Posted on Jul 14, 2020
As a Reservist, would you fly to drill each month to be promoted to SSG?
23.7K
52
32
15
15
0
My packet was recently selected for promotion to SSG but there are no slots available in Ohio for 68X-Behavioral Health. The only slots available are out of state and I would have to contact the unit and see if they will take me. I would have to fly to all the available states so I’m thinking of choosing Savannah, GA since it’s the nicest location option. Would you or have you traveled out of state for drill every month to get promoted? What was your experience like?
Posted in these groups: 
Army Reserve Elements
Promotions
Travel
SSG
68X: Behavioral Health Specialist
Army Reserve Elements Promotions Travel SSG 68X: Behavioral Health Specialist
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
This is a decision that calls for a personal cost/benefit analysis. Only you can do this for yourself.
(7)
(0)
I did for getting my SFC. If people really want that promotion they've worked so hard for, then they will break from their "comfort zone" and travel. For perspective, I live in Pocatello, ID and my unit is in Minneapolis, MN. Also, you will have to ensure that your mileage sheet is updated to state how many miles you will be willing to travel for promotion.
(4)
(0)
SSG Carlos Madden
MSG (Join to see) - Yikes. Thats steep. Just because I'm curious, common are 68S slots in the USAR?
(1)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
SSG Carlos Madden - They are less common than they are on Active Duty. If a 68S is assigned to a Reserve Medical Detachment (there are 10 slots for 68S per PM Med Det), with luck it is in or near their home town. If not, then they have to travel. Then, depending on the available slots, each PM Soldier faces the possibility of having to promote out to another unit. Which could lead to travelling even further. Just the PM Med Det units I can think of off the top of my head are:
x1 in SLC, UT
x2 at JBLM
x1 Garden Grove, CA
x2 in Missouri
x1 FT Snelling, MN (my unit)
x4 in Texas
x1 in Florida (that I know of)
Then, once someone is ready to make SFC, unless they are sliding into an open SFC slot in the PM unit they are already in, they will HAVE to travel to another unit for promotion. There are other slots for PM, but those are either in CSHs (SPC slots) or BN/BDE/DIV staff slots. OC/T slots. They get more rare the higher one goes.
x1 in SLC, UT
x2 at JBLM
x1 Garden Grove, CA
x2 in Missouri
x1 FT Snelling, MN (my unit)
x4 in Texas
x1 in Florida (that I know of)
Then, once someone is ready to make SFC, unless they are sliding into an open SFC slot in the PM unit they are already in, they will HAVE to travel to another unit for promotion. There are other slots for PM, but those are either in CSHs (SPC slots) or BN/BDE/DIV staff slots. OC/T slots. They get more rare the higher one goes.
(0)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
SFC Michael Hasbun - I'm not holding my breath. Honestly, the way things have been going, I've already informed my Commander of my intent to speak to and possibly transfer to an OC/T unit once my one year mark as Detachment Sergeant as a SFC is complete.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I fly from Europe back to the US for drill (NG), but I've worked a deal with my command to only show up quarterly and make up all my SUTAs around a drill weekend. It's not bad. You might ask around and see if there is a similar deal to be worked with a USAR unit that has slots.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I would and have. I once flew from Anchorage, AK to ID to be in a specific Drill Sergeant Unit in the Reserves. Now I live in ID, and Drill in Salt Lake City UT, I did this to take promotion from 1SG to CSM. The fact that at the moment the Reserves reimburses up to $500 for travel, and hotel is taken care of through Loging in Kind (LIK) is huge, I’m not paying to go to drill anymore.
(3)
(0)
Suspended Profile
CSM Eric Biggs I did the same to be a DS in Vancouver, WA. Flew monthly from CA. It was awesome! Obviously, paved the way to lead me where I am now and where I am going.
CSM Eric Biggs
SFC Christopher Adame, I can say without a doubt being a DS paved the way for my career progression and fast promotions.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
my unit is in Birmingham AL and we have guys that commute from Panama City FL every month but they took a promotion to MSG for it.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
I never have, yet. I would say that as long as the position, location, and unit was right for me then I would. In my current unit we have soldiers from all over CA that drives for drill and a few that fly from neighboring states. So far the budget to fly soldiers to drill is still in existence, hopefully it stays.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I am also Ohio based and yes many times to get promoted you have to travel to the new command. You can also look at the Ohio Guard side but I doubt there will be any promotional opportunities like you will have in the Reserves. If you are going to travel and stay in, you want to see if you can setup your next position back in or near Ohio, so you are not spending more to travel to your reserve unit than you make in a weekend. I stayed in 31 years and in a few years the retirement pay will make up for all the times I ate the cost of travel and non-paid days and weekends.
(2)
(0)
Also, with you travelling from out of state, as long as there are funds available in the IDT pot of money, then you can get reimbursed up to $500.00 for flights. And Lodging In Kind funds will pay for your hotel room.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I have know O grade officers who have done it to take a command. You will have to make the hard decision is it worth it in the long term. Travel cost and other associated costs.
(2)
(0)
CW4 Craig Urban
I was offered to Command a hawk battery as a CW3 (DSB). 2/57 Ada in Ansbach Germany. The hawk maintenance tech was a CW2. Lenny Ritter. I sade Lenny I now I am senior but you take it. On Friday at 1200, I said see you, Monday Lenny. He said we are working this weekend, I said you are I have 3 you have two. If you do not like it I will call COL Infante the group commander. Do you want to get fired, Lenny? No Craig, see you monday.
(0)
(0)
SGT(P) (Join to see) Great question. For me I changed MOS's to get promoted and stay in the same unit, because having been AD I did not want to travel anymore. This was my own personal opinion though. Having been over Seas 27 times with WHCA, let alone PCS moves yeah I was don't traveling. Not saying I don't go TDY for missions, I just did not want to travel far for drill. Now, that I got promoted, I am trying to transfer to be in the same unit that I am a CIV for. It's all about how you play the game, what what your priorities are. Best of luck in what ever path you choose.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google