Well said Albie. Could not have said it better.

I'm not trying to start a war here. (I'm not on reserve btw.) I took umbrage with the tone that was taken and the wink-wink about the scheduling perks while you're a Reservist. That itself implies just what I was getting at.

Maybe guys take a Charlie around the holidays to make up for the 90 they were gone some other time, losing vacation, earnings, missing birthdays, plays, sports, etc.

There's no freebies in today's AFRC or guard.

No war intended either, brother. Just pointing out what a fine Navy O-6 from the Reserves passed on to me (and I've said it many times since…)

"Working as a TG/TR gives you the opportunity to equally disappoint your unit, your company, and your family…."

Having done it 6 years, I do remember it seemed like someone always felt short changed. So why do it? Well…it was money, it was security, but most importantly it still felt good to wear the uniform and serve. Taking pot shots from those who don't understand what you did…or were perhaps jealous…was just part of the gig. It was still worth it. But even though I haven't flown an Eagle in (wow!) 8 years since 2007, I remember the work it took to do it well, and folks who take pot shots at the TRs out there will hear from guys like me who did the job for a while. Ain't asking for sympathy--it was very, very cool. But it wasn't easy.

For the record, my reference to schedule perks meant it is nice to drill locally and get an extra night or two in my own bed while I serve. Anything else you read into it is pure predisposition, IMHO.

It has been said time and again that it is not easy to do both jobs. Especially if you commute to one or both. There have been hundreds of posts on here about the benefits of drilling locally and the easing of the two job pain by dropping a trip if necessary. It is quite the dead horse on this site whereby non-AFRC/ANG folks state that we should do both jobs without impact to each other, ie no mil drops. Some months that works out, other months, we may get little to no time with the fam. UAL hires reservists and guardsmen knowing they have chosen to continue to serve and to its credit, the company has been very supportive of our service. You seem to have a huge chip on your shoulder. I hope one day you can understand that the overwhelming majority of us play by the rules, serve proudly on legit orders, and often get home from a trip, and then spend the next few days off, working the AFRES gig while you are fishing with your kid. Do I obsess about your FB posts? Do I lose sleep at night? That's a big negative! We all have arrived at this job from different paths, AD retirement, regional or ANG/AFRES. Live and let live.

Thank you, Albie.

Flyfish49

That's a fact! How easy it is for some on the outside to see a positive and ignore several negatives.

After over a decade on AD, I finished out in the reserves myself. It was no vacation, especially since the guard/reserves have turned into the likes of AD. Unless you can walk in the shoes of those who've "been there done that", may I suggest to those who "have not" keep their pie holes closed since ya'll have no credibility.

Many apologies for my overreaction. I likely read it wrong and reacted incorrectly.

I'm also a retired guy. Had many friends in new hire class that are reserve/guard. They don't speed--Delta certainly gives the impression that they support guard/reserve--but will nail you if you cheat. That said, I admire their ability to improve their QOL the first few years by dropping reserve/trips for hometown guard/reserve days. I would absolutely do the same if I could, they'd be foolish not to. On their end, pretty sure they'd love my pension and wish they didn't have to juggle two jobs.

For those that live where they drill I expect they will have more ability to be home on important specific dates. My general feeling is good on 'em. Is what it is