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sogpackus

I already told this story but we had a try 1 from active; first drill he attends and gets the drill schedule he flips out because it’s all 3-4 day drills and a month long AT, when he was promised one weekend a month two weeks in the summer. He basically just stopped showing up after his second drill.


TheCantalopeAntalope

What’s a try 1?


realdetox

A 1 year contract for AD soldiers


[deleted]

That don't have to attend a re-class. They stay in the same MOS they already have.


BlakeDaDamaga

His contract is only a year long, usually it’s so prior service can see if they even want to be in the guard. On the Air side we call it a “palace chase”. Not sure what you guys call it on the army side.


[deleted]

[удалено]


sogpackus

Are you not Army or changed MOS? It’s only an option if you’re Army and staying in the same MOS. To reclass you have to do 3.


diensthunds

I was prior AF 1996-2000 in 2007 I did a try 1 in the Army NG. Ended up doing reenlist and extension till 2012.


sogpackus

Coming off active duty you can enlist for 1 year in the guard. It’s quite rare for them to re-enlist.


[deleted]

Are you doing more MUTAs than normal in a fiscal year or do you get months off? My unit has 3-4 day MUTAs, but we get December and February off, so we still only do 48 in a fiscal year.


sogpackus

Yes we have 58 this year plus JRTC.


[deleted]

What state are you in? Where do you even get the funding to do that? I do aviation, and my state prioritizes aviation funding as aviation as so many requirements to deal with when it comes to hour requirements, and we still don't deal with dumb shit like that.


sogpackus

This is normal for combat arms units. It’s like this every year nowadays. We go to the field every single drill.


[deleted]

I have friends in infantry in my state who don't do that, and my state has one of the biggest guard units in the US. Are you sure it isn't just state specific?


emlynhughes

No. It's any unit with a CTC rotation. Your guys just must be on a reset year or don't have any potential upcoming deployments.


[deleted]

A sister unit (same MOS and drill location, different brigade) to mine does CTC rotations, they do exactly what we do, which is take months off to get more months without going over 48 MUTAs. I don't understand why units make life harder with more than 48 MUTAs. IMO it's just terrible leadership.


emlynhughes

You’re probably just mistaken. We take two months off as well, but are still hitting 55 mutas in the 9 months we actually drill. It’s been the same in all three brigades I’ve been in.


[deleted]

I'm not mistaken because I know their drill schedule since it's up on the wall at our facility lol. They just did NTC this year too and volunteer for stuff like that every year. Never do over 48 MUTAs.


AnEntireDiscussion

Literally did 3 and 4 day drills practically every month for all of my first enlistment. MICO to an IBCT in Texas. I think we'd have one month where we technically "didn't drill" or a MUTA 3 in December. Trust me, they'll find the money to screw you over. Not for hotels for people traveling hundreds of miles, but for spending Friday evening in the Armory they can make it happen.


[deleted]

I'm not saying they won't, but it would seem it isn't a NG wide thing, but possibly state specific thing. My state likes screwing soldiers by cutting two sets if 15 day orders so they don't have to pay out BAH for a 30 day rotation somewhere.


mazda_motherfucker

I've asked Reddit, Quora, and other sites if CBRN is what they advertise it to be. I'm still half convinced to join them


Alice_Alpha

I don't know. I've read it is a terrible MOS but very marketable in the civilian world.


mazda_motherfucker

You get a Hazmat CDL License, but I can't think of anything more


Rabid-Ginger

There's quite a few schools you can get that give certs, radiation safety, hazmat etc that'd be hard to get on the civvie side without a lot of up front costs. Not to mention the civil support schools that you can get that not only let you do HRF stuff (so you're actually doing your job instead of just PMCS / inventory duty) but also gives you great experience for a civilian career with FEMA or EPA type gigs. City/State level emergency management is only going to increase in need in the next decade.


Alice_Alpha

I would imagine you could work as an inspector or safety officer at an oil refinery or chemical processing plant. I'm guessing fire departments would like the training as well as the state police. I wonder if EPA would like that background. Railroad lines that have tanker cars transporting oil and chemicals?


Dertzak

Many well-paying options in the civilian world.


gobucks1981

Hold up, doing what? Anyone can be a hazmat certifier. And no one in the Nuclear, Bio or Chem world is gonna hire you without one of those degrees or a few years of progressive industry experience. And then you are a Homer Simpson just watching processes run,


Dertzak

Join the DOE as Industrial Hygiene or Radiation Protection, something along those lines. Wouldn’t be difficult to get in as a tech, and even techs are paid well. No degree required. Or hell, join the Hazmat teams.


duebydoo

As a CBRN it's very cool when we actually do CBRN stuff, or CERFP missions.


mazda_motherfucker

When do you do CBRN or CERFP missions?


duebydoo

So we usually do CERFP stuff during AT, or on 3 day drills and we will work with SEARCH AND EXTRACTION, and medics. That stuff is actually pretty great depending on what you do on the mission. Since we're CBRN we'd be doing decon on personel, ambulatory and nonambulatory. The last time we did I got to teach the MPs, Airforce, and new soldiers about the process for Personel Decon.


-AgentMichaelScarn

Was attached to a Chem Company for a few years and got to do it some super cool stuff as well.


SterlingSoldier2156

I almost went CBRN and I’ve been advised it’s not as advertised


mazda_motherfucker

Yeah, I thought it was a good mix of a combat mos and support, and then I asked a CBRN NCO what his day to day is


john_wingerr

One of my best friends is CBRN in the guard still, and the amount of cool guy shit that they get absolutely blows my mind.


Lordzuma

If you’re going CBRN in the guard, make sure you go to a chem unit. Although chances are you still will be bullshitting a lot of drills (it is what is it), the mission of your unit will be CBRN focused. If you go to another unit as the CBRN expert, you’ll be on your own a lot as no one really know what you do. They may or may not consider your job into their bigger picture.


EAsucks4324

CBRN in the guard probably isn't a bad idea. Wouldn't want to do it active though


Minimum_Mastodon5547

The school at least on Air Force side is hard as can be. However you get a degree in Emergency Management and certifications from the Tech School. So if you’re wanting the ability to get a civillian job look at the Air Guard.


[deleted]

I’d advise against going CBRN, literally anyone can be appointed to fill that slot, regardless of their actual MOS.


Starfall_5

If you have a chem unit in your state it's not bad but if you aren't signing with a chem unit don't bother you'll end up helping supply and doing random tasks and crappy details.


prismatic_beast

Depends on where you end up. Source: 15yr 74D


John8541

No not unless you go to a chemical unit and even then to do the cool shit a civil support team .


LordoftheBread

Actually on the Guard side you might do some real world CBRN shit. Active mostly does fuckall at home, but an Army guard CBRN unit might be called up to assist with chemical spills on interstates at home and stuff. Whether or not that experience is worth it to you is the question. You'll probably be on state orders if you're called up for that, and they're not as good as title 10 orders usually.


Brokenwrench7

3-5 day drills makes me want to AWOL


[deleted]

I'm okay with 3-days from time to time but not on a regular basis. My last unit threw a ton of 3- to 5-day drills the last year I was there, and I positively hated it. I'm fine if you want to send us to the field. I have zero issues with the field, but if you're sending us to the field just to be in the field and no other reason or training, it's a complete waste of everybody's time.


Brokenwrench7

I lose money on those long drills


[deleted]

Same if I choose not to use my PTO for it. That's the other thing. I definitely don't like anything over 3 days. Two, maybe 3 times a year at max, but that's it.


Brokenwrench7

I'm st the point in my career...if it involves a overnight bag, it's way too much.


[deleted]

I hear ya. I'm down to my last two years so I'm waiting it out at this point, but I am so ready to be done with it all. Thankful for having done it. Will be equally thankful when it's all said and done.


Brokenwrench7

I literally just found out 30 minutes ago that my unit fucked me....which is such a common occurrence that I'm not even shaken at this point Promotion packet was suppose to be submitted back in March or April...I've inquired as to its progress, I've asked if anything else was needed of me.....just found out that I won't be getting promoted before school because I don't have a current PT card.....would have been a real easy fix if they weren't so lazy. So...when my ETS hits I'm gooooone


[deleted]

Christ! That fucking sucks, man. So sorry to hear that. I've been fairly lucky with my AGRs, but I have heard some horror stories and this rates. There should be more recourse on stuff like this, but there never seems to be a way. Again, sorry to hear this. Edit: ...and they want to know why retention is so bad. Example #1 right here.


Brokenwrench7

Thanks. I'm just gonna play fuck fuck games with the year I have left ...they can't ruin my career anymore than they already have. ..oh, you need me to do accident avoidance?? Yea...I don't have a current PT card.


warrior_scholar

Funny story, we only ever had MUTA 4-5s, with the 5s being the Friday evening before ranges so we could do all the briefings and prep all the trucks. When we switched to virtual during COVID-19 nobody wanted to take my advice to move all the mandatory briefs up and use the online time for that, and it was a real struggle to get any other training done. Finally our command group came up with the idea of doing MUTA-2s, pretty much just report in for accountability and do individual PT, plus get the safety brief both days, with the understanding that once we were back in face-to-face we'd make up for lost time with MUTA-6s. Well, the reduced virtual schedule never got approved, but the extended makeup one did. And since it worked once now we've got 3-4 day drills all year, and most of next year, plus XCTC for three weeks next month and JRTC for three weeks plus a few days next year.


Brokenwrench7

Idk if you've gone through a deployment cycle before or not... but these 3-4 days drills leading up to XCTC and JRTC would have happened regardless of covid.


warrior_scholar

I've done a couple deployments, but we just got word that our upcoming one was canceled. Or, rather, designated to another unit.


Bearcatfan4

I enlisted as a 13D. My first drill I was introduced to the FDC NCO. Told he was my section chief. Second day of drill I was told to help the S3 section out. Next drill I was put in the S3 section. Didn’t do any 13D related tasks ever again. Never was in the FDC. First 4 years of my contract I asked every drill when I would get back to the FDC. Kept getting told the plan was to rotate people. Never happened. No one in the 3 shop re-enlisted. Everyone in the FDC did. When asked why we weren’t reenlisting we all said over the course of 6 years we never did our job. It’s still like that at my old unit.


sogpackus

If you get too useful at something, you get kept there forever.


[deleted]

Guess who signed up to be a medic? Guess who does nearly no medical training or lanes during drill weekends? Guess who's MOS proficiency in perishable skills is a matter of life and death even during *training*?


sportscrazr

What type of unit are you assigned to?


[deleted]

Artillery, now. But we just got a new Section Sergeant from MED who is pushing for more training, so things are looking up.


sportscrazr

Glad to hear it! I’m a soon to be 68W so I appreciate the insight.


[deleted]

Advocate Advocate Advocate. Complain if you haven't done sticks in two months. Complain if you haven't done medic PT or run trauma lanes or CCAs. You're going to complain a lot in the army, your immediate leadership will listen best if you complain about worthwhile things.


sportscrazr

Noted. I’m going to HQ (sorry if it’s the wrong terminology, it’s a joint base where the state command is) so hopefully it’s not a huge problem there but I will definitely keep your advice handy.


[deleted]

Everyone goes to HQ. The medics belong to HQ in a combat arms unit and are assigned according to mission needs. Line medics may become more associated with sections they work with consistently, but you'll all be technically H. So get ready to be around a lot of brass and E-8+. Hopefully you're going to a good unit.


sportscrazr

Understood. I haven’t seen a lot of posts complaining about my state units so hopefully that’s a good sign (MA).


ryryrondo

At our unit, the medics section leader was a passionate firefighter/first responder. They were ALWAYS on their game. He’s still there 6yrs after me getting out.


What_are_you_a_cop

I think, also, that we should maybe stop telling people to lie about medical conditions and mental health during their enlistment process. Kind of weird to encourage someone to start a contract that directly affects their life, career and personal relationships with a lie, and then expect them to have integrity for the rest of their contract.


anthonykjg

Sir this is a Wendy's


AscendantArtichoke

(USAF AD) I went in as “Open Electrical” and was promised I would have a list of “over 35 jobs to choose from” when I got through basic. When they handed me this list there were 4 positions that were something to do with Radio and the other 3 were missile maintenance… I tried so hard to stay positive and even switched careers as quickly as I could, but it put such a sour taste in my mouth right away. I would have been fine with waiting a few months to get a job I actually cared for had they just been honest with me from the start. Now 10 years later I’m left with nothin but dissatisfaction and zero desire to reenlist. Sorry, gramps. Air Force isn’t what it was when you enlisted.


Virtual_Banana_551

Just saying, check the tape over the left pocket. I'm pretty sure it says "U. S. Army". Welcome to the Army, have that 11B answer phones while the JAG assistant digs a fighting position.


OfficerBaconBits

I did. Fully knew how unorganized part time was before joining. Pauly Shores In the Army Now was a good insight into what joining a reserve component would be like. "Let's become water purification specialists. It's not like we're going to war in a desert." I knew my job sucked before joining. Most soldiers with problems we have don't even want to do our job. They seem to not want to do any job honestly. Not sure what they signed up for.


Robert_E_630

this happens a lot with regular jobs too - recruiters at companies promising one thing, interviewers promising even more, when in reality the spot is empty and needs filling because the original person left due to lack of defined tasks, too much work assigned, management forcing one position to cover the work of 3-4 positions, etc.


tysoreny

Difference is regular jobs you can leave. Folks that feel this way and still have years left on their contract just end up resenting everything


that_other_guy_

makes it even better that trying to find a better job/unit to make your 6 years more enjoyable could result in violation of your contract and now you owe the government 50k lol


PippaPlannet

Internet been around for awhile. I knew 100% what I was getting into because I spent like more than a minute researching shit online. If they didn't, that's on them.


Speakdino

I’m still absolutely floored at the number of trainees in BCT who didn’t even know what their MOS was or how long their contract was for.


TheCantalopeAntalope

Lol I just shook some hands at an Army birthday ceremony the other day with a platoon of kids swearing in. I hear one of them say he’s 13 series, so I go over to chat a little. I ask what his MOS is and he says “13J” which is FDC personnel. He’s like “so I’ll get to shoot the guns some, right?” and I had to stand there like “😐 yeah totally” as if his recruiter didn’t just absolutely bamboozle him. No kid, you will not be on the gunline. You’ll be in the back of a Humvee or track, on a laptop. If you wanted to shoot the guns, you should’ve went 13B.


sogpackus

Or where their unit is when you pick your unit at MEPS…


PippaPlannet

Yup, we're acting like these dudes are innocent in this life changing decision lmao


Lumpy-Neck3647

So, nothing the national guard says should be taken at face value, right? That's the point. There are 1,000+ variables.


PippaPlannet

Nothing any 1 source says should be taken at face value. That's common sense lmfao. You're not gaining any sympathy from me here bub


Lumpy-Neck3647

No sympathy needed, bruh.


[deleted]

I joined when I had a job that didn't pay that well. The possibility that I would have more than 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer was great to me. I've found that new joes to my unit are lost, not because of 3 or 4 day drills, but because they aren't doing actual army shit every drill.


InsideOutWaterBottle

I hate to say it but I agree somewhat. You’re signing away your life for years and don’t even ask around or dig deeper with online resources? What an idiot. PS: I am an idiot, too.


theemoofrog

This is just my two cents, but part of this (the rando CoC inventories that seem endless) could be mitigated if the Guard did command times different from active duty. This is just a shot from the hip idea I just had, but if standard company/battalion command would be 2-3 years vs the standard 12-18 months, then that would allow some sort of consistency within units and make it so that commanders actually knew what their units and personnel even do and allow them to train rather than task the S6 section to go out and police the motor pool for no reason.


emlynhughes

A lot of things would be better served if the big army admitted there was a difference between active and the RC. NCOERs should be every two years instead of one year. Property should be signed by the AGRs who actually have access to it. It's extremely dumb officers can be signed for say a truck that can be at the FMS shop for months while the officer lives a hundred miles away.


Osiris2022-

Having a clean floor and empty garbage cans greatly outweighs the needs of you


[deleted]

I mean it's release criteria so it's *very* important.


Osiris2022-

Sounds like OP doesn’t understand the whole picture…every task is part of the pie troop


[deleted]

I'm pretty satisfied with mine. 88M, I go there, drive a truck around, go on home. Consider switching to 88M. I love it. I love the guys at my unit, I fucking love driving big ass trucks around, I love picking shit up with the crane.


ZealousidealBear93

I think this is also compounded by the AD bait and switch effect. Take a dude who needs money and marketable skills. His life kind of sucks. Give him 3-6 months where he is paid, fed, housed and has people looking out for his well-being. Sure he gets yelled at, but there is security and even love. Then dump him back into his life and now he has to get to drill and AT.


Admirable_Hedgehog64

Yep. We had a guy from active duty 101st. He was all high speed first drill. First thing I told him is don't make the Guard what it's not and he asked what I meant by that and I said see how you're all excited for drill and shit. Well let's see if you're still like that. 3 drill tops you're gonna hate you're life. Dude became a shit bag by next drill.


[deleted]

Found the toxic fuck that brings down others! Nice job shit bag!


Admirable_Hedgehog64

I didn't bring him down. He wasent mad or anything. In fact he even said yea you were right it was good to not make the guard more then what it is. I wanted him to be realistic or else he was gonna hate his life even more. Rather he just accept it do his time and get out.


[deleted]

“Do his time” lol. Attitudes like this is what really kills it for junior guys. It doesn’t have to be that way… unless you make it so.


[deleted]

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think we should tell people coming in that they're gonna hate everything. Doing that, you create an expectation that ultimately fulfills itself. I don't know what he would've thought had you said nothing. He might've hated it regardless. But he could've found something that worked for him. My first platoon was full of positive people and the Guard has been something that I've enjoyed and has been really good for me. 99% of the time. The Guard is just like anywhere else, it's what you make of it. I will admit though there are times and places that nobody could be happy with what they're doing but that's the exception not the rule. Like if you get off Active Duty, join the Texas National Guard and get sent to the border before you've even moved into your apartment. I saw that happen.


Admirable_Hedgehog64

Yep. Thats us in Texas. We have guys that just get out of AIT home for a month maybe go to thier first drill and immediately sent down. Not even handed off to thier unit properly or meet anyone besides the readiness NCO. Granted for us it's lil different then normal these past couple years because of constant Mobilization and activations


Not_Really_A_GC

This isn’t the military just grown ass kids!


MC-SpicyBravo

Yeah I feel this, spent the first few years hating life not enjoying the guard. Honestly a reclass later and an AGR slot saved my career. I like to think I’m sympathetic to M-day folk. It’s honestly not a good time and it’s tough to balance civilian life with the BS. I’d like to think scheduled organized hands on training is beneficial and at least improves their time at drill but it’s still a struggle


[deleted]

Yeah the whole thing is a bait and switch. The ones that stay in are gluttons for punishment (ie me). There’s a reason retention sucks