Posted on Oct 1, 2024
Clay Horn
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Any current or former Civil Affairs personnel that can give any insight on family life balance? Is the dwell ratio still 2:1 or has it moved to 3:1? Very interested in the CA mission. However, as a dad of two little ones, the dilemma of pursuing an impactful career as CA versus missing a large amount of time with my kids is a tough one. I am tempted to move back into the corporate world that may be family friendly, but wrestling with this passion and sense of duty.

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight!
Posted in these groups: Civil affairs regimental insignia 38B: Civil Affairs Specialist
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Responses: 2
LTC Self Employed
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My gut feeling is 1:2 Our uptempo was never quiet and this administration has not made it easier. We are competing against China (Silk Road Initative bribery worldwide), Russia and possibly Iran with winning hearts, minds and fixing messes.

I am sure it will be the same whoever wins in November.
LTC Trent Klug
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Clay Horn
Clay Horn
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Thank you for your response, sir! I'm not sure if you are a father or not, but if you are, do you regret the time you missed from home? Would you do anything different if you had the opportunity to do so?
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LTC Self Employed
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Clay Horn My Daughter was a baby. I also broke my ankle in Afghanistan. Trying to get certified in combatives. My broken ankle kept me at JBLM Since I reside in canada and they wouldn't issue orders. If I still lived stateside, I would have been assigned to a V.A hospital nearby. The flip side is.I didn't have to complete airborne school. Who knows if I would have Is bad landing or bad jumps? I got ten percent disabled. The extra time in the hospital Is counted toward a year of early retirement. I retired at 59 instead of 60. I missed a year of seeing my oldest daughter. She is now 17.

https://youtu.be/rU0ED3RBxXw?si=NBvWnxHt4INgeexZ
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MSG Civil Affairs Specialist
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Work life balance is a choice you make. Every Soldier I know who made an excuse about family being the reason they could not join a SOF unit I did not want as a coworker. I was both reserve and active CA. 24 years TIS. Had my first two kids while at Bragg or whatever they're calling post these days. Only turned down my last trip because spouse asked and the commander was able to accomodate having me as rear detachment commander. We crushed mission sets and family time on all my Teams. Had teammates with pregnant spouse and we made sure they attended the birth and took secondary care giver leave. Moved them to another team if the timeline didn't suit the due date. Family emergency meant teammate was on the first aircraft smoking home. Or we looked at mission set and skills to place team members on a rotation with access to good communications back home. Work ups meant travel and time away for school or exercise but communication with our support network was what allowed us to maximize family life moments. You don't need convincing you need to go find out.
Reserve dwell time is still 2:1 and Active is 1:1
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