Posted on Nov 25, 2015
What are your thoughts on the civilian/military life balance in the Reserves/National Guard?
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In light of LTG Kadavy's call for more than 39 training days a year, I'm reminded of this NPR article I came across dealing with the struggle some reservists find in trying to maintain a civilian job. In essence, I agree with LTG Kadavy, as 39 training days is not enough to keep up with METL tasks and soldiering skills along with what seems like the hundreds of briefings we conduct in accordance with 350-1.
By statute and doctrine, I understand that we are all protected by USERRA, but in reality, it is very tough, especially if your job is time-oriented or based, to handle the commitment.
Many Guardsmen that I know in higher ranks either serve as AGR or dual status technicians, which begs the question whether the Guard is truly a part-time force.
What are your thoughts about this matter, and is this a factor in retention?
By statute and doctrine, I understand that we are all protected by USERRA, but in reality, it is very tough, especially if your job is time-oriented or based, to handle the commitment.
Many Guardsmen that I know in higher ranks either serve as AGR or dual status technicians, which begs the question whether the Guard is truly a part-time force.
What are your thoughts about this matter, and is this a factor in retention?
Army National Guard
Reserves
Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
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As many have said here, it depends a lot on your family situation and career. I am fortunate to have worked for either county or state governments for the last twelve years (when not on deployments). The smaller the company, the more impact it has when a service member is absent from work and thus conflict can (and often does arise). That being said, many times the problem is either caused or compounded by communication issues. Either the service member failed to inform the employer of their service obligation schedule or the unit made schedule changes on short notice. This leaves the employer scrambling for coverage and potentially raises payroll costs due to the need for overtime, etc.
If we clean up our communication issues, I feel that most employers will support a few more three day drills throughout the year. The harder sell would be a three week Annual Training every year in the summer when more employees take vacation. During a mobilization cycle (due to deployment or NTC/JRTC training) every few years is one thing, every year is asking a lot.
I feel that the impact to Retention should be minimal. You're either a warrior or an entitled opportunist temporarily wearing the uniform. Those that took the oath with honor and commitment understood the sacrifices that came with it. That's the group I am honored to serve and I will do everything in my power to help the others find the exit door.
If we clean up our communication issues, I feel that most employers will support a few more three day drills throughout the year. The harder sell would be a three week Annual Training every year in the summer when more employees take vacation. During a mobilization cycle (due to deployment or NTC/JRTC training) every few years is one thing, every year is asking a lot.
I feel that the impact to Retention should be minimal. You're either a warrior or an entitled opportunist temporarily wearing the uniform. Those that took the oath with honor and commitment understood the sacrifices that came with it. That's the group I am honored to serve and I will do everything in my power to help the others find the exit door.
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I think the laws that keep employers from firing soldiers due to military commitments should be more stringent. I'm not a lawyer by any means, but I've dealt with these circumstances before. After the Gulf Oil Spill, the La. NG activated me for 3 months. I contacted my employer every couple of weeks and he seemed to support me. Then a week before my orders ended, my employer informed me that he'd have to let me go. I advised him that law prevented me from being fired while on orders. He called me back after receiving legal counsel and said that since technically I worked for a temp agency he did not have to hold my position. Unfortunately, it was the temp agency's responsibility to ensure I stayed employed, and the closest job they could give me was over 150 miles away. Now, I work for the Corps of Engineers as a DA civilian and this is not an issue. However, I still feel very strongly about it and think more should be done to give Reservists and Guardsmen better job security.
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I'm not sure what more we are trying to achieve? My guard unit had tripple the output of the active duty unit we replaced.
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Everyone in a Guard or Reserve unit knows at least one person who has watched their career stagnate, lost a job or not been offered a job due to their military commitment (proving that's the reason or a part of the reason is next to impossible). We can be honest here, when the "rubber meets the road" all the "support" for our military and gestures of gratitude tend to evaporate when supporting the military (Guard/Reserves specifically) requires someone, such as an employer or potential employer to actually DO something. It is for this reason, I am hesitant to give up my federal job to return to the private sector until my contract with Uncle Sam ends.
As for training days, except for certain MOSs and those in lofty ranks who may need more time to get things done, I have always argued that for most who drill, 39 days (or thereabouts) is sufficient training days-if only we actually received 39 days! I do not exagerate when I say about half of our battle assemblies in my unit are dedicated to administrative work and B.S. classes which have NOTHING to do with our jobs, but are deemed important by someone in an office in Washington who feels it is nessessary-and never takes into accunt that these classes--whether worthwhile or not--can be easier absorbed (time-wise) by the Active military than the part-time military. Hence nearly half of our time is mandated to be unilized for such nonsense!
As for training days, except for certain MOSs and those in lofty ranks who may need more time to get things done, I have always argued that for most who drill, 39 days (or thereabouts) is sufficient training days-if only we actually received 39 days! I do not exagerate when I say about half of our battle assemblies in my unit are dedicated to administrative work and B.S. classes which have NOTHING to do with our jobs, but are deemed important by someone in an office in Washington who feels it is nessessary-and never takes into accunt that these classes--whether worthwhile or not--can be easier absorbed (time-wise) by the Active military than the part-time military. Hence nearly half of our time is mandated to be unilized for such nonsense!
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