Can anyone offer insight into what I can expect transitioning from National Guard NCO to Active Duty 18X?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:24:11 -0400

I am a Combat Engineer, and have been in a line unit for the entirety of my career. Have graduated both WLC and ALC, and have served as a Squad Leader for the last 20 months. I am looking for a little insight from anyone that has gone back through OSUT as a prior service Army NCO or from any former Drill Sergeants as to what I should expect. Thank you in advance.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 21 at 2017 12:08 AM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 00:08:46 -0400

Good luck! SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member. There are several SF NCOs on here, that can answer questions. Let me scroll thru the comments and let me see if I can find one. This might help you with connections.
https://www.rallypoint.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keyword=special+forces&search_type=all

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Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2017 2:40 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 14:40:09 -0400

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 21 at 2017 6:50 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 18:50:02 -0400

Infantry AIT is only done as OSUT. You may get inserted into an OSUT unit that is beginning the AIT phase. Or, if you start with a unit in BCT, you most likely be in separate quarters and will be given NCO tasks and details for the company or battalion during BCT. Some things will be mandatory with the unit, such as daily PT, APFT's, weapons qualification, grenades, etc. You will probably help out the DS's a lot. Count on a lot of CQ and SD.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 23 at 2017 11:22 AM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 11:22:29 -0400

You are undergoing two big changes, National Guard to active duty and conventional Army to SF. Both changes will present themselves with many new elements. There are many things to consider, but I would highlight a few:

- As an active duty NCO, you can expect to relocate every few years. This sounds obvious, but it has a significant impact on one's family and is something people in the National Guard generally have not experienced.
- The National Guard has a fairly large variability within its ranks; some units are really switched on and some are a bit of a mess. Active duty also has variability, but I would say expectations are a bit more standardized.
- The biggest change will likely just be going into the SF pipeline, which is a big change even if you are coming from an existing active duty role. "SF is still the Army", as I'm sure you will hear many times, but it does do things different and attracts different kinds of people.
- I don't think it will matter to anyone (or nearly anyone) that you were National Guard (as opposed to active duty) before the 18X program. So I suggest avoiding saying things like "well, I wasn't on active duty, but in the National Guard I did this or that." People just see US Army on your uniform, and that's the way people will see you, so just embrace the new opportunity and always look forward. And good luck!

Response by SGT Juan Bueno made Jun 2 at 2017 4:56 PM

SGT Juan Bueno — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:56:03 -0400

A big change lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 5:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 05:15:10 -0400

Sergeant Vincent, I wish you the best of luck on the rigorous journey you are about to endure. I also am going from the Reserve to AD 18X following my PCS from Italy next October, so I will spend it wisely. I know I didn't answer any questions, but I think its pretty awesome knowing there are NCOs out there achieving what I strive to do.