Completion of NG-SF pipeline

[swimr235]

There are certain issues that are exclusive to reserves/national guard special operations selection courses. Work issues, family issues, financial hang ups and what not. Active duty guys are not without their own obstacles but those of us that are choosing this route, I believe in my opinion, have a certain set of issues that are exclusive to us...lets say...part timers. My question is, are there any members or admins of this forum that are or know of anyone, prior service or otherwise, that has gone through the National Guard SF pipeline, start to finish? I'd like to get their view on how things went, ins and outs, how these extrinsic situations factored into the experience and how it was handled. To clarify, I am not trying to get a "tips & strategies" outline, I'm asking due to the nature of my own current track and to compare and contrast. Thanks.

- nick

[TrapperFrank]

I went through as a Guardsman/REP 63. Of course, that was in 1979-80. My experiences probably would not be of help to you. We were issued "pickle suits" at reception station.

[swimr235]

Originally Posted by TrapperFrank

I went through as a Guardsman/REP 63. Of course, that was in 1979-80. My experiences probably would not be of help to you. We were issued "pickle suits" at reception station.

It is....slight dated. But only just... How was it though? as a NGman?

[JJ_BPK]

Nick

There are several 20th SFG here with all fashion of stories of how they earned their tab. Including this FOG from the early 70t's, but that's not going to help you.

As your profile say South Florida, I would suggest you dig around here, find the POC for the 3/20th at Blanding and do some face time with the recruiting staff.

The clock is running, don't waste time, Good Luck.

[swimr235]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Nick

There are several 20th SFG here with all fashion of stories of how they earned their tab. Including this FOG from the early 70t's, but that's not going to help you.

As your profile say South Florida, I would suggest you dig around here, find the POC for the 3/20th at Blanding and do some face time with the recruiting staff.

The clock is running, don't waste time, Good Luck.

I have some numbers that I can call. Ill start there. Nice quote...gaelic right? I've read it before somewhere else...I think in a pub down here or Key West.

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by swimr235

I've read it before somewhere else...I think in a pub down here or Key West.

Maybe KW, I have been a frequent visitor for 47 yrs, and lived there for 17 yrs.. There are several drinking establishments, including Irish Kevin's, that I actively supported,, frequently..

[swimr235]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Maybe KW, I have been a frequent visitor for 47 yrs, and lived there for 17 yrs.. There are several drinking establishments, including Irish Kevin's, that I actively supported,, frequently..

Its a short drive for me, 2+ hours, just had a 3 week AT down there and had my wife and 6 month old come down for valentines. Had a good time. There is one pub that has probably the best wings I've ever eaten, Finnegans Wake, I believe. Some good dark irish beers on tap as well.

[69stang]

Originally Posted by swimr235

There are certain issues that are exclusive to reserves/national guard special operations selection courses. Work issues, family issues, financial hang ups and what not. Active duty guys are not without their own obstacles but those of us that are choosing this route, I believe in my opinion, have a certain set of issues that are exclusive to us...lets say...part timers. My question is, are there any members or admins of this forum that are or know of anyone, prior service or otherwise, that has gone through the National Guard SF pipeline, start to finish? I'd like to get their view on how things went, ins and outs, how these extrinsic situations factored into the experience and how it was handled. To clarify, I am not trying to get a "tips & strategies" outline, I'm asking due to the nature of my own current track and to compare and contrast. Thanks.

- nick

The biggest issue with being in the guard and being in the school house from what I've found is the coordination between your home unit and the school. Being in the Guard, every fiscal year you'll have to get new orders cut. This means you'll have to get your wife a new ID and make sure everything is still working within Tricare/DEERS every time you get your new orders. This may not sound like a big issue but without fail, your orders will stop while you're supposed to be in the field or gone for one reason or another and you'll have to get a hold of order extensions and all that before hand. The people in the Guard Liaison office are very helpful and should get things taken care of in a timely manner. My orders were going to cut out while I'll be at Robin Sage here in a couple weeks but they got them extended and even got my wife's contact info in the event that the orders didn't make it down before I headed out. Another downside is that your state has to update your ERB. What this has meant for me is that I've had an incorrect one for the last nearly two years. It'll get updated once you reach your unit. As for being treated as a 'part timer', I haven't come across any of that other than friendly ribbing every once in a while. You're treated according to your rank and how you present yourself.

[pjbluetogreen]

Originally Posted by 69stang

The biggest issue with being in the guard and being in the school house from what I've found is the coordination between your home unit and the school. Being in the Guard, every fiscal year you'll have to get new orders cut. This means you'll have to get your wife a new ID and make sure everything is still working within Tricare/DEERS every time you get your new orders. This may not sound like a big issue but without fail, your orders will stop while you're supposed to be in the field or gone for one reason or another and you'll have to get a hold of order extensions and all that before hand. The people in the Guard Liaison office are very helpful and should get things taken care of in a timely manner. My orders were going to cut out while I'll be at Robin Sage here in a couple weeks but they got them extended and even got my wife's contact info in the event that the orders didn't make it down before I headed out. Another downside is that your state has to update your ERB. What this has meant for me is that I've had an incorrect one for the last nearly two years. It'll get updated once you reach your unit. As for being treated as a 'part timer', I haven't come across any of that other than friendly ribbing every once in a while. You're treated according to your rank and how you present yourself.

AGREED. in the year+ i have been here at the Q these have been some of the more common issues. Also for my fellow PS NG guys getting promoted must be handled by your home unit as well. I have also had a couple of unique issues but i do know of a couple of guys with similar ones to mine: ie. my State has some how received word on 2 occasions that i have been dropped IVW from the course while still in the course. This week I received an email telling me that i have an ATARs date to start the 18C course in july (lol) being that I am currently in the "18D Legacy" pipeline in SOCM and SFMS.
a couple big take homes are 1.make sure you keep in contact with your home unit and the NG Lesion during your time in the Q and your going to be fine. Second and maybe more importantly make sure your home like is squared away before you try get down here. Way to many dude leave with their S* in a mess and expect to not have problems here. Simple sign of a dude a dont want on team with me.