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I've been with my current unit for 7+ years. I've been told I may be reduced in rank or barred from reenlistment in 2021. I retire in 2021, and my current civilian job as a professional engineer is greatly hindered when I have to leave for additional schools outside of the usual weekend a month/ 3 weeks a year. Maybe I'm being a d$:* but I don't see a real benefit here.
Posted in these groups: 
Professional Development
Professional Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I agree with you. It's absolutely not worth it compared to your civilian time, which you've indicated is more valuable than your reserve commitment.
You should absolutely step aside and take the rank reduction in order to allow someone younger and hungrier who is willing to meet the commitment of the rank. You are close to retiring and it won't adversely affect you, but by holding that position you are adversely affecting your peers and if you refuse to step aside, then you're being selfish. Either that, or you step up to the commitment and go to ALC, learn the skills and meet the education expected of your rank so that your Soldiers can have the educated leader they deserve.
You should absolutely step aside and take the rank reduction in order to allow someone younger and hungrier who is willing to meet the commitment of the rank. You are close to retiring and it won't adversely affect you, but by holding that position you are adversely affecting your peers and if you refuse to step aside, then you're being selfish. Either that, or you step up to the commitment and go to ALC, learn the skills and meet the education expected of your rank so that your Soldiers can have the educated leader they deserve.
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You should go based on your commitment as a Soldier. You were promoted I. Good faith and are being paid, the Army has met there commitment. Are you able to retire in 2021 if you are reduced in grade? So, if you don’t do it for the right reasons, do it for the dollars and cents. If it bothers you this bad, being an engineer and all, get out now and stop holding up a position from a Soldier who wants the challenges that come with the role.
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You are an E6 and you are wondering where the benefit is for you in the situation...
I'll skip the Selfless Service and NCO Creed aspect for now and get right to it:
For you, it's minimal, the minimum training required for qualification in the rank you pinned on 7+ years ago.
For the Army, the benefit is that you completed the minimum training they require for a SSG.
The downside, you decide to not complete a 3 week school, and retain your rank with a bar to reenlistment, you are occupying an E6 position for the next 2+ years that someone else could promote to AND complete the 3 week school.
It's just 3 weeks. Go to school, or step aside so the Army can promote someone who is willing to do what you are not.
I'll skip the Selfless Service and NCO Creed aspect for now and get right to it:
For you, it's minimal, the minimum training required for qualification in the rank you pinned on 7+ years ago.
For the Army, the benefit is that you completed the minimum training they require for a SSG.
The downside, you decide to not complete a 3 week school, and retain your rank with a bar to reenlistment, you are occupying an E6 position for the next 2+ years that someone else could promote to AND complete the 3 week school.
It's just 3 weeks. Go to school, or step aside so the Army can promote someone who is willing to do what you are not.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SFC Jerry Wallace its less than two years away. Tighten the chin strap, get your twenty years and 59 seconds and grab the retirement. The narrative I hear from ARNG troops is They can't get any schools or training, so I'm a bit puzzled. Taking it at face value, you are so close to retiring from the ARNG, surf it out. And then walk away.
Are you facing an administrative reduction for not finishing requisite PME? What PE work are you hindered from doing? I'm an engineer working on my PE application right now.
Are you facing an administrative reduction for not finishing requisite PME? What PE work are you hindered from doing? I'm an engineer working on my PE application right now.
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SFC Jerry Wallace
LTC Jason Mackay As an employee of a governmental unit or agency the hindrance is not bad. As a consultant with clients that expect a responsive design or construction management team it's a different story. I regularly work with class 1 railroads that are excellent clients that pay premiums for on call engineering services. Unfortunately those extended leaves of absence for schools and AT's always end up leading to a degraded level of service to my clients. I'm not trying to complain, but this is my primary means of taking care of my family, and I feel that much of the skill sets I have obtained from my current position has benefited my Soldiers and myself more than ALC ever will.
And generally it is a 12-24 month wait to get into such schools where I'm at.
Thank you for your reply and I wish you the best of luck with earning your license.
And generally it is a 12-24 month wait to get into such schools where I'm at.
Thank you for your reply and I wish you the best of luck with earning your license.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay i see what you are talking about. You can reasonably forecast these periods you are unavailable. They want a commitment, if you bail on an ongoing commitment, how does that look for your loyalty to them. If you had another project, and they came calling would you be any less detained?
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SFC Jerry Wallace
SGM, I ask as a 40 year old successful professional who is also an M-day soldier. Don't get me wrong, as a little back story I was scheduled to go on more than one occasion and I was all about it, and on more than one occasion an emergency service activation of 1-2 months came up and put the kibosh to said scheduled school.
I want to thank you for your comments. I just find it odd how little emphasis the Army puts on civilian experience and certification.
I want to thank you for your comments. I just find it odd how little emphasis the Army puts on civilian experience and certification.
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