View Full Version : Roanoke Rapids or Ocala
quietstorm3155
11-20-2008, 16:15
QP's,
I live outside of Ft.Drum NY and I am wanting to join the 20th Group. I would like to be assigned to the 3/20. I want to leave NY and I was planning on living in Daytona beach, which is close to Ocala. But I was also interested in Roanoke Rapids as well and living closer to the D.C. or VA Beach area (based on jobs) and driving down for training etc.
What do you guys suggest, and your thoughts on these two options. I am focusing on the 25m target but Im trying to select which range I will use, so to speak.
Thanks for you input on this thread or PM's.
Back to PT:lifter
Do you have a job? Is your company transferring you?
My Daughter & son-in-law live in the area where I95 starts into the mess,, I495& I395. I live in Florida. Momma wants to move closer to the G-kids.. Get the picture? I have been contemplating a move for the last 3 yrs..
Here are some points I have been tracking.
Florida has no income tax - Vagina does.
The Ocala area has cheep living,, Daytona upscale, but livable.
Bowling Green(Co B) area can be cheep,, closer to DC it's outragious..
Florida gets some windy storms,, Va has snow..
Florida pay scale is several notches lower than the DC area, But so is the cost of living..
Both areas have good bird & deer hunting available..
Florida has the best fishing in the world, both salt & fresh water..
Florida has a lot of great college football teams,, Va sucks...
#1 priority is a job,, look at your job as the 1st most be right,, if you get what you want & need,, both areas will fill in the rest..
With directv,, you can even watch great Florida football from Va!!!
Good Luck..
Team Sergeant
11-20-2008, 18:17
Are you single?
Sort your employment issues out, than affiliate with whoever is closer. FWIW, I affiliated with B Co and drove to drill from VA.
x/S
Ocala has pro-military civilian population, and if you are a freefaller, Deland is 20 minutes from Daytona Beach.
quietstorm3155
11-20-2008, 23:08
Guys thanks for the input here and via PM.
JJ BPK: You bring up great points. I am looking at a location to call home but has great outdoor and job oppurtunities. I am a hunter and a person whom loves the water and beaches. I also Scuba dive and waterki. Snowboad but am also a biker(Got 5 bikes) I have researched the homes in Daytona but not the NC/VA area as of yet. You bring a good point about FL no income tax.
Team Sergeant: I am not married.
Exsquid: I am a contractor and make decent money but theres no job satifaction. And the guys coming on board these days are not well vetted and I have seen a number of safety issues and unqualified personnel as well as alcoholics. I want to train hard and join the ranks of you fine men. The men that do the jobs that few are able and unwilling to do. As far as a civilian job... I want to be a Fed. One of the (3 letter agencies). That was one reason for the DC area train of thought. Do you know of SF ARNG able to do this? I am also open to Law Enforce until I can become a Fed. employee. Exsquid and other QPs do you have any input on this?
CSB: Good point on Deland. Guess that'd be a place to go when I get the proper quals.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the NQP progam at NC and the one at FL.
Guys thanks for the input thus far. Your time in answering my quetions is important to me and is greatly appreciated. This is something I have wanted to do for years and I am starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together with your help. Again, Thank you.
Feel feem to PM me or we can continue on this thread.
D9 (RIP)
11-26-2008, 20:57
The NQP program in FL is good. NQPs are separated from teams and are trained by a cadre for SFAS and success in the SFQC. You would not go wrong becoming an NQP in FL.
I don't know what they do in NC. I know some guys in that unit and they're good ppl.
But FL is pretty organized by ARNG SF standards.
quietstorm3155
03-30-2009, 16:33
Gentlemen,
Just updating. I didn't want to have a few post to my name in regards to joining the SF ARNG and then disappearing from the board, as I've seen some members do. I am still 100% committed! I am still contracting in Iraq as originally planned. After I increase my savings over this next year, I will be relocating to Daytona Beach to join the 20th group NQP program, and get started in the SOPC. My reasoning, is that I want to be committed to training, and not have to worry about my finances for a little bit... In case I'm w/o a job for a month or two as I relocate.
Now, is it possible to affiliate myself with the 20th group, say, part/full time while training under the NQP/SOPC program and get paid. I guess I would be a "hang around" of sorts. I figured it would be beneficial to be on the training grounds more than the normal 1 weekend a month, while performing additional duties in between mandatory drilling. Any thoughts?
18D4VRWB
03-30-2009, 17:33
I took a very similiar path with contracting providing me some funds between deployments although I was already MOSQ so this would be the difference. You should contact the FL State recruiter, explain your intentions to join C Co or A Co 3/20th (SF) and make your move. Do not let the process drag out. Get the contract, show up and meet the NQP PLT and give 110%. On day one be able to max all PT events and have whatever paperwork ready to go. Your goal should be 3 months or 3 drills and ship for selection. Have your personnnel life in order to get to the Q ASAP afterwords. Too many times, the process gets drawn out and the unexpected arrises. Show up, ship and get qualified for our next trip. It will be worth it! :lifter
When you re-locate to Daytona hit me up on PM.
D9 (RIP)
04-16-2009, 20:22
Once you join the ARNG Guard in FL you will get paid for drills you attend for training, whether as an NQP or not.
Florida has a lot of great college football teams,, Va sucks...
No one outside of Charlottesville roots for UVA- Virginia Tech has the only good football team in the Commonwealth.
The cost of living things is a really big factor, Virginia Beach/Northern Virginia is outrageously expensive. Now if you like sitting in traffic, be my guest...
armymom1228
04-18-2009, 21:57
When you re-locate to Daytona hit me up on PM.
I grew up in Central Fla.. family still there.. PM me as well..anything I can do or help just ask..
quietstorm3155
04-19-2009, 00:56
Thanks for all the recent replies everyone.
18D4VRWB: Are you contracting now? I've seen a number of SF types in uniform here, but either I have been busy on duty (security type) or they have been busy so I haven't had a chance to speak with or introduce my self to the men. I am at FOB Prosperity / Camp Olympia.
D9: To clarify my question sir, I was inquiring as to if I wanted to be full time guard at the training site between drills and get paid. Instead of working part-time somewhere and then showing up ONLY on drill weekends. I was wanting to show up in uniform everyday and absorb as much as I can from the unit even when not drilling. I was wanting to be on site, as NQP or Non-MOSQ'd, go to SFAS, to The Q, and then straight to Team. I guess that is a question that I will ask the recruiter as well. Thanks.
Also to the responses of allowing me to contact once I relocate. Thanks. It means a lot, and I'm sure I'll hit some of you up on that offer. As for me I've been to the bike races and Daytona 500. I am not familiar with the area so much, but I do have family that live in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral that I visit from time to time. For now looking at homes in Daytona online. When I go out on one of my rotations I plan on staying in a hotel and then doing some house hunting in person.
Thanks again for everyone's input.
:lifter
armymom1228
04-19-2009, 09:11
look around New Smyrna Bch. About 20-30 min south on the Atlantic and considerably less expensive.
Range out west and north as well... traffic in that area is doable.
Florida has a fantastic back roads system that can get you pretty much anywhere almost as fast as an interstate, with less traffic.
Trust me, you don't want to live IN Daytona when bike week is happening..
As a tourist it is not so bad..as a local... it is massive PIA.
here look a bit at these towns.
Deland
Deltona
Lake Mary
Orange City
Eaustis and Mt Dora are a bit further inland but and hour and a half out.. but quiet and a lot less expensive
New Smyrna Bch and Edgewater to the south..
Palm Coast, Flagler beach to the direct north..
Palatka and Green Cove Springs to the NW
One of the nicer things about that particular section of Florida is that most things are not that far away.. driving time. coast to coast on SR 40 that goes thru the Ocala Natl Forest through Ocala and ends at Dunellon on the west coast) is that it is only a 3 hr drive.
My mom lives in Crystal River from there to Starke is roughly 2 hours all back roads more or less.
The inland lakes George, and all that .. are awesome for bass fishing.
My personal preference for Florida is still and always will be the SW coast Or the area just west of Gainesville towards Bell or Perry. . We call it the Big Bend area Still very very rural and redneck.. absolutely my kind of woods.
A lot of the area is planted pine for paper mills so it is not subject to development. That part of Florida has a low incidence of Hurricanes. Now watch.. this year we shall get two one coming in at Cedar Key and the other Jax. :rolleyes:
As I said PM me if i can be of any help.. When you start talking to Realtors ask about flood insurance. I would recommend you try real hard to not get into one.. Even USAA has pulled out of Florida for writing new policies.
The ones who are writing in Florida have a waiver for hurricane damage.. I think it is something like 2 or 5% of damage off the top and above your deductible then they start paying.. IF you already have a policy with USAA on another house, then they might allow you to switch it to the new house. The only exception is for active duty and they will write new for them only.. Can ya tell I have been on the phone with them recently. :D
I would offer this suggestion. Considering the state of the RE market at the moment. There are some really good deals out there. Contact a RE broker and start to work with them. We all have access to the MLS listing and might be able to steer you to something even better than you can find out on your own. Don't worry about the distance. I did deals via phone and fax with th owners either buying or selling either to or from Europe, Indonesia and a few other exotic places. NO, my brokers license is currently inactive and will remain so for the forseeable future. What will happen is you ask for a 'buyers-broker" someone who will represent your interest. Most of the time you don't have to pay them.. they get thier commision via the sale of the house. But be sure to ask and make that a stipulatoin if you have to..
Do NOT get a 'manufactured home." It might not look like an aluminum tornado magnet but that is exactly what it is under another name. 1960's era homes are eminantly more suitable to withstanding hurricane damage than newer homes. Also built for the climate. It is depends exatly what you want and where you want it.. I would seriously once, you find what you are interested in.. drive around the neighborhood at difference hours of the day.. like friday and sat night (if you don't like loud parties)..
and finaly remember 'handyman special' could mean it is trashed, 'waterfront' could mean the ditch in the back gets sorta kinda wet at high tide, 'waterfront view' could mean a cot under a bridge.. YMMV
AM
Thanks for all the recent replies everyone.
18D4VRWB: Are you contracting now? I've seen a number of SF types in uniform here, but either I have been busy on duty (security type) or they have been busy so I haven't had a chance to speak with or introduce my self to the men. I am at FOB Prosperity / Camp Olympia.
D9: To clarify my question sir, I was inquiring as to if I wanted to be full time guard at the training site between drills and get paid. Instead of working part-time somewhere and then showing up ONLY on drill weekends. I was wanting to show up in uniform everyday and absorb as much as I can from the unit even when not drilling. I was wanting to be on site, as NQP or Non-MOSQ'd, go to SFAS, to The Q, and then straight to Team. I guess that is a question that I will ask the recruiter as well. Thanks.
Also to the responses of allowing me to contact once I relocate. Thanks. It means a lot, and I'm sure I'll hit some of you up on that offer. As for me I've been to the bike races and Daytona 500. I am not familiar with the area so much, but I do have family that live in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral that I visit from time to time. For now looking at homes in Daytona online. When I go out on one of my rotations I plan on staying in a hotel and then doing some house hunting in person.
Thanks again for everyone's input.
:lifter
When you start talking to Realtors ask about flood insurance. I would recommend you try real hard to not get into one.. Even USAA has pulled out of Florida for writing new policies.
The ones who are writing in Florida have a waiver for hurricane damage.. I think it is something like 2 or 5% of damage off the top and above your deductible then they start paying.. IF you already have a policy with USAA on another house, then they might allow you to switch it to the new house. The only exception is for active duty and they will write new for them only.. Can ya tell I have been on the phone with them recently.
Do not rely soley on the realtor to get you the flood information, go to the FEMA website and look at the FIRM maps yourself (once you find some properties you like). It's a simple process and you won't be going on second hand information.
quietstorm3155
04-20-2009, 16:25
ArmyMom: Talk about research! Thanks for squaring away the real estate details. I have been however checking into homes along the coastal area. Possibly "real" waterfront. But the details you provided I will definitely review when Im at that step in my house hunt. Thanks for taking the time to post that. Im sure its of great help to others as well.
Booker: Appreciate the heads up. Guess I learn something new everyday. I'll be sure to check on the Fema FIRM maps.
armymom1228
04-21-2009, 19:21
Do not rely soley on the realtor to get you the flood information, go to the FEMA website and look at the FIRM maps yourself (once you find some properties you like). It's a simple process and you won't be going on second hand information.
Up to date Flood Plain maps can be found at any county zoning office in Florida.
I work in Law Enforcement in the greater Daytona area. One of my fellow officers spouse is in realty. He also has family is the SOF community if that matters to you. If you want I can put you in contact. As stated before, you really do not want to live inside the Dayona Beach city limits. New Smyrna is a nice area, so is Ponce Inlet and Ormond Beach in the Ormond-By-The-Sea area.
quietstorm3155
05-06-2009, 01:55
I work in Law Enforcement in the greater Daytona area. One of my fellow officers spouse is in realty. He also has family is the SOF community if that matters to you. If you want I can put you in contact. As stated before, you really do not want to live inside the Dayona Beach city limits. New Smyrna is a nice area, so is Ponce Inlet and Ormond Beach in the Ormond-By-The-Sea area.
I have a friend here im working with in Iraq, he is from Deltona area and highly recommends New Smyrna Beach and really any where else outside of Daytona beach city limits. Hope I can find a decent job at Daytona Airport, Orlando(Disney) or Orlando Airport FOR MY FIANCEE. She is from Japan and I was was thinking there may be some tourist type jobs in the areas where her langauge skills may help Japanese tourist...if there are any...
We are going to get an apt. first and take our time finding a home. I plan on driving in the neighborhoods myself and checking them out. There somethings that these Realtor website just cant convey, and that is the atmosphere of a particular neighborhood.
armymom1228
05-06-2009, 06:17
I have a friend here im working with in Iraq, he is from Deltona area and highly recommends New Smyrna Beach and really any where else outside of Daytona beach city limits. Hope I can find a decent job at Daytona Airport, Orlando(Disney) or Orlando Airport FOR MY FIANCEE. She is from Japan and I was was thinking there may be some tourist type jobs in the areas where her langauge skills may help Japanese tourist...if there are any...
I have to agree with everyone about New Smyrna..however that is quite a haul to the Orlando area to work. Traffic on I-4 is a pisser at both rush hours.. as bad as the DC Beltway or worse at times. Rodent World aka Disney World/Universal Studios are both on the West side of Orlando. You have to go through Orlando proper to get to either of them.
We are going to get an apt. first and take our time finding a home. I plan on driving in the neighborhoods myself and checking them out. There somethings that these Realtor website just cant convey, and that is the atmosphere of a particular neighborhood.
You might consider using Craigs List for the apt. My dtr has had great luck with them both in Norfolk and now with the house they bought in Kinston, NC.
No one outside of Charlottesville roots for UVA- Virginia Tech has the only good football team in the Commonwealth.
Well Tech has gotten alot of sympathy fans lately. Plus, half their team have criminal records. Atleast at UVA their not fighting in student centers, failing out miserably, etc... Go Wahoos!!!
The cost of living things is a really big factor, Virginia Beach/Northern Virginia is outrageously expensive. Now if you like sitting in traffic, be my guest...
Va Beach is less expensive than NOVA. However, what you will find in the Hampton Roads area is a lot of crime (drugs, gangs in schools, etc...), even though VA Beach doesnt publish all of theirs...it would hurt their tourism. I lived their for four years while going to school in Norfolk, and yes the traffic sucks for the most part, but have seen worse.
St. Augustine area (east Duval, St Johns, Clay, Flagler, & Putnam Co.s) is really nice too. NE Florida has some really good real estate options right now, both land and houses, at very reasonable prices.
Palm Coast is really good right now. We priced home their about a year ago and a typical 3/2 home was going for 185-210k, now their in the upper $90's. Worth checking out. Like armymom mentioned, check out Craiglist for rentals in the same area for deals on those same homes as rentals for around $750.
Good luck.
D9 (RIP)
05-20-2009, 19:47
D9: To clarify my question sir, I was inquiring as to if I wanted to be full time guard at the training site between drills and get paid. Instead of working part-time somewhere and then showing up ONLY on drill weekends. I was wanting to show up in uniform everyday and absorb as much as I can from the unit even when not drilling. I was wanting to be on site, as NQP or Non-MOSQ'd, go to SFAS, to The Q, and then straight to Team. I guess that is a question that I will ask the recruiter as well. Thanks.
:lifter
I don't know about any program like that, but it doesn't mean there may not be some kind of work for you at one of the companies. But it would not be NQP type things, it would be more mundane S1 or S4 work assisting full-time staff.
If your priority is going to SFAS, you are better off trusting the NQP program as is.
quietstorm3155
05-20-2009, 23:50
I don't know about any program like that, but it doesn't mean there may not be some kind of work for you at one of the companies. But it would not be NQP type things, it would be more mundane S1 or S4 work assisting full-time staff.
If your priority is going to SFAS, you are better off trusting the NQP program as is.
Thanks for the input again D9. Its just something I was throwing out there. I'm going out on rotation this week but heading down to Louisiana's JETC training compound, so I wont have time to stop by the unit this trip. I should be good to go on my next rotation to stop by and check things out. Unit, housing, neighborhoods etc. Im guessing around Dec or January time frame.
HardRoad
05-21-2009, 06:53
There are AGR positions at Bn and the companies, but they're not for soldiers in the pipeline. Depending on the budget and what needs to be done, guys can pick up ADSW days, sometimes a lot of them, but those typically go to people who are already qualified and need a few weeks or so of work to tide themselves over between schools or something.
Bottom line is I would not plan on an income from the Guard beyond drill dates and AT. I also would not plan on hanging around in the NQP program a long time after you join. The goal of the program, at least in Florida, is make sure you're physically, mentally and administratively prepared for training, and then get you there - its a matter of a few months, not a few years.
Best of luck
quietstorm3155
05-23-2009, 16:03
There are AGR positions at Bn and the companies, but they're not for soldiers in the pipeline. Depending on the budget and what needs to be done, guys can pick up ADSW days, sometimes a lot of them, but those typically go to people who are already qualified and need a few weeks or so of work to tide themselves over between schools or something.
Best of luck
Thanks for the insight. Thats exactly was I was asking about, but looks like it wouldn't be enough to to pay housing, family, and car bills. I'll have to find full time employment while in the NQP program.
quietstorm3155
01-02-2010, 16:55
Its been some months but didn't want to start a new thread. As this has to do with the Ocala/Daytona area.
Does anyone here have experience working with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation? They have a Special Ops Group, and some other interesting careers within the organization and have Law Enforcement powers throught out the state. Looks like the head quarters for this region of FL is Ocala. I got some info online from .myfwc.com but wanted to see if anyone here has views, opinions, facts, etc about the FWC as a job.
Thanks
Saturation
01-04-2010, 20:07
My (limited) experience with FWC-
LOW pay (state pay is usually below crap in Florida)
Staffing is meager
Camaraderie good
Nice toys (typically grant money)
Many former LEO's go to FWC upon retirement to 'double dip'.
quietstorm3155
01-06-2010, 05:32
My (limited) experience with FWC-
LOW pay (state pay is usually below crap in Florida)
Staffing is meager
Camaraderie good
Nice toys (typically grant money)
Many former LEO's go to FWC upon retirement to 'double dip'.
Low Pay...Yeah I gathered that online as well. Looks about the lowest for LE in all of Florida. But looks like such a great job.
What are your experience's with them...Sister service? PM if you like.
Thanks for the reply.
Florida Highway Patrol also has a tactical unit. I don't know about the pay/perks/benefits, but one of MID NCOs just retired from FHP and I can put you in touch with him if you would like. I don't know about the NQP side of the house, but if you end up at BN you may be able to spend a good deal of time on orders going to schools, depending on you MOS.
These are not too close to Ocala but I figured I would include them since the are in my AO.
Daytona Beach PD is usually hiring and pays pretty good. I don't know if they still sponsor for the academy.
Volusia County Sheriff's Office is hiring also, I would go there if I was starting over fresh. The pay is OK and there are numerous specialized units to work for. The SWAT team stays pretty busy also.
quietstorm3155
01-14-2010, 20:31
Florida Highway Patrol also has a tactical unit. I don't know about the pay/perks/benefits, but one of MID NCOs just retired from FHP and I can put you in touch with him if you would like. I don't know about the NQP side of the house, but if you end up at BN you may be able to spend a good deal of time on orders going to schools, depending on you MOS.
These are not too close to Ocala but I figured I would include them since the are in my AO.
Daytona Beach PD is usually hiring and pays pretty good. I don't know if they still sponsor for the academy.
Volusia County Sheriff's Office is hiring also, I would go there if I was starting over fresh. The pay is OK and there are numerous specialized units to work for. The SWAT team stays pretty busy also.
Hetzer, Thanks for the info. No need for a contact as of yet but I appreciate the offer. I am still on contract here in Iraq for awhile still. Wanting to build up the bank account more as I prepare to buy a house at some point and dont want to run into financial trouble going through hiring processes for work and NQP/Selection etc. Im looking at homes online in the Daytona Beach area but just west of the city abit. I plan on going to Fl and Colorado this summer and checking everything out. Its difficult to get a feel of everything from the internet.
Again, thanks.
zoolander6
03-05-2010, 19:39
Unless your moving to Daytona to be close to surf breaks, i suggest you check out the west coast of FL as well. I live in Tampa on the bay. And my unit is in MD. Its like paradise over here. And i have been to Miami, Daytona, Orlando, Cocoa. And from experience i think the Tampa, Sarasota, Clearwater, St Pete area is far better than Daytona. Check the houses out on craigslist, and pull up a sat map on google maps for location. Then again i heard Ft. Lauderdale area is nice too, but hella pricey. It only take me about 1hr 45min- 2hr to get to Daytona from where i live. Just something to think about.
quietstorm3155
04-16-2010, 05:49
Unless your moving to Daytona to be close to surf breaks, i suggest you check out the west coast of FL as well. I live in Tampa on the bay. And my unit is in MD. Its like paradise over here. And i have been to Miami, Daytona, Orlando, Cocoa. And from experience i think the Tampa, Sarasota, Clearwater, St Pete area is far better than Daytona. Check the houses out on craigslist, and pull up a sat map on google maps for location. Then again i heard Ft. Lauderdale area is nice too, but hella pricey. It only take me about 1hr 45min- 2hr to get to Daytona from where i live. Just something to think about.
Zoolander, I see you mentioned Ft.Lauderdale. Im going out on rotation in July and plan on looking at some homes in the Miami/Miami Suburbs as well as Daytona and surrounding areas. Appreciate your above input.
Im also looking to stop in to HQ in Ocala and speaking with the SOPC section.
These are my plans thus far, but my father is not well so I'll be taking it day by day. Hopefully everything will work out.
Saturation
04-16-2010, 19:16
Miami? really??
You can't get more polarized than your two current picks- Daytona and Miami. Well I guess you can but really they are quite the different populations/personalities.
Now if you blend into the South Beach crowd that's another issue....
Best wishes to your dad.
I live in Tampa on the bay. And my unit is in MD. Its like paradise over here. And i have been to Miami, Daytona, Orlando, Cocoa. And from experience i think the Tampa, Sarasota, Clearwater, St Pete area is far better than Daytona. Couldn't agree more, I live in Safety Harbor, northwest end of the bay, and I've yet found a better place to live, especially if you have a family.
armymom1228
04-16-2010, 20:35
Zoolander, I see you mentioned Ft.Lauderdale. Im going out on rotation in July and plan on looking at some homes in the Miami/Miami Suburbs as well as Daytona and surrounding areas. Appreciate your above input.
Im also looking to stop in to HQ in Ocala and speaking with the SOPC section.
These are my plans thus far, but my father is not well so I'll be taking it day by day. Hopefully everything will work out.
Cost of living in Miami is outrageous. Hope your spanish is good.....
Everything down there is a drive somewhere.
I concur with two other comments about Fla's west coast. My preference is St. Petersburg. Car insurance is less than Tampa. :D
When I moved home to Florida. I could pick anywhere, I chose here, as in St. Pete, for the quality of life, cost of living, ease of getting around a city.
HQ in Ocala is approx 2 hrs north of Tampa via I-75. Housing is much much cheaper than Miami or Daytona.
Historicaly we get few hurricanes, as in direct hits. Most are just fly by rainstorms for us.