Posted on Apr 23, 2014
SFC Career Counselor
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Soldiers have been brought in on orders to complete SSD and have not completed it in the time alloted.
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MSG Usarec Liason At Nrpc/Nara
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I think they should have the same time frame and rules as AD. If AD does barred to reenlist for failure to do SSD then the reserve components should play by the same rules.
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CW3 Network Architect
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10 y
Then let the TIS/TIG requirements for promotion be the same as AD, otherwise it's additional requirements on the Reserves.....
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MSG Usarec Liason At Nrpc/Nara
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They probably should change that too. One of my biggest frustrations with being in the Reserves is the view that we are "less" than the active component. If we as Reserve Soldiers want to be taken seriously we need to compete at the same level as our active counterparts.
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SFC Retention and Transition NCO (USAR)
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I think that if they are given the opportunity while on orders then yes. If they are expected to do it on their own time then there should be some considerations made. I don't care what anyone says, getting on a military site from a home computer is a pain. Not to mention the amount of hours that it takes to complete these courses. I understand that we are all still Soldiers but being on active duty you are a Soldier 24/7 and you are getting paid to be in that status. As a Reservist you have another life that pays your bills and puts food on your families table.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
SGM Mikel Dawson
10 y
Getting on to a Government site can be a pain if you live OCONUS and not around a military community, at least it was when I was trying to long on. Haven't tried it in a long time as I have no need now. I know if one cares about their career, then they will find a way. There shouldn't be two sets of rules, unless stipulated in the rules, like something i done for resident, non-resident courses.
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1SG Hvac Design Technician
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I haven't followed the ALARACTs on SSD in a few years but in 2010 when it seemed like SSD burst onto the scene this is the ALARACT that was issued: ALARACT 288/2010 R 151806Z Sep 10. A key phrase from that is: "SSD SETS THE CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUOUS GROWTH BOTH AS A WARRIOR AND A WARRIOR LEADER. SSD IS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL AND FIRST LINE LEADER RESPONSIBILITY EXECUTED AT THE INDIVIDUAL'S PACE BUT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE FIRST LINE LEADER." Key being that it is intended to be executed at the individual's pace. Furthermore in this ALARACT it lists the duties of the FLL the 1SG and BN CSM.
The FLL is to:
"(A) ENSURE SOLDIERS COMPLETE, OR HAVE COMPLETED, ALL COURSE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS DURING THEIR INITIAL COUNSELING.
(B) MONITOR SOLDIER'S PROGRESS.
(C) COACH, MENTOR, AND COUNSEL SOLDIER AS REQUIRED OR NEEDED.
(D) IAW REF A., PROVIDE SOLDIERS TIME DURING THE DUTY DAY TO WORK ON SSD COURSE MATERIAL."
Parts C & D are pretty specific and I know that the units I have been in have not done either of these well.

Once again this ALARACT is pretty old and odds are it has changed (can anyone verify?). Being a member of the Guard they usually expect us to do this on our own time, thus not meeting the requirements above.

SFC William Jozwiak based on your putting them on orders comment below the question: I would have to say that they have been given the time and if they were counseled on the requirement and the repercussions for noncompliance then if barred from reenlistment was in the counseling it should be pretty cut and dry. If someone is just throwing the bar to reenlistment at them and they were not counseled on that being a possible outcome I would probably fight it.
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Should Army Reserve Soldiers be Barred from reenlistment if they do not complete SSD in a reasonable amount of time?
SGM Matthew Quick
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A Soldier is a Soldier is a Soldier...if an Army career is important for Army reserve Soldiers, they'll complete the requisite SSD course.
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CW3 Network Architect
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Then are you going to make the resources available?
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SGT Veterans Advocate
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10 y
.....you can buy a computer, you do get paid!
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
10 y
What resources are you referring to, CW3 (Join to see)?
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CW3 Network Architect
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10 y
Issue the CAC reader, get them help to get it set up. Not everyone has my skills. Fix the problem with Macintosh access, because if an Army Reserve Soldier already has a computer, they shouldn't have to purchase another one just for this.

Give them the availability in order to get it done, and allow them to get paid for it.

And if a soldier is a soldier is a soldier, then the TIS/TIG requirements for promotion should be the same. This USAR soldier is not unaware that some of those who graduated WOCS with me are about to pin on CW3 now, 5 years later, and even if I made the list I have to wait another year, because I'm USAR.
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MSG Operations Nco
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SSS is part of PME. PME is a requirement to move to the next rank, especially now. I understand some people do not want to get promoted and would rather be a SPC for life. In those cases, RPC's MYOS need to be enforced. However, if a SM was promoted conditonally and does not meet the requirements in the designated time frame, yes they should be discharged honorably but barred from further service. If they are brought in on orders and still don't complete the SSD, then Leadership needs to be looked at as it is highly likely that the SM was never given the time they needed to complete the SSD. Chances are they were seen as an extra body to do daily activities and or shit details. That is my opinion.
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MSG Operations Nco
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SSD not SSS. Gotta love the iPhone keypad!
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SGT Tier 3 Exchange Online Support Escalation Engineer
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The question should be why are we not enforcing Retention Control Points in the reserve component. Instead of forcing people to be ready for the next rank by completing SSD
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SFC Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Yes
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MSG Senior Supply Sergeant
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I don't believe they should be bar for reenlistment for not completing SSD. Soldiers that doesn't complete that task are usually the same Soldiers that can pass APFT or height and weight. Usually those Soldiers fail to meet the standards in other areas. But what are the odds that they will approve a regulation or policy to bar a SM for failing to complete the required SSD?
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SGT Geospatial Engineer Sergeant
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Same rules apply for other regulations...you cant wear poke-a-dot PCs in any component...Logic reasons that yes if one regulation is good for one its good for all

Just my opinion but based on facts and logic....
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CW3 Network Architect
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10 y
Fine, then let the TIS/TIG requirements for promotion also be the same...they're longer for us.
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