Posted on May 4, 2021
SGT Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist
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What is the required obligation of a soldier in the reserves outside of drill weekends and the annual training? My unit repeatedly has the squad leaders calling their soldiers 2-3 times a week for things like online training (there are more very specific examples but I'm not going to risk my identity by posting them). I understand notifying the soldier, however, I don't understand how requiring these squad leaders to constantly reach out to ask for these things is legal when the tasks weren't giving at drill. I would understand if the due date was the last day of that month's drill, but the due dates are ASAP. What publication covers this? The only thing I have been able to find was an 8+ yr old post on a state website saying that a soldier didn't have to work for the unit unless it was done voluntarily with pay. The post did not specify what was considered work. Does that include the individual tasks? Does that include the role of leadership to sacrifice an hour 3 nights a week to call their soldiers for a task that can be sent by email and done at drill? It's gotten so bad that I found one of my peers crying after everyone left because the units obligation is to much when added to this soldiers everyday life.
Posted in these groups: Reserves logo Reserves
Edited 3 y ago
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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I hate to tell you, but this is the nature of the beast for Reservists and NG troops. Can they force you outside of BTA? No. But think of it like this: all that extra outside of BTA done frees up (well, in theory, anyway) more time during BTA for other training. If we waited until BTA to get all of the extra taskers sent out completed, no other training would be completed. Not to mention that Soldiers would be at the Drill Hall non stop never leaving working late ass hours until completed. Squad Leaders are checking because Platoon Sergeants are asking. Platoon Sergeants are asking because 1SGs and Commanders are asking. And why are they asking, because BN is getting beat up by BDE and BDE is getting beat up by higher. You should see all the taskers being submitted into eLAS by highers. It's insane. But, they're being injected because it's coming down from way up top. Not to mention that any outside work can be paid with either RMA funds or 1380s for points/pay.
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SGT Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist
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Thank you, SFC. I understand that it's the nature of the beast, and I agree with it to an extent. However, I'm being told that a soldier needs to be negatively counseled for not answering his phone for 12 hours, or that something unit-related must be done during personal time. Is there a publication that outlines if such things are punishable? I will not counsel a soldier and threaten them with UCMJ if they have done nothing against regulation, and not answering every call when a superior is overextending their position is not immoral or disrespectful. I need something to back my position when I talk with the senior leadership about this. When I ask my leadership if that's a punishable thing, because I honestly don't know, they just say they'll do it (which tells me they know they're wrong for asking for so much). Other than the ADA, is there anything that I can use to argue for my soldiers?
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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SGT (Join to see) I'll do some digging in the morning. In the mean time, I recommend you seek out JAG to get their legal expertise on this matter.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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SGT (Join to see) - I sent you a DM here on RP
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People will find quickly that Guardsmen and Reservists do a lot more than the one weekend a month two weeks a year, and a lot of it on their own time without compensation. Can they make troops do anything when they're not on orders? No. Can it be highly encouraged and they take it out on you when you are on orders? Pretty much. Is it an IG complaint waiting to happen? Probably.

Doesn't help that most of the stuff they want you to do pretty much demands a government computer and CAC reader which many troops don't have at home. Of course someone will say they should get one, and by that I don't mean through supply. I'm also a fan of the BS phrase, "Complete it before drill and you'll go home early while everyone else stays to finish". If Active can't get off early for a damn thing, who in their right mind things the RC will get off early.

My NCO's put out basic notifications via mass text or email all the time, individually calling us? They never do that unless it's something important to us specifically like an upcoming board or some such thing.

I understand there has been a long debate upstairs about increasing the minimum RC obligations from 2 days a month to 4 days, and from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Will it happen? Probably not, that's a lot of funding. Would it make things better for the Guard and Reserves in the long run? Possibly, more time for training and getting to know your people.
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CW3 Network Architect
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If that ever happens, expect a mass exodus from the Guard and Reserve. Anything that puts your ability to keep and progress in a civilian job in danger is going to cause you to rethink your Reserve/Guard commitment.
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CW3 (Join to see) - That's a fair point Chief, not everyone in the Guard and Reserves wants it to be more long term as they work on their career or education.
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SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET.
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These Days USAR Units cram 30 AD days into 2 most of the time and as an NCO, especially Senior and Squad Leaders. You are expected to Perform 24/7 no pay do beyond Drill Days. This can include all Soldiers for different reasons.
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