Reserve and Guard members: What would you like Active Component members to know about working with you?

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:47:00 -0400

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Sep 7 at 2020 11:20 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 11:20:09 -0400

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member Great question Sir. So, I was active for 7 years before going reserves. And it was a culture shock rally. They try to cram everything into one BA weekend mainly S1 stuff because BN and BDE have to have their metrics straight. Drives me nuts! It's that stigma of the weekend warrior I guess that hits the most for me. I can tell you right now, it's not just a weekend thing. Being a squad leader I am pinged a lot when working at my civilian job (DOD) so I feel at times I have never left Active. I get so many text's between the Commander, DET NCOIC, S1, and my troops. Always asking for this and that it's crazy. Not sure how others feel. But really when it all comes down to it, we all put on the same uniform. It doesn't say US Army Reserve or US Navy Reserve it says US Army and US Navy.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2020 11:24 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 11:24:43 -0400

If you ever deploy with reservists, find out what they do when they are not in the military.

Example. There was a base wide electrical problem while deployed. It turns out that at least 6 reservists on station were electricians in the civilian world. Those 6 members did an assessment, asked for supplies, and then promptly solved the problem. A reserve unit is usually crammed with policemen, firemen, tradesmen, craftsmen, and businessman. You have a whole cornucopia of skills at your disposal if you just know to ask...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2020 3:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 15:50:13 -0400

Give us a chance, most of us are smart, handy, and educated. Most AD have a mentality that Guard and Reserve units are incompetent and/or useless. There are cases where that applies but same can be said about some AD units. Get to know your Guard/Reserve counterparts most of them are good dudes who know what they're doing. Remember we have to live and balance 2 lives which isn't the easiest thing in the world.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2020 5:38 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 17:38:11 -0400

The enlisted person working that aircraft might be a civilian aircraft mechanic, design engineer etc in their regular life. Don’t want into the room as an officer thinking you are the only one with an education. That paralegal might be a lawyer in the civilian world. Many of us joined for the education when we were younger but stayed until retirement because we enjoyed serving.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2020 10:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 22:01:42 -0400

That the reserve is no longer a strategic force. It was realigned about 10 years ago as an Operational force that trains to deploy and support AC forces. A lot of our battle assembly /drills are devoted to maintaining a level of readiness required to provide this support, plus there are many members who bring civilian blue collar skills to the fight.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 8 at 2020 1:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 13:33:52 -0400

I was AD but noticed Reserve & NG SMs had different skill sets besides their MOS. They were more flexible due their skills in many situations. After 9-11 I got 5 Reserve Augmentees. I told the company that will be treated like every other SM. They were sacrificing by not being with their families. Treat them with respect and bring them in to create a slightly bigger team.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2020 6:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 18:28:27 -0400

When I deployed, the NATO (US and ally SM) medics found out two of the NCOs with my unit were paramedics and more trained in a few things than other medics on base so they assisted during base drills and such.

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Sep 13 at 2020 8:18 PM

CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 20:18:53 -0400

I work as a Team Member!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2021 6:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:36:54 -0400

there is military sense, and common sense, just because its the way its always done on the post/base your from doesn't mean it cant work a different way ... sometimes the TM is just dead wrong... and just because the 20 something SSG is in charge doesn't mean that 30+ SPC (with 15+year experience) doesn't know what he's talking about ... also when you work with us .. find out who the AGR and Guard Technicians are ... we just like to play dumb to let the M-day soldiers get there due