Volunteering
Volunteering
Posted on Jan 3, 2016
Do you think military retirees should be accorded more active participation if they desire?
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I believe that two things should happen with reasons why:
1. All reserve/National Guard retirees in the gray area should be allowed to stay in an IRR/for points only status until age 60 if they desire. It would facilitate mobilization if they are needed; it would not cost that much more in the small amount of increased retirement pay at 60; and it would not interfere with ability of other reservists to move up since it would be IRR only.
2. There should be an active program where retirees who are receiving their retirement pay can volunteer with local active, reserve or Guard units where they live. ie administration, recruiting, public affairs, training, mentoring. Some times its done informally. State defense forces do it with NG units, but not all states have it and it only applies to Army and Air Guard units.
In both cases above it taps upon the wisdom and experience of our retired military members.
I am a proud retired "Soldier for LIfe" I can still pass a PT test at age 66 and although I am very active with military/veterans associations and military-themed youth groups, I still miss working with active soldiers!
1. All reserve/National Guard retirees in the gray area should be allowed to stay in an IRR/for points only status until age 60 if they desire. It would facilitate mobilization if they are needed; it would not cost that much more in the small amount of increased retirement pay at 60; and it would not interfere with ability of other reservists to move up since it would be IRR only.
2. There should be an active program where retirees who are receiving their retirement pay can volunteer with local active, reserve or Guard units where they live. ie administration, recruiting, public affairs, training, mentoring. Some times its done informally. State defense forces do it with NG units, but not all states have it and it only applies to Army and Air Guard units.
In both cases above it taps upon the wisdom and experience of our retired military members.
I am a proud retired "Soldier for LIfe" I can still pass a PT test at age 66 and although I am very active with military/veterans associations and military-themed youth groups, I still miss working with active soldiers!
Retirement
Reserves
Volunteering
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
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LTC Dolgin your points are spot on. However, I believe that the benefits of volunteering returns more personal and professional benefits to the volunteer than any financial rewards that can be offered. Those benefits are derived from witnessing the growth and development of the people and processes you have influenced and the direction of institutions you have invested your time to guide. We volunteer for different reasons and I hope we continue to do so because it is the right thing to do, when you can, for as long as you can.
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LTC (Join to see)
Reserves work without pay a lot (but usually get points) But even reservists without pay do "attaboy time" to catch up with work. Also CG Auxiliary and state defense forces get ID cards. (Not a CAC, but a few get them for computer access--they need to pass a background check.) Also as retired military, we also have an ID card, get pay and have base access. So it no big deal; if we need DOD computer access, they do a background check and give us a CAC.
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CSM (Join to see)
I don't think it would be that simple Sir. All Senior NCO's and Officers are required to have security clearances. Could you imagine the pain staking process of validation and reinvestigating.
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LTC (Join to see)
CSM (Join to see) - Most of the work I'm suggesting would not require a security clearance (public affairs, recruiting, mentoring, unclassified admin support, many types of training) Also if a person is retired, they are already an officer or senior NCO; and have a proven record; if it is too expensive to get those retirees who choose to volunteer, a periodic re-investigation, then they are paying too much. The Coast Guard Auxiliary does a basic investigation on everyone, but for those who volunteer in certain areas, they can do a secret clearance-level investigation, so therefore it can be done. I believe that way too many times in the military and government, many people use bureaucratic procedures as an excuse that something can't be done. They don't think outside the box. Just some of my thoughts.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
Hi, we'd chatted awhile back, I just figured I'd say hi, I saw you were on this thread, I didn't know if you'd remembered, we'd chatted by email on here some time back, just saying hi, obviously...I do entirely agree with your thoughts, certainly, as well, just figured I'd mention that also....
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LTC (Join to see)
Not to mention it could possibly free up senior personnel for deployment, if there is an experienced volunteer to "hold down the fort."
I've often heard our retired pay described as a "retainer," or "reduced pay for reduced services."
Not to mention it could possibly free up senior personnel for deployment, if there is an experienced volunteer to "hold down the fort."
I've often heard our retired pay described as a "retainer," or "reduced pay for reduced services."
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Capt Daniel Goodman
https://www.rallypoint.com/units/75th-training-command-75th-training-command-tc-houston-tx/about
This is quite good...they were also sending emails through the site, I tried answering, I got something short back, just nothing major, I'm afraid....
This is quite good...they were also sending emails through the site, I tried answering, I got something short back, just nothing major, I'm afraid....
75th Innovation Command | RallyPoint
75th Innovation Command
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Capt Daniel Goodman
That "retainer" and "reduced pay" stuff is also interesting phraseology I hadn't seen before....
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As I start my 60th year, my mind believes that I am still the young stud that could do non stop push-ups. But the reality prior to and during retirement of numerous surgeries and cancer prove my 26 years of military service have taken a toll for the worse on my once Stong and Powerful ultra fit body with a 30 inch waist.
Be it exposure to Fort McClellan toxins and chemicals, third world countries pollution and diseases, combat and hostile deployments, PTSD, injuries during training and exercises.
I think that we could provide valuable support and understanding using our wealth of experience.
Be it exposure to Fort McClellan toxins and chemicals, third world countries pollution and diseases, combat and hostile deployments, PTSD, injuries during training and exercises.
I think that we could provide valuable support and understanding using our wealth of experience.
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