Answer to your final question: both.

Two thoughts: they volunteered and know the commitment, but we need to lessen the disruption in the name of readiness when we can. I’m in a period of 3 ATs in May/June in a row, all starting in or crossing over finals. When we sell the reserve and guard components, especially in a state like NJ where you have the opportunity for 100% tuition waiver, we sell that you have a commitment but you can still have a life. Knowing that we are crushing students, we then need to be cognizant of the timing of those things we can control in order to support their ability to continue serving as well as volunteering for extra when we need them.

We also need to get away from the “find someone else” mentality, though, when it comes to training. New communications platform and training? The operators absolutely must go, not just the chronically unemployed SPC who volunteers for 5 CPOF trainings in a row because he needs the money. Sometimes “getting someone else” need to be “fired and replaced”.