Topic: Reg Force at Reserve Unit Working Hours

[hamiltongs]

Pusser, obviously we have lots of folk who aren't smart enough to make that distinction.................

He's not making widgets in a factory, he's providing a leadership, acting as a primary point of contact and serving as a resource for mostly everything. My least favourite aspect of returning to class "A" life was fielding phone calls and email at my civilian job from people at HQ and other units who couldn't reach the full-time staff at my unit because they were on leave/taking CTO/at the bank/picking up their daughter early from school because obviously their spouse (who had a "real" job) couldn't do that/etc. 90% of reserve unit life is being there when someone's trying to reach you.

I'm sure if the OP staffs up a solution that mitigates for this effect by making sure there's coverage by a senior day staff member who's prepared to put out fires related to his colleague's portfolios at all times during the work week, then he'll be able to effect the change he's looking for.

[recceguy]

We're starting to circle the drain here folks. Come up with something new or agree to disagree.

Milnet.ca Staff

[MARS]

wesleyd, where is your Staff Officer on this?  (Or Training Officer or XO - whoever the full-time, RegF or Class B officer is at your unit)  That person is your DivO and should be the conduit to Command here.  There should be between 9 and 11 full-time staff at your Unit.  All of them - including the Staff Officer - should be subject to these same expectations.  Is this an issue among the entire day staff?  If not, why not?  How are they mitigating these requirements?  Unless your personal circumstances are so unique that they don't apply to the rest of the staff, this shouldn't be falling all on your to resolve.

Regards,

MARS

[wesleyd]

The RSS staff at most of the NAVRES units are intergal to the running of the unit. I do believe the OP is a stoker and part of his duties are usually the building mgr. Quite a few units like the building mgr around when the building is actually open for example training nights.
As well most NAVRES units do not have a lot of senior people there in the engineering department and often look to the expertise of the reg force stoker there again during training nights. How about volunteering to come in on training nights and actually mentor the young MESO's there? This way it might be more palatable to your COC to allow you time off.
From what I can see you are are posted to a unit where the COC relies of their regular force personnel and expects max participation.
If I can give any advice to you is still work the CTO angle, don't burn your bridges and if that doesn't work do your 3 years and get posted back to the coast.

I do come in on every training night, and mentor when I can if there is people there to do so.

[wesleyd]

First thanks for the replies and points of view. We have reached an understanding at the unit now regarding day staff and Reg force. And it appears to be fair , I think, to everyone. It has command support so that is the main thing. I really enjoy working at this unit and don't want to spend the next 3/4 years arguing about this.
We have formulated that for training evenings we can accumulate the hours up to 48 hrs and take up to 2 days short per month, as per leave manual and CSO's. In addition if we have admin to do the day after a training admin night we can take up to two hours for that without any paperwork. For the monthly training Saturday we can take one of the short days as well. And if we have any admin to do our HOD's are able to grant the time to do so accordingly. We also have 1 hour per day of PT during working hours that can be used at anytime to allow the offices to be staffed at all times. I think that this is the most fair outcome of the situation. I understand that Reserves are part time and that when they come in for training they need to get the most value out of that short window of training time they have. I fully support the unit and give 110% at all times. For example I even taught for the forenoon this week end. Even though this is not in my scope of responsibilities as the facility manager I do enjoy it and like to pass on any knowledge I have gained throughout the years bobbing around on the ocean.
Thanks again everyone the insight is appreciated.

[Chief Stoker]

I do come in on every training night, and mentor when I can if there is people there to do so.

Sounds like you have everything straightened out and my hat goes to you for helping out in the engineering department. Some of the units do not have that kind of expertise.