Brock, great feedback.  I think though that is a component of the Guard 4.0 that gets overlooked we have State and Federal responsibilities.   While an ASMC like mine is going to do pretty much the same mission regardless most other units that will not.

I think you make a great point about quality training driving retention.  However, as an M-day commander I sometimes come into conflict with my full time staff over my vision of maximum training and the administrative needs.  I have a readiness NCO who would spend all drill week-end with my soldiers lined up outside her office to do admin things.  While important, I have to balance that with the need to grow and train a unit, we’re a year old this month.  I did my command inventories nearly a year ago as of writing this.

How did you handle the challenges and conflict with civilian (put the bread on the table) and guard requirements?  I know what the USERA says but sometimes those can be difficult and timely to prove.  Meanwhile the soldier is left unemployed.