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Mobilizations, when did you tell your employer?

bubblehead

Registered Member
Contributor
Your active duty FOS does not impact your Reserve career at all.

When you 2xFOS in the Reserve you can request continuation. It may or may not be approved.

The cool thing in the Reserve is that if you are an O4, you can stay in until you hit 20 years of commissioned service no matter how many times you FOS for O5, at which point you will be forcibly retired.
 
D

Deleted member 67144 scul

Guest
and you should always do what is best for you and your family.
It's sad but I've seen many good Sailors leave the Reserve because doing so was the right decision for them and their families. One was at 17 years service too, but it was throwing his family life and career into a fire.
What I have learned is that CEO's and Boards like to advertise their support of military employees - because it is good marketing and they receive tax credits - but, in the end, your experience as a Reservist at a company is solely dependent on your 1- and 2- up manager.
Learned the same. In a past job, I saw every Reservist and NG member I knew let go in a RIF. One of them got the highest rating on his last performance review and was being put up for promotion in the next cycle and had good relations with everyone in his team and was popular in our org. His org's director didn't like the National Guard gig and saw him as easy pickings, however.
I would not use Microsoft as the poster child... They are in the same league with Amazon and other high-turnover employers that I would avoid with a 10 meter pole unless you are desperate for a job.
Regarding Amazon specifically, it is well-known for this given its mandatory layoff targets and PIP culture, at least in my field. I don't know how it is for the logistics and other divisions where there's a lot more veterans and reserve members and different work culture. Not somewhere I'd work. Microsoft is better at least. I have worked for 'nicer' companies and it has not been comfortable for me and other members.

I've come to learn the only safe places to work at are government jobs and defense industry. Doable, but means a massive paycut which is very difficult to justify to my financial dependents.
Honest question. If people know their civilian employer, whom I'm guessing provides the main source of their income, won't be supportive of their choice in service, why do you continue to serve?
This is a good question. As corny as this sounds, from the goodwill of my heart. I already lost a job, solely because of Navy affiliation, where I was rated as one of the top few engineers in a VP's entire organization (my team and management were in shock with my departure), I'm under pressure at my current job, and it's hurt many of my personal relationships the details of which don't make for a nice story. It's been bad for my life, and it's tiring fighting friends, family, and management over this all the time. Worth noting I get absolutely no tangible benefits except drill pay.

From a completely rational and logical standpoint, this is arguably the dumbest decision I've made and I can't give you a single logical justification for why I'm sticking around, but to be fair I didn't foresee the adverse impact on my life to be so substantial and for most reservists it's not bad. I've done some thousands of hours of Navy work outside trainings and DWEs and got awarded for it, so there's that. I can technically transfer to the IRR if I so please. For the time being, only explanation I have for continuing on is I have more goodwill than I admit to.
 
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nodropinufaka

Well-Known Member
If you want to be competitive for LCDR in the IWO community you need at least one (preferable two) FITREPS that show you are a DH. Needs to say “Training/OPS Department Head” in the block signaling you reported direct to XO/CO.

That’s how you become competitive. And the job usually sucks and you’re herding cats like the other poster said.
 

Hair Warrior

Well-Known Member
Contributor
It's sad but I've seen many good Sailors leave the Reserve because doing so was the right decision for them and their families. One was at 17 years service too, but it was throwing his family life and career into a fire.

Learned the same. In a past job, I saw every Reservist and NG member I knew let go in a RIF. One of them got the highest rating on his last performance review and was being put up for promotion in the next cycle and had good relations with everyone in his team and was popular in our org. His org's director didn't like the National Guard gig and saw him as easy pickings, however.

Regarding Amazon specifically, it is well-known for this given its mandatory layoff targets and PIP culture, at least in my field. I don't know how it is for the logistics and other divisions where there's a lot more veterans and reserve members and different work culture. Not somewhere I'd work. Microsoft is better at least. I have worked for 'nicer' companies and it has not been comfortable for me and other members.

I've come to learn the only safe places to work at are government jobs and defense industry. Doable, but means a massive paycut which is very difficult to justify to my financial dependents.

This is a good question. As corny as this sounds, from the goodwill of my heart. I already lost a job, solely because of Navy affiliation, where I was rated as one of the top few engineers in a VP's entire organization (my team and management were in shock with my departure), I'm under pressure at my current job, and it's hurt many of my personal relationships the details of which don't make for a nice story. It's been bad for my life, and it's tiring fighting friends, family, and management over this all the time. Worth noting I get absolutely no tangible benefits except drill pay.

From a completely rational and logical standpoint, this is arguably the dumbest decision I've made and I can't give you a single logical justification for why I'm sticking around, but to be fair I didn't foresee the adverse impact on my life to be so substantial and for most reservists it's not bad. I've done some thousands of hours of Navy work outside trainings and DWEs and got awarded for it, so there's that. I can technically transfer to the IRR if I so please. For the time being, only explanation I have for continuing on is I have more goodwill than I admit to.
Pretty sad to hear. Keep your chin up, and find that job where you can do both.

I’m looking at the USNR a couple ways: One is to get healthcare for life for me and the family, plus a little money each month. Two is to keep a steady 2nd career no matter how rocky my day job gets. I no longer want my day job supervisor to have 100% control over my career prospects - been there, done that, threw the t-shirt in the trash. It helps me sleep at night knowing that if my day job boss tries to screw me over, I can drop papers and go do a Navy job that I actually enjoy and can reasonably succeed at (and have a lot more built-in protections against mistreatment due to the UCMJ and long standing cultural traditions).
 

Hair Warrior

Well-Known Member
Contributor
What I have learned is that CEO's and Boards like to advertise their support of military employees - because it is good marketing and they receive tax credits - but, in the end, your experience as a Reservist at a company is solely dependent on your 1- and 2- up manager.
Bingo. And if I wasn’t a reservist, I’d feel even more stress and pressure from my day job, and be even more wishing for a change of my day job.
 

Hail_HYDRA!

One more question...
It's sad but I've seen many good Sailors leave the Reserve because doing so was the right decision for them and their families. One was at 17 years service too, but it was throwing his family life and career into a fire.

Learned the same. In a past job, I saw every Reservist and NG member I knew let go in a RIF. One of them got the highest rating on his last performance review and was being put up for promotion in the next cycle and had good relations with everyone in his team and was popular in our org. His org's director didn't like the National Guard gig and saw him as easy pickings, however.

Regarding Amazon specifically, it is well-known for this given its mandatory layoff targets and PIP culture, at least in my field. I don't know how it is for the logistics and other divisions where there's a lot more veterans and reserve members and different work culture. Not somewhere I'd work. Microsoft is better at least. I have worked for 'nicer' companies and it has not been comfortable for me and other members.

I've come to learn the only safe places to work at are government jobs and defense industry. Doable, but means a massive paycut which is very difficult to justify to my financial dependents.

This is a good question. As corny as this sounds, from the goodwill of my heart. I already lost a job, solely because of Navy affiliation, where I was rated as one of the top few engineers in a VP's entire organization (my team and management were in shock with my departure), I'm under pressure at my current job, and it's hurt many of my personal relationships the details of which don't make for a nice story. It's been bad for my life, and it's tiring fighting friends, family, and management over this all the time. Worth noting I get absolutely no tangible benefits except drill pay.

From a completely rational and logical standpoint, this is arguably the dumbest decision I've made and I can't give you a single logical justification for why I'm sticking around, but to be fair I didn't foresee the adverse impact on my life to be so substantial and for most reservists it's not bad. I've done some thousands of hours of Navy work outside trainings and DWEs and got awarded for it, so there's that. I can technically transfer to the IRR if I so please. For the time being, only explanation I have for continuing on is I have more goodwill than I admit to.
Damn bro.

Although I’m a government employee IN the DOD, my supervisors tried to sh!tcan me for going on AT by putting derogatory language in my evaluation. Long story short, when I escalated the matter up the chain where it was going to impact her career, out of nowhere I received the Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal (although I’d say well deserved) for my hard work and what she wrote was a “draft document” for someone else. It was all b.s. Even in the government you may find yourself fighting to defend your reputation and such. In my situation, perhaps my old manager just hated the Navy or all things not Army.
 

Hail_HYDRA!

One more question...
Regarding Amazon specifically, it is well-known for this given its mandatory layoff targets and PIP culture, at least in my field.
When I used to work in the oil & gas industry our reservists were volunteering for MOBs during the rounds of layoffs. Forced leadership to layoff someone else as their paperwork always said they were being “involuntarily MOBed” therefore they were good. Might be a good playbook to play from to keep a roof over your head until you find that next best thing.
 

SELRES_AMDO

Well-Known Member
Damn bro.

Although I’m a government employee IN the DOD, my supervisors tried to sh!tcan me for going on AT by putting derogatory language in my evaluation. Long story short, when I escalated the matter up the chain where it was going to impact her career, out of nowhere I received the Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal (although I’d say well deserved) for my hard work and what she wrote was a “draft document” for someone else. It was all b.s. Even in the government you may find yourself fighting to defend your reputation and such. In my situation, perhaps my old manager just hated the Navy or all things not Army.
Been there and got the T-shirt.

Boss hated the fact that I was a reservist. Tried to task me on AT when I was out on a test range and had no reception. Sent me texts every morning telling me what to do as if I was at work and not on military leave. I blew him off and heard he tried to make a big deal out of it until the O-6 in our chain heard about it and set him straight. But, that pretty much ended my career prospects in that office since they hated the fact I was reservist. Every year they would tell me I need to submit every drill date and orders 12 months in advance so they would know about it.

As for why do I do it?
  • I like serving. Putting on the uniform and contributing makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile compared to my regular job. Even just showing up to a DWE and doing a PRT is kind of enjoyable in a weird way.
  • Security for my family. Go calculate what 5000 points looks like for a retired O-5 or O-6.
 

nodropinufaka

Well-Known Member
Damn bro.

Although I’m a government employee IN the DOD, my supervisors tried to sh!tcan me for going on AT by putting derogatory language in my evaluation. Long story short, when I escalated the matter up the chain where it was going to impact her career, out of nowhere I received the Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal (although I’d say well deserved) for my hard work and what she wrote was a “draft document” for someone else. It was all b.s. Even in the government you may find yourself fighting to defend your reputation and such. In my situation, perhaps my old manager just hated the Navy or all things not Army.

this exact reason I left the federal govt. I was a 13 too and had a permanent position but I couldn’t deal with the nonsense anymore.

left and am much happier not being involved in that.

but I can always go back I guess
 

Hair Warrior

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Go calculate what 5000 points looks like for a retired O-5 or O-6.
Actually, if you have a back-of-napkin calculator in google sheets or MS excel, I’d love to see it. I have tried to build one for myself but kind of tough to gauge the variables and I don’t want my math to be off.
 
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