NG Training Opportunities

[LeCarre]

At 33, I've decided to join the Army NG and go through OCS as a means of following-through on the only regret that I've had in life--not contracting via ROTC when I was in college. My reason for doing so is not necessarily for the educational reimbursement or pay, but rather, to serve my country and give something back to the system that's been so good to me and to become a part of the community that's been of interest to me for a number of years.

My question is this--How realistic is it to think that I could get into some of the high-speed training, like Ranger school, Airborne, Air Assault, etc., as a NG officer?

My plan is to go attend BCT, accelerated OCS (get branched Infantry), attend IOBC, and basically do everything that I can to prepare myself for a NG SF unit (the 20th SFG) and to make up for lost time. From what I understand, I can "try-out" for the 20th when I'm O2 promotable. From there it's SFAS, Airborne, Q Course, Language training, etc.

I'm fortunate to be self-employed, so I have lots of autonomy. I'll just have to keep my wife as motivated as I am! If administered today, I could easily max the APFT for age 17-21.

Anyone out there with such a background? Any insights welcomed!

[HAVEGUNWILLTRVL]

LeCarre,

If you are in a line unit in the NG forget any kind of "High Speed" training. You may get Airborne or Air Assault if you are lucky. It all depends on $$$$ and if they will send you. If you get into a NG LRSU (Long Range Surveillance) if your state has it, then you may get Ranger, Mountain Warfare school, and the above. Again it all depends on how well the Gov takes care of the NG money wise. What State are you from anyway? I used to train with the 20th SFG in Maryland. The 20th does some good poop. Another suggestion is to join a NG unit thats desperate for #'s so they can carry you on there rolls and train with the 20th. I have seen this done. You would have to do some serious wheelin and dealin though for that to happen. Take care and let me know.

"SUA SPONTE"

Ski:rambo:

[LeCarre]

Gun,

Thanks for the reply. I'm in Chicago and the 20th SFG operates out of an armory approximately 30 minutes from my home.

I guess the way it operates is that I attend BCT and OCS as part of a unit, but I don't actually train with them--I attend OCS in place of drill. Upon being commmissioned, I'm then assigned to what I hope will be an infantry unit. That's one advantage of going OCS via the NG route--you stand a greater chance of getting your desired branch since the unit you're with technically sends you. Although I've been told that they're screaming for INF officers, I've also heard stories of friends who didn't want INF getting it, and others who were begging for it and getting Signal Corps.

I have looked into joining the 20th SFG as support personnel until I'm eligible to try out, but was told that those positions were filled. So, in the meantime, I'm trying to network as much as possible to find out just how true that is.

Which leads me to another question: Is there any harm in setting-up an "informational interview" with someone in command of the unit as a means of soft-selling myself to them? I've done this in conventional circles and it's worked well, but I'm not sure how it would fly in the military world.

[HAVEGUNWILLTRVL]

LeCarre,

By all means to your question!! There is no harm in setting up an appointment with the Commander of the unit. The route your taking is a good one. NG OCS is a very easy commisioning process. I work with an Active Duty Captain who got his commission in the NG and was branched MP. He got in with the 19th SFG in Utah. Later on he went Active with the 3rd SFG and Commanded a team in Haiti. 20th is a great group with lots of experience and training opportunities. Take care.


Ski:rambo:

[LeCarre]

Gun:

Very encouraging to hear that those who receive commissions via NG can make the SF cut and even go active without too much of a hitch. Now, if I can just find a way to weasel in with them without waiting three years until I'm O2 promotable...

[HAVEGUNWILLTRVL]

LeCarre,

Roger that!!! Gotta network,network, and network. Hope it all works out for you. Take care and let me know what happens.


Ski

[tcsd1236]

Being in 11 series will ensure that he does get a bit more "high speed" training than a non-combat MOS. As was said, it'll be up to how the state pays for stuff as to what schools you can get. Slots in schools are used as trading chips , and the slots that are available to your unit this year may not be available next year.

There are additional benefits to being in the Guard, regardless of what military schools you actually get. Even the basic military skills can translate over to other jobs in many ways. The 20 year retirement can't be beat, although if you only have Guard time, it wont be as significant as if you had any amount of Active service.

There are also fringe benefits that don't get discussed a lot; loan repayments, lodging at military posts while travelling ( I put myself up at military posts while going to out-of-town LE schools atconsiderable savings, which is important if U'm putting myself through the school on my own dime), and the like.


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