Posted on Aug 20, 2015
Starting to feel disheartened with my service in the Reserves. Any suggestions?
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Sorry I submitted this topic before I filled it out correctly.
What I am referring to is I basically grew up in the Active Duty world I loved to serve and felt it was truly a calling. As my career progressed and I decided to pursue commissioning I was excited to get that honor of being a leader. I was saddened when I was assigned to the reserves but set out to do my part and give it my all. I joined a unit that has so many officers filling one line number there really wasn't that much work to do. I fell that I am being under used as well as just not enjoying this part time soldier role. I have started to contemplate of resigning my commission so I can re-enlist back into active duty. I don't know if that is the best idea but it is something that has been crossing my mind more and more since this is at the moment the only way I can return to active duty. I also feel at least in the corporate world there is not that brotherhood or that group mentality of working as a true team Everyone I have worked with so far to include some vets, is that they are all about themselves and so worried of lawsuits that you have to be beyond PC and instead of coaching and mentoring they would rather just cut you lose. I don't know if this is truly the right place to vent this to but I wonder if I am the only one or not and if anyone has any ideas how to at least improve my experience in the reserves?
Edit
What I am referring to is I basically grew up in the Active Duty world I loved to serve and felt it was truly a calling. As my career progressed and I decided to pursue commissioning I was excited to get that honor of being a leader. I was saddened when I was assigned to the reserves but set out to do my part and give it my all. I joined a unit that has so many officers filling one line number there really wasn't that much work to do. I fell that I am being under used as well as just not enjoying this part time soldier role. I have started to contemplate of resigning my commission so I can re-enlist back into active duty. I don't know if that is the best idea but it is something that has been crossing my mind more and more since this is at the moment the only way I can return to active duty. I also feel at least in the corporate world there is not that brotherhood or that group mentality of working as a true team Everyone I have worked with so far to include some vets, is that they are all about themselves and so worried of lawsuits that you have to be beyond PC and instead of coaching and mentoring they would rather just cut you lose. I don't know if this is truly the right place to vent this to but I wonder if I am the only one or not and if anyone has any ideas how to at least improve my experience in the reserves?
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Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 134
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Chris,
Take a deep breathe, you have several options...and none of them involve resigning your commission.
1. Apply to go back to AD as an officer. Hopefully, you have already finished BOLC as they will likely want to see your effort at that before approving your to return to AD. Despite a lot of CPTs getting pink slips, they always need to have a new year group of officers starting out.
2. Consider joining the AGR program where you have a job every day. You won't be bored, but do be prepared for handling bureaucracy.
3. Join an RC unit that has more of an operational role. For example Psyops or Civil Affairs. They do much more than one weekend a month and two weeks as a unit during the summer. Be prepared to provide that extra effort and do that extra duty however.
4. Apply to be a General's Aide. I know a lot of officers avoid this at all costs, but it will provide you will excellent visibility at what goes on at the higher ranks and you can then understand the big picture. Plus, if you do a good job, your GO will ensure that you have a mentor for life.
Take a deep breathe, you have several options...and none of them involve resigning your commission.
1. Apply to go back to AD as an officer. Hopefully, you have already finished BOLC as they will likely want to see your effort at that before approving your to return to AD. Despite a lot of CPTs getting pink slips, they always need to have a new year group of officers starting out.
2. Consider joining the AGR program where you have a job every day. You won't be bored, but do be prepared for handling bureaucracy.
3. Join an RC unit that has more of an operational role. For example Psyops or Civil Affairs. They do much more than one weekend a month and two weeks as a unit during the summer. Be prepared to provide that extra effort and do that extra duty however.
4. Apply to be a General's Aide. I know a lot of officers avoid this at all costs, but it will provide you will excellent visibility at what goes on at the higher ranks and you can then understand the big picture. Plus, if you do a good job, your GO will ensure that you have a mentor for life.
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MAJ F. Patrick Filbert
2LT R. A. - "Where do you see me identifying myself as "2LT"? "...apparently you can't see your own title before the "V" in your posts. RP provides this as a function when you develop your profile; but then you seem to be unaware of this. Further, since there is a "V for veteran" or "R for retired" after individual titles that further identifies who is an is not Active Duty. As to not setting the example, your whole thread about CACs that you began note you are not responsible for any issues related to copying a CAC; therefore, you fail to se the standard of leadership by example/doing that was and should have been imparted on you at your officer basic course and then in subsequent units you were assigned to. Since your oath identified you would support and defend the constitution, the law of the land, any US law as defined by IS code is part of that oath. But I surmise that your limited time as a Soldier precluded any experience related to the topic as you are more concerned about the definition of terms than actual interaction; especially given your condescending responses. Bottom line: you are correct that regs don't apply to you since you ETSed from the Army. However, US law does apply to you per the US Code which is law and if you are advocating or conducting breaking said law you can be charged under it. Since you don't have a CAC, but are noting "its not an issue" by your own words you are setting the wrong example and providing to others who may not have knowledge that such things are illegal and against regs; but then that's why we have 2LTs to bumble about and worry about the wrong things.
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MAJ F. Patrick Filbert
2LT R. A. - You'd like to take me to court for comments on social media that you, somehow, have the experience to identify as defaming or libel? Good luck with that and to be clear, I withdraw nothing as everything I've noted is factual. And at no time did I state you broke the law, I noted that if you should be identified as copying a CAC you would be in violation of the law and therefore open for prosecution (and if you are actually a legally trained as your profile notes, you'd already know that). The reaction you post is further proof of your lack of experience as a leader, lack of maturity, and very liberal "I'll sue if I don't like the comments posed about me." As you've noted, neither of us is on Active Duty and therefore I can't charge you with a crime. If social media comments are deemed "harmful and defamatory" by you and you "demand I withdraw them or face a lawsuit", perhaps the internet isn't for you. Your indication that you don't like having "2LT" as a title (but you hide your identify by using initials only) indicates someone with an inferiority complex as does the continued use of big words. It also indicates you have no idea why RP assigns it to you; I'll expand on that, its because you put "2LT" as the highest rank on your profile--which, BTW, is why I have Major on mine.
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MAJ F. Patrick Filbert
2LT R. A. - You have neither the experience nor the maturity to conduct any sort of "counseling statement towards me." This wasn't a debate, it was notifying an inexperienced individual about what does apply to him in between his use of big words and prefers to obscure things with vague and weak attempts to intimidate. So far, nothing you've noted related to my comments comes close to defamation or libel. I've stated no false facts related to CAC copying, I've identified your lack of character because you feel things "don't apply to you," and shown your lack of leadership by example is a deficit you should look to overcome. So far, zero falsehoods. But if pushing veiled threats about lawsuits for damages you can't prove actually occurred--words hurt you--perhaps we can create a safe zone for you for to recuperate in. After all, we wouldn't want you to be overwhelmed by comments that go against your beliefs or get overly distressed due to dissenting views on things causing you emotional peril.
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LT, I understand where you are coming from. It is difficult to transition from Active Duty into the Reserves. The same thing happened to me when I left Active Duty. I joined a unit and was not at all happy or felt a sense of accomplishment. I went into the IRR and stayed there for a few years. I was lucky to find a unit where I felt I could contribute something and ended up retiring from that unit. The road in the Reserves is not easy. You will often feel you are not being challenged and the reserves is filled with soldiers that just do the minimum and collect drill pay. There is a lack of accountability, and it is challenging for a high speed soldier to feel a sense of accomplishment. Additionally the Reserves are at the bottom of the list when it comes getting resources for training even though you are expected to train. I was in a medical unit and the Reserves has the majority of medical resources and we were expected to train for our mission but there was never any money to do that and there was no support from higher command. I have to tell you though that if I had not stayed in my reserve unit I never would have made 06 and I certainly would not have gotten to do the things I did. All that being said maybe you need to transfer to the IRR and weigh your options, don't resign your commission, you worked too hard for that. I don't know what your AOC is but there is a (or was) a website you could go to find out where there were vacancies for various positions. It used to be on the HRC website (previously known as 2X the citizen.) There are a few options for you. 1. You could transfer to another unit if possible. 2. Put in an AGR packet and see if you could get picked up for that program. 3. Find a mobilization tour through MOBCAP (I don't know if that has changed either). 4. Contact your branch manager and see if there are any positions for you elsewhere. 5. Contact your career manager for a mob tour somewhere. Don't give up! Being in the Reserves these days is difficult due to funding etc. but stick it out. There are many ways to earn retirement points even if you are in the IRR. The retirement benefits are worth it. Plus your Active Duty years count as points for retirement. I retired after 24 years. It goes by fast.....stay focused!
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Get involved in your unit. Your experience is what you make it! There is money out there for orders to do some pretty cool stuff. Looking at the Reserve as some part-time, sub-par organization is the WRONG idea. There are ADOS Tours, Tour of Duties, Individual Augmention Mobs that will give you a TOTALLY difference experience ON ACTIVE DUTY for the reserves. If there are too many officers in your unit then go find a new home! There are units out there that NEED good officers. Ask for schools like Airborne and Sapper! I have been in the reserves for 4 years and they have slots out there! I proved myself, then got an airborne slot and passed! I had a peer of mine got the Engineer coveted Sapper Tab as a TPU! It does happen. If you really want to apply your talents then apply for AGR too. The reserves is a great organization! I have been to Dominican Republic on the governments dime! Deployments are still going even though the demand is smaller but its out there!
Bottom line: You are a Leader. You can impact your unit! The sky is the limit! Its bullshit to believe that being in the reserves makes you less of a leader or a soldier!
Bottom line: You are a Leader. You can impact your unit! The sky is the limit! Its bullshit to believe that being in the reserves makes you less of a leader or a soldier!
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1LT (Join to see)
Couldn't agree more! My experience comes from the NG side of the house but I felt some lackluster as well after being on AD orders for over a year. When I got to my unit, soldiers that were anywhere from 18 - 24 were failing the PT test, spent 70% of their MUTA's in the drill-hall with their cell phones in one hand & coffee in the other. I sat back, watched & observed for 1-3 drills before I asked our CO if I could start doing PT in the morning. Sure enough after people showing up at 4:30 am & doing PT with me for 4 months in a row people were motivated, passed the PT & were ALOT happier.
My point follows LT. Donnelly's; get involved with your unit. Speak up & don't be afraid to suggest changes to the hum-drum of a drill weekend. In my experience, I started off board as hell & ended up busier then ever & the unit was better for it.
My point follows LT. Donnelly's; get involved with your unit. Speak up & don't be afraid to suggest changes to the hum-drum of a drill weekend. In my experience, I started off board as hell & ended up busier then ever & the unit was better for it.
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Capt Mark Strobl
Damned encouraging to read this -- 1LT (Join to see), thanks for this direct & impactful response. "You are a Leader." (looking for the "double 'thumbs up'" button)
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CPO (Join to see)
He is not alone. If the leadership is bad not matter how in involved you get it wont help.
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