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I am a reservist with time on active duty. I feel we always get bashed on but I wanted to get a feel for how people feel..
Posted in these groups: 
Army Reserve
Military police
Army Reserve Military police
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 15
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While I was in the AC I used to bash the Reserves, until I joined them. I am proud to be a reservist. Remember, we are expected to do our mission and have proven we can do what the AC does with 1/8 of the training time. One weekend a month and two weeks a year is gone, Many Reservists and NG have more combat time than the AC counterparts. Be proud that you can juggle your military mission, your civilian job, maybe college and raising your family. It takes an extrordinary person to be able to do this!
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SFC Michael Lydon
RGR CSM I feel that the mission that we provide enables the army as a whole to operate. Although as a Squad leader I do have soldiers that do just think its a one weekend a month deal. After 12 years the Army has turned out to be a full time mission for me. I may not be at my unit daily but I do keep in touch with my soldier and make sure theyre green and up to date. Any advise on how to motivate these joes to commit more?
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CSM Michael Poll
it can be a daunting task to motivate. I find that competition was a great motivater for my Soldiers. bragging rights who is best in the squad. once the squad is motivated then you challenge other squads to compete against yours. then the platoon gets motivated then move to platoon vs platoon. Can be PT, mock board, mos knowledge, etc.
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CPT Brandon Christensen
Well said CSM!
I would start small for motivation. Find that one or two soldiers that have the potential. Push them. Motivation is contagious. Once other soldiers see these select individuals succeeding and getting praise, they will realize they want that too and will step up to the plate. Next thing you know, you have a very successful squad, platoon and then a company and many benefits will come from that.
I would start small for motivation. Find that one or two soldiers that have the potential. Push them. Motivation is contagious. Once other soldiers see these select individuals succeeding and getting praise, they will realize they want that too and will step up to the plate. Next thing you know, you have a very successful squad, platoon and then a company and many benefits will come from that.
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I have no Ill feelings towards the Reserve Forces. I have worked with reservist on deployments, and in Garrison. In Many ways they are just like Active units, in others they are not. I think some of it is Ignorance, and some of it is envy. Active Component Soldiers who have never deployed don't realize that reservist do exactly the same thing we do while deployed, and that many of them have already served 10, 15, or even 20 years of Active service. There is also the enforcement of customs and courtesies. In a reserve unit the 1SG might be Employed by one of the SSGs in the Civilian Sector, or there are the units who have entire families in the same company, and there is a lot of 1st name basis relationships with seniors and subordinates. The lower enlisted Active guys tend to see that and secretly wish that they could call their 1SG by his first name and not get destroyed by every NCO in the company. For me My calling remains with the active Army, until they are done with me.
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SSG (Join to see)
I think you would be surprised by how little the first name calling actually happens. I would never have dreamed of calling any of my 1SG's in the past or now by their first name. To do so would have gotten me smoked or disciplined for sure. I will agree that some customs aren't as strictly enforced but the days of going to Annual Training and drinking 24/7 and slapping the 1SG on the back as you play poker with him are over.
I am proud of the changes the National Guard has mode during the modern war era and hope it continues to perform its missions well. I surely hope we don't revert back to the old ways.
I am proud of the changes the National Guard has mode during the modern war era and hope it continues to perform its missions well. I surely hope we don't revert back to the old ways.
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SSG Robert Blum
I can only speak on my experiences, Some are more strict than others, Ive worked with Reservists or national Guard from New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, New Mexico, and Puerto Rico, off the top of my head, Lots of Great guys and gals. I'd say the Kentucky guys were Frist name basis but all business besides that, and the Alabama guys well they packed a Still in their connex, and were relieved from their AO shortly after taking it from us.
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WO1 (Join to see)
The first name basis I think is based on the unit. I like you said SSG Blum it's based on the work environment. I know a lot of people in my former unit on a first name basis, but at work it was always Rank and Last Name.
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I served on both Active Duty and in the Army National Guard. Clearly, Active duty personnel do attach a stigma to Reserve/National Guard units. During my tour in Iraq, as a Long Range Surveillance Team leader I was tasked to many different units. Most commanders were genuinely surprised that we were a National Guard Unit because of our professionalism.
Let our professional actions be our brand, and the stigmas will fade.
Let our professional actions be our brand, and the stigmas will fade.
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SSG Gerhard S.
Additionally, I will add that National Guard and Reserve units typically have older troops who have worked together for longer periods of time. Typically enjoying higher retention rates, and higher levels of education and experience in both military, and interpersonal skills. My unit had Engineers, Police officers, Firefighters, Nurses, Attorneys, Construction workers, Machinists, most with prior active duty experience.
The Guard and Reserve have much to offer that Active Duty units lack. There is plenty to be proud of as a Guardsman or Reservist, let your competence, teamwork, and confidence be your armor and your spear. The perceptions of those on Active duty can be developed in a positive direction when these values are practiced, and on display.
The Guard and Reserve have much to offer that Active Duty units lack. There is plenty to be proud of as a Guardsman or Reservist, let your competence, teamwork, and confidence be your armor and your spear. The perceptions of those on Active duty can be developed in a positive direction when these values are practiced, and on display.
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SSG Marvin Vick
I served as both, while on active duty EVEN I as an active duty soldier used to have that same mentality about reservist UNTIL I became one and found out that you are held to the same top standards as our active duty brothers and sisters....soooo I changed the way I felt about reservist. honestly you have to work harder to keep up the standards because you are not training every day to sharpen those skills everyday with your unit. you are on your civilian jods till the end of the month.
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