Different units dealt with NQPs in different ways.
When 1.20 mobilised, the NQPs in the battalion mobilised on OEF orders and went to Bragg and into the pipeline. TThe BC had a policy (which may have been the Group COs) that no NQP would go forward. (Of course there are some non-tabbed people in a battalion: riggers, MI guys, etc., but they are qualified for their jobs, yes?)
In that battalion, one company kept a rear detachment running, feeding the pipeline. Two did not. Guess who's in better shape numbers-wise?
But overall, sending the NQP to training on orders made the most sense, and it worked well. A couple guys finished right at the end of the deployment., Our BC cut a deal so that they could deploy with the relieving battalion. (Naturally, one of them gets shot up, but he's OK now).
The problem that arose was with the guys who were out of training either owing to injuries or quitting... Bragg is a busy place and they were not wanted around there, and we had to make busywork for them at the units, because they were stuck on active duty till the unit demobs.
You are much better off doing SFQC first and then deploying, IMHO.
-nose
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