How can NG/RC Officers who have recently switched to Active Duty remain competitive and top block performers among their AD peers?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 13:54:06 -0500

Since November I have switched from Guard-ADOS to serving in a Full-time AD unit as their BN AS6. I have felt the difference in a shift to a fast-paced work environment and strong command climate and have observed that my peers are high performers. I feel that my knowledge base and history from being part time has been a challenge for me in adapting. What have you seen that Officers struggle with from switching to AD from RC and how can we best prepare ourselves now serving on a full-time basis?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 4:01 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:01:55 -0500

Reserve component, in my experience, have a mentality that there is a shift end time and they can go home and that’s that. Active there is no such thing. It’s my opinion that top performers don’t have a notion of COB.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Jan 17 at 2019 5:39 PM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 17:39:48 -0500

Looking at your issue from the outside in, consider this... One weekend (2-days) vs. 20 days per month of regular day-to-day work! If you are doing something 18 days less a month, sounds like repetition and/or retrain is necessary! Repetition is nothing but time in this case. Re-train - see if there are any online Correspondence Courses you can order and perform that are within your career field. Go back to your MOS specific school books if you still have and retrain yourself.
Find out if your S3 has access to the TDC system and can print-off your MOS schools training to review. Not sure if they would have access, but worth a try. Could also email/call the School house S1 and explain your situation, though might not work... Anything for an advantage to play catch-up!!!
All the best...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 17 at 2019 6:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:37:30 -0500

You need PL time. That is where you will make your money.

Response by MAJ Jimmy M. made Jan 18 at 2019 3:37 AM

MAJ Jimmy M. — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 03:37:06 -0500

As a former signal officer, let me share a quote from what was once called SOAC. I had classmate that was a branch detail from Infantry. The chief of Signal came to a breakfast for our class.

He went around asking lieutenants / captains what they had done for the past several years. Most had been Signal platoon leaders then an XO or in the S3 shop.

The general asked them lag lieutenant about his background and he said "I'm a victim of them branch detail program sir. Everyone else is here for a review. I'm here to learn" .

That's you. But he brought his own experiences to the Signal Corp and eventually made LTC. You may be behind in some technical aspects, but focus on your strengths.

Response by MAJ Jimmy M. made Jan 18 at 2019 3:40 AM

MAJ Jimmy M. — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 03:40:50 -0500

Also. Don't worry about top block. I was in Infantry units and Aviation. I was never going to get top block in them. No aviation commander will top block his S6 over a pilot. No worries. It's the job, not the rating that moves you forward.