.

But now that schooling is centralized and the Guard, in structure, parallels active duty, is there a reason why federal recognition still exists?

Response by LTC John Mohor made Nov 3 at 2016 11:31 PM

LTC John Mohor — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 23:31:04 -0400

Oh heck yes there's a reason Federal recognition is still important! State GO's are still appointed by Governors. Politics play a role therefore as an additional check and balance it's good to keep it. I have a classmate that was retired from Active Duty Army as an 0-5 LTC. He's now been appointed as GAARNG as a 1 star General. In South Carolina the TAG is Elected. You really need to make sure they meet federal standards!

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 4 at 2016 12:57 AM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:57:32 -0400

NO ... because the Different ways of Commission may not have all Officers trained Equal...

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Nov 4 at 2016 11:41 AM

CPT Nicholas D. — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:41:26 -0400

I think it is important that the ARNG continues to validate their Officers with NGB/DOD. Otherwise we lose a lot of progress that has been made in the last few decades to bring the ARNG on par with an Army at War. We were discussing this in the DFAC today, and I recall when I went through basic 17 years ago, we National Guard soldiers had affectionate monikers such as "Nasty Girls" and Weekend Warriors. That culture has changed quite a bit where many (if not most) of my active component comrades are very inquisitive "Hey, How do I transfer from RA to the Guard?" It's also a win-win if one can score an AGR billet. But the Guard has come a long way to make sure that our Officers are getting appropriate PME, OPD, etc. With the ARFORGEN, it is becoming rare to see NG officers with ZERO active service (whether that be TITLE X, Mobilizations, ADOS, AGR, or TITLE 32 time).

With that said, I agree that the FED REC process is atrocious. There is no reason why 1LTs on the DA Select list should wait upwards to 6 months or a year for the Bureaucracy to process a promo packet to CPT. I can see the hangup for a GO taking a little time to "scrub", but the "Scroll" process for company and field grade officers is terrible. There has to be a better way to handle processing promotions.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 7:05 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:05:54 -0500

Not really sure what the right answer is, but I learned something new today (never heard of FedRec before). Thanks!!!

Response by CPT Michael Ludwick made Jan 10 at 2017 3:45 PM

CPT Michael Ludwick — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 15:45:29 -0500

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of the fedrec process, however my main concern is the length of time to get through. Currently I'm awaiting to be recognized to Captain. It's been eight months since my packet was submitted and comparing myself to others before me, I'll likely have to wait another four months before I get pinned. All-in-all, about a year of turnaround time.

From an outsider's perspective to the process, it seems like an inefficient system. I haven't been able to find any information out there as to what is actually being validated/confirmed. If anyone has more information I'd love to know. One would think that validating civ education, military schools, apft, ht/wt, and a background check would take at most a few weeks or months.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2017 10:56 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 10:56:54 -0400

Sir, to directly answer you, I believe the actual "process" is outdated, but I do not believe the concept is. I think we can make it significantly more efficient than it currently stands, but, I do believe it is a necessity. I would believe that much of our complaints rely around the inefficient timing of it all, not really about having to do it.