A question for reservists past and present... what is the farthest you have ever lived from your reserve unit?

Cpl Craig Franklin — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 11:17:43 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:02:40 -0500

for about a year I was 500 miles from my reserve unit, 7 hour drive. I lived north of Sacramento and my USAF reserve unit was in Riverside. There are a couple of guys in my current unit in Birmingham AL that drive up from Panama City every month.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:26:05 -0500

350 miles which was about 7 hours for FOUR YEARS.

Never doing that nonsense again. Yea, I did it to get a commission, but it's not worth it for just a generic position. It's hit or miss when you can get paid for travel. It depends on funding, rank/position and DTMS approving authority.

That said, I suppose I would drive cross country to drill with a TDA unit verses 10 minutes to drill with an RFX/MTOE unit.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 5 at 2020 1:34 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:34:37 -0500

Nearly 7 miles once.

Response by SFC Aaron G. made Nov 5 at 2020 1:39 PM

SFC Aaron G. — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:39:15 -0500

547 miles (9 hours)

Response by Cpl Craig Franklin made Nov 5 at 2020 1:44 PM

Cpl Craig Franklin — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:44:07 -0500

I was driving about 525 miles for nearly two years until something finally opened up locally, then it was about a 30 minute drive for my last year or so of AR.

Response by CPO Frank Thompson made Nov 5 at 2020 1:45 PM

CPO Frank Thompson — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:45:50 -0500

3000 miles Vermont to Ventura CA

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:47:30 -0500

I live in Germany and drill in Illinois, so around 5000 miles.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:51:43 -0500

My wife used to drill in europe and travel from florida using the space available flights out of baltimore.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:57:43 -0500

Few states over - assigned in Missouri living in Kentucky

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:58:31 -0500

For me about 70 miles, but a friend of mine drove from Kentucky to Iowa for a first sergeants slot. My former commander was from Charleston W.V. and they sent him to Hawaii for his next command. I assume they paid his air fare for that one???

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 2:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:59:09 -0500

45 minutes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 3:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:32:07 -0500

We have a few cross levels for our up coming deployment and they come to Ohio from all over including Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri , Michigan, a couple from North Carolina and Maryland. Myself I drive 45 minutes to an hour to the unit.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Nov 5 at 2020 4:23 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 16:23:40 -0500

I got lucky. My furthest reserve unit was little over 50 miles away but could take forever with Chicago traffic. It was just far enough though that when I mobilized with them for a year, I was able to PCS to an apartment right outside the main gate to the reserve center. My Battalion command was even closer.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 5 at 2020 6:14 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 18:14:04 -0500

I did my reserve work while living west of Seattle. My billets ranged from San Francisco, San Diego, Hawaii, and Guam. Back in the day, there was full ride travel orders so it was collecting air miles and gold ingots from Alaska Air amongst others. For a number of years, it boiled down to which of three passports were used. My units could best be described as body shops which took care of the administrivia, but were not a location for actual work which required hands on wherever.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 7:10 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:10:30 -0500

My unit CO lives in Washington, and we're in Minnesota. I know guys who drive five hours for their units.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Nov 5 at 2020 9:19 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 21:19:21 -0500

About fifty miles from home in Claremore, Oklahoma to Bartlesville. Easy drive with very little traffic.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 10:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:32:32 -0500

I live in Idaho, and my last unit was in MN

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 5 at 2020 11:59 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 23:59:20 -0500

For some time, my unit was in Bham and I was living in Northern CA. Made for long drill weekends...

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 6 at 2020 12:06 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:06:00 -0500

Well, Cpl Craig Franklin, I lived in Brentwood, TN and the HQ of my last duty assignment was in Arlington, VA (about 700 miles). Fortunately, whenever I went there, I flew on the Army’s dime. When our team drilled separately I had to drive to Atlanta (about 260 miles). Those trips were on me. However, I think that CPT Private RallyPoint Member is the clear winner here though!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2020 5:40 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:40:08 -0500

1,082 miles from Ohio to North Dakota. Not many of my AOC in the reserves. I RST with a unit in Ohio though most months and ECT with my unit and attend MUTA6 BAs at least quarterly. I could have switched to a closer unit in Virginia a couple of times, but I really like my commander and my assigned unit so I’ll stick with them. Yeah it’s not fun burning 2 days of vacation time or taking leave without pay for 3 days of drill pay every few months, but it’s part of the job.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2020 7:37 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 07:37:33 -0500

1200+ miles from what I could say.

Response by MAJ Donald Kaufman made Nov 6 at 2020 10:36 AM

MAJ Donald Kaufman — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:36:30 -0500

I oven in Washington and drilled in South Carolina, about 2500 miles.

Response by MAJ Donald Kaufman made Nov 6 at 2020 10:40 AM

MAJ Donald Kaufman — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:40:01 -0500

Lived...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2020 12:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 12:17:14 -0500

In 2016, I lived in the middle of Iowa and drilled in the Chicago Suburbs. It was ~5 1/2-hr. drive.

Response by CPT Robin Biron made Nov 6 at 2020 12:29 PM

CPT Robin Biron — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 12:29:35 -0500

I live in Sierra Vista, Arizona, next to Fort Huachuca, and my reserve unit was in North Carolina.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Nov 6 at 2020 2:55 PM

CPT Brad Wilson — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:55:51 -0500

My farthest distance was about 100 miles

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2020 11:29 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 23:29:48 -0500

I worked with an O3 who lived in Boston and drilled in Los Angeles - and several in Cleveland, OH that drilled in Miami, New Orleans, and Seattle.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2020 8:11 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 08:11:04 -0500

105 miles

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 2:34 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 02:34:12 -0500

I lived two hours away, but we had a warrant officer that flew from New York to Texas ever month

Response by CMSgt Richard Dunne made Nov 10 at 2020 4:18 PM

CMSgt Richard Dunne — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 16:18:06 -0500

375 Miles Chicago area to Minneapolis/St Paul ARS
850 miles Chicago area to Robins AFB.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2020 10:17 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 22:17:37 -0500

Live in Gulfport, MS but commute once a month to Pittsburgh, PA for drill. I'm okay with it though since my AFSC is on the critical skills list and i get reimbursed travel costs...

Response by TSgt Ellen Porter made Nov 18 at 2020 10:12 PM

TSgt Ellen Porter — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 22:12:05 -0500

Six hours

Response by MSgt Christopher Southerlin made Nov 18 at 2020 10:42 PM

MSgt Christopher Southerlin — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 22:42:39 -0500

I reside in Iowa. As a Reserve IMA, I drilled in Hawaii. Instead on one weekend a month + two weeks AT, I'd do everything at once (5 weeks). With military leave plus annual leave this was easy.

Response by LCDR Joseph Bilodeau made Nov 19 at 2020 11:14 AM

LCDR Joseph Bilodeau — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:14:54 -0500

I was a reservist for 23 years. Only 3 of those years were in my home town. I've been assigned to San Diego, CA; China Lake, CA; Whidbey Island, WA; Chicago, IL; Millington, TN; Andrews AFB, MD; Patuxent River, MD; and my home town of St. Louis, MO. I traveled to my reserve site 20 of the 23 years for the Navy, 17 of those years on my own dime. On my last tour to San Diego, the Navy, finally, paid for my travel.

Response by MSgt Bruce Hutchinson made Dec 18 at 2020 3:27 AM

MSgt Bruce Hutchinson — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 03:27:04 -0500

If you discount the times I was deployed in the sand box, I lived 150 miles from my base

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 1:23 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 13:23:48 -0500

Arkansas to San Diego

Response by PO2 Jeff King made Dec 28 at 2020 9:29 PM

PO2 Jeff King — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:29:44 -0500

I was stationed with Attack Squadron 305 (VA-305) at NAS Point Mugu as an active duty reservist (TAR) from May 72-May 75. I lived in Los Angeles when I drilled with them. About 70 miles.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 11:02 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 11:02:21 -0500

I live in Fort Wayne and drill in Grand Rapids, MI. It's 185 miles one way and takes three hours. I drive farther than anyone else in my unit. I hate that drive, but I get to deduct the mileage for taxes and often we get put on orders, so I get paid mileage also; sometimes being on orders, I get paid as much in mileage as the actual pay. Usually I stay Friday night with my parents in Grand Rapids then get to Saturday morning formation from there. I like my unit so I can put up with it. The funny thing is that there is a National Guard armory AND a reserve armory AND an Air Guard unit here in Fort Wayne - BUT I am not MOS qualified for any other unit here. I am not infantry, MP, truck driver or cook ... just a musician (42R).

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 1:00 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 13:00:50 -0500

Good question!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 11:07 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 23:07:53 -0500

305 miles. Denver Colorado 155mm unit to Chadron Nebraska

Response by PO3 Kevin Hokerk-Robinson made Jan 8 at 2021 11:19 PM

PO3 Kevin Hokerk-Robinson — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 23:19:17 -0500

120 miles

Response by Col Tri Trinh made Jan 9 at 2021 12:16 AM

Col Tri Trinh — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 00:16:43 -0500

Maryland to California.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2021 12:29 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:29:20 -0500

I live in Ohio and I'm stationed down at Luke.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2021 12:30 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 12:30:40 -0500

1500 miles: VA to Louisiana

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2021 8:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 20:52:57 -0400

Drill at Dobbins ARB, Georgia, live and work in Okinawa, Japan

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2021 8:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 20:55:57 -0400

I'm glad I could drill remotely before COVID. I'm too high maintenance to travel for drill now.

Response by Cpl Raul Sanchez made Jun 23 at 2021 11:37 PM

Cpl Raul Sanchez — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 23:37:05 -0400

110 miles