Temporary duty assignments, are they career killers?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:23:53 -0400

I got a return email from my Infantry Branch manager. I was requesting Hawaii. He told me that SSGs with all there squad leader time are now getting temporary duty assignments. I am currently a Drill Sergeant. This is a temporary duty assignment if I'm not mistaken. He told me I could get Old Guard. I don't want Old Guard, I want to be back on the line and deploy. My question is what are good temporary duty assignments and will this be career suicide to go from one tradoc/Garrison job to another?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 13 at 2015 12:35 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:35:50 -0400

Personally the Old Guard would be a great assignment because of the history of the unit and its mission

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 12:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:36:13 -0400

Maybe he didn't realize you are on Drill status. Usually you can't go to a second TDA in a row.
SGL, ALC and Airborne School instructor as well as AIT PSG are all good TDA'S. So is working at the Sergeants Major Academy or West Point.
Your best bet though is to go to Ranger School. Then you'll fall under Ranger Branch and the worst TDA you'll get will be a stint as an RI.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 12:36 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:36:53 -0400

To my understanding a Drill Sergeant is a speciality assignment., not necessarily concidered a TDY. I think it would depend on the speciality you went into whether it was career enhancing or not. Just my .02!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 13 at 2015 12:37 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:37:10 -0400

Best wishes whatever you decide

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 12:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:42:48 -0400

If I have to choice a temporary dity, can anyone tell me what's the best option.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 12:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:52:16 -0400

They are career killers if the TDA was undertaken at the wrong time- though some are forced to.
A month after I was promoted to E5, boom, Recruiting orders! Three years away from the line is a long time! After a year and a half, I was scared to go back to 11B world because I've missed so much and I've forgotten so much! All of that tactical knowledge has been replaced with recruiting knowledge!
I started weighing scenarios through my head: do I want to just convert to 79R? Do I just want to go back to 11B and take my chances? Do I want to look into reclassing? Do I just want to get out? I decided to reclass.
Think about it man, good luck to you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 1:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:00:56 -0400

I was told never ever do two temp assignments back to back. Then I was mass to, and was passed over for E-7 every year on the second assignment. I made the list my first year back on the line. All my peers had the same experience.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 1:22 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:22:05 -0400

Back to back TDA assigments are career killers. If you go to the 25th, your clock "resets" after your line time. In other words you will go to the 25th, most likely be promoted to E7 during your 3 year tour, and then be up for another TDA assignment or PCS to another unit. The second TDA assignment is not very likely as the priority will be for people who have not done one.

Response by SSG Jason Neumann made Aug 13 at 2015 4:10 PM

SSG Jason Neumann — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:10:56 -0400

From what my buddy has told me when he contacted his branch manager is that, if you are in a TRADOC assignment and SSG (non-promotable) you will most likely stay in that kind of assignment. The only situation that would take you out of that "career killer" is get promoted to SFC. Now, I would take that with a grain of salt, since there are always ways around it. It might not be an easy fix, but there are ways. Have you thought about Asymetric Warfare Group (AWG), Selection or Q-Course, volunteer Airborne, Attache' or even volunteer for overseas tours. Currently, I am stationed overseas (Kuwait) and is considered a PCS. Upon my completion of my tour I opted for follow on to FT Carson. These are options that could be brought up and see what sticks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 4:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:19:25 -0400

The Old Guard is an MTOE unit and have deployed several times in the last several years. They still go to the field and do the same Infantry drills. They are the Infantry unit assigned to defend the Capitol region.

Response by SGT Bradley L. made Aug 13 at 2015 4:21 PM

SGT Bradley L. — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:21:18 -0400

68W branch wouldn't allow us to do back to back TDA. I am surprised 11B is doing that to you. Are you at Benning? Try and go to Ranger School, the Victor branch managers are way more helpful and Ranger . You'd evenly rotate back into ARTB as an RI, but they've always had high selection rates when it came to SFC and MSG boards. My last duty assignment was 4th RTB, and had RI's coming back who were there when I arrived at the unit.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 4:25 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:25:54 -0400

Some are, some aren't. Handing out towels at the gym may not be career-enhancing. Drill Sergeant Status is a selective special duty category and should be career enhancing. No, it is a TDY in the literal sense. You may have PCSed or you may be at your original duty station, but you should be assigned to a duty position on regular orders. What matters is that you were selected and graduated with a hat. What REALLY matters is how well you perform a very tough and demanding duty. There isn't a soldier from a generals on down who don't understand and respect the role of a Drill Sergeant in shaping our military. You get to continue to wear a badge as a mark of that distinction. So lift your head up and be proud!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 5:08 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:08:53 -0400

Generally speaking, you shouldn't go Gen force to Gen force. But if you have 32+ months of SL time, it may happen. Here's some thoughts to consider for what's next:

1. Ranger School- yep, I'm going there. Tabbed NCOs continue to get selected at substantially higher rates. It's not hard. In my 3 years as an RI, I've had plenty of 1SG-CSMs come through. And I went as a senior SSG. Just do it.

2. The Old Guard- outside of Ranger Regiment and RTB, they have the highest select rate for SFC and MSG in the Infantry.

3. DA PAM 600-25, chapter 4- outlines the Infantry NCO's career progression, specifically how centralized selection boards should view best qualified, highly qualified, and qualified for selection. It outlines what is considered an MOS enhancing and Leader developing courses, by rank. Check it out.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 8:47 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 20:47:44 -0400

Depends on your long term goals. Want to make SGM/CSM? You need to be competitive. You won't like this, but diversity of duty and assignments is key. Look at recruiter as well as any training position where you manage POI etc. If you want to do 20 and make the top grade, you need diversity on you military résumé.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 11:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 23:45:46 -0400

drill sergeant you have my respect you have an important job turning boys into men thank you it sounds like an honor if you was invited to go to the old guard in my humble opinion they're both glorious once again thank you drill sergeant

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 14 at 2015 2:26 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:26:41 -0400

I don't know but one of my Best Adventures was TAD USS Arkansas CGN-41 for Fiery Vigil/Desert Storm/Southern Watch and I wouldn't have missed that for anything.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 1:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:38:59 -0400

So.. TDA stands for Table of Distribution and Allowneces. Unless it changed in the last year or so.

Secondly, I will tell you upfront I am a Commo guy. But most all of my mentors were infantry 1SGs and CSMs. In talking with them and talking with the CSMs in USARAK (USARAK CSM, 1-25 & 4-25 CSM), as a SSG 11B you should be seeking every opportunity possible to attend ranger school, if you are ABN you should be looking for assignments that will get you to jump master school, or going to pathfinder.
The bottom line they wanted to get across was with the deployments slowing down, up have to actively seek leadership discriminators to set you apart from the pack, and to help you become a better SSG/SFC.

Response by SFC Jon Vandeyacht made Aug 19 at 2015 8:52 PM

SFC Jon Vandeyacht — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 20:52:23 -0400

I was an 11B only to PFC so i dont have the most experience in that branch but having been chem before CA, our branch manager stated that some TDA is required. It looks better if you have drill or recruiting duty time. Something, to show how you can do more than one thing. Even better if your successful.
I would advise hanging out in a TDA for more than one term and try to avoid going from one to another to another to avoid deployments or giving that perception.
TDA wont kill your career, 6 years in S3 will slow it down though.
Have fun.....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2019 3:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 03:58:25 -0500

Come be an OC/T, this is the best job I’ve ever had. As for being career killers, just make sure you follow the 600-25 for guidance. I’m on my second broadening assignment now and it’s helped me so far. Although, when I leave here, I’m doing the same thing you want to do, get on the line and deploy.