What’s it like as an Officer in the Army Reserves?

2020-06-10T09:49:02-04:00

So I’ve been reading up, but honestly have not been able to find much information on this.
For the army reserve, what is it weekend drill like for a commissioned officer? If I can ask specifics, for an adjutant general officer or for a civil affairs officer? The most I’ve heard about being a reserve officer is just being a “demanding part time job”, which I had assumed already. Thank you!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2020 10:00 AM

2020-06-10T10:00:04-04:00

Drill weekends can be very different depending on the assigned unit, there is no one answer to your question. Typically Human Resource Officers are responsible for tracking actions, reviewing awards and evaluations for accuracy, updating personnel records, along with any other group training. In Civil Affairs, the possibilities are a little broader. When I was drilling with CA, we worked on country presentations (doing research and creating a presentation). All reserve Soldiers have to complete mandatory training annually, sometimes it's done at drill and other times it will be on your own. The more you move up the greater the responsibility and the need to invest personal time to keep up.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2020 11:56 AM

2020-06-10T11:56:10-04:00

yep. It all depends on the unit and current optempo. I've been in units where drill weekend consisted of nothing but sitting around bullshitting for 2 days for months on end and then the same unit where you were running around with your hair on fire. That said, there are always taskers that need to be completed that you just don't have time to do during drill weekend. I typically spend 10-12 hours a month, at a minimum, doing "army" stuff outside of drill.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 5:45 AM

2020-06-11T05:45:05-04:00

It's what you and your unit make of it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2020 6:28 AM

2020-06-12T06:28:11-04:00

It can be totally crushing or completely uneventful. You are probably not going to know what you are getting into unless you personally visit the unit during a Battle Assembly weekend prior to signing the dotted line. However, what you see during the weekend doesn’t show you what you might have to deal with during the rest of the month.
As a 1LT I have been crushed. I have been crushed hard. 2.25 years of command time with 160 PAX, and $53M in equipment RFX Quartermaster Company with the last two years of ATs at 28 days and the next two years are slated for NTC.
Examples:
1) Transgender soldier issues
2) Vehicle Accidents both during drill weekends on civilian roads, and military posts
3) Constant admin actions needing my attention for a total 1,800 individually signed actions
4) Training and planning conferences in addition to the actual training event itself.
5) 28 day annual training events (not the 14 days as advertised) on top of the conference
6) Soldiers threatening suicide
7) Soldiers suffering domestic violence
8) Your equipment burning to the ground during a field exercise
9) Your equipment being too tall for a bridge and getting smashed

My experience was hard earned, but now I’m in a non-MTOE unit that is not RFX, and has a CONUS tied METL. That wasn’t without coincidence. Now I can manage my own personal OPTEMPO and focus on promotion required training. I have no annual evals to worry about other than my own. The only thing I’m responsible for now are Lodging Reservations for out of town soldiers during Battle Assembly weekends (which means I have to make sure everyone signs the hotel register).
What I can only recommend is don’t be too eager to take on additional duties or command for which you don’t hold the rank for. The opportunity will always be there, but it’s on you to make sure you use that time to get exposure to what you are getting into before you move into your next position.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2020 9:38 AM

2020-06-12T09:38:06-04:00

Ms. Jones, I've been a 1SG for two different HHCs and I can say that the S-1s in both battalions were pretty busy. Being the HR officer, you will definitely have to ensure that trackers are accurately depicting the status on every personnels' SGLV, DD93s, awards, OERs, NCOERs, "pay hurt" (for airborne units), etc. There will be some areas that you'll have to track like LODs (Line of Duty), ETS, IRR transfers... If you and your NCOIC have good trackers, your job will be easier than some people that don't have one. I hope you like to read. You'll have to research Army Regulations (ARs) and also review ALL awards that come across your screen. Live by this saying "attention to detail." Good luck!

Response by LTC Glenna Wheatley made Jun 15 at 2020 9:10 AM

2020-06-15T09:10:36-04:00

Wow. I’ve been retired for 13 years now and thought I could help but boy, have the problems changed. Never had to worry about transgender soldier issues in my day. Nor suicide. Both are unfortunate.

I was in Civil Affairs most of my reserve duty. Mostly we did research and studies on drill weekends. Occasionally we did actual training with volunteer civilians playing interference with military actions. Those were the most fun and never seemed to make regulars realize how much they needed us to keep the civilians out of their way while staying on their side. Depends on what countries with whom you’re aligned.

If you go CA you need a primary, mine was Engineer, so I was always assigned to the Engineer Team on my 2 deployments. Deployment WILL happen, so get that in your mind early. At least I think you still need a primary. CA is a secondary MOS.

Anyhow, I enjoyed my service to include my 2 deployments. Would love to still be in but my body (knees and back) had other plans. Anyway, I’m kind of too old to play anymore. But I have good memories.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2022 5:36 PM

2022-09-22T17:36:02-04:00

Did you end up pursuing it?