How will the IET environment affect my Family time?

IET cadre schedules are different in an IET environment than in any other environment. It helps to prepare yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the challenges that may occur. These changes include:

• Average of 14 -16 hour days for most training days, with some over-night duty
• 6 to 6 1/2-day work week with occasional duties on Sunday
• Free time on Sundays may also be limited
• Charge of Quarters (CQ) / Staff Duty more often
• May not get holidays off (including Training Holidays)
• Plans may be changed at last minute
• May pick-up back to back cycles (few days between cycles)
• Feeling as if you are the "Only Parent" or "All By Yourself"
• Feeling unimportant, as if only your spouse's job matters

With hours like these, try to have reasonable expectations and work to get the most out of any free time and days off.

The next few pages will give you an idea of a typical IET schedule for you and your Family. These times may vary by installation, unit, and phase of training.

If the unit practices an "early or late person" schedule, your cadre spouse may possibly find a way to attend more Family events by altering or rotating their schedule with another cadre member.

For example, by going to work early (early person), your cadre spouse could possibly attend a Family lunch or evening event. Reporting to work later (late person) could produce free time for a morning event with the Family.

Company Cadre Sample Schedule

Red Phase or early Black Phase was used in this example because it normally encompasses the greatest time constraints for Drill Sergeants, AIT Platoon Sergeants, and many support cadre.

Keep in mind, this is only a sample. Drill Sergeant/AIT Platoon Sergeant time schedules may be different based on the individual installation or the phase of training. As you can see, Family time is very limited.

You have about 1 hour with your spouse a day. If you have children the cadre member may not see them before their bedtime.

Army Spouse Sample Schedule

Today's Army spouses may hold an array of occupations. Responsibilities at work as well as home can affect how much time you have available to spend with your Family in the IET environment. Yellow highlights reflect time that could possibly be spent together.

Staff Cadre Sample Schedule

The staff cadre of an IET unit plays a vital role in the support, training, and development of Soldiers. They are responsible for providing every level of Soldier support including food, supplies, education, legal, administrative, transportation, religious, and medical.

Staff cadre's role will vary by IET installation, but their importance to the organization is never in question. The dedication and support they provide to the Drill Sergeant, AIT Platoon Sergeant, instructors, and Soldiers is one of the toughest and most important jobs in the IET arena.

Child(ren) Sample Schedule

Childcare hours vary from each IET Installation. These hours can cause conflict with the cadre or spouse's work schedule

If care is still needed after the specified times at each installation Child & Youth Services, parents can coordinate with Family Child Care (FCC) providers to accommodate work schedules.

Normally, if both parents are military or have similar schedules, the child(ren) may have to be placed in child care prior to going to school (and possibly after school), so parents can attend PT or early work call.