Walking Dead

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having been out of the Corps since 2004, I have comfortably settled into a civilian lifestyle. I work for a public accounting firm, I drive a Volvo. Ever since leaving, I have had a strong urge to go back and serve but don't necessarily want to put my wife and child through the active duty lifestyle. With that said, I am considering earning a commission in CARNG and serving there as an Infantry Officer.
Since there are so many highly respected professionals on this forum, military and civilian, I am asking you to share any thoughts on this particular subject. If any of you are working professionals (accountants, attorneys, doctors, teachers), and also serving in ARNG - can you please share your experiences as to how this honorable service has impacted your civilian career, lifestyle etc?

I have researched a great deal about this subject and am familiar with the laws and procedures so, I am not looking for administrative advice. Rather, kindly share your life experiences, impact on your current job, and how you manage a professional work with serving in the ARNG.

I sincerely appreciate your time.

__________________
Unidentified U.S. Marine: "What does the American public think happens when they tell us to assault a city? Marines don't shoot rainbows out of our a$$e$. We f@$%king kill people."

HistoricalDavid

Good luck with whatever your do. The only advice I have is to repeat the line in the British reserve forces - "Family > Work > Territorial Army. If it doesn't work, drop the TA."

__________________
HD Ready?

Sakebomb

I work full time witht the TX ARNG, hopefully will be AGR soon. If you can get into the AGR program, it is the best job in the world. All the benefits of active duty with minimum bs. I highly recomend it.
Balancing a civilian career with Guard duties can be a real pain in the ass, especially if your an officer. You will definately spend more time in uniform than the "one weekend a month" that is advertised.

Also, I dont know how things are in the state youre in, but Texas Guardsmen are expected to serve at least one combat tour every 5 years.

Walking Dead

Thanks! My family is why I am no longer active duty, and in this predicament. I have been very unhappy sitting on the sidelines while everyone else is doing the fighting.

Thanks for your input. The unit I would join in California has seen plenty of action so, I would be ready for that. I also heard about spending a lot more time doing ARNG job than advertised. Let me ask you this - how did your job take it? I am thinking of a tactical way of getting them on board with this. I work for a big firm and considering using the argument that this could be great PR for them.

HistoricalDavid

I'm not familiar with your service but being part of a rifle unit (I think you said you were an O-3 or O-4? Or am I confusing you with Rifleman) means that you are automatically tougher than 99.9% of the population. To me there is a quiet, stoic nobility in the infantry - not that the rest of the military is not essential - which influences my current medium-term 'life goal' of joining the British infantry, eyesight, height and useless university notwithstanding. Considering that the US's manning issues are concerning but not catastrophic I don't think there's any shame at all in staying home with family.

Sakebomb

Its really all in how you present yourself. Federal law states that your civilian employer is required to hold your job for you while you are away on duty, be it school, drill, training or deployment. And even compensate you for raises and advancements missed while you were gone. Naturally, some employers dont like the idea of this as it is extra work for them. I'd say just be respectful about the whole thing. I know a few fellow soldiers who go to thier boss and basically tell them to "deal with it". Usually doesnt end well like that.

Back when I used to work at the airport, I would bring my boss a copy of my drill schedule at the begining of every month to give him a heads up on when I would not be available.

Also alot of National Guard unit commanders will change up drill schedules at the last minute. Not realizing that this means every single soldier under his command now has to renegotiate time off with thier respective employers.

EIDT: Honesty is also the best policy in my experience. When you present it to your employer, tell them exactly what you just told us here. That you have a strong desire to serve your country again, but still want to remain employed there and provide for your family.

Gun Grape

Another thing to consider is future employers. Do you plan to stay at your current job for your whole enlistment?

Most employers are not real keen on the idea of hiring someone that may have to take off for a year 2 weeks after hiring them and not be able to replace them.

Or give them raises and/or promotions when they get back over people that although not employed at the company longer, have more time on the job.

Walking Dead

Great post. I agree wholeheartedly about being honest. Our company is enormous in size and they pride on giving employees flexibility. They have given several colleagues an extended leave without pay due to sickness and still kept their position for them.

I have been with the firm for over two years now and I am planning to commit to it for quite some time. One way I am thinking of bringing this up is, like you mentioned, in a very honest an open way, while reiterating my commitment to stay with them for a good period of time - something I was planning to do anyway.

Great thoughts. This really confirms my disposition towards my potential approach. That, and the PR thing. I think they could really take advantage of this. I hope anyway.

I will be committed for at least another 3-5 years. Who knows, maybe more after that. If things go well, may shoot to become a partner. I will try to ride the commitment wave to the end, and see what happens. At least for now, that is the plan.

I have heard horror stories regarding this. This would have to be some well-calculated risk taking on my part. I mean, if noone would hire me, I could always go active duty - worst, worst case scenario.

I am not sure about this part - do you mean they will give a person who has been deployed and absent for a year incentives upon their return? Or do you mean the people that were there the whole time (sorry its later and I am a bit brain dead)?

Walking Dead

It must have been the other individual. I was an enlisted FO with a small Marine unit (worked with RMC a lot, by the way). While I cannot claim being a purebred infantryman, we follow the same ways, just with a different mission. On that note, that is a beautiful and poetic way to describe our beloved grunt. Anyway, back on topic - I would go in as an Infantry, or possibly Armor officer. That is what I have been interested for quite some time now.
Those are good thoughts, about the family. I really love them, you know, and I feel no shame regarding staying at home with them but, I feel a very strong desire to help out our guys. A part-time commitment is an option I am considering because so much is at stake, and I feel like this could be a way satisfy my longing to serve with our guys but, would also allow me more time with family.

Gun Grape

Not incentives, but if you would have gotten a raise or promotion due to normal attrition/time at the company then when you get back they are required to give those to you.

Imagine the feelings/resentment of your fellow employees.

I join the company on Monday, You join on Wed. 6 months later I get called to deploy for a 15 month tour in Iraq. You keep working at the company.

(i thought I read you were a MT guy in the corps.) You and I hire on as Truck Drivers 3 classification. After a year you automatically become a truck driver 2 unless you have an accident. More pay, More bennies.

You do your road time, no accidents get promoted at 12 months. And are well on your way towards road time for the next higher step.

I come back and the company must automatically advance me to Driver 2. Even though I have only actually drove for 6 months. And I'm at the same place you are for the next promotion.

And companies know that. So some, if they know you are guard/reserve will not hire you. It will be for other reasons officially, but your Guard/reserve participation does weigh in heavy when seeking new employment.

S-2

"I was an enlisted FO with a small Marine unit... I would go in as an Infantry, or possibly Armor officer."

OMG!!!

__________________
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski

Walking Dead

That confirms my thoughts. I am, however, referring to a professional organization where promotions are based strictly on merit so, I don't think this would apply to my situation. Even the annual raise at my company is merit-based, and not at all guaranteed. This would be a trade off I would have to make if I get deployed. The thing is, I would probably have to work out a solid deal with the company based on my performance and commitment. I am relying on this to work. I am also thinking about doing State OCS which is on the weekends (crazy isn't it?) so this may help in terms of not being absent for an extended period of time immediately.

Walking Dead

I want to do something different.

Gun Grape

OK Now I remember who you are. Dude, where in California are you?

You know what I'm going to mention MC Reserve and more specific:

3d Air Naval Gunfire Liason Company
Marine Forces Reserve
801 Reeves Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90731-5922

Your a former Active duty Anglico Marine with lots of experience. If anyone
could use you, its them.

Go to the link and give them a call

3d ANGLICO - US Marine Corps Reserve

And ask them, about commissioning programs.

or if you want to do that "Grunt" thing how about 4th Recon?

MFR HQ

Here is the list of all the MCR units in California

The Official Web site of the U. S. Marine Corp Reserve


From the USMCR site

Join the Reserves - Bonuses and Programs

Stay Marine. Don't make this old 0861 hunt you down

Can you tell that I did a tour as a career jammer?

Walking Dead

Gun Grape - First of all - thanks for your time in getting this information to me. This is truly valuable in terms of content and, as I said, the time you put into it (and yes, I can tell that you were an excellent career planner...oops jammer). No need to hunt me down just yet, I am still considering USMCR, just exploring the options to do some new, different things.

I know of "3rd Herd" - we worked together during OIF I along with a some British units. 3rd (and the Brits for that matter) are a stellar buncha folks. Since I am in Southern California, they would, technically, be a perfect unit to join - only 45 minutes away from here. I just have to make up my damn mind and get 1st Class PFT shape.

For me, right now - the biggest thing is doing my best to research experiences of others doing part-time duty. I would like to be back in uniform sooner, rather than later, and USMR is definitely not the last on my list.