By Lt. Col. William D. Ritter
Deputy Director of Recruiting Communications
ARLINGTON, Va., November 16, 2011 - What do an ammunition specialist, an indirect fire infantryman and an Army Ranger have in common? They are all current Army Reserve Soldiers nominated by their commands to participate in the All-American Bowl as Soldier Heroes.
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Capt. Jason Molnar is an Army Reserve Soldier and an Army All-American Bowl Soldier Hero. |
And while these job skills are not ones found in today’s Army Reserve inventory of career proficiencies, they are examples of how jobs in the active component continue into careers in the Army Reserve – presenting the Soldier a variety of options throughout their service to our nation and allowing the military to preserve hard-won Soldier skills by retaining the best qualified troops.
It is also an example of the Continuum of Service proposal that Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief of the Army Reserve, is trying to enact.
COS is a proposed management system that facilitates the transparent movement of individuals between the AC, the RC, and civilian service, providing variable and flexible service options and levels of participation, which are consistent with DOD manpower requirements.
The CAR’s COS proposal would benefit both Soldiers and the Army.
According to one All-American Bowl Soldier Hero, Sgt. 1st Class Panini Aliilua, service in the active component made it easier for him to perform well in the Army Reserve.
“Being an infantryman, I learned how to listen and communicate effectively with my superiors and learned how to be a better problem-solver,” he said. Aliilua is a member of the 9th Mission Support Command, Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii.
Capt. Jason Molnar, another Soldier Hero, spent more than four years on active duty and has been in an Army Reserve unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for a year and a half. He said the leadership skills he learned in the Army have made him a valuable employee.
“My leadership experience as a combat arms officer has made me an asset for companies seeking proven, young leaders in corporate America,” he stated. “My intelligence experience as a Reservist directly contributed to the job I currently hold.”
The intent of the COS is to allow Soldiers the opportunity to continue serving the Army while preserving the Army’s investment and allowing for varying levels of participation to meet each individual’s ability to serve over the course of a lifetime of service.
Simply stated, the COS would keep a trained Soldier in the Army system, and give that Soldier flexibility over the course of their career to move between the AC, RC and civilian workforces when they desire or need a change.
Currently unemployed as a civilian, Aliilua is on a long tour as a Warrior and Family Assistance Center sponsor. He is just one example of how a COS would aid Soldiers at different stages of their lives and careers.
Another Soldier Hero, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Chambers, was out of the Army when he rejoined the Army Reserve.
“The idea of being able to continue full time school while still serving my country really appealed to me,” he said.
Chambers, a Soldier Hero from the 533rd Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Totten, N.Y. a prime example of who the COS could help. In addition to now serving in the Army Reserve, the former AC Soldier is a military technical in the Army’s civilian workforce.
The COS proposal would benefit the Army by permitting it to recruit one force, reform Soldier duty statuses and transform the transition procedures –all with the potential for significant cost saving.
If the CARs COS proposal is enacted, Soldiers like Chambers will have an easier time moving between the military components and job statuses.
The CARs COS proposal is just that however ¬ a proposal. And while it is a cost-saving, efficient personnel management paradigm for the Army, it requires the involvement of Senior Army Leaders and is still being discussed and planned.
In a memo to Army Reserve leaders, dated July 7, the CAR thanked all those who have worked towards the goal of enacting a COS.
Calling the COS “essential to preserving our nation’s investment in trained and ready Soldiers, leaders and civilians” he highlighted there are still considerable obstacles to overcome before his proposal would go into effect.
“My intent is to renew Army Reserve efforts in establishing COS,” said Stultz. “I request your support to the direction provided by the Human Capital Core Enterprises on this important issue,” he said.
As the All-American Bowl Soldier Heroes meet for this year’s game, many stories will be shared. Some will be about war; some of family; and many of careers. If Lt. Gen. Stultz has his way, they will be able discuss options for moving about the Army and Army Reserve, as the COS paves the way for smoother transitions between components.
