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I am sure by now everyone saw last weeks Army Times had hit on a pilot program being tested at Ft Hood to help promote the transition of Active Duty members into the United States Army Reserve. They discussed bonuses, possible early separation, retraining, and other career progression possibilities.
I had the luxury of being in a brief today with CSM Luther Thomas, the Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve and was left with a couple of take a ways that have made me think and question what we can do better to achieve our mission of filling the ranks of the USAR.
As an Army Reserve Recruiter, one of my missions is to help find qualified prior service personnel to fill skill level 20, level 30, and level 40 vacancies in units. This is where the USAR is hurting the most in our prior service mission and when we hear from our Reserve Units they seem to express the same issue.
In your opinions, what can we do to target these mid-level Soldiers who are separating for various reasons (moral and most medical not included). We are looking to give them an opportunity to continue to serve while doing what they want to do when they separate. This could be joining the work force or going back to school. There are many benefits to the USAR that I feel are not being expressed to transitioning Soldiers that can continue to assist them now and in the future all while helping them work their way toward a military pension.
Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.
Army Reserve
Army
Military Career
Benefits
Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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SFC Adams,
I have been lucky enough to be assigned to an ARCD BN so our interests are the same. I think that there are two primary motivations: Purpose, and Prosperity.
Purpose: continue to serve while pursuing your civilian career. The main concern for prospects may be continual deployments that will harm their careers and family life. Obviously we can't make any promises, but I doubt there will be large-scale mobilizations like the ones in support of OIF or OEF.
Prosperity: while 20 years may seem far away, they will go by in a flash. So, ask your prospect, in 20 years, do you want to be retired military w/ a pension, or look back and wish you had stayed in? Yes, the pensions for reservists usually start at 60, but even so a lifetime annuity is nothing to sneeze at. When we retire, we'll need every penny!
Just my thoughts.
I have been lucky enough to be assigned to an ARCD BN so our interests are the same. I think that there are two primary motivations: Purpose, and Prosperity.
Purpose: continue to serve while pursuing your civilian career. The main concern for prospects may be continual deployments that will harm their careers and family life. Obviously we can't make any promises, but I doubt there will be large-scale mobilizations like the ones in support of OIF or OEF.
Prosperity: while 20 years may seem far away, they will go by in a flash. So, ask your prospect, in 20 years, do you want to be retired military w/ a pension, or look back and wish you had stayed in? Yes, the pensions for reservists usually start at 60, but even so a lifetime annuity is nothing to sneeze at. When we retire, we'll need every penny!
Just my thoughts.
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I came off active duty last year and joined the reserves. Granted benefits arent as great as far as insurance. you have to pay for yourself as opposed to active duty you only pay for your amily. and even then the amount is so minscule you dont even notice it. they still have schooling help. But I think AGR is by far the best decision i made. I have the benefit of being active and working with the reserves. I am the motor sergeant for my unit. I only answer to four people directly, Commander, BDE Maintenance office, the supply sergeant, and the platoon sergeant. Its a great opportunity as well.
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Quit active, reserves, and National Guard, move aside and let the next generation come on through...
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I have made the decision to ETS from AD after 6 1/2 years of service. I would be interested in the USAR transition as I have made a decision to stay close to home and finish my degree. SFC Rosenlund, Who is the best person to talk to?
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Johnson,
Have you already separated or are you getting ready to separate. Send me a message and let me know and then I'll point you in the right direction.
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There's only one incentive that would ever convince me to switch. If the reserves allowed me to retire at the 20 year mark, and start collecting immediately, not at 60. Other than that, there's nothing...
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG Hasbun,
This isn't so much directed toward those who are separating on their own accord, but they are also included. This is more directed at those personnel who are not going to be given the option to re-enlist or towards those who are hitting their RCPs etc. we need good programs that attract them to the reserve side to work toward that pension that they are no longer have the option of receiving.
I was active duty from 2002 through the end of 2010. My wife was done with the active duty side of it because she wanted to be closer to home. Up until I started doing the research of what my opportunities were, no one ever approached me and said "hey, have you thought about the Army Reserve." Quite frankly I probably would have told them no anyways because of the stories I had heard.
So my question still stands, what are we doing as leaders and as an all volunteer Army, to encourage these Soldiers that are separating to volunteer and continue to serve in a much needed and under strength portion of our Army?
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MSG Mitch Dowler
I am just shy of qualifying for the active component retirement but the reserve retirement pay I will receive at age 60 and the Tricare benefit is very significant and I am far ahead of my pears in the civilian world that I work with that do not have this advantage. As it stands now I have 100% of my healthcare taken care of by the VA. When I travel to Europe and Asia I stay on my military installations and use recreational facilities when it suits me. I rented a car on Yonsan in Korea for about half what it would have cost me on the economy and I fueled up on the installations whenever I could to save more big bucks.
Life is good, God is great!
Life is good, God is great!
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