Hello RP! USAR CSM Luther Thomas here, what questions do you have for me?

2015-10-23T10:49:20-04:00

From RallyPoint Team:

CSM Luther Thomas, is the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Reserve, and was recently selected to be the next Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Assistant SecDef for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He has been an invaluable supporter of RallyPoint, and we are honored to welcome him here for a live Q&A next Tuesday, October 27th.

CSM Thomas would like to focus on transitioning to the civilian work force, and great ways to prepare for that change.

Please post your questions below. They will be answered live on 10/27 at 4:00pm EST.

If you'd like to follow CSM Luther Thomas you can also do so here:

https://twitter.com/CSMLutherThomas

Luther Thomas Jr. (@CSMLutherThomas) | Twitter

The latest Tweets from Luther Thomas Jr. (@CSMLutherThomas). Command Sergeant Major Luther Thomas Jr. is the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Reserve. Wahsington D.C

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 23 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-10-23T10:53:25-04:00

SGM Luther Thomas please advocate the Soldier of Life Transition Program to the fullest extent. A lot of transitioning Soldiers and Leaders never have heard of it.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 11:09 AM

2015-10-23T11:09:40-04:00

I am a CSM whose tenure is going to be up in February 16. I have been looking and applying for new positions over the last 3 months. I've run into something called a CSM selection board which apparently selects the next CSM without input from the gaining Battalion Commander. I do not know who sits on these boards so my question is: What is the validity of these boards and when were these selection boards implemented as in my previous CSM positions I was selected directly by the Battalion Commander.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-10-23T12:10:38-04:00

CSM Thomas,

The last information I was told was that the USARC CG will not sign off on APFT Failure Chapter packets. Is this correct information? Because, if this is correct, then how can we, as Leaders, enforce policy and standards when policy and standards are not being followed by higher?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 23 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-10-23T12:13:39-04:00

Thank you CSM for stopping by. One of the issues facing transitioning soldiers is that there are so many resources out there that becomes overwhelming, but none of these resources seem to do particularly well. I think people mostly see this and their solution is to create yet another office or website which just compounds the problem. There isn't that one resources every service member knows about and goes to once they take the uniform off.

From your experience, what resource (organization, website, etc.) has worked best for service members? What would be your first steps as you transition out? Why has it been so difficult to create a functional, useful site for out military?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-10-23T13:17:55-04:00

Hello CSM Thomas,
What is your best advice, as a CSM, for dealing in a professional manner with NCOs who don't respect Warrant Officers as officers? This is especially exacerbated because of my current commander having explicitly told all WOs in my detachment that we are not leaders. I'm not speaking specifically only for myself, I'm citing a general attitude that would be there even if I personally were not there.
One of the reasons (among many) that I left a previous unit was that a MSG got away with saying *TO MY FACE* that I wasn't a real officer because I'm a Chief, and this MSG was previously in my section's business (I was the OIC) with the support of the commander.

Response by SGT Alexander Hildenbrandt made Oct 23 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-10-23T16:33:19-04:00

CSM Thomas,
Thank you for stopping by Rally Point and congratulations on the next position.
It has been an honor and a privilege to help other veterans in their transition after my own just a year and a half ago. I have been successful in my own transition and have enjoyed mentoring others to do the same.

There have been technological advances in how we are able to view, learn, and pass information on a global scale that requires little or no money. What steps or measures are being taken to broaden the functionality of the transition offices or capabilities of the transitioning service member with services and support from a digital standpoint?
What advice would you give to a leader who wants to be an entrepreneur?
What are your thoughts on entrepreneurship in the transitional period of a soldier’s career?
Why do you think the culture in the Military is prone to paint a negative picture on entrepreneurship and what can we do to change that?

Thank you CSM Thomas for your service and dedication.
Airborne

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-10-23T17:11:36-04:00

SGM Luther Thomas, I know you wanted to focus on civilian transition, but I really want to take an opportunity to ask about this issue while I have your ear.

First Army Chief LTG Tucker, recently mentioned that the Guard and Reserve need more days to train to fulfill their roles in modern operational reserve. Do you agree with this assessment, and what can be done to help get the training budget increased and to better equip the part-time forces towards this goal?
v/r,
SSG Squires

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 10:45 AM

2015-10-25T10:45:06-04:00

CSM,

I am concerned about the budgetary issues in regards to PME. Commands push that PME is a priority yet seats are being cancelled due to no funding. In my Battalion, there are only 4 NCOs allowed to go to PME. We are not able to use AT funding for schools. Is this Army Reserve wide or is it only the 108th command?

As a Miltech for my unit (and DTS approving official), I see what goes on behind the scenes and am concerned about the frivolous spending for change of commands and conferences and Soldiers (myself included) being denied important schools. I personally know of 3 Soldiers that had to file congressional complaints to get their cancelled seats back. Are Congressional complaints the only way to get these schools that are required for promotion? Is this our future?

My own situation is one of many. ALC seats cancelled FY 15 due to funding yet sent to AT for 29 days. Resubmitted ALC packet and was denied PH2 due to a new Division policy of only one phase allowed a fiscal year. Resubmitted packet again and it was denied Phase 1 because we are only sending 4 soldiers to PME this year.

I truly do not understand the push for PME and then the constant denial of these seats. This is a hot topic in my unit right now, so perhaps you can shed some light on this situation?

Respectfully,
SSG Jones

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Oct 25 at 2015 3:41 PM

2015-10-25T15:41:28-04:00

SGM Luther Thomas, Thanks for your terrific support of RallyPoint from its earliest days. I can't really explain how critical it is for us to have feedback from you and your Soldiers. As networking and social media become more utilized by today's military personnel, I'd like to know how you see the RP platform as a career tool for the US Army and US Army Reserve. I'd also like to hear your thoughts on what we can do better to support the future needs of your Soldiers.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Oct 26 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-10-26T13:07:35-04:00

No questions at the moment, but Congrats to you CSM Thomas on your new position.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 26 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-10-26T13:11:20-04:00

CSM Thomas thanx for taking our questions. Do you know if we will see more Special Forces missions against ISIS in Iraq and is the Army adding more FO Teams to call in targets to defeat the ISIS Command and Control Structure???... Best Wishes. Tom Cunnally (Marine Veteran)

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Oct 26 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-10-26T17:34:40-04:00

I want to echo the importance of transition to the civilian workforce. I remember very well my struggle in preparing a resume that was useless. I thought big words with catch phrases would get me somewhere but found out quickly I was wrong. Writing many OERs and EERs didn't prepare me for writing a resume. Please focus on your skills and how they translate to the civilian world where it can be understood. The civilian world doesn't understand the military jargon unless they have served in the military. Keeping it simple is so important. Thanks for listening.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 27 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-10-27T09:58:12-04:00

CSM Luther Thomas:

Greetings CSM Thomas. I am not convinced that the current standard (or average) number of drill days per year for drilling Reservists is inadequate for most Reservists in their particular MOS; that said, drilling soldiers are all too often spending half of their drilling weekend, as well as time during AT, on administrative work and required classes instead of soldier training and doing their jobs. If anything negatively affects the drilling soldier's training days, it is that.

I understand Army & unit admin responsibilities, and I know there are some required classes that NEED to be covered throughout the year, but we are being tasked to do in two days per month what the Regular Army has 30 days a month to accomplish. With all due respect to the policy makers, it’s ridiculous.

My question to you CSM Thomas is this: Can the currently required classes not related to our respective MOSs be reevaluated for their true value to Reserve soldiers and eliminate the dead weight which is weighing down our training time?

Thank you for your time & consideration,
SGT Dave Tracy

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 12:22 PM

2015-10-27T12:22:29-04:00

CSM, thank you for taking time to answer some of our questions. I have a concern more than a question. The availability of SLC for Combat Medics is quite frankly unacceptable. I know that there are numerous factors that influence having more school slots available. The fundamental issue is why should anyone not be promoted when they have done due diligence and applied for more than one school slot but are dropped for various reasons? To me it just does not seem like the best policy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-10-27T13:19:31-04:00

In going through the Soldier For Life program during my retirement process, I could see that many younger Soldiers didn't take the transition advice seriously. Some of them were joining the reserves. What plans do you have to improve on some of the great education and employment programs that are out there for reservists?

Do you believe that a grassroots approach is feasible from federally funded programs as great non-profit organizations focusing on such veteran focused issues in their communities struggle to cut through the red tape to even partner with VA centers in their communities, let alone tap into funds, which they can use much more agilely and responsively to help Veterans find and pursue their purpose, which has been proven to combat Veteran Suicide?

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Oct 27 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-10-27T13:48:04-04:00

CSM Thomas, thanks for stopping by today and taking the time to answer our questions.

For you personally, what is one area specifically, that needs worked on the most within the U.S. Army? How can we achieve success in that area?

Your Fellow American,
SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-10-27T14:35:18-04:00

CSM Thomas. I retired in 1994 (MSG-AGR). During my tenure, the Active Army (pardon my French) treated us as their "bastard children". We were issued their old and outdated hand-me-down MTOE equipment. Since the USAR is now considered a vital part of the war effort, are we getting the same "top of the line" MTOE equipment needed for training at home station? As a side note. I was the Chief Supply/Operation's Sergeant in the 81st ARCOM DCSLOG and served under Maj Gen James Helmly when he was a Major and Chief Sup/Svc Officer. Thank you for your service and God bless America and out Troops.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 3:54 PM

2015-10-27T15:54:30-04:00

CSM,

I have a concern about the new NCOES program and how it will affect Reservists and Guardsmen. I understand the downsizing and pushing those NCO's who have procrastinated or were not diligent in getting to school being separated from service. My concern is quite the opposite. There are many Reservists/Guardsmen who have been desperately trying to get to WLC, ALC, and SLC and are repeatedly denied due 'to the lack of funding' or 'no funding' for these schools.

From a personal point of view, I have submitted four different ATRRS applications for ALC since January 2015 and every one of them has been rejected due to funding. Will there be waivers, Exceptions, Or any other way to protect ourselves from being separated due to failure to attend the appropriate NCOES?

There is another concern for myself and the inability to get into ALC. I enlisted into the Reserves in April 2013 after a 17 year break in service. I was dropped a rank to E5 and had to wait 20+ months to recertify my MOS (per regs), again due to funding; had to regain my E6 once MOS qualified and then made a mad dash to get into ALC. This December I will turn 55 years old and failure to complete the NCOES for the next level prior to my 55th birth date puts me in a non promotable status for the duration of my career.

Do you have any suggestions, work arounds or other avenues for someone like me and many other NCO's in a reserve or guard status that are trying to be aggressive in furthering our professional military careers?

Anxiously awaiting your point of view, comments or suggestions.

Sincerely,
SSG Steven Roussel
Drill Sergeant
A Co. 2/417th Reg, 4th Bde., 98th Division

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-10-27T16:08:38-04:00

When I graduated from college I was no longer eligible for the unemployment benefits I earned in the army. Why couldn't they have been frozen while I was using the G.I. Bill?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-10-27T16:55:34-04:00

Hey CSM Thomas - great to talk with you again. I have seen the conversion of the standing up of the Army Reserve Cyber Operations Groups (ARCOG) from the former ARIOCs and have two questions related to cyber. The first is when the USAR will be allowed to vector to 17 series MOS? Currently it is active only. The second is when we will as a total force will start to incorporate cyber training skills in the form of actual bodies in the larger mainstream force as a whole? From my perspective we aren't making it a part of the training we do. Every piece of equipment and weapons system (if it flies, shoots, drives, moves, etc) that has software is susceptible to being exploited. I would love to help bring basic cyber training into our everyday army reserve warrior tasks. Our weakest link isn't our systems - it's our people! :) Congrats and best of luck in your new gig! Thanks...MAJ R

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 5:46 PM

2015-10-27T17:46:44-04:00

CSM,

Thank you for your previous input in regards to funding for NCOES. Since it is now too late for me for me to advance professionally as an NCO for the remainder of my next five years, do you know of, or is there any flexibility or waivers for NCOES requirements pertaining to age limits that could be investigated? Where can I go, who can I speak to in order to explore any remaining possibilities?

I'd hate to know that I'll spend my last five years in a non-promotable status.

SSG Steven Roussel

Response by LTC James Bozeman made Oct 28 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-10-28T14:40:28-04:00

Hello CSM Thomas, since you are focusing on transitioning to the civilian work force, Forbes and Military Times published an article entitled "Congratulations on Your Military Service… Now Here Are 9 Reasons Why I Won’t Hire You" I found it enlightening and am sharing with my fellow soldiers that are transitioning in the near future. What are your thoughts on this article and what do you feel is the number one reason Veterans are having difficulty making that transition to Civilian life?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 5:22 PM

2015-10-28T17:22:44-04:00

CSM,
With the Army moving towards retention of the very best, and the USAR being at 98% of its ESO do you forsee the removal of the O5 Recovery Memorandum for the separation of Soldiers for Unsatisfactory Participation and AT No Show?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 11:33 PM

2015-10-28T23:33:51-04:00

Why do Reservists take the APFT more often than AD soldiers?

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Oct 31 at 2015 7:25 PM

2015-10-31T19:25:06-04:00

CSM Thomas,

For AGR recruiters out there, is there a program starting that can address the continual shortage?
I have a possible solution:

After the initial tour of 36 months, have AGR soliders rotate thru recruiting just like our active duty counterparts thus ending the perpetual shortage.

Response by CW4 Chad Balwanz made Nov 1 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-11-01T10:34:40-05:00

Has the policy of admitting transvestites and homosexuals to openly serve in the military ranks served to instill fear in our adversaries? Has it made our military stronger, better and more proficient? Will it lead to gay and straight units? Do you feel that using the military for social experimentation is a proper role for our armed forces? Is the military better prepared and more qualified to fight and win wars since this policy was forced upon the military ranks?

Response by SGM Luther Thomas made Nov 6 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-11-06T14:38:42-05:00

Here the Policy Memo authorizing Soldiers to wear black socks with their PT Uniform

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 11:23 AM

2017-03-17T11:23:32-04:00

SGM Luther Thomas First of all congratulations. I appreciate your focus on soldiers transitioning to the civilian work force. I can tell you it was the most challenging endeavor I ever had to overcome. I thought I was never going to get a job. While I do not know how the Army executes TAP now I can give you some keys I see 10 years latter that I think TAP should be focusing on. First education, DoD has put a lot of work into converting Military schools and experience into college credits through JST. Second is everything relies on civilian credentials (PMP for example) there are too many to count. We need to find a way to work those credentials into our military work force so they walk out the door with more than just an MOS. I could go on and on but these are my two top - Education and Credentials.

Response by PO3 Ron Jackson made Nov 20 at 2020 10:52 AM

2020-11-20T10:52:57-05:00

I have received innappropriate postings, on here, from someone. What is your recomendation for dealing with them. Ignore or file a complaint?