New poster here...I come to this site from
www.specialoperations.com, where it is highly recommended. I have searched for the answers to my questions, but could not find them using "national guard officer" and "pcs national guard" as search terms. I've read quite a few posts, too, with no luck.
I am a former Marine intelligence officer. I served four years active duty and one Reserve, and am still a Captain in the IRR, I think (long story). I got out in 1996, and have spent the last 8.5 years in Federal law enforcement, including seven in the FBI and 18 months with another agency to which I recently transferred. I'm 35, in good shape, and looking to join the 19th Group in Salt Lake City (55 minute flight from my current Montana house). I have Airborne and Navy SERE (would that count for SF SERE? - not getting too far ahead here, just wondering) under my belt and a few law enforcement certifications that might potentially be worth something to an ODA - FBI SWAT (100 missions in a big, fucked up city), Firearms Instructor (M4, MP-5, .45, Glock, 870, M-14), Tactical Tracker, Crisis Negotiator, EMT, Tactical Instructor (Street Survival), DEA Clandestine Lab, WMD HAZMAT Tactical Technician, Rappel Master, Tactical Helicopter Crew Chief, Scout Sniper, and some other not-so-cool schools.
If I affiliate with the Utah Guard and the 19th specifically, and I get to go to SFAS, that is done TDY...then, I assume I come back home and pick up the Q Course later? Or would I stay in Bragg and wait for the Q Course? I understand there is a long gap sometimes, so I assume I go back to civilian life while waiting for a seat.
Now, for the Q Course...does my family PCS with me like AD soldiers, or am I TDY for the whole thing? Anyone sort of sketch out how the pipeline works for NG officers as far as gaps, active duty time, etc? I am trying to figure out what I may have to tell the wife and the job...
Another question - I saw an add for SF Warrant Officers on the Colorado NG site, and I am guessing there is no way to do that without being enlisted SF first. Correct? I would be happy to be a "career captain" if I could...
Finally - any other Guard/Reserve options I am missing, like maybe a CI group or something similar? Trying to avoid Big Army stuff - my years in SWAT made me more interested in small unit type work.
Thank you in advance for the advice.