CL Polgen
03-27-2009, 02:18 PM
Hi all, I'm a brand new poster here, but I've been reading posts for over a year. I'm relatively fresh out of school and I've been looking forward to ARNG for some time. I've got a college degree, a wife, and a great civilian job. My wife is supportive (we're young and willing to serve our country however we can) and my friends are very supportive. The only issue is work. I haven't talked to them about it yet. They've been 100% supportive in everything I've proposed, given me more authority than I have earned (been there only a few months). I don't want to leave the job, and I don't want to damage my relationship or standing there. So, its important to me that I handle this right... not only with integrity, but with the best possible outcome.
I know that I can't predict their reaction when I tell them I want 9 weeks off for BCT, but given our aggressive schedule, it will definitely be a burden on them. All of my planning for the next year has included this (in my mind) and I think its workable, but that doesn't mean they will.
I'm not concerned about losing my job (I've worked with my recruiter and an HR consultant to determine it would likely be protected) but more importantly, if they wanted to let me go that would almost be better than disappointing the people I work my *** off for and causing them to not meet their goals for the year.
Again, trying not to sound whiny here (and I recognize this really isn't the world's biggest problem) but this is the last area where I need some answers and support. At the moment, my plan is to go to BCT some time before the end of 2009, namely because State OCS begins in January and I'm told by my recruiters I've got to be done before then to begin that year's OCS. (Please feel free to correct any errors of fact.)
Do you have any advice you could give me in terms of approaching my employer, timing, and the best way to handle the conversation? I want to be honest, forward, and clear, and give them ample notice. Would it be best to allow them some input on the timing? Or, because I know all of the programming, events, and benchmarks over the next year, should I just use my best judgment and tell them: 'This is when I'm going, I want your support.'???
Also, the underlying question here is: how much of a say do I have in WHEN I go? If, for example, I know when is best, can I ask for something close to that? I've got my ASVAB, physical, and security clearance complete so (I am told) I just need to go up to MEPS, and complete a contract.
Bottom line is, I haven't planned every bit of my future, but I'm ready to devote whatever time my country needs from me. The first piece, here, might just require some finesse.
Thanks for any advice you can offer. I really appreciate it.
I know that I can't predict their reaction when I tell them I want 9 weeks off for BCT, but given our aggressive schedule, it will definitely be a burden on them. All of my planning for the next year has included this (in my mind) and I think its workable, but that doesn't mean they will.
I'm not concerned about losing my job (I've worked with my recruiter and an HR consultant to determine it would likely be protected) but more importantly, if they wanted to let me go that would almost be better than disappointing the people I work my *** off for and causing them to not meet their goals for the year.
Again, trying not to sound whiny here (and I recognize this really isn't the world's biggest problem) but this is the last area where I need some answers and support. At the moment, my plan is to go to BCT some time before the end of 2009, namely because State OCS begins in January and I'm told by my recruiters I've got to be done before then to begin that year's OCS. (Please feel free to correct any errors of fact.)
Do you have any advice you could give me in terms of approaching my employer, timing, and the best way to handle the conversation? I want to be honest, forward, and clear, and give them ample notice. Would it be best to allow them some input on the timing? Or, because I know all of the programming, events, and benchmarks over the next year, should I just use my best judgment and tell them: 'This is when I'm going, I want your support.'???
Also, the underlying question here is: how much of a say do I have in WHEN I go? If, for example, I know when is best, can I ask for something close to that? I've got my ASVAB, physical, and security clearance complete so (I am told) I just need to go up to MEPS, and complete a contract.
Bottom line is, I haven't planned every bit of my future, but I'm ready to devote whatever time my country needs from me. The first piece, here, might just require some finesse.
Thanks for any advice you can offer. I really appreciate it.