Brock,

This is an excellent topic of discussion and although I do not have the answer, I will offer my two cents.  Prior to my transfer to the ARNG from the RA, an ARNG peer explained that service in the Reserve Component is exactly that, “service” as opposed to a job like Active Duty.  He explained that your drill pay is more of an additional benefit than actually being paid for your time.  I took that to heart and take what some would consider a hardline approach.  As a Rifle Company Commander, I expect my subordinate leaders to do what is necessary outside of drill to ensure our Soldiers receive a detailed, challenging and rewarding training experience at every IDT/AT.  Also, I expect every Soldier in the formation to be moving forward with their own professional development, to include OES/NCOES.  I let them know that this may mean many late nights preparing training plans, reviewing doctrine, taking classes, etc.  Anything less puts us in a position where our leaders, or future leaders, become ill prepared to successfully complete combat missions.  On the flip side, if a Soldier comes up on the ETS tracker and decides the commitment is too much, I refuse to badger them into re-enlistment, even though our numbers do not look good (Objective T is a discussion for another day).

I was M-Day for my first 9 months in the Guard, but like you, I am now full-time, albeit via the Counterdrug Task Force.  I do my best, along with an awesome AGR staff, to bear as much of the burden as possible without stunting the growth of my Platoon leadership.  Thus far, it seems to be working.  I am definitely putting more of a strain on subordinate leaders than the last Commander, but the general consensus from the “talking walls” is that it is seen as a good thing for the young PLs and the Company as a whole.

-Phil