Part-Time Service, Full-Time Commitment: The Reserve Triad

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASS, MISS. --  This is part four of four in a series on how Air Force Reservists from various career fields train throughout the year to serve their country.

Each career field in the Air Force Reserve comes with its own set of challenges. One challenge common to reservists of all career fields is maintaining balance in three areas of their lives: family, civilian employer, and Air Force career - also known as the Reserve Triad.

Just as many careers in the Air Force Reserve share commonalities in their approach to training, each aspect of the Reserve Triad has similarities in its approach to sustaining balance in the lives of Citizen Airmen.

According to 403rd Wing Chaplain (Maj.) Timothy Broughton, communication is a key element in maintaining that balance.

"If your civilian employer knows what your military responsibilities are, and your family understands the responsibilities of your civilian job and military activities, then it makes it much easier for everyone to get on the same page," said Chaplain Broughton.

The chaplain said this is where time management comes into play.

"The demands can fluctuate in your home life, job life and military life - and in some instances, these demands can conflict with each other. So understanding what is expected of you and when it is expected can go a long way toward curtailing some of the difficulties you can encounter in managing these three areas," said Chaplain Broughton. 

Chaplain Broughton said Reservists should also evaluate their goals in these areas and prioritize when they would like to achieve them.

"You might have large expectations for what you would like to accomplish in each of these areas, but you've got to figure out what the best time is to pursue each," said Chaplain Broughton. 

Pleasing family, civilian employers and military supervisors at the same time isn't an easy task, or always possible, according to Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Woitalla, 403rd Wing command chief master sergeant.

"There are going to be times when the Reserve needs you and times when your civilian employer needs you," said the chief, who believes making time for family is crucial. "Any time you have to spend with your family, you need to take that time and cherish it.  It's very important to pay attention to your family and give them the support they're giving you."

Citizen Airmen have many avenues of support available for needs or issues arising in their family life, civilian and military career, said Master Sgt. Dale Bass, 403rd Family Readiness technician.

One of the main advocates Citizen Airmen have in their relations with their civilian employers is the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The main goal of ESGR is to promote understanding of the National Guard and Reserve to gain employer and community support and to help resolve conflicts occuring between service members and employers.

Sergeant Bass said Military One Source and the Military and Family Life Consultant Program are also great resources for consultation on a wide range of topics, such as deployments, family and health matters, financial and legal issues and career and education advice. In addition, the 403rd Key Family Member Program and Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program provide support for Reservists and family members throughout the deployment process. The sergeant said these are just a few of the options available to Reserve members. Citizen Airmen can contact their respective Family Readiness or Family Support office for advice on who to consult on different issues.

Regardless of military career field, communication, prioritization and time management all factor into helping Citizen Airmen balance the Reserve Triad so that, when called upon, they can deploy alongside their active-duty counterparts in support of contingencies around the globe.