Posted on Nov 25, 2019
Is it realistic to join a neighboring state’s National Guard that requires long travel to drill?
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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?
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?
Special Forces
Paratrooper
18X: Special Forces Candidate
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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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!!!!!
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!!!!!
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MAJ Ken Landgren
As a former commander, I look to the risks of driving late at night or early in the mornings. That is when most of the POV accidents occur.
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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.
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.
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CPT (Join to see)
Bobby Maddox - Someone who has served in one of the NG SF units can give you a more tailored answer but in the Guard drill schedules are published annually for the remainder of the fiscal year (Oct to Sep), so you will know ahead of time when drills are to occur. I think they can be canceled, but it's rare for one to be moved, and if it does happen units can be accommodating.
As for your employer, they are required by law, with very few exceptions, to accommodate your National Guard duties including periods of Active Duty. Reference the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
As for your employer, they are required by law, with very few exceptions, to accommodate your National Guard duties including periods of Active Duty. Reference the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
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SGM (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - USERRA will keep your job for you, but I have worked with more than a few people who missed out to someone else on promotions at their civilian jobs where it was obvious, but there was just no way to substantiate a case.
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CPT (Join to see)
SGM (Join to see) - True, under the USERRA employees "should" remain on track for annual raises and promotions as though they had remained in their civilian positions vs. taking time away to complete military service. However, yes, employers either don't understand the law, may not recall the law, or could find an excuse to not follow the law. Dialog with your employer can help, but some are just better to work for than others.
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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.
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.
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Bobby Maddox
Thank you for the information. Doing this is very important to me and I’m willing to make some sacrifices to do it, but I want to try and get as much info as I can. Do you know anybody that I might have a general idea of how many MUTAs one should expect to do on drill weekends?
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Capt Gregory Prickett
Bobby Maddox - this is dated information, but when I was airborne in the Guard, we had extra UTAs added onto jump weekends, usually a MUTA-5, come in on Friday evening, do all the pre-jump stuff, and then jump early on Saturday. That means if you are coming from a distance, your Friday is shot. Try to talk to someone in a support position at the unit you're looking at.
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