Featured Image: Photo by Sgt. Anderson J. Grant

By Dr. Jarrod Sadulski
Faculty Member, Criminal Justice, American Military University 

For military reservists who are not being called to active duty in light of the coronavirus response and are in a drilling status, the proactive measures put into place to slow the spread of COVID-19 are likely to impact their drill weekends. For many drilling reservists, that tactic presents major challenges if monthly drills continue to be postponed until the coronavirus pandemic ends.  

Many drilling reservists depend on a monthly income from the reserves and have automatic deductions associated with their monthly drill pay. If those reservists don’t drill for the long term, that could cause financial challenges for reserve members.  

Alternate Drilling Arrangements for Reservists Is Possible, But Presents More Challenges 

Drilling reservists typically drill two days a month and for a full-time period of 12 days per year. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing rules that are currently in place, some military branches may permit their reserves to make alternate drill arrangements. For instance, permitting reserves to drill off base can reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading on the base.  

Depending on where reserve members are stationed, drilling together off base may not be practical. If reserves live in an area that has been identified as a high transmission area of COVID-19, for example, drilling together presents serious health risks.  

However, technology such as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) has been implemented by the military for some time. That technology may create an opportunity for reserves to drill remotely if their commanders permit it. 

Effective Leadership Is Essential for Remote Drilling Reservists 

If military reservists are permitted to drill remotely, that requires strong leadership skills to facilitate a productive drill weekend. From a leadership perspective, it is especially important for supervisors to monitor for challenges reserve members experience. Since supervisors and reservists who drill remotely or from home are not in the traditional face-to-face environment of a normal drill weekend, supervisors should be very proactive in reaching out to each individual reservist.  

During this interaction between supervisor and reservist, service-related support services available as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – such as financial, family, and personal support – should be offered to reservists. In addition, supervisors should engage in discussions to ensure that remote reserve members are in good physical and mental health.  

The current pandemic has resulted in unprecedented levels of uncertainty and stress for families across the United States and around the world. As a result, effective leaders should be diligent in checking the welfare of each reservist.  

Drill Weekends Also Require Advance Planning and Frequent Communication 

Prior to a drill weekend, a structured drill agenda should be established that provides clear guidance for what reservists should do while they participate in inactive drill training from home. This agenda requires some planning in advance of the drill weekend.  

Frequent communication between the unit command and reserve supervisors is essential to ensure that information moves smoothly and comprehensively to servicemembers drilling from home. Online meeting platforms such as Zoom or GoToMeeting are helpful when reserves are drilling remotely, because this technology provides the opportunity for structured unit meetings to pass information. 

However, it is equally important that supervisors ensure that nothing sensitive is passed through these unsecured services. One of the advantages of using VDI for those reservists who have this technology is that VDI utilizes a server that permits users to securely access information directly from their network computers. 

Effective leadership within the reserves can have a positive impact in the lives of drilling reservists. These leaders can provide clear and consistent guidance on how to manage drill weekends and can ensure that all available resources are provided to drilling reservists.   

About the Author 

Dr. Jarrod Sadulski is an associate professor at American Military University. He has engaged in speaking engagements in the United States, Central America, and Europe on the topics of human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, police responses to domestic terrorism, and various topics in policing. Most recently, he presented at the 2019 International Human Trafficking Conference. His expertise includes infrastructure security, police stress management, contraband interdiction, and intelligence gathering. 

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