Career Sacrifice: The Things We Give Up To Avoid Mediocrity

2015-01-12T12:15:01-05:00

Greetings fellow warriors! I hope I will be able to impart some knowledge and initiate some meaningful and rewarding conversations around our profession of arms. Although I have some joint experience, most of my commentary will center on the Army Reserves. The subject of this article came to mind with the receipt of an email from LG Talley, USARC CG, regarding the recovery of unsatisfactory participants (unsats) from troop program units. This missive doesn’t really have much to do with unsats, but more about the conversation regarding the memo from the Chief of the Army Reserves (CAR).

I have spoken with many active duty and retired military personnel regarding their overall experiences of service. Among them, I have heard many stories of how a person’s civilian career has suffered because of their involvement with the Army Reserves. I have personally experienced it in some form or another, probably not as severely as others, but an impact nonetheless. It affects people differently. You may think that your company supports your service, and they may even think they do, until you start to get promoted in the Reserves or are mobilized.

In my case, when my first deployment came, my company said all the right things. They gave me the company policies, they told me that my job would be waiting when I got back, they even paid me during the first two months I was gone. The issues only surfaced upon my return. When I got back, my peers had all been promoted and been given offices, yet I was an afterthought. Later when my company was acquired, I was no longer thought of as the Director who had led production support for 10 years and had enacted good and meaningful change, but was simply the guy who had recently returned from deployment, completing “odd” jobs until a place was found for him. I was not even on the list of employees to be transitioned to the new organization. I did eventually, through networking, find a position within the new company. However, it had not been acquired through the sanctioned transition process, therefore I was bypassed for an advancement. Eventually, a year deployment had turned into a three-year stagnation of my civilian career.

This is not an anecdotal story. I once talked with an officer who worked for a law firm, and while his military career was stellar, achieving the rank of Colonel, he could not advance within his firm. They even told him he needed to make a choice — he could achieve success in his civilian career or in his military career, but not both.

I know what you’re thinking: “We have the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act! We have ESGR! They can’t do that.” I beg to differ, because they still do it. In fact, they do it every day, and they do it creatively. It makes people think long and hard about their continuation in the military. In the example of the Colonel who was given a choice, he had already gotten past the point of no return, so he stayed. Usually, it is at the O3 level when an officer decides, and at the E6 level where an NCO decides whether they have had enough. Coincidentally, these are also the grades for which the Army Reserve is most in need. It is also at this point in a Soldier’s career when the Reserve system asks much more than one weekend a month and two weeks a year - most of which is unpaid, unscheduled, and falls at some of the most inopportune times. Imagine, you have worked your way up only to work your tail off for less than minimum wage once all the hours are factored in. If you question this rationale, ask any Battalion Commander or Command Sergeant Major to show you the hours he/she puts in.

This is my experience and that of those I have worked with. Now, I’d like to hear from you. What are your experiences? What does your employer think of you not being able to work over the weekend on a big system implementation, because you have battle assembly? What if your company has scheduled an important town hall meeting, but you can’t go because annual training is scheduled, or you have to leave a meeting because your Brigade Commander is at a conference and needs to know the latest influenza inoculation statistics? What can be done to make it better on both ends of the spectrum? Or do we need to settle for a mediocre civilian career in order to serve our country?

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jan 12 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-01-12T13:00:49-05:00

This is something that especially worries me as I am slated to deploy this year (for the first time). What kind of an environment am I looking at coming back to?

I do also see the effects of the "more than one weekend a month" coming about as well. All the paperwork that needs to be submitted, reviews for individuals, the ever changing requirements for upcoming schools, additional duties, etc. This all being compounded by my inability to consistently connect to most military systems due to the way they are programmed (generally best utilized on government systems only) and therefore must travel to an Armory to do many of the simple things such as DTS or checking my email.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 12 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-01-12T15:26:15-05:00

CSM David Heidke It is absolutely an accurate statement that one career or the other may suffer. Even working for the government, I have experienced that (from a former Ranger no less).

Really makes you feel good when your boss in a meeting with the entire staff tells you that "you need to decide if you are playing Air Force or Marine or whatever the f#ck or if you are going to work here". You really get a good feeling.

Then (job was secure), when you are putting in for jobs within the agency, and you don't get them, transitional assignments come out and you don't get them, important duties pass you by, you wonder if that is the cause....that feeling is hard to lose.

Flip side is that new boss comes in, former military as well, and while you are deployed, you put in for a promotion, and get it (while deployed), makes you sort of forget the first boss who did not understand what is up, and really appreciate a boss who does get it.

I understand the difficulty of the employer with military employees, it does cause hardship. But our Nation does need the Reserves and Guard, does need those who will walk away from everything they love and put it all on the line for their Nation. Those folks (and I am one) need to know that their job is there when they come home. And you are correct in that there comes a point when decisions must be made about the "worth" of a dual career. It is not one weekend a month anymore, not by a longshot. But, it is worth it.

The best thing that I have found, is to be completely transparent with both my civilian and military employers about what is going on, from both perspectives. Having a boss that truly supports military is fantastic, and I hope to keep it that way. As soon as I hear grumblings about something on either side, I let the other know.

The truly hard part is that both bosses want you to feel that their issues to be the important ones.....and you have to figure out how to make them know that you do feel that way.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 4:07 PM

2015-01-12T16:07:00-05:00

I went back into the National Guard a little time after watching my manager not hire someone because they were in the reserves, it really made me mad because he was the best qualified for the job. I was a Manufacturing Supervisor when I first deployed in 2008, had 22 people working on my shift. When I got back in 2009 there were only 4 left so I saw the writing on the wall and took a lower paying Gov't job. I heard right after that they were planning to let me go after I came back but were looking for a reason to use as a excuse so they would not get in trouble with ESGR.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Jan 12 at 2015 4:26 PM

2015-01-12T16:26:04-05:00

I was recently released early from a temporary position a week before reporting for my Annual Training. I knew my employer was being pressured by the client to reduce the number of workers on the project, and while it was never said out loud, I was left with the impression that I was selected due to the fact that I was going to be gone for 2 weeks. As a result, I was left unemployed after returning from AT. While most employers talk a good game, I can't help but wonder how many opportunities I have lost because they were uneasy about my military obligations. I have had my own soldiers put their civilian jobs over their military jobs simply because of the poor job market and not wanting to risk losing their civilian positions. I feel that a strengthening of the SSRA is needed, so that younger soldiers can feel a bit more secure.

Response by SGT Curtis Jackson made Jan 12 at 2015 7:12 PM

2015-01-12T19:12:18-05:00

when i was in college i left AD and was SMP with the ARNG as an ROTC Cadet. when 9/11 happened and units were getting the orders for deployment. I gave a month notice to my employer that i was leaving college and going back on AD with my unit to Afghanistan. Within a week i was fired bc they wanted loyal long term employees and i was not a good fit. So i pushed up my reunion with my unit and joined the fight.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 8:07 PM

2015-01-12T20:07:20-05:00

I currently work for one of the largest privately held food service companies and this is my second deployment while working there. I have to say that they have gone above the standard in the way I have been treated. I don't blame them or my military service for not getting promoted, just a matter of circumstance. Being in IT has been a detriment because being out of that world for a year can be devastating as things constantly change. After my first deployment they worked very hard to put me in another position because my position essentially was eliminated for technological reasons. When I worked for one of the big seven accounting firms they were not quite as accommodating. They essentially tried to fire me 6 months after I returned from Kosovo for no reason other than I made to much money. As for my first deployment I worked for one of the big 3 and they were fantastic, paid me, paid for health insurance and promoted me when I returned. I have been extremely lucky and grateful that I will retire at 30 and know that I've been able to continue my military and civilian career with the unequivocal support of my employers

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jan 12 at 2015 9:49 PM

2015-01-12T21:49:31-05:00

SSRA is better than nothing, but it is most definitely not everything. Really, all it requires is that the employer not be an idiot.... Whatever action they take has "nothing" to do with reserve duty and is 100% in accordance with documented company policy and practice...

I have the advantage of a GREAT civilian employer (it doesn't hurt that my boss is a retired O5), but I didn't always. I remember one employer where I was told in I needed to expect no time off to make up for my two week vacation playing Army (I also remember quitting that job just a couple days later....). I have known several Soldiers who have either had serious issues or had their civilian careers derailed because of military service in the reserve forces.

I have made it a point, ever since the employer I mentioned above, of highlighting the fact that I was in the reserves and that would be a draw on my time - and were they OK with that? in the interview. I tried to bring it up in such a way as to get a real, rather than an "official", answer.

Unfortunately, and a lot of people don't like this answer, you are going to have to put a lot of extra -uncompensated, at least in the short term - time in to make both work, but it can be done.

Response by 1SG Pete Marcell made Jan 12 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-01-12T22:17:27-05:00

OP I had a similar experience. I used to work for the largest semi-conductor capital equipment manufacture in the world. I had very good career progression and moved into management quickly. I had 12 years in and deployed for 16 months to lovely Iraq. I got back and experienced what you did. The funny part is, I was a senior manager in HR!!! My manager left the company, new senior management came in and a reorg happened. The environment had totally changed. That and add three hurricane activations over a 4 years period. Like you I was that guy who might need to go for weeks or months at the drop of a hat. One year and one day after I was back from deployment I was laid off. That was October 18th, 2008. Over the last 6 years I've been working to catch up. I've had some very good offers and chased two of them. After I'd boarded for E9 and won a coveted CSM position with in our division, I turned it down and retired 18 months later after a 20 year career. As a reserve component Soldier I decided it simply wasn't worth it any more. For me and my family I needed to focus on getting my civilian career back on track as an enlisted M-Day retirement doesn't pay very much. Just to level set the AD folks, a Reserve component E8, with 20 years and three to four years of active time gets about $775-ish in retirement and you don't draw it until age 60. Yes 60. There a bunch of other factors (retired reserve, blah, blah, blah) but it ain't much.

Response by SFC Josh Jackson made Jan 12 at 2015 11:48 PM

2015-01-12T23:48:53-05:00

Wow, that sucks! I've been active my whole career, but I've known both reservists and guardsmen. I've heard several stories about employer discrimination (subtle and passive-aggressive, yet unmistakable).

It's very myopic and selfish of them, but I can conceive of how an employer could see support of RC employees as a burden. Maybe if more employers realized that their ability to flourish in our society depends on the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform, they'd be a little more accommodating.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-01-13T09:51:31-05:00

I have experienced nothing but positivity from my civilian employer. I am a Latin teacher at a Catholic school. We are very relational, and the Head of School is a nun so it's not a typical corporate experience. I have been a teacher here since graduating college in 2006. I joined the USAR and commissioned in 2008. I have gone to BOLC, Captains Career Course, Commanders' and First Sergeants' Course, and I deployed. All told I've been gone from my job about 25 months. That's a lot of time of the roughly 100 months that I've been an employee. They have supported me; I have always had my teaching position waiting for me.

However, I understand why this is difficult for companies and their other employees. When you have to leave for a 9 month deployment (+45 days Mob Station and numerous days for schools and SRPs) to Kosovo or Liberia, how are you defending the freedoms of your boss? What's the benefit to him? He may intellectually or spiritually agree with your decision, but that doesn't help the extra hours and lost revenue. I think that this is going to really test the civil/military divide as the USAR tries to maintain an operational footprint. I don't blame civilian employers for looking out for themselves. Unfortunately, they will always be pinned as the bad guys, and not the policy makers who want shadow empire on the cheap, predicated largely on an abuse of the RC.

Just the humble opinion of a somewhat closet liberalish person!

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jan 14 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-01-14T10:05:20-05:00

Thanks for all the responses to my first submission.

I did not want this article to come across that I was trying to make it sound like all companies will do this to a Soldier. I have many instances that the company did right by the Soldier. My father in law was in the Air National Guard. He had a colleague who worked for Raytheon. They paid his full salary while he was mobilized and the guy was a Lieutenant Colonel. I had a couple of other colleagues while I was mobilized who got paid full salary while mobilized. One was NYPD the other worked for an investment firm. I commend those companies who can take care of an employee who also serves there country.

What I was getting at had to do with a reply to the email I alluded to. It was a Captain who was mentioning how we should be taking this into accounts when we are trying to recover Unsatisfactory participants. That many of these Soldiers are trying to balance the life, and to be brutally honest, the Reserve components don’t put the bread on the table. He said that we need to be compassionate to this and try to make the best possible compromises in order to keep otherwise good Soldiers.

For instance. I had a very good company commander when I was a Drill Sergeant. I wanted to go back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in an executive degree program. This program required me to attend class every other Saturday. She allowed me to not attend Battle Assembly on those days where they conflicted. I would attend the Sunday, but not the Saturday. She helped my career in ways that I cannot begin to thank her for. It also helped my military career, as the degree helped for promotion. She saw the bigger picture, and she allowed me to make up the time. And the work I did to make up the time was also a great value to mission accomplishment.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-01-14T14:56:29-05:00

After 13 years of similar treatment, I've finally found an employer for whom "supporting the troops" is much more than lip service: Booz Allen Hamilton.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-01-18T14:56:07-05:00

With one company I worked for it was greatly encourage to use vacation time the same time as your two week reserve duty. Although they always said they support the Guard and reserve. Things where much better after I started employment with a city municipality.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 18 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-02-18T13:02:53-05:00

We have to look at this from the business point of our employer who has to make a business decision of what to do with at absentee employee, when the employer has a business to run and profits to make. One can not have two wives because it is impossible to 50/50 both.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 1:30 PM

2016-02-18T13:30:11-05:00

CSM Heidke that was one of the best things I've read in RP, and opens a very difficult can of worms.

I am a self-employed attorney and TPU officer in a primary staff position, so I deal with this issue from both sides of the employer/reservist fence.

Every time I leave for training (enrolled in ILE now) I take a big pay cut, but I also see my business (a law firm) suffer as I am not here to see clients or appear in court.

Like the Colonel you mention or anyone beyond E6 or O3, I've got too much in to leave, but even with very military friendly policies (I own the company and am the only reservist in it), it is always a very big struggle.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 1:34 PM

2016-02-18T13:34:56-05:00

i returned from iraq 2009, given my senority as well as all leave, sick time and everything else the company i work for suppoted me as well as others in my position, i was luckey, i remrmber those people that returned from desert storm and found out they had no jobs

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 18 at 2016 1:44 PM

2016-02-18T13:44:28-05:00

My deployments came while I lived and worked in Denmark. I owned my own business, just me. So when I was gone there was no one to take over. When I came back from OJE I almost lost the farm. I ended up taking on some extra AD time to get through. Finally after about 3 years I got back to where I was. Deploying the second time wasn't as long, 6 months, but it took a little time to get back in line. My last deployment took me about 3-4 years to recover. I also realized my job wouldn't last for another deployment.
I was a member of the 7th ARCOM in Germany and many of the soldiers were employed by civilian companies of different countries in Europe. Many had problems. I was lucky I some very loyal customers and came back to me when I got back. European Reservists if working for civilian employers were completely at their mercies. Yes we had it tough, but we were always there and I served with many great Reservists in Europe.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 2:11 PM

2016-02-18T14:11:40-05:00

Well, CSM Heidke,
I am one who is a product of what you have described. I have lost 2 civilian jobs now because I have been mobilized twice and had to leave for training that is needed within my MOS. In both jobs I was told that I was being hired specifically because I am in the military and they needed my skill sets and as soon as the orders came in, they were already settled on me staying out. My career in the Army has definitely been a good one thus far but my civilian career has gone nowhere. I have gone back to school and completed my MS and still, nothing. The first question that is normally asked is about my military obligations and I am up front and honest with them so no one will be blindsided. At this point, I am kicking myself for just not going RA because it seems to me that this just isn't worth it. Frustration.com!!!

Response by CSM William Payne made Feb 18 at 2016 3:05 PM

2016-02-18T15:05:45-05:00

CSM, you are absolutely on point here.

My civilian job was working in the banking industry.

I also had a one manager early on that we inherited through a merger was not at all military friendly so I had to changed departments to get away from her.

In another position all my peer supervisors got raises when I was deployed and there was a restructuring of the department and of course the choice positions were filled before I returned. Even the personnel were redistributed in my absence and most of the "challenging" employees mysteriously ended up be assigned to me.

Then my last manager thought I was getting preferential treatment and recognition due to my deployment. Our department director had served as an Army Intel officer and would stop by to see how I was doing.

You can never really explain to a civilian without any military connection the difference between being in the military and working in the corporate world where it's all about the numbers and the bottom line. Where the employees are just another line on the accounting sheet to be considered with about as much compassion as any other office supply.

My boss in Iraq was an active duty brigadier general that retired as a LTG. We made two complete trips around Iraq in the year I was there under various conditions, in a multitude of transportation assets both ground and air and slept in conditions ranging from a blanket on the ground to a king size bed in one of Saddam's old palaces.

We once flipped a coin to see who would get the cot or the mattress on the floor. Together we traveled in the scorching summer heat in Nasiriyah to the winter snow covered mountains outside Dahuk.

I got to see the many of the ancient places of Iraq, some unfortunately no longer standing due to Isis.

We were fortunate enough not to ever be in a firefight but once our helicopter took hits once and we were targeted in several rocket attacks where our forces took casualties. The unit before us took losses in a convoy by IED and the unit that replaced us suffered losses in a rocket attack.

I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most senior leaders of our time; Generals Casey, Petraeus, Dempsey and Odierno. Because of the Reserves I had a private tour of the White House, got to travel all over the United States and many places around the world, all in part time job.

I spent 40 years in uniform, most of it doing a better job at my civilian job than my counterparts all while juggling two careers. Near the end of my career I would go weeks, sometimes even months without a weekend off. I used most of my vacation time for reserve duty. Once my department started a weekend rotation for the supervisors at work and my peers didn't think it was fair for me to be 'off' on weekends due to reserve duty.

My manager once told me that he thought I didn't love my civilian job like my Reserve job. He was of course correct. I am from a military family; father career Navy 1937 - 1967, oldest brother served in the Marines, another brother in the Navy, niece in the Air Force and I have a nephew getting ready to ship to Paris Island. I believe the military family is the best in the world and loved being around Soldiers.

I even put him in for a "Boss Award" from ESGR to recognize his "support" of my military obligations and had his next two level managers there for the presentation. He threw the plaque in his desk drawer and that was the last I saw of it.

My civilian job fed my family, but my job in the Army Reserve fed my soul. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. No regrets.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 18 at 2016 3:46 PM

2016-02-18T15:46:16-05:00

BTW - CAR stands for Chief Army Reserve

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 2:48 AM

2016-02-19T02:48:07-05:00

Interesting for me as I'm at that decision point with nobody really saying stay or go.....

I've got a crappy keyboard so please pardon the lack of punctuation.

Why is all of the onus on the employer anyway- all they get is a little tax credit in exchange for a big pain in the ass

the Army's inability to plan leaves them frustrated- as hell every time..- why is it that I never get orders until the freaking day before when we know about things 60 or 90 days out.. we owe it to soldiers and we owe it to employers to give them information when we have it as they are just as much a part of the team as our families

we have been at war for going on 15 years, Reserve component soldiers have been the backbone of these operations and have proven they can do the job cheaper and will answer the nations call... so if that is the new reality-- where the reserve is truely operational... why dont they restructure the whole damn thing and start acting like it.

comparison between AC/RC

ARFORGEN
same cycle- same frequency of mobilizations

HEALTH CARE
AC - FREE RC subsidized roughly 80 percent tricare

Commissary
DoD subsidizes DeCA 1.3 Billion a year so AC and their family can eat cheaper food

Effective days worked
AC
365- 104 weekends- 10 fed holidays - 8 long weekends due to holidays - 30 leave = 213
and I get it, they go to the field sometimes so lets make that 225

RC
365 -104 weekends - 8 holidays - 14 paid time off - 7 sick time off +28 drill days and then maybe pull that 14 PTO back off because you probably burned it up on AT
= 260 - Roughly 47 more days worked per year vs AC

Schools
AC- resident NCOES/OES off at 1600, weekends off
RC 2 week compressed courses, 14 hour days, only essential info covered

BAH
AC CHECK RC NOPE ... and its tax free

BAS
same as above

base pay
AC- standard RC 2x- meant to offset known difference for not recieving BAH/BAS and to cover some commuting costs

Retirement
AC- 50 percent at 20 YOS paid immediately plus tricare for life for a ver small cost
RC- points x YOS x rank plus you still need to pay your health care

in-kind benefIts
RC none
AC; family housing, free gym membership, childcare, dependant healthcare, MWR facilities

Unemployment insurance
AC- covered if you separate-plus sep pay
RC - none

VA home loans
AC cheaper closing costs
RC- higher closing costs- apparently they are more risk

the list goes on but you get the point- I'm not advocating that RC gets more like AC, I'm actually in favor of the reverse as the active duty military program is the biggest welfare program in the country/

Back to the original statement- the RC needs a fundamental overhaul and integration with AC- we need to give solders more options for fulfilling their duty days - 1 week per quarter, 2 weeks twice a year- expand IMA- get the schools aligned AC/RC and only do one school, synoh the retirement systems so they are all points based so AC and RC can transition back and forth easier, stop encouraging mediocrity with 20 year vesting. GET RID OF THE AGR PROGRAM and make it an active duty rotation.

If the new reality is that AC and RC need to play along more often then we need to start acting like it and we need to make it worthwhile for soldiers in the RC or in a few years there wont be many left - except for all the ghost soldiers who are UNSAT.

congrats if you read all the way through this- the post was long but the issue is complex.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 8:27 PM

2016-02-19T20:27:10-05:00

CSM i interviewed for a job 2005 when i told them i was reservist and my unit, well just to say got shot down they didnt tell why but i could surmise, went to the company next door no promblem, been with them 9 years, and they support me 100 %, and they are owned by the japanese, i never had a problem drilling nor 2 weeks at, or even the 1 year deployment in iraq. we need to get on these companies that dont support and f them up like no other

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jun 1 at 2017 8:48 PM

2017-06-01T20:48:21-04:00

The thing that burns me the most, is the flag waving happy people that do it out of being glad it wasn't them that served our country. They might not say it, but actions speak louder than words.
I respect all that are serving or served in the service of our country. But, I do not attend any flag waving showings.
People tend to forget what John F. Kennedy said, " ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". I was a year old when he said it. It has to mean something

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2017 10:19 PM

2017-09-24T22:19:14-04:00

I've been straddling this dual-life line for quite some time now. I have an understanding employer and an understanding commander, but CMSgt James Nolan hit it on the head when he said that both bosses want to feel like they are priority number one. The best way I've learned to deal with those conflicting priorities is to avoid multitasking and focus my energy on being a great task switcher. Too many times I've tried to juggle both lives simultaneously and wound up dropping one or more balls, including the family, friends, and school/hobbies balls that are also in the mix. So I've given up jiggling and taken up relay racing as my new method for living this crazy life of a reservist. You can't run at top speed in every direction at once, but you can pick and chose which segment of your life to focus on for a given amount of time. Sometimes that's a few minutes for an Army call, sometimes that's a few weeks for a needy client, and sometimes that's 2 years for an MBA. The point is that you do it willingly, transparently, and without guilt. "Sir, I'm going to be a couple days late to AT this year for a client meeting, but more than happy to take on any additional duties or play catchup when I get there." "Boss, I'm going to have to go to an Army school in October. It should be some great leadership training that's required for my upcoming promotion but can also be used to bolster our group here in the office." "Honey, in going to be locking myself in the back office all day Sunday for homework, but it's to save me from missing dinner and bedtime Monday through Friday." These are all conversations I've had to have with people who decide my fate in their respective areas of responsibility, and so far they've all gone well because I focus on one area, do it exceptionally well, then run back and get the others caught up. No area gets left behind, so long as you can keep up with the relay!