Is it realistic to join a neighboring state’s National Guard that requires long travel to drill?

2019-11-25T17:34:58-05:00

I’m considering my options between the Army Reserves and National Guard. The Reserves have minimal presence in my area but the National Guard unit is pretty large and only 20 minutes from my house.

However...a neighboring state’s National Guard has a Special Forces Group (19thSFG) that is only 4-5 hours drive away. It has support positions that are all Airborne. I’ve always wanted to be a paratrooper so that’s of great interest to me. I’ve heard that many people commute from out of state to drill with the unit, but I wanted to see how realistic that would be.

Anyone in the 19th SFG? Is it worth commuting to?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2019 5:39 PM

2019-11-25T17:39:20-05:00

A lot of people commute to drills in neighboring states.
It's not unrealistic, but you need to be understanding that this will require you to commute at least monthly, and you would need to stay in barracks at your unit on drill weekends and weeks.

I know with 19th group a lot of people do commute, but a lot of people also move to be closer.
At some point you'll have to decide if this military goal or your civilian employment goals are going to take precedence... or at least look at ways to reconcile the two.
I'm in the Utah National Guard and enjoy it. Lots of cool people here and in the 19th.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Nov 25 at 2019 7:28 PM

2019-11-25T19:28:27-05:00

When I was in the 36th Abn Bde, TXARNG, I drove 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours to drill. Some came from further away (one would fly in from Las Vegas). It will be up to you as to whether it is worth it or not. It was for me.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2019 7:33 PM

2019-11-25T19:33:34-05:00

NG SF has units in 17 states, and members living in all 50.
The commitment to commute, AND to put in more time (more than just the min 24 drill days and 15 days AT every year) depends on your long term plans for your civilian career and your family.
Is it worth setting back your civilian career advancement and seeing your family less?
Everyone has to answer that question for themselves.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2019 8:35 PM

2019-11-25T20:35:11-05:00

I drove 4.5 hours to drill with a Long Range Surveillance company for 4 years. Though it didn't always feel like it when I was driving at 0300 on Saturday morning, it was well worth the travel time for the opportunities and training I received there. You should check with the SF company and see if they offer quarterly drills (MUTA 12+ every 3 months); I know a few companies that do in order to help accommodate those that travel longer distances.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 25 at 2019 9:06 PM

2019-11-25T21:06:39-05:00

Very realistic, but......

1. Is the unit willing to accept you? The final the time so long is a minimum investment from them. Are you already MOSQ?
2. Is the commute bearable for the long haul? Keep in mind you’ll have to cover the expenses since you are requesting the unit rather than been assigned.

Best of luck on your endeavors!!!!!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 25 at 2019 9:39 PM

2019-11-25T21:39:55-05:00

You know you 1st have to be sent/accepted to SFQA, then pass the schools to stay there right.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 25 at 2019 10:03 PM

2019-11-25T22:03:31-05:00

Not unless you are already SF qualified. Please do not rush. GO - enlist - go active - go to jump school - see how it is before making an attempt to enter into something about which you have Zero knowledge!

W/o ever wearing a Soldier suit and already you want to be SF?

Aspire, learn, train and see what it is all about.

Those Long drives are problematic for experienced Soldiers. When unusual, unexpected, unit needs occur, a long drive can become daunting.

Try the local Guard unit and it’s local interpretations/manifestations of Army life. See if you can survive there. Maybe - you will appreciate it!

Response by PV2 Bob Ondown made Nov 25 at 2019 10:35 PM

2019-11-25T22:35:56-05:00

Get with the 19th SFG recruiter at that location and see what MOS positions are available.
You might have to interview for them.
Driving 4 hours to drill can and will be a pain in the butt.
Don't go just to get your wings and then turn around and leave for a closer unit, that would be a B.F. move.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 10:22 AM

2019-11-26T10:22:27-05:00

we have several guys in my Reserve unit that commute anywhere from 4-10 hours to drill. We are in Birmingham Alabama and there is one guy who drives up from Palm Beach (11 hours) every month.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 12:35 PM

2019-11-26T12:35:18-05:00

Mr. Maddox,

Many soldiers drill in States outside of where their Homes of Record are located. You should ask the unit you want to be recruited into if they are willing to pay for travel expenses, what kinds of expenses they will cover, and how much they will pay. Make sure you are further away than the distance required to qualify for reimbursement. If the person you are talking to you says "I think so" or "Sometimes" or "Maybe" you really need to speak to someone, such as the unit's First Sergeant or Commander, who can authoritatively answer.

Units in the Federal Reserves are much more likely to pay for travelling long distances. The various National Guard units are much less likely. My suggestions is to not put yourself in financial arrears to attend drills so far away that you are losing money attending drill.

As some have also suggested, discuss with the unit if they would let you drill quarterly. Not all regular drills are mandatory so you might be able to work out drilling more consecutive days every other month or every three months.

Be wary of missing too many drills. Most units will alert you if there is an issue but you have to earn so many "points" for any year in the reserves to count towards retiring. You need 20 "Good Years" to retire in the reserves. I believe you need 50 points in a given year for it to count to that end, but generally speaking a soldier will earn at least 78 in any given year simply on "regular drill status".

See: https://themilitarywallet.com/guard-reserve-points/ for more information.

Understanding Guard and Reserve Points & Retirement

Understanding Guard and Reserve Points – How to earn points, how Points affect your Reserve Retirement benefits, and how to estimate your Reserve Pension.

Response by SGT David Petree made Nov 26 at 2019 12:53 PM

2019-11-26T12:53:26-05:00

I have known some in the past that traveled Ga. to Ala. the thing really is can your wallet & your car afford this . do you make enough $$$ for food, lodging, & car repairs every 30 days, or every 90 days. this maybe where you want to be. but open your eyes count your cost to your wallet, LOOK real hard MAKE sure you can do this . if your NG pay, & your civ. pay dose not cover all your expenses in your life, this my NOT be a good step for you. don't get me wrong I love the NG that I retired from.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 12:58 PM

2019-11-26T12:58:46-05:00

Bobby Maddox there are folks at my Air Guard base that drive in from WV & Arkansas. One of our SNCOs in my unit lives in NE and our unit is located in Fenton, MO.

So, no, not unrealistic.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Nov 26 at 2019 2:21 PM

2019-11-26T14:21:20-05:00

I joined the guard after active duty, for 2 years, because they cut my IRR time in half and gave me stabilization so I couldn't deploy again. My unit was 3 hours away from me. I traveled down the night before, stayed in a hotel, and reported the next day. I only did this one weekend a month and then we went on a "two weeks" mission every year. It's not difficult. Guard is easy to do, but again, I was only in 2 years.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Nov 26 at 2019 5:37 PM

2019-11-26T17:37:50-05:00

I was in 12th Special Forces Group USAR, at/about the time that it was deactivated. We had a number of folks join the National Guard (I believe 20th Group from Indiana or Ohio). They made the commute from Chicago and Milwaukee for the drills. Your armature has to be wrapped a bit "overly tight" to make the sacrifices. Special Forces is not terribly understanding of not making training, due to conflicts. For every person in a Team Slot, there are two or three folks waiting to take your place. It can be done. It is an absolute Hoot! You will do things that NO ONE, outside of Special Operations, will ever be able to do. 38 years later, I am a Scout Leader at our Church, teaching Marksmanship, Map Reading, Rappelling, and Leadership to our 9 to 13-year-old boys (if you have to work for God, do something fun). But.... the back of our Challenge Coin had the Ace of Spades, and read, "Willing to Pay the Price". Just be sure that your job, your body, and your marriage can handle the strain.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Nov 27 at 2019 12:09 PM

2019-11-27T12:09:52-05:00

I had made a previous comment, but I want to add that being in a S.F. Unit will require you to work more than 2 days per month. Teams or Companies often coordinate their own training. If you are a junior NCO, you will be expected to give classes, and you have to do the research and lesson outlines and procure training aids PRIOR to showing up for Drill. Also, in our day we kept all of our gear at home (except for weapons and parachutes). If you had a "fly-away" and a parachute operation, you were expected to have your ruck packed, rigged, and ready to snap onto your parachute harness. when you got to the ramp at the airfield on Friday night. When you finished a drill, you didn't sit around the hall & clean your field equipment. You are expected to have it serviced and ready by next drill -- and you don't get overtime pay for the extra work. As an E-6 on a Team, I was tasked with coordinating with a Helicopter Company and coordinating & laying on UH-1's for a weekend of training. All of the phone calls, coordination, and "schmoozing" were done without pay. This did NOT adversely affect morale. At the time, we were allowed to slot personnel over 100% strength, because of the time that it took to get a man "Flash Qualified" (I think that the Army Reserve has since changed that). We were able to maintain over 100% slots filled. I had also been in a "leg" engineer outfit that drilled for half of the day and drank beer & played cards for half a day. That unit was NEVER able to be at more than about 70% strength. Soldiers got bored, and found it to be a waste of time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 6:35 PM

2020-01-04T18:35:55-05:00

I am just getting into the Guard. I live about 8 hrs away from the base I will be at once I make it through SF training with the 19th. I don't see an issue with doing this once a month. I'll just sleep less on Friday and Sunday. However, I am fortunate to have a very flexible schedule to where i can plan according to make sure it isn't a problem. I think it depends on your commitment to the Guard plus what your civilian job is.