My Experience to Date w/ 20th SFG(A)

exsquid · 01-12-2008, 18:38

At the behest of 18C4V I am posting my personal observations of 20th SFG(A).

1. Don't let anyone kid you, it is a long road. It took me two and a half years from the time I affiliated with the unit until I walked across the stage.
2. Advancement is a constant problem at SFQC due to the differences between the NG and AD. Personally I would say that if you are not a REP-63 with a written gaurantee for E5, expect to graduate as a Specialist.
3. If you are not constantly in contact with your company while in the Q, they will forget about you. Keep the communication flowing back to your unit.
4. The Guard Liasons are godsends who will bend over backwards to help you out. They are more helpful than the TACs most times.
5. I will not go in to details, but expect big changes at Group. Lots of work in the forseable future.
6. 20th SFG(A) has a lot of great guys from very diverse backgrounds and they need a lot more.

x/S

**The Reaper** · 01-12-2008, 18:58

Great info, XS, congrats again, and thanks for sharing.

TR

FXCOfire · 01-13-2008, 18:21

congrads man.. I feel your frustration as I have been there as well.. Civilians employers don't help as well when the AGR guys ( even the best ..) are over-worked or deal with State HQ who cares little or less.

exsquid · 01-31-2008, 21:58

For all of those who have asked, this is my journey in detail.

1. A Tm Sgt with company gave me an open invitation to "come check out the unit." (06/04)
2. After much consideration I decided to take the plunge and went to a local NG recruiter. (05/05)
3. Interviewed with the CSM and got a line number for the unit. (05/05)
4. Joined the NG (while overseas) as an 89D for 3yrs (because it was the minimum time required to get a gauranteed assignment). (07/05)
5. SF Indoc Program (SFIP), drill weekends only, with unit. (09/05 - 12/05)
6. SFAS. (01/06 - 02/06)
7. Airborne. (03/06)
8. SFQC. (04/06 - 01/08)

I was not a REP-63. I did not attend Basic, WLC, or AIT because I was granted a MOS based on my prior military service. I kept my TIS, rank, and, TIG.

x/S

bricklayer · 02-01-2008, 08:27

Thanks for the info squid.

OldRGR · 02-13-2008, 10:29

Congratulations to exsquid for getting through the SFQC. I spent 5 years in 2/20SFG(A) in MD. I was already selected, Ranger qualified, EIB, served 10+ years on AD, numerous deployments. Spent 7 months in Afghanistan, partly attached to 2/3 SFG(A). Great bunch of professionals. Ran around with a few of our ODA's and a B Team. We get back, the state cuts our budget 80%. I do paperwork to go back active, thinking it was faster to go SF that way. The AGR fulltimer takes the paperwork and then commits suicide. Paperwork disappears. I have lost count of the number of times I and other SFC's have had school slots deleted on account of there being "no money." I ETS'd last year and debate going back. I was an LNO/AST and am concerned that the next deployment I will go over to do that again and get screwed out of a school slot. I am open to other NG SF units. I am willing to travel. I also think about going back AD, since the constant delaying of sending me to FBNC caused my SFAS to expire. Any advice form anyone on this site as to what is the best course of action for me? Thank you for your attention.
PS Exsquid, what state is your unit in?

Books · 02-13-2008, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by exsquid

At the behest of 18C4V I am posting my personal observations of 20th SFG(A).

1. Don't let anyone kid you, it is a long road. It took me two and a half years from the time I affiliated with the unit until I walked across the stage.
2. Advancement is a constant problem at SFQC due to the differences between the NG and AD. Personally I would say that if you are not a REP-63 with a written gaurantee for E5, expect to graduate as a Specialist.
3. If you are not constantly in contact with your company while in the Q, they will forget about you. Keep the communication flowing back to your unit.
4. The Guard Liasons are godsends who will bend over backwards to help you out. They are more helpful than the TACs most times.
5. I will not go in to details, but expect big changes at Group. Lots of work in the forseable future.
6. 20th SFG(A) has a lot of great guys from very diverse backgrounds and they need a lot more.

x/S

Well said x/S. I came into the Nasty Guard in Jan. of 04 with a three year contract. Went to selection in March of 05, airborne a week later and started the SFQC in Late August of 05. Graduated as a medic in November 07. Was promised by my S-1 that my promotion paperwork, submitted when I left, would catch up with me at the Q. Never happened and I graduated an E-4. . . so it goes. Now that I'm finished with that stage in my career, I'm on a great team with tons of work and learning tons. Worth it? You bet.

Books.

WhiskeyBoarder · 07-03-2008, 19:08

While I understand that this thread is a bit dated, I was recently asked about the process in which one enters 20th SFG's SF candidate program. I answered via private message, but felt the information was worthy of being shared with all. If you are currently in the Florida National Guard and are interested in the 3/20th SFG, this pertains to you (and being that this is the extent of my limited SF experience, this is also as far long in the process as I can share / assist with).

Just two weeks ago, I had another drill with 3/20th. You were definitely right about the ball-breaking part. The blisters are still healing… and slowly

In any case, the next drill is in August and the focus will be Land Nav. Presuming that I do well there, I have been notified to be prepared for the next SFAS class.

The point? The NQP (Non-Qualified Personnel aka SOT-D, Special Operations Training-Detachment) program at 3/20th is TOP NOTCH. In JUN, we sent 5 - - - 5 were selected.

Being that you are currently in the Florida Guard, you have a specific path which to follow to gain admission to the program. Fortunately, I was also in a different unit and transferred over. In fact, this is the case with most of the candidates within the unit. Here is how it works:

You contact 3/20th. If you are interested, I can give you the proper POCs. You tell them your situation and make it clear that you are currently in the FLARNG. They will schedule you an opportunity to interview with one of the members of the Group. Following the interview, you will probably be asked to perform a PT test. The standard, I believe, is 80 points in each event to gain entry into the unit and to remain in the unit. Once passing these two steps, the unit will ask you to drill with 3/20th.

To do so is easy. Simply inform your chain of command of your intention. Ask them if you may be authorized to SUTA drill with 3/20th. Should your chain of command give you problems, refer back to the guys at Group and they should apply needed pressure.

Then, at that point, the pressure is on you. Come to drill and perform well and they will invite you back. Should they invite you back, they will officially transfer you from your current unit to theirs. This takes minor leg work on your part. At that point, you are pretty much where I stand now.

I am sorry that this is so lengthy but I wanted to ensure that you received the best information possible. I love the opportunities and training that I am receiving and encourage you to consider a similar path.

ALSO: on 19 JUL 08, 3/20th SFG is having open try-outs at 0800 hours at the Winter Haven Armory. The brochure that I was given for distribution indicates this POC: (904) 682-3037/3492 which one can use to "register or set up an immediate one on one interview."

abc_123 · 07-04-2008, 06:58

WB,

Good for you. Keep focused and continue to march.

If anyone is reading previous posts in this thread understand that there are no issues with NG quotas to send studs to Selection and/or the Q. I see the numbers every month and we do not use the slots that we have. Money to send people to pipeline courses? Non issue. Was at one time, but not now.

For each unit/state the specifics of tryouts and how to go about transferring into the unit are slightly different. What WB said is for Fla and 3/20. It may be slightly different elsewhere.

What is not different is that EVERY guard unit needs good people....tabbed guys coming off of AD, anyone coming off of AD, current NG soldiers or Rep63s.

If you see posts or hear stories about Unit X in State Y and how they sucked at getting people school slots or whatever... understand that things do change.

sfrecrutr · 07-04-2008, 10:01

If anyone is having issues reaching a POC for any of the 20th SF companies and even some of 19th SF. Feel free to contact me at Gp Hqs. 205-957-2343.

Ed
www.alguard.state.al.us/20thsfg.htm

Guy · 07-05-2008, 00:31

x/s:

One day we'll have too tell the story on how we met.....I couldn't believe they put us off that plane, after we had checked our baggage (weapons).

Hold hard and push on!

Stay safe.

exsquid · 07-05-2008, 18:52

Guy:

That was just the start of one weird adventure. When I look back at that whole experience I just shake my head realizing how little I knew about what I was getting in to. I am amazed I did not get myself killed.

x/S

Guy · 07-06-2008, 00:58

exsquid:

Glad you got out alright!

Stay safe.

olhamada · 07-14-2008, 22:25

I wholeheartedly concur with the messages above. My decision to join the 20th SF in 1994 was the best professional decision I have ever made - no question. It changed my life and I will take away many wonderful skills, memories, and friendships from my 10 years there.

My decision to leave in 2004 is one I regret to this day, and have frequently (actually daily) considered rejoining - and would if the opportunity presented itself.

RichL025 · 07-14-2008, 22:50

Congrats to all you out there, and best of luck to those in the pipeline. I spent 3 years in 3/20 (I did not go through the NQP pipeline, I came off an active duty group) and was amazed at the quality of the people there... easily the match of most AD teams I have known. I have no doubt that with multiple combat deployments under their belts that the men of 3/20 are even better now.

To those of you contemplating the long qualification process: years later you will look back on it and be supremely glad you persevered!