Thanks, I agree there is a need for solid planning in the NG and sometimes it is lacking…

Its true soldiers get paid for working in NG status, it isn’t pro-bono but it isn’t always enough to keep food on the table.  I have many soldiers who lose money when they are on active duty.  They’re proud of their service and are able to balance the two.  However, what happens when you’re now missing so much work it further cuts your salary?  I read a great quote from Secretary Mattis today, we re-enlist families.  This is extremely true for the Guard.  I’m losing two NCOs this year to family issues and we aren’t even in our ramp up year yet.  I know of other units on the more aggressive timelines and they are having retention issues.

Consolidating brigades is not an option.  There are too many training dollar and many year considerations for the AGR force.  Also that is a huge State-Federal Government issue.  Every State is looking at end-strength and play shell games to hit it.  Those are things we as company commanders can’t solve but are stuck with.

How do we keep the troops in?  How do we balance the needs of duty against the needs of our civilian requirement.