Posted on Jun 27, 2014
SGT John Nast
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I am prior service active and recently contacted a national guard recruiter about joining a unit somewhere in the Northern California area where I currently live. I have been out for 4 years, and to add to my confusion the guard's unit structuring is very unfamiliar to me. I am a 13f (e-4) and the recruiter I'm speaking with mentioned I would not need to re-attend basic or AIT (not even a short "good-boy" school) and I would not loose rank.

That sounds great. If this is or isn't the case I would love to hear more confirmation from others who know or are familiar with the process.

Also, the fact that your unit is ultimately determined by who has an available slot for your MOS makes for more than a few choices in my area.. I think.
I do not mind driving two or even tree hours for drill if it is with a proactive unit that is squared away and makes the most of their allotted time every month.
Specifically in my area is the 79th IBCT, and as a 13F I don't know if I'd go down to their artillery battalion or go to a line battalion's HHC platoon. (During my time active I served on my brigade's COLT team and never got to experience the life of a line FiSTer). If anyone knows where 79th IBCT keeps their 13F's please share the info. I have a friend in B co. 1-184th IN batt, which falls user that brigade, and I would love to train with him, but I understand this may not be possible (he is 11b and I am 13f). Their HHC is in Modesto CA, and if it's anything like conventional structure, would be the most likely place in the battalion that I would find a FiST team.. Any info pertaining to that, the 1-184th, or the 79th in general would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
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Responses: 4
SSG Human Resources Specialist
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I'm interested to hear how after a 4 year break in service, your recruiter told you that you will keep you rank?

Only reason I ask is this: AR 601-210 Ch 3 Para 3-17 b(2)

b. A former member of AC/RC Service and current member of the RC.

(2) If applicant was last separated from any component or is a current member of an RC in grade E–4 with not more than 7 years AFS and enlists within 48 months from the date of separation, the enlistment grade will be the same grade held at time of separation. If enlisting more than 48 months from completion of MSO, reduce one grade.

I posted the link to the Cal Guard, not sure if you have it.

http://www.calguard.ca.gov/members-veterans/organization
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SGT John Nast
SGT John Nast
10 y
That's very interesting to me thank you Staff Sergeant. After explaining my background and interests to the recruiter the first two things I asked him were if I would be required to attend basic, AIT, or any sort of refresher course, and if I would loose rank. With the time I've spent out I expected to drop, but he said no to both of my questions. I will definitely clarify this with him as I have yet to meet him in person (we have communicated via phone because I love about 2 1/2 hours away, and he said he would like to make our meeting "ones shot, one kill" with the paperwork). I will be sure to come back with an update once the details are straightened out and things are finalized.
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SGT John Nast
SGT John Nast
10 y
And thank you for the link as well
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SSG Human Resources Specialist
SSG (Join to see)
10 y
What you should look at is when the date of your MSO (mandatory service obligation) expired. Upon initial enlistment, your MSO is 8 years but your contract determines how long you serve, for example 4 yrs active and 4 yrs IRR/AR/NG. Sometimes you may hear this referred to in different ways 4x4, 3x5. 6x2 enlistment options, sound familiar??

As for promotions AR 600-8-19 Ch 7 cover the regulatory guidance for NG promotions but each State G-1 has it's own guidelines as well. You've been out for awhile so the promotion systems for the AC, AR and NG have change a lot. There are new requirements to be met before attaining the next level of rank. You new unit should be able to bring you up to speed on it but yes, do ask your recruiter questions.

I in no way want to speculate any wrong doing but I want you to be informed in this important decision. I value highly that you wish to continue you service and there are many opportunities in the Guard. I hope you find what you want in your endeavors.

Since you have shown interest in the Guard, let me provide you
some links as resource:

https://www.facebook.com/CAARMYGUARD/info

https://g1arng.army.pentagon.mil/Pages/Default.aspx

http://www.apd.army.mil/ (AR, DA PAM etc)

http://www.gxonline.com/ (if you want a subscription at no cost)

Best Regards
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Edited 10 y ago
The structure of the units and their highers is the same as on AD depending on if its a BCT type of unit or a higher echelon.

There are some quirks in the command structure based on state alignment for command and control, like we were an MP Bde with a medium truck company and a signal company under us for state CoC reasons. The individual units have a force structure higher HQ but unless they are deployed together, the relationship is more advisory than administrative, especially if the units are in different states.

Whether you and your friend are actually able to train together would depend on the training schedules of both units. Used to be in the good old days, you would train with units within the state as long as you planned your schedules to coincide. Since 9/11 most training is based on your force structure and war time alignment. If your unit and your friend's unit fell under different BCTs, your units would most likely train separately under their respective force structures.

Hope that helps SPC Nast. Best of luck to you and thanks for your continued service, Go Guard!!
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SGT John Nast
SGT John Nast
10 y
Yes sir that clears things up a bit thank you for the in depth response. I'm looking forward to giving it a shot, and this time I wanted to be informed before I sign the contract.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
10 y
Any time SGT John Nast.

Also:
1)Make sure you read the fine print. How many years you're enlisting for, make sure you are not tied to a specific unit, your benefits, etc.
2)Make sure there is enough upward mobility I'm sure you'll be looking for E-5 soon if not already, make sure there is an MOS slot for you. From my experience, E-5 to E-6 gets bottlenecked if there are not enough section & squad leader (may be different for your MOS) positions available.
3) The Guard also tends to play the MTOE game by placing people in rank specific but not necessarily MOS specific slots to manipulate promotions. When you're time comes make sure you are correctly slotted. Just before I retired, my slot became an O-5 slot so even though I was the only qualified Signal officer, I was MTOE slotted in the S-3 so someone could make LTC.
4) Promotions get tight, look for a secondary MOS something in your unit or in a nearby unit because you can get promoted in your secondary MOS as well - My SNCO of 10 years taught me that.
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SGT John Nast
SGT John Nast
10 y
Outstanding. Thanks again sir, especially regarding the advice on promotions and secondary MOS. I will be delivering my entry paperwork to my recruiter soon and I'll get the chance to discuss all of this face to face. I've got a list of topics on paper so all bases will be covered and nothing left out.. I hope
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CW3 Kevin Storm
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Only if you are going to unit that has a slot for a 13F. What part of Northern California? If I am not mistaken the FA units are from the Stockton to Bay Area and South, you may have a drive ahead of you. I know the Engineers have Eureka and Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and a few other places in Nor Cal. Sacramento has a mix of stuff.

I read once a lot of the FA units go down to NTC and Camp Roberts depending if they are M109's or towed 105's. So get used to long convoy's.
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