Guardsman & Reservists - Best and worst practices by civilian employers when you returned to your job

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:05:15 -0400

I would love to hear from Guradsmen and Reservists about the best and/or worst things your civilian employer did to ensure your success (or failure) upon your return to the workforce after an OEF/OIF deployment.

I am not asking about whether your employer took you out to lunch on your first day back. No, I am wondering whether your employer had a plan for your reintegration upon your return. Did they have a plan for retraining? Did they provide opportunities for professional development? Did they look to capitalize on your personal and professional growth during your deployment? Did they set conditions for your success? Or did they just assume that nothing had changed during your deployment and assume you could simply pick things up where you left off before you deployed?

Any and all comments would be welcome, as it appears companies' practices vary widely on this. Thanks in advance!!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 10 at 2014 6:45 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:45:08 -0400

Great post Sir. I attended an eye opening ESGR signing at the Farmers Insurance HQ in Southern California a few months back. I was really blown away by the stories told there by the previously deployed Guard and Reservist who retuned home and were treated with the highest respect and admiration from all levels of the company. They were given a tremendous amount of support to reintegrate back into the company and also advance their career. I know Lucas Buck, SMSgt Al Schilling, and WO1 Private RallyPoint Member can attest that the 'Farmers Family' really has taken care of their own and I'm sure they can link you to some of the specific examples of the support they typically give out to deployed members. I look forward to seeing some of the 'best & worst practices' other RP members have seen at other employers. This can be a great learning opportunity for the community.

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Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 10 at 2014 6:55 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:55:37 -0400

Got the typical cube-o-packing-peanuts on return from GTMO. was told they put my stuff "in storage"

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Sep 13 at 2014 3:21 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 15:21:45 -0400

I bet that MAJ Private RallyPoint Member would have an excellent response here. He has done this transition back and forth several times, and extremely successfully. Thom?

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 13 at 2014 6:11 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 18:11:54 -0400

They said "welcome back, are you sure you don't want more time off? (I was allowed something like 90 days 'adjustment' time, was back before I'd actually taken all my accrued leave, let alone adjustment time.) Ok great, glad to have you back, As you know - your boss left in your absence- Dude is your new boss, Dudette who was covering for you in your absence is moving into a perm position, she can bring you up to date on any changes. Great to have you back & let us know if you need anything." Or words to that effect.

Not making a big deal of it, or treating me in any way different was the exact right way to go and I appreciated it very much. It is also very worth noting that I was contacted either by my then-boss or my coworkers at least every month with a "catch-up" email while deployed. It was very clearly scheduled - the 2nd tuesday of every month, if I recall correctly. Also I was in at least weekly contract with a friend who was (and is still) a coworker.

For the first 3-4 months I had a steady stream of coworkers coming by wanting to either thank me for having gone, ask me about it, or trying to probe my politics to see if I was interested in joining their protest effort (but even these ones were pleasant to me).

I just told my boss that I'm going to go on a mob with VERY little notice just this week and his response was [pause for breath] "Ok, we'll have to check with HR on what we need to do. Do you have a list of tasks you have to off-load? What are your thoughts on your staff? Do you have anyone you think could step in?" At which point I handed him my draft decision-paper on succession and we were back into normal discussions.

For me, the matter of fact approach is the best. It *IS* one of the reasons I haven't left this employer in the 10 years since my last mob. I wasn't injured and didn't have any PTSD-type issues, so the fact that it is "normal" was the best for my adjustment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 6:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 18:47:59 -0400

I worked for a certain big box retailer prior to my last deployment. It wasn't anything concerning the deployment that I had issues with though. It was prior to the deployment.

I had started working there in June and in August I returned to the NG. I had to go to Ft.Eustis for 16 weeks to reclass. Prior to school I was working 37-40 hours/week. After I returned I was only working 20-25 if I was lucky. They hadn't hired anyone new. The faces were all the same. They just gave the 12-20 hrs/week to everyone else.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 15 at 2014 7:11 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:11:11 -0400

COL Private RallyPoint Member I can speak directly to this as a Guardsman who has deployed on several occasions.

My old boss (former Ranger), in meetings with our entire group would question whether I was doing my current job, or going to be off playing F@CKING Marine, or Air Force or whatever the F@CK. Unbelievable. Especially coming from a veteran.

My new bosses (2001-present) have been exceptionally supportive (one of the two current is a veteran). They have been accommodating, supportive, are in a sense, everything that you would want from an employer. In fact, I was promoted on civilian job, while deployed (did not think that would happen).

It is amazing the difference that support from employers and fellow employees makes (about 2/3 of my fellow employees are vets). When you have support, it makes it so much easier to answer the call.

Upon return from deployments, they helped ensure that everything was done to rectify the endless paperwork that comes along with Government Service.

I cannot say enough good things about how I have been treated by the "current" office, and will forever remember how poorly I was treated by the former.

AND, Loyalty begets Loyalty.