Alaska Active Guard, reservists prepare for management board Published March 10, 2011 By Capt. Amy B. Slinker AANG PAO CAMP DENALI -- In his position as Master Resilience Trainer and Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Ethridge tracks stress that Soldiers experience in the Alaska Army National Guard. Recently, Ethridge identified that the most prevalent concern among senior Active Guard Reserve officers and noncom¬missioned officers centers on this spring's Active Service Management Board. Ethridge says it's no secret that while he and his AGR peers compile their board packets, they are wondering what the future holds. "There are a lot of mixed emotions about it (the ASMB)," Ethridge said. "I'm lucky in the aspect that I'm in my nineteenth year and already forecasted that I would be done at year 20. I've come to terms with that decision - others who may want to stay in past 20 years are scared because they haven't thought about what they're going to do." An ASMB is a tool for life cycle management of qualified AGR Soldiers with 18 or more years of active service who fall into the zone of consideration. If AGR programs exceed their controlled grade authorizations, they are required to hold a board each year until they are within their authorization. "All of the states took a pretty significant cut on their AGR strength over the next three to five years," said Chief Warrant Officer Tammy Kostoff, AGR branch manager. Kostoff is managing this year's ASMB. "In Alaska, we're on the horizon to lose up to 40 slots in 3 to 5 years," Kostoff said. "We're not going to be able to do that from normal attrition." Kostoff explained that a board was not held last year because five AGR slots were reduced due to normal attrition. Some states hold the board every year. Because the board has not been held in the Alaska Army Guard in several years, Kostoff said that some AGRs are nervous about the board and concerned they could lose their full time job. "They're not really losing their job; they're still going to get a retirement. They just may not get to spend 30 years in the AGR program in Alaska," Kostoff said. "The only people being looked at have 18 years or more, so they are already guar¬anteed 20 years and will get a retirement. Anything past that is gravy." By holding the ASMB, the Alaska Army National Guard is implementing a plan to meet the National Guard Bureau requirement to reduce those 40 positions over a span of several years, instead of reducing 40 people at once, according to Kostoff. Lt. Col. John McShane, deputy chief of staff for personnel, G-1, explained that the board would position future leaders for the Alaska Army National Guard. "This process may free up positions to open the way for junior Soldiers to move into in the future," McShane said. "If you are selected by the board, be proud of what you've done and allow others to continue your success and legacy." Kostoff advises AGRs to approach the ASMB with a positive attitude and read the guidance provided by NGB and Alaska's AGR staff to understand the ASMB back¬ground and board process. On Sept. 17, 2010, memorandums an¬nouncing the 2011 AGR Active Service Management Boards for officers and enlisted personnel were issued to all states and ter¬ritories from Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief, National Guard Bureau. The Alaska National Guard then issued a memorandum dated Oct. 17, 2010, to officer and enlisted AGRs, serving as notification that the board will consider them this year through an ASMB. The AGR personnel identified for con¬sideration include those who have completed 18 or more years of active service as of Dec. 31, 2010. Once the consideration roster was built, Kostoff eliminated those AGRs exempt from this year's board according to the following criteria set by NGB: Already have an approved retirement request Are currently on their initial 3-year AGR tour Will reach age 60 within 18 months after the date the board is scheduled to convene Completed less than 12 months of Active Duty Service Obligation incurred due to school completion as of the convene date of the board Are a nominative Command Sergeant Major serving in the AGR program Were conditionally promoted to Sergeant Major Currently serve as a command chief warrant officer Were considered on a selection board 12 months prior The Oct. 17, 2010, Alaska National Guard memorandum also served notification to each AGR to initiate a thorough review of their individual records. A Lifecycle Management Board Check¬list was enclosed with the notification, pro¬viding guidance for reviewing and updating records. AGRs were instructed to compile the items on the checklist and email those docu¬ments to Master Sgt. Jody Heffele, AGR Section noncommissioned officer-in-charge, at jody.heffele@us.army.mil. All documents were required to be sub¬mitted by the last day of February. Heffele will now assemble the packets and each person will meet with him to verify their contents. Kostoff advises Soldiers to pay close attention to the standards. They are de¬scribed in detail in the NGB Memorandum of Instruction. "The board is looking at an overall picture of each person's career," Kostoff said. "It's based on Gen. McKinley's Memorandum of Instruction that outlines very specific criteria he wants the board to look at; fitness, ability to deploy, assignments, diversity -- all of the things that he envisions as a well-rounded AGR person." Kostoff emphasized, each Soldier is responsible for building his or her individual packet, and should contact their unit administrative representative if they have questions or come across any problems. "The Alaska Army National Guard needs to restructure personnel to meet our reduction in force requirements set by NGB," said Brig. Gen. Randy Banez, assistant adjutant general, Alaska Army National Guard. "It is critical that we methodically approach this requirement and implement specific measures to ensure the constitution of a fair and non-biased process." An officer and an enlisted board are scheduled to convene separately, but simul¬taneously, from April 5-7. In an effort to reduce even a perception of favoritism, Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus, adjutant general, Alaska National Guard requested voluntary National Guard lead¬ers from across the country serve as board members. Katkus stated emphatically that "every affected member deserves the opportunity to have their future with the Alaska National Guard, considered through a fair and impar¬tial review of their record with no external influence, bias, or perception." The board members will meet in an undisclosed location and are prohibited from revealing that they are even serving on the board. In an effort to prevent them from having any preconceived intent while evaluating, they will not be informed of the reductions needed for the Alaska Army National Guard force structure. An Order of Merit List will be built off of the board scores, and any reductions that need to be made will be taken from the bottom of the list. Katkus is the final approving authority on only the enlisted board results. Once completed, the state has 15 days to send the results to NGB with his signature confirming the decisions. NGB has 15 days to approve or disapprove the results based on whether the board was conducted according to regulations. For officers, the state has 15 days to send those results to NGB. NGB has 15 days to review, then submits to the chief, National Guard Bureau. CNGB has 4-6 weeks to provide an ap¬proval or disapproval response to the Alaska National Guard. Once the Alaska National Guard receives this final approval, AGRs must be notified of the results within seven days. First, a senior leader and HRO representative will personally notify anyone who is on the release roster. After that, those AGRs who will be retained are sent an email and hard copy notification. Based on that timeline, Alaska National Guard enlisted AGRs are scheduled to be notified of results mid-May, and officers will likely be notified in mid to late June. "Anyone who is not being retained will then have 30 days after receiving the results to decide what they want to do," Kostoff said. "They can choose to be a traditional M-day Soldier, apply for technician jobs, retire, or apply for AGR jobs in other states." Kostoff also explained that the Soldier will have 9-12 months before any action happens, allowing time to use up any leave and search for a job if needed. She noted that preparing for this board doesn't happen overnight; AGRs should continuously strive for excellence and man¬age their career. "There are very strict regulations we have to follow to wear the uniform full time. Manage your height and weight, manage your PT, manage your military and civilian education, and to some extent manage your assignments," said Kostoff. "Position yourself so that when a board like this comes up and you just happen to be one of those who may be reduced, you are the best and brightest of that group of people."