What impact will joining SF in the NG have on my goal to pursue a federal law enforcement career? Can I transfer from NG SF to AD SF?

2020-09-20T00:59:16-04:00

Good evening gents. I am a prior service Marine (infantry) who has always been interested in joining special forces in the NG. I have a degree and I plan to have a career with the Border Patrol or other federal LE. I plan to join the Guard as an 11B. If I do pass the Q course and go into a Team, will they let me attend the academy, or will their training tempo prevent me from doing so? Also, can I transfer from NG SF to Active SF?
I am in Texas btw and haven't joined the Guard yet. 26 yrs old
Thanks for your time

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Sep 20 at 2020 1:08 AM

2020-09-20T01:08:28-04:00

Hey,

I would say you have a choice to make on which on you wanna do first. More than likely civilian career or job is highly encourage in any soldier in the guard. Furthermore, in the guard it is a process going to Q course. If your state has a group and you complete and make the SFRE event cut out you will placed on a train up team for a max time of 6 months in preparation for Q course. As you are aware it’s a lengthy process becoming SF in general. However, once you get tabbed and completed then I would worry about civilian job or career or vise versa.

My point is that you need to make a choice on what you want to do first and execute don’t waste time and everyday counts.

You want to go SF goes without saying fitness is a high priority for you know and mot only being fit but training correctly to avoid or limit your capability of becoming injured even before you get there.

* I was on my way with the 19th SF group in RI and my home unit got deployed before I got the chance to transfer over. I’m heading back to the group to re do the SFRE for re evaluation to be brought on.

In regards to your question you can always go active SF after completing for the guard but more than likely you will owe that unit and state time in their ranked after getting tabbed prior to getting released or what they call 368 conditional Release.

Also, the pipeline is anywhere from 52-64 week taking in account airborne school and some wiggle room in between waiting school dates, however, you will PCS to Fort Brag until you complete the course and graduate then be sent back to your home states. This applies to the guard version. Active duty is straight shoot when you enlist as 18X contract and go through the motions.

I hope this helps and Good luck!

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Sep 20 at 2020 1:50 AM

2020-09-20T01:50:27-04:00

What is wrong with Recon or SEAL. You want a challenge and are actively seeking one, go for the best. Your choice.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 2:14 AM

2020-09-20T02:14:54-04:00

Yes, you can switch to active duty SF from the NG. No, you most likely will not be able to go through a police academy. My friend was trying to go through the fire academy only on weekends, and had to drop out because of different things going on within the group, in his case train up for deployment. Also, you would join as an 18X if SF was your goal. Going from 11B to 18 series would take some time. And the Q Course will be at least a year and a half of additional time not spent working a civilian job. The one weekend a month, two weeks out of the year does not apply to SF. You would spend a lot of time helping with natural disasters, deployed, going to schools, and so forth.

Response by Wayne Soares made Sep 20 at 2020 6:50 AM

2020-09-20T06:50:17-04:00

Thanks for your service Rafaell

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 8:17 AM

2020-09-20T08:17:47-04:00

Yes you can go to an academy, you should transfer to the Inactive National Guard (ING) for the six months that it takes to complete it.
Yes you can transfer to AD, but that would not be conducive to a job with CBP.
SOCNET and Professional Soldiers both have threads that answer all questions about AD and NG SF.
Read the rules and stickies before you post.
http://www.socnet.com/
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/

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Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Sep 20 at 2020 9:43 AM

2020-09-20T09:43:08-04:00

My advise to you is to come up with a Plan and execute it. This going back and forth and wanting to do multiple things simultaneously is a lot harder than it needs to be. Go active duty, get an 18X contract, complete the Q-course. Do your enlistment in Group then get out and join the feds. Being in an active duty Group will help you when it’s time to go to the academy. I guarantee it.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 20 at 2020 1:24 PM

2020-09-20T13:24:41-04:00

You are trying to put too many irons in the fire at the same time. If you want to be active duty SF then go that route. If you want to be a federal agent then go that route. You can't do both. Either you want to be active or you want to be a fed which also allows the possibility of NG. But trying to juggle all three ideas at the same time isn't feasible. So if you want to go federal than drop your package immediately. It's a lengthy process.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 6:05 PM

2020-09-20T18:05:16-04:00

From my understanding, unless you are AGR time shouldn't be an issue.

Response by MAJ Monique Ruiz made Sep 21 at 2020 8:50 PM

2020-09-21T20:50:31-04:00

It depends on how much you plan on staying in the service and how long you’re willing to put your civilian life on hold. You belong to AD and they may not allow you to attend school the way you would like to. NG provides more flexibility to pursue an education and seek other opportunities that align with LE.

No matter which route you choose to go first (AD or NG), what matters in the civilian world is education (certifications and a degree) to make you the most attractive candidate. Experience is a plus too but what really sets you apart is certifications.

For example, some MPs think just being an MP will get their foot in the door to pursue a job in investigations. However, the additional certifications and experience in investigations they receive as an MP will qualify them more.

I recommend choosing the route that will give you the most opportunity to acquire additional certifications that are useful in the civilian world. Research the types of LE jobs you want, call the agency to speak with someone who is in the position you seek, and move toward that goal. PM if you would like to speak with someone in the LE field. I know a few veterans in LE that are always willing to help other veterans.