Reservist shares perspective on balancing the triad

by Dana Lineback
940th Wing Public Affairs

3/27/2014 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Balancing reserve commitment, civilian career and personal life can be a struggle for reservists. But Capt. Francis Tobias, 940th Wing Equal Opportunity director, may have mastered the trick.

Tobias said he doesn't prescribe to the three-legged stool analogy often used to depict the Reserve triad of family, civilian job and military. He feels life's balance is always shifting, and a solid foundation is the key.

"I think we all feel imbalanced at times," Tobias said. "We just need a solid personal foundation to build on - for me, that's family and faith."

Tobias' mounting successes in both his civilian and military careers seem to attest to the validity of his personal approach to achieving stability in the face of life's demands.

This past year, he was recognized by his civilian employer, Autozone, as Regional Human Resources Manager of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Michael Estes, Autozone's regional manager for Northern California, said the accolade is especially impressive because Tobias has worked for the company only three years.

"I've been around a while, and I've never seen someone come in at the middle management level and adapt as quickly as Francis. I'm extremely impressed," Estes said.

Tobias was unable to accept the Autozone award in person. At the time of the company's award ceremony, he was training at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., for his new position at the 940th Wing.

News from his civilian supervisor about award did not distract Tobias from the task at hand. He completed the nine-week Personnel Officer Course, garnering a 99.14% average. His training flight achieved a cumulative 97.8% academic average, the highest since the course began in 2009.

While at the training course, Tobias balanced the rigors of his studies with volunteer efforts, logging more than 34 hours of off-duty volunteer work in the community there.

"As reservists, we learn to balance a lot. It's about focusing your efforts," Tobias said. "My advice is when you're on their time, whoever 'their' is, be one hundred percent on their time."

Support at home, according to Tobias, allows him to be fully focused on his job at Autozone which, in turn, allows him to focus on his reserve job. He said dedication to his civilian career is reciprocated by Autozone's supportiveness for his reserve commitment.

"As my military career progresses, I know I'll be challenged more and more to stay balanced. It's helpful that Autozone is flexible with the changing nature of my responsibilities as a reservist."

Tobias said he takes every opportunity to capitalize on the similarities between his reserve and civilian positions.

"As an HR manager, I advocate for employees from recruitment to retirement. It mimics what an EO director does for members of a military unit," Tobias said. "A lot of what I do in both jobs is raise awareness and educate about what to do in certain situations. I'm very passionate about motivating, coaching and mentoring others."