I will go with an answer towards build the vocabulary and telling a story:

For the USAR/ARNG TPU and M-Days, there is a straddling act with regards to how we talk about money.  While on active duty what we make is a known known; everything is a simple click away on the various DoD sites.  The only variables are generally BAH and whether a S…[Read more]

I don’t have an SOP, but I can share some TTPs.

I’ve had 4 SMP Cadets during my time in the Guard, and each situation was unique based on what year they were and where we were at in the (at the time) ARFORGEN cycle.

I have always assigned the Cadets into an HQ PL role, but at the same time I tried getting them exposed to as many leadership…[Read more]

I would recommend “A Bridge Too Far” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 for its staff dynamics and primers in groupthink and its mission impacts.

Ness, I feel you on this one. I just assessed to USAR as an AGR and have struggled at this. A couple of thoughts right off the bat:

1. Geography matters. How close are you to a USAR Mission Training Complex or to your assigned 1st Army partner brigade?  Both can be leveraged to provide some mentors to facilitate MDMP during your BA weekends.…[Read more]

I’m trying to get time with my SR in order to force some conversations. I’m sure other functional area officers may see some parallels to my predicament:

I’m an FA57 in a USAR ECAB. They haven’t traditionally filled this role, but here I am. I switched components from NG to USAR AGR, and in doing so lost some progression time so my first look for…[Read more]

Let’s use 2014-2018 as an example…I am a senior director of an 800+ member private firm, relatively well compensated, and have my own business line as well as being the project management office. My firm relies on me for new business as well as my managing of the teams we assemble for programs. My firm bills for my time, so any period for…[Read more]

I read Pete’s article and have had some time to think about it. I have seen the loyalty to the boss get in the way of what loyalty is supposed to be here in the National Guard for years, and thought it a function of the close ties we have and the closed loop system of promotions and assignments that exist in a small state, but now that I am…[Read more]

Just a quick read at that…why is this a “capable” instead of an “unsatisfactory”.  Requiring supervision/mentoring/coaching=capable.  Leader that shirks responsibility=unsat.

Yes, I’ve given 2 capable, and 1 unsatisfactory OER to LTs under my command.

I would talk to the senior rater on this one. Discuss the background, what counseling (…[Read more]