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

JJ_BPK · 11-20-2008, 18:12

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?

exsquid · 11-20-2008, 19:17

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

CSB · 11-20-2008, 19:49

Ocala has pro-military civilian population, and if you are a freefaller, Deland is 20 minutes from Daytona Beach.

booker · 04-17-2009, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

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...

stickey · 05-08-2009, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by booker

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!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by booker

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.

stickey · 05-08-2009, 18:54

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.

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!

hetzer · 04-16-2009, 07:16

When you re-locate to Daytona hit me up on PM.