Posted on Dec 29, 2015
What are some reasons Reservist and Guard Soldiers have decided to leave the military? Are you staying involved with the military?
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What are your reasons for getting out of the NG/Reserves? I know currently I have a large number of Soldiers ETSing this year. The primary reason seems to be they want to advance their civilian careers (move/promote) and education (grad school , PA school, etc)
Transition
Reserves
Army National Guard
Air National Guard
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 41
1) Too much disruption with their civilian career or schooling
2) Having to spend too much (perhaps the majority of their time) on admin requirements not core to their MOS or mission
3) Don't want to be held accountable; I've seen Soldiers in the NG who treated it like a weekend gun club, and when standards were enforced, they decided it was no longer for them.
2) Having to spend too much (perhaps the majority of their time) on admin requirements not core to their MOS or mission
3) Don't want to be held accountable; I've seen Soldiers in the NG who treated it like a weekend gun club, and when standards were enforced, they decided it was no longer for them.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I am a high school teacher contractually obligated to work 185 days a year, now the Guard thinks I should work more than the +\- 50 I currently do and it won't disrupt my job? A substitute teacher for 50 or so days won't disrupt my career?! I went to BOLC it disrupted it, even JRTC disrupted it, but 100 will be fine?
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CMSgt James Nolan
LTC Yinon Weiss Yes. Careers absolutely suffer. YES some troops joined for the wrong reasons-and do not stay in long, and many have suffered tremendous deployment tempo/coupled with tragic loss. And, yes, way too much ancillary training.
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Maj (Join to see)
Certainly agree with #1 and 2 here. The recruiting concept of 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks out of the year" is a nice marketing term but it's way less than accurate to the realities of maintaining proficiency, contact, and awareness of mission requirements. In addition to my current, demanding, "real job", I have 2 weekly meetings scheduled with the guard, and a number of ad hoc quick turn items. As nice as OWA can be, it is certainly a double edged sword- I often get calls asking me to log in because AGR or Active duty Col so-and-so needs an answer by tomorrow on something.
Add to that proficiency and training - AF cyber is going through transition, requiring new and additional training (last I read it was 180+hrs of CBT), not to mention required in residence training. Add into that an activation cycle and it starts to wear on the individual, their family and their career.
So be cause of these and other factors, lots of folks start to ask if the juice is worth the squeeze.
Add to that proficiency and training - AF cyber is going through transition, requiring new and additional training (last I read it was 180+hrs of CBT), not to mention required in residence training. Add into that an activation cycle and it starts to wear on the individual, their family and their career.
So be cause of these and other factors, lots of folks start to ask if the juice is worth the squeeze.
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Many people and many reasons!
1. To start, reserve duty becomes an anchor to some service members that want to take their careers further.
2. 14 years of conflict has given a sour flavor to employers when it comes to their employees who are reservist. Yes, there are laws that protect them but we all know when a business needs to cut folks the Citizen Soldier becomes a prime target.
3. Many reservist do not find what they were expecting when they first joined, meaning training opportunities.
4. Promotions. Reservist are subject to MOTE/TDA availability within their units or otherwise relocate; if an available position is open. This is many times not an option.
1. To start, reserve duty becomes an anchor to some service members that want to take their careers further.
2. 14 years of conflict has given a sour flavor to employers when it comes to their employees who are reservist. Yes, there are laws that protect them but we all know when a business needs to cut folks the Citizen Soldier becomes a prime target.
3. Many reservist do not find what they were expecting when they first joined, meaning training opportunities.
4. Promotions. Reservist are subject to MOTE/TDA availability within their units or otherwise relocate; if an available position is open. This is many times not an option.
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MSG William Wold
Ah yes, the old employment protection generally is ignored and they can't or won't enforce it. I had 3 soldiers that did it correctly by the book and regulation, and all got fired, and no recourse against the employer happened. After the 3rd one got screwed there was a mass exodus out of our unit, there was a stop loss implemented, and some of them said screw ya, you can't draft me and quit showing up.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
Even better, with the current drawdown on the force we will depend more on the reserve component to fulfill the shortages due to increasing requirements and OPTEMPO.
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CPT (Join to see) I LOVE being a citizen soldier, but the civilian career and the family pain is difficult to manage/live through. The best spouse and families with kids are challenged. The best employers strain to support the planning for multiple deployments. My wife and four kids are on their fifth time for mobilization, third 12 month deployment. Verizon is a great employer, but each deployment requires me to give up a team of people to a new manager and hurts my ability to build consistency and trust in the Director/VP level when I return, just to do it again in a couple of years.
For me it is still worth it, but I understand how many don't.
For me it is still worth it, but I understand how many don't.
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CPT (Join to see)
Good insight sir! The balance between work , families and the reserves can be quite a commitment sometimes. I don't like missing out on opportunities at work for military obligations if I think it's going to effect my career long term. That would probably be my reason to get out if I decide to in 2018 when my 8 years is up! I took command in June and so far it's been a great experience and I'm mostly really enjoying it!
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