Are there any reserves out there that can tell me about what they do when they drill? I have not met any reserve OS's, so I am not sure what they do. I am coming up on 10 years next year and I have decided to get out. I would like to stay in the reserves, but I want to be a watch stander; not just someone who comes in a few times a month and writes Pubs.

Another question I have. Has anyone on here used there GI bill before? I have found the college I want to attend, and I just want to make sure I have everything lined up so I won't have any problems when it comes time to start school.

My next force notes will have a large section on this.

There is one purpose and one purpose only for a Reserve to drill and that is too be prepared for recall to active duty and to perform along side their AD counterparts. EVERYONE below OSC should be qualified or working towards qualification at the same level as an AD person of the same grade. This applies to many at the E-7 level also. You just are not going to be recalled to check Pubs.

Not sure why you are tossing it in at the ten year mark, but I would strongly suggest looking in to the temporary seperation program vice a discharge. It is a 100% win/win situation. Talk to MC H about this or we can chat when I am out that way the second week of March.

I know in NC we had a reserve guy who stood radio watches when he drilled. Granted he was only a break in so it didn't help the rotation any. I think it is difficult for a reservist to become qualified though since you only see him once a month. I felt bad for the guy though. All he did was sit there for 12 hours. I would say unless you have previous radio or SAR experience this is probably what will end up happening. Good luck.

Let me know what happens with the GI. I am also considering going the same route. But I still have some time to weigh my options.

Shoot me an e-mail with your questions about GI Bill. I use it now (retired) and used it in the past before TA was reliable. Dancg68@aol.com

When I was stationed at Group Cape Hatteras we had some reservists that would come in and stand watches on their "duty" weekend to help break up the watches for the AD counterparts (he also went from active to reserves). With the new Sector requirements, we will see.

As far as GI Bill, every school I have attended has had a "Veterans" office that helps with getting your GI Bill paperwork submitted. They make it real easy for you. Check with the school you intend on attending and I'm sure they will have the same. If not the VA website is very helpful as well as this board of shipmates here.

To borrow a brother Jarhead quote "Once a Coastie, always a Coastie." Replaced Marine obviously.

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
My next force notes will have a large section on this.

There is one purpose and one purpose only for a Reserve to drill and that is too be prepared for recall to active duty and to perform along side their AD counterparts. EVERYONE below OSC should be qualified or working towards qualification at the same level as an AD person of the same grade. This applies to many at the E-7 level also. You just are not going to be recalled to check Pubs.

Not sure why you are tossing it in at the ten year mark, but I would strongly suggest looking in to the temporary seperation program vice a discharge. It is a 100% win/win situation. Talk to MC H about this or we can chat when I am out that way the second week of March.

I was under the strong impression that the Reserve component of the CG was to offset the Active Duty CG by being capable of taking over for an Active Duty person should the need ever arise.

Every time I hear of the resources of a capable person (Reservist's) being wasted, it makes me doubt the leadership of the Command.

Command should make it MANDATORY that their personnel become qualified just as an active duty person becomes qualified.

There are a multitude of reasons why:
1) Utilizing our resources, 2) Allow an Active Duty person weekend reprieve from duty 3) Integrate the Reserves into the Active Duty force to teach Active Duty personnel that being a reservist is not a joke 4) Teach that person how to fulfill an active duty spot in times of war, etc...

It baffles my mind why Command doesn't get more involved with their Reservist's (Resources).

It seems like Fraud Waste and Abuse. I think there definitely needs to be stronger policy written on the subject.

most of what you said was on the mark except for the purpose of the reserves. It may work out that they augment, but their purpose is as I stated above.

The Force Notes I mentioned above just went out on the wire through the CMC network and are posted in CGCentral in their normal place.

I can't speak for anyplace else, but at Group and Sector Charleston, until 2004, reservists were standing watches as OSOW, SAR controllers, and etc... Given a little bit of effort, if you were not qualified in one or the other, you could become qualified. Also, when we came on board, the active duty guys went home. About 2004, two things happened, the structure in the CC changed and it was harder to get into the CC to get SAR controller qualified. What was once just you the break in and one controller, and the OSOW, became you, the controller, the Command duty officer, his break in, and etc... Hard to get qualified in a crowd. The second thing that happened is that I joined the darkside and went over to the FIST.

One great thing though. When Katrina broke, and D8 needed controllers, they launched me to St Louis and I fell into the watch without a hiccup. Now, that's a successful result of augmentation: a trained member to deploy as needed.

As far as GI Bill is concerned, it's been a while, but as I remember, START EARLY!


ISC sends

Chief;
Yes it is hard. Doesn't mean anyone should give up! We still need to have people that can do what you did..............

Thanks MC for the correction. Yes, it is hard, and if it was easy, anyone could do it. That's what makes us different in the CG. Bottom line, if you want to get qualified, you can get qualified, and make a difference. If you need help, see your more senior reservists, or your Chief. But, you have to take control and hold yourself and your A/D mates accountable, take the first steps, and put out the effort. Good luck!

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underwayforlife

To go on with what MC stated......seriously think long and hard about getting out at 10. I got out after my first enlistment which was 4.5 yrs long......I went to college and started my own business along with many other things. I do not regret the things i have done while i was out.....yet 5 yrs later i decided to come back in...which was open enrollment of sorts. I left as a 3rd and came back in as a 3rd. However....i look back now and wish i would have NEVER EVER gotten out. All my buddies who decided to stay in.....They are now Chief's buying for Senior and or already Warrant officers and here i am a 1st class. (kinda sucks when i look at it this way). One other thing i did NOT do was try and advance while in the reserves. If you should go reserve, stay motivated and work towards advancing.

As far as what reservists do...At Sector Mobile we had 2 reservists and they stood comm's watch breaking in and eventually got qualified.

OS1 H

quote:

underwayforlife

To go on with what MC stated......seriously think long and hard about getting out at 10. I got out after my first enlistment which was 4.5 yrs long......I went to college and started my own business along with many other things. I do not regret the things i have done while i was out.....yet 5 yrs later i decided to come back in...which was open enrollment of sorts. I left as a 3rd and came back in as a 3rd. However....i look bac