Got to do my last mission in afghanistan with 19th special forces group out of Utah. Those guys were badass, their medic was a medical doctor and a green beret on the weekends!
I did a few with 20th group years ago. I don’t remember which state they were out of (somewhere South due to their accents) but they were high speed as well. Totally changed my outlook on some National Guard Units.
I did 4 years with 20th Group beginning in 2001 just prior to 9/11. I transfered there from an Airborne Infantry LRS Company. I delployed down range with them an the rest of CJSOTF 2002-2003 still tight with all Green Beret buddies to this day. What the younger active duty SF guys didnt realize at first was alot of the Guard SF guys brought a ton of exoerience to the table. We had Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Special Ops guys..My Det Commander was an FBI HRT Agent, We had DEA, Deputy US Marshals, CIA people, Border Patrol,SWAT Cops and SWAT Commanders, Doctors, Veteranarians, Fortune 500 CEOs, PMC Blackwater Contractors, RNs, PAs, Coreections Officers former Delta, SEALs and SWCC( my best friend was SWCC and a diver at NASA.) We had former Vietnam SF Guys when we went to Afghsnistan in 2002 as well as guys who spent time figjting in the Larin American anti drug and anti communism wars in El Salvador Colombia and Nicaragua. etc. Two officers I know retired on Active Duty side after soending years in the 20th Group one retired a Full Bird Colonel and one a General.
One of the terrible things about Guard is trying to keep good relationships with employers. Sometimes schools or other orders pop up short notice. Sometimes other employees become hostile or jealous because you’re not at work. You also don’t have the support or resources for you and your family like active duty does near or on the installation. It’s really not intended for single parents. One weekend a month and two weeks a year is the bare minimum and rarely happens anymore. A lot of online courses have to be done on your own time on government computers at your unit and the full timers don’t want to leave you the keys to do it after hours when they leave.
I got very lucky with that. I'm Air National Guard and my boss on the civilian side is very supportive of it. If the Air Force calls me he's always okay with me disappearing for awhile
Right! It's the epitome of setting on the fence, "I want to serve my country!"...."Can I just serve my country on the weekend? I have a girlfriend and would rather sleep in my own bed.... but, but.. um, but I want to serve my country".... Service is sacrifice, if your country isn't worth the sacrifice to you, than find another way to serve, like helping around your community. You can improve your community and still sleep in your own bed next to your girlfriend every night, still pick the kid's up from school, and not worry about sacrificing your comfort for your country!
I may not be NG SF, but I will say being in the infantry NG(PA) has helped me tremendously in my community. It helped me get my police job and build report with the people I run into on the streets and other officers I work with, even in other departments. Its opened opportunities I don’t believe I would have had without it. Call me a “weekend warrior” all you want, regardless I know my job as an infantryman and a cop. Both with many different skill sets, and both with just as many similarities.
@@brandonbp122 lol brother, I was in the police academy with a couple 0311’s. Some of the best dudes I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and I’m glad I got to meet and know them. I can also confirm somewhat of the same type of humor as you’ve displayed here haha but hey bro, don’t sell yourself short! There’s plenty of LE and first responder jobs out there that could use your critical thinking skills, tenacity, discipline, and skill set. (Even like TCCC).
@@johnng584 I was a Fed criminal investigator.. It was fun. Now I own a taco pub in a tourist town on the beach in Europe. This is also fun. 🙂 I don't have to dig holes anymore.
@@johnng584 On a more serious note, 0311s are hysterical. It's something about men (boys) being miserable together that gives you a sense of humor. Whoever could say the most obnoxious nasty thing always got the most laughs. That same sense of humor doesn't always translate well with the civvy population 😆
your career is exactly what i want to be. im about to ship out to fort moore for infantry NG and when i get back i want to become a police officer . thanks for the POV🙏
Idk anything about NG or SF, but Bortac dudes by and large sit in the Tahoe monitoring cams listening to podcasts just the same as field agents. Borstar has a much higher optempo.
Dont meet ur heros lol… they’re all bought out by some random cartel. Don’t believe, well i live here in el paso and these border guys all have 100k plus trucks and range rovers n stuff… and live in my upper middle income neighborhood. And BORTAC LMAOOO A JOKE they dont do anything except accept bribes bro
I am 31 and decided I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me and join. I just passed my ASVAB today and will be going to do the physical and all that next week. I'm super excited for this. I also have a daughter so I'm glad I went this route to spend more time with her and still serve my country.
But all that time in training etc. Is paid right? Im planning on doing Guard SF and am only conerned about the financial stability of SF. Like, could it be a primary source of income or would i have to have a civilian career.
@@justinmaguire169you need a civilian career as well, however it is illegal for any civ employer to discriminate against you or punish you for military time. They have to give you the time off by LAW
@justinmaguire169 don't tell your anyone that you are interviewing with about your involvement in the National Guard. They'll find another reason why you aren't a good fit for the company since they can't discriminate based on military obligation.
Go active and then guard after. I’m happy I got the 4 years active duty out of my system, you’ll come to appreciate what the guard has to offer more and not wonder “what could have been”. This guy is right through the Guard side has a lot of opportunity and the 19th is top notch!
Nah fuck that, while they been or are on Active Duty picking up cigarette butts and cleaning the latrines, just remember you only have to do that part time and you go home and sleep in your own bed at the end of the day. Not in some nasty ass barracks room with molding. Tell them that next time.
Passed 4 years I've missed every wedding anniversary 3 Thanksgiving 2 Christmases 2 of my daughter's birthdays 3 of my sons birthdays all from 2 back to back deployments multiple state mission deployment 1 jrtc 2 ntc haven't seen 2 days a month in 6 years it's always 4 days some times 5 days sometimes twice a month..national guard optempo is extremely high right now the government is leaning heavily on NG. Over 20k are currently deployed around the world mostly in Africa Europe and the Mexican/u.s border...don't sign if you are expecting one weekend a month for free college while growing at your civilian career...its harder than active duty. Active duty works 8 hours a day then goes home like a 9-5...NG works 20 hrs a day 4 hrs of sleep repeates for a few days and then goes back to civilian job..its tough
I understand the choice will vary from person to person. I did both National Guard and active duty. I had trouble taking National Guard seriously after being active duty. I did better with immersion in the job. The freedoms you mentioned just became huge distractions and pulled me away from the focus needed that I got better from daily development that hone skills.
The only real difference in the selection process for the Guard is that you need to get blessed off by your higher to start drilling with the SF unit. Then you do SFRE, which is a weekend long selection run by the SF unit. If you meet the criteria, you'll drill with them doing field exercises/PT sessions/assisting the unit until you go to SFAS.
They have shows that Guard SF has a higher A&S selection rate than their Active Duty counterpart solely because they are mentored before even arriving, especially at SFRE
Only thing I would say is if you go national guard and are young. You must stay self disciplined and stay locked in. Getting sent back to your home town with confidenxe and some money in your pocket can be trouble.
My cousin was National Guard SF for the State of MS. He had to be interviewed, and blessed off by the Governor of MS at that time before he was able to ship off to his Basic Training.
SF in the guard is very limited. You don’t necessarily get to live where you want. You live where there’s an SF guard unit. When I enlisted in the guard I was assigned to a Sapper unit as a 12B. But that meant I had to drive 2+ hours away to be with that unit instead of being an 88M and only having to drive 10 minutes down the road. I unfortunately never made it anywhere as I tboned a car on my motorcycle not long after my enlistment.
Lets see 19th has Battalions located in Utah( Headquarters) Colorado, California, Texas, Washington, Rhode Island and West Virginia. 20th Special Forces Group has Battalions in Masachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama. Most of those who driĺl in these units either come from one of these states or live in a near by state but you can live in what ever state you choose as long as you can get to drill. Out of a need to rebuild some capability after 20 years of war the Guard in most reasonable cases will pay some of your travel expenses though when I drilled with 20th Group they didnt and at least the cost of gas and driving came out of my own pocket and I drove from Texas. I drove from Texas because Texas didnt have SF at the time. Previously to SF I was in a LRS Company with a lot of already tabbed SF guys. I was one of two guys on my LRS Team that didnt have a Long Tab and the only guy with no Ranger Tab. Those guys that went to 20th Group today that are still in are at 19th Group in Texas now.
I would not recommend the national guard for anyone especially if you are in a high tempo deployment situation. You get all responsibilities of deploying etc without the same support once you come off title 10 orders. Civilian employers will avoid hiring you and your military pay isn’t going to be anywhere near enough to sustain you, The health insurance isn’t nearly as good as active duty and you have to surrender a substantial portion of your paycheck pay for it. Promotions are much harder and slower to acquire than active duty. They will break you, tear your life to pieces and discard you as soon as you fall outside of deployable parameters.
I think a lot of people don’t realize a lot of Guardsman are Law Enforcement on the civilian side, for example I was attached to 236th MP Co in San Antonio TX, we had a lot of civilian police officers, Sheriff’s, Texas State Troopers and Border Patrol in our unit, and yes we did have some of those guys that worked at McDonalds lol 😂
I agree with that. I joined WAANG at 17 it was a nightmare balancing civilian work and duties as a MDay guy but once I got a stable career and some time in the NG being on the line has been great
Bullshit. The Selection and Graduation rate for SF in the Guard is 85% much higher than the active side and most guys are family guys very few of us were single but that was my Batallion.
While true to a certain extent, theres also some pretty sweet full-time gigs in the Guard that pay surprisingly well State-side. Some of them include but are not limited to wild fire search and rescue, counter-drugs operations, etc. This is actually how some Guard SF dudes get picked up by federal agencies.
@@joshualittle877Nothing in my post was BS. I was speaking generally, not definitely. I'm glad your battalion was so considerate of your personal desires as opposed to the needs of the army. Take care, buttercup.
Wanted to join active duty but im in a good relationship and want to build a career while im young still (23) just passed my picat signed up for 11b in the guard hopefully all goes well.
Good luck my man i'm (23) also just waiting to take my ASVAB tomorrow morning. Super nervous cuzz when i got everything set with my Recruiter he said the ASVAB was just 3 days away so i'm just trying to refresh my mind especially in the math being my weakest points. Hopefully i can Join the (NG) soon wish you the best my man.
National guard special forces also have the ability to deploy more than active. You come back from a deployment and can immediately get back into another one if you choose to but you’d obviously have to go do that with another group like 7th or any others
Some people spoke out about it being hard to provide for family while being SF Guard, obviously its harder to find a good job since SF Guard takes up a lot more time compared to regular Guard, a full time job is hard therefore. SF guard deploys every 3 years minimum and one also has to attend 4 or 5 days out of the month minimum for training which as stated by a SF Guard, people do a lot more. If your running your own business than SF Guard is good but probably gonna suck if your employed somewhere else especially if they're not okay with the amount of time your spending training and even being deployed.
I started out in the reserves and went active duty. You got some great points bout being a part time soldier. But me personally I enjoyed the active side better...I just figured I could get more out of the army on the active side. I knew I needed more than what the reserves offered mainly the day to day discipline and I knew I wasn't grown enough fir the real world yet
Honestly Guard SF sounds underrated AF. Yea it’s not active duty. But youre still SF. You can still go do the job when you’re called. You’re just choosing to be further down the list of who goes first. Obviously still not for everyone but definitely sounds like a solid way to go for some people
Also with UKSF(R), you can back door into the regs. You have to do their full time selection and you can only do it once you’ve served 4 years with live ops under your belt, but the opportunity is there for those that want it. Chris Ryan the author went that route; 23 and then 22. He had to spend a couple of weeks with the paras at depot for some reason, prior to going 22, but I think that was due to admin necessity.
Only one small problem with your statement. I’ll draw my pension immediately after I finish my 20 years (age 42). NG soldiers after 20 years can’t draw their pension until like age 65.
Is the wrong mind set to have a backup plan in the event that I don't get selected? (I have a 4yr degree. 33yrs old. Planning on going ng sf 18X, and if I don't get selected, going ocs and try again as 18 A.)
I think the only time plan b’s are an issue is when guys use it as an excuse to not put in 100% effort. Like “well even if I don’t get it this time I can always go in the future” type of mindset. But if you’re committed to the prep and everything that goes with it I think it’s good to have somewhat of a backup plan
For anyone who comes across this, the ng sf route is not 18x, but rep63. Same thing but it is important to know the difference when speaking with your recruiter
And right now you can be making more than active duty does if you work on the border with the Texas National Guard but you’ll pretty much have a full time job
From my understanding it’s based off demand and needs and your demand and needs are not as required as active duty, so it will take you much longer to complete your school and training than active. Or so I e been told by a recruiter. I don’t know from experience, he could have lied to me lol.
Depending on the state and availability of positions including personal life decisions, it may be difficult to promote in NG due to smaller pool compared to a bigger pool of positions in AC.
That could never work…nor will it ever work. What you going to do… have E-4/E-5 filling the role of an E-1? MTOE bro… Do you understand how an Infantry, Engineer, MP, etc company is manned and equipped? Do you realize how many former active duty guys are in the guard. Get over it with thinking every active duty guy is a tier 1 operator.
NG isn’t bad and a few guys Ik have told me they’ve done more high speed, tacticool things there than when in AD, the only downside is unless your civilian job is well paying NG sucks because you don’t have the stability you get with AD.
Yeah some dudes even told me you get more trigger time and more budget for ammo during live fire exercises than they did during their time on Active Duty.
Let's also remember you can be allowed to sign for millions of dollars worth of gear and equipment but aren't allowed to cook in your room but will only be able to grab one meal a day
First time I’ve ever heard someone saying they’d prefer the nasty guard over active it’s usually the other way around between them and the reserves trying to go active after they realize there drill once a month is shite.
Sure, now. But in 2001, national guard were slutted out for 2 year deployments all over Afghanistan. In 2008, they made it a 1 year deployment. Yall to young to know that.
Two deployments with the national guard had a buddy that joined active duty around the same time he never got deployed no high speed schools no VA assistants he joined the infantry to become a war fighter an all he got was to sit on the sidelines. He tried to call me a POG ( I was a combat engineer) hurt the guys feelings when i told him that I would clap for him but my right arm was too heavy from my deployment patch lmao poor fuzzy
Bro I was really looking at this a career path I have a question.. do they go through the exact same training? And also are you limited to just specialized schools that are offered by the national guard?(i.e can a Ng sf guy go to the same school as an active duty gb) thank you…
Yup! They get put on active duty orders and go through the Q course with everyone else. They also go to all the same specialty schools and even have lots of opportunities to deploy with active duty teams. The only difference is the amount of training at the team level. Active duty guys will train with their team every week whereas NG teams train once per quarter but they can definitely volunteer for lots of different schools, events and deployments
This is an advertisement for the National Guard. You get your freedom sure, the freedom to have your employer let you go before anyone else when they economy turns down, and you still miss Christmases birthdays and family events at the whim of the government for retirement that’s a fraction of the active duty retirement. Bonus you get all of the health ruining exposures to bad environments and punishing physical treatment. Totally not worth it just go active duty and get the bonus.
Thats completely false. Infact, Guard SF has nothing but schools on schools. Sometimes Guard SF dudes get more schools than their Active counterparts ontop of that, more deployments too.
They get the honour of serving their country as well. Supporting a reservist or similar soldier are put of the team as well. Also its against the law to treat a reservist differently to others. Its like that in Australia.
I would have gone to Ranger Batt straight out of Basic and Airborne school instead of the Sapper Route. I would have pursued RRC in Ranger Batt then tried out for SMU. Would have Skipped the LongTab Route and straight to CAG, then CIA Paramilitary Operations or PoliticalActionBranch.
Got to do my last mission in afghanistan with 19th special forces group out of Utah. Those guys were badass, their medic was a medical doctor and a green beret on the weekends!
I did a few with 20th group years ago. I don’t remember which state they were out of (somewhere South due to their accents) but they were high speed as well.
Totally changed my outlook on some National Guard Units.
Thats really ironic because I was considering selection or going to the guard and getting attached to the 19th.
Col Watt was our chief up in Ogden. Got a lot of chances to train with some 19th guys before he retired.
I did 4 years with 20th Group beginning in 2001 just prior to 9/11. I transfered there from an Airborne Infantry LRS Company. I delployed down range with them an the rest of CJSOTF 2002-2003 still tight with all Green Beret buddies to this day.
What the younger active duty SF guys didnt realize at first was alot of the Guard SF guys brought a ton of exoerience to the table. We had Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Special Ops guys..My Det Commander was an FBI HRT Agent, We had DEA, Deputy US Marshals, CIA people, Border Patrol,SWAT Cops and SWAT Commanders, Doctors, Veteranarians, Fortune 500 CEOs, PMC Blackwater Contractors, RNs, PAs, Coreections Officers former Delta, SEALs and SWCC( my best friend was SWCC and a diver at NASA.) We had former Vietnam SF Guys when we went to Afghsnistan in 2002 as well as guys who spent time figjting in the Larin American anti drug and anti communism wars in El Salvador Colombia and Nicaragua. etc. Two officers I know retired on Active Duty side after soending years in the 20th Group one retired a Full Bird Colonel and one a General.
Was with the 19th here in Utah. All the years I was with them I can say, there’s no such thing as only weekend a month. We were constantly training.
One of the terrible things about Guard is trying to keep good relationships with employers. Sometimes schools or other orders pop up short notice. Sometimes other employees become hostile or jealous because you’re not at work. You also don’t have the support or resources for you and your family like active duty does near or on the installation. It’s really not intended for single parents. One weekend a month and two weeks a year is the bare minimum and rarely happens anymore. A lot of online courses have to be done on your own time on government computers at your unit and the full timers don’t want to leave you the keys to do it after hours when they leave.
I got very lucky with that. I'm Air National Guard and my boss on the civilian side is very supportive of it. If the Air Force calls me he's always okay with me disappearing for awhile
@blickpantheraj9029😂😂😂 man listen to yourself 😂😂😂.. 🤡🤡🤡
You wouldn’t check me at the armory if I’m not getting paid to do hours worth of work
It’s an art. Not many can balance military, civilian career, and personal life.
Right! It's the epitome of setting on the fence, "I want to serve my country!"...."Can I just serve my country on the weekend? I have a girlfriend and would rather sleep in my own bed.... but, but.. um, but I want to serve my country"....
Service is sacrifice, if your country isn't worth the sacrifice to you, than find another way to serve, like helping around your community. You can improve your community and still sleep in your own bed next to your girlfriend every night, still pick the kid's up from school, and not worry about sacrificing your comfort for your country!
I may not be NG SF, but I will say being in the infantry NG(PA) has helped me tremendously in my community. It helped me get my police job and build report with the people I run into on the streets and other officers I work with, even in other departments. Its opened opportunities I don’t believe I would have had without it. Call me a “weekend warrior” all you want, regardless I know my job as an infantryman and a cop. Both with many different skill sets, and both with just as many similarities.
I was Marine infantry. It taught me how to shoot at cardboard and walk long distances. On very special missions they let us dig holes.
@@brandonbp122 lol brother, I was in the police academy with a couple 0311’s. Some of the best dudes I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and I’m glad I got to meet and know them. I can also confirm somewhat of the same type of humor as you’ve displayed here haha but hey bro, don’t sell yourself short! There’s plenty of LE and first responder jobs out there that could use your critical thinking skills, tenacity, discipline, and skill set. (Even like TCCC).
@@johnng584 I was a Fed criminal investigator.. It was fun. Now I own a taco pub in a tourist town on the beach in Europe. This is also fun. 🙂 I don't have to dig holes anymore.
@@johnng584 On a more serious note, 0311s are hysterical. It's something about men (boys) being miserable together that gives you a sense of humor. Whoever could say the most obnoxious nasty thing always got the most laughs. That same sense of humor doesn't always translate well with the civvy population 😆
your career is exactly what i want to be. im about to ship out to fort moore for infantry NG and when i get back i want to become a police officer . thanks for the POV🙏
Imagine being SF and in the border mission!
Get chance to work with Bortac
That’d be a pretty great mission!
Would be a dream come true
Idk anything about NG or SF, but Bortac dudes by and large sit in the Tahoe monitoring cams listening to podcasts just the same as field agents. Borstar has a much higher optempo.
They train with them all the time. Alot of the Bortac guys are prior SF.
Dont meet ur heros lol… they’re all bought out by some random cartel. Don’t believe, well i live here in el paso and these border guys all have 100k plus trucks and range rovers n stuff… and live in my upper middle income neighborhood. And BORTAC LMAOOO A JOKE they dont do anything except accept bribes bro
I wish someone would have given me advice like this when I graduated HS.
You can still go
It’s not too late bro ! I’m 21 rn and joining (not this exact route) in a year or two.
@@shmunkytron8612 I'm 43, a little late for me.
@@romiliomillermartin6851 I'm 43, pretty sure 39 or 40 is the cutoff,
@@ihcman9130you can get an age waiver.
I am 31 and decided I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me and join. I just passed my ASVAB today and will be going to do the physical and all that next week. I'm super excited for this. I also have a daughter so I'm glad I went this route to spend more time with her and still serve my country.
Man that’s amazing! Wish you nothing but the best!
All the years I spent with the 19th SF I can say there’s no such thing as only one weekend a month. We were constantly training.
"Ain't no rest for the Wicked."
But all that time in training etc. Is paid right? Im planning on doing Guard SF and am only conerned about the financial stability of SF. Like, could it be a primary source of income or would i have to have a civilian career.
@@justinmaguire169
You're gonna want to find a civilian employer who'd be cool with you disappearing on short notice.
@@justinmaguire169you need a civilian career as well, however it is illegal for any civ employer to discriminate against you or punish you for military time. They have to give you the time off by LAW
@justinmaguire169 don't tell your anyone that you are interviewing with about your involvement in the National Guard. They'll find another reason why you aren't a good fit for the company since they can't discriminate based on military obligation.
That’s really cool insight I been really interested in joint the national guard but hearing the special forces they have makes it more exiting
Go active and then guard after. I’m happy I got the 4 years active duty out of my system, you’ll come to appreciate what the guard has to offer more and not wonder “what could have been”. This guy is right through the Guard side has a lot of opportunity and the 19th is top notch!
I love how my family is shitting on me for being a "weekend warrior". At least i will have a life and get to start my family!
Sorry to hear they’re putting it down but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and good on you for using it to set yourself up!
Nah fuck that, while they been or are on Active Duty picking up cigarette butts and cleaning the latrines, just remember you only have to do that part time and you go home and sleep in your own bed at the end of the day. Not in some nasty ass barracks room with molding. Tell them that next time.
@arttheclown9458 thanks bro i appreciate that!
Every war needed "weekend warriors." I was a Combat Engineer in the guard. Absolutely best job I've ever had.
It’s true I’m currently in the reserves and trying to cross train to EOD it’s a pretty dope balance of down time and service tbh
Best advice, do one term active the join the guard or reserve. That’s what I did. 😂😂
❤
I’ve always wanted to join the military, but fighting for corporate gain is something I can’t deal with.
@@blexgamingthen go coast guard where you are not “fighting” but saving lives and still get a military experience
@@maxrodriguez5231 never thought of that. Sounds like something to look into. Thanks
@@blexgaminglook into border patrol as well since they’re under the department of homeland security with the coast guard.
Passed 4 years I've missed every wedding anniversary 3 Thanksgiving 2 Christmases 2 of my daughter's birthdays 3 of my sons birthdays all from 2 back to back deployments multiple state mission deployment 1 jrtc 2 ntc haven't seen 2 days a month in 6 years it's always 4 days some times 5 days sometimes twice a month..national guard optempo is extremely high right now the government is leaning heavily on NG. Over 20k are currently deployed around the world mostly in Africa Europe and the Mexican/u.s border...don't sign if you are expecting one weekend a month for free college while growing at your civilian career...its harder than active duty. Active duty works 8 hours a day then goes home like a 9-5...NG works 20 hrs a day 4 hrs of sleep repeates for a few days and then goes back to civilian job..its tough
AM SURE when you were home there was so much love x
Ps: and many people love it..
@nelsonzambrano5788 just not the people most important to you
Iraq 2005 we had a NGSF team from. Tennessee on our camp. Those dudes were just high speed as any other group I've seen or been around.
I understand the choice will vary from person to person. I did both National Guard and active duty. I had trouble taking National Guard seriously after being active duty. I did better with immersion in the job. The freedoms you mentioned just became huge distractions and pulled me away from the focus needed that I got better from daily development that hone skills.
The only real difference in the selection process for the Guard is that you need to get blessed off by your higher to start drilling with the SF unit. Then you do SFRE, which is a weekend long selection run by the SF unit. If you meet the criteria, you'll drill with them doing field exercises/PT sessions/assisting the unit until you go to SFAS.
Hilp
They have shows that Guard SF has a higher A&S selection rate than their Active Duty counterpart solely because they are mentored before even arriving, especially at SFRE
For older guys who have their shit together the guard is better, but for young men who need help getting started in life, active duty is the way to go
Only thing I would say is if you go national guard and are young. You must stay self disciplined and stay locked in. Getting sent back to your home town with confidenxe and some money in your pocket can be trouble.
My cousin was National Guard SF for the State of MS. He had to be interviewed, and blessed off by the Governor of MS at that time before he was able to ship off to his Basic Training.
I told myself yesterday that if I could just go back in time I would do that 😅😅😅 former active duty
Haha I hear that! I just got off active duty in January
SF in the guard is very limited. You don’t necessarily get to live where you want. You live where there’s an SF guard unit. When I enlisted in the guard I was assigned to a Sapper unit as a 12B. But that meant I had to drive 2+ hours away to be with that unit instead of being an 88M and only having to drive 10 minutes down the road. I unfortunately never made it anywhere as I tboned a car on my motorcycle not long after my enlistment.
Lets see 19th has Battalions located in Utah( Headquarters) Colorado, California, Texas, Washington, Rhode Island and West Virginia. 20th Special Forces Group has Battalions in Masachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama. Most of those who driĺl in these units either come from one of these states or live in a near by state but you can live in what ever state you choose as long as you can get to drill. Out of a need to rebuild some capability after 20 years of war the Guard in most reasonable cases will pay some of your travel expenses though when I drilled with 20th Group they didnt and at least the cost of gas and driving came out of my own pocket and I drove from Texas. I drove from Texas because Texas didnt have SF at the time. Previously to SF I was in a LRS Company with a lot of already tabbed SF guys. I was one of two guys on my LRS Team that didnt have a Long Tab and the only guy with no Ranger Tab. Those guys that went to 20th Group today that are still in are at 19th Group in Texas now.
I would not recommend the national guard for anyone especially if you are in a high tempo deployment situation. You get all responsibilities of deploying etc without the same support once you come off title 10 orders. Civilian employers will avoid hiring you and your military pay isn’t going to be anywhere near enough to sustain you, The health insurance isn’t nearly as good as active duty and you have to surrender a substantial portion of your paycheck pay for it. Promotions are much harder and slower to acquire than active duty. They will break you, tear your life to pieces and discard you as soon as you fall outside of deployable parameters.
I think a lot of people don’t realize a lot of Guardsman are Law Enforcement on the civilian side, for example I was attached to 236th MP Co in San Antonio TX, we had a lot of civilian police officers, Sheriff’s, Texas State Troopers and Border Patrol in our unit, and yes we did have some of those guys that worked at McDonalds lol 😂
This is my goal currently. Will likely try in about 6 month
It's really hard to keep up with your training in the NG and have a civilian job. Guard bumming is possible but not really conducive to a stable life.
I agree with that. I joined WAANG at 17 it was a nightmare balancing civilian work and duties as a MDay guy but once I got a stable career and some time in the NG being on the line has been great
Bullshit. The Selection and Graduation rate for SF in the Guard is 85% much higher than the active side and most guys are family guys very few of us were single but that was my Batallion.
While true to a certain extent, theres also some pretty sweet full-time gigs in the Guard that pay surprisingly well State-side. Some of them include but are not limited to wild fire search and rescue, counter-drugs operations, etc. This is actually how some Guard SF dudes get picked up by federal agencies.
@@joshualittle877Nothing in my post was BS. I was speaking generally, not definitely. I'm glad your battalion was so considerate of your personal desires as opposed to the needs of the army. Take care, buttercup.
Wanted to join active duty but im in a good relationship and want to build a career while im young still (23) just passed my picat signed up for 11b in the guard hopefully all goes well.
active is where it’s at currently stationed in hawaii and i absolutely love it also an 11B
Good luck my man i'm (23) also just waiting to take my ASVAB tomorrow morning. Super nervous cuzz when i got everything set with my Recruiter he said the ASVAB was just 3 days away so i'm just trying to refresh my mind especially in the math being my weakest points. Hopefully i can Join the (NG) soon wish you the best my man.
@@Rinzler_48808 you got it man! a few RUclips videos on math should help refresh I still have 1 ged test to finish and badaboom
35 years Air Guard - deployed mult times - but always stayed based in my home state. Plus had a civilian career also.
I hated trying to balance that life, can’t imagine doing it at the SF level, respect.
National guard special forces also have the ability to deploy more than active. You come back from a deployment and can immediately get back into another one if you choose to but you’d obviously have to go do that with another group like 7th or any others
I served with 19th and 20th Groups. Very squared away.
My brother went that route in 1999 and became one their brightest!
Another benefit is you can go drill with an SF unit and spend time with them and see if you can hack it for a short time, say an AT or several drills.
Some people spoke out about it being hard to provide for family while being SF Guard, obviously its harder to find a good job since SF Guard takes up a lot more time compared to regular Guard, a full time job is hard therefore. SF guard deploys every 3 years minimum and one also has to attend 4 or 5 days out of the month minimum for training which as stated by a SF Guard, people do a lot more. If your running your own business than SF Guard is good but probably gonna suck if your employed somewhere else especially if they're not okay with the amount of time your spending training and even being deployed.
I started out in the reserves and went active duty. You got some great points bout being a part time soldier. But me personally I enjoyed the active side better...I just figured I could get more out of the army on the active side. I knew I needed more than what the reserves offered mainly the day to day discipline and I knew I wasn't grown enough fir the real world yet
Hello, do you have relatives from eastern Europe? You remind me of someone, informative video's though keep them up👍
Honestly Guard SF sounds underrated AF. Yea it’s not active duty. But youre still SF. You can still go do the job when you’re called. You’re just choosing to be further down the list of who goes first. Obviously still not for everyone but definitely sounds like a solid way to go for some people
Also with UKSF(R), you can back door into the regs. You have to do their full time selection and you can only do it once you’ve served 4 years with live ops under your belt, but the opportunity is there for those that want it. Chris Ryan the author went that route; 23 and then 22. He had to spend a couple of weeks with the paras at depot for some reason, prior to going 22, but I think that was due to admin necessity.
I’ve heard that the n.g. Special forces is low key a even more high speed James Bond version of s.f. Like they do some more sneaky missions.
It certainly can be.
Not to mention you'll get the same retirement benefits by the same time (20 years) after enlistment regardless of AD time
Only one small problem with your statement. I’ll draw my pension immediately after I finish my 20 years (age 42). NG soldiers after 20 years can’t draw their pension until like age 65.
They draw at 60 and they do not draw the same monthly check. AD draws 50% of base pay. Not Reserve Components.
Is the wrong mind set to have a backup plan in the event that I don't get selected? (I have a 4yr degree. 33yrs old. Planning on going ng sf 18X, and if I don't get selected, going ocs and try again as 18 A.)
I think the only time plan b’s are an issue is when guys use it as an excuse to not put in 100% effort. Like “well even if I don’t get it this time I can always go in the future” type of mindset. But if you’re committed to the prep and everything that goes with it I think it’s good to have somewhat of a backup plan
For anyone who comes across this, the ng sf route is not 18x, but rep63. Same thing but it is important to know the difference when speaking with your recruiter
Weekend warrior
Your personal freedom…
No way. It’s like having 2 full time jobs. If I had to start again I’d go active vs reserves.
I worked with 12th SF Group before they disbanded. Great training for a non SF guy like me.
Surprised there was not a link at the end to contact a recruiter.
O ya this should help increase recruiting numbers.
And right now you can be making more than active duty does if you work on the border with the Texas National Guard but you’ll pretty much have a full time job
Agreed. I left AD and gave the Guard a try. Stayed 10 years.
You're also a pawn for your state Governor in the NG.
Army/usar retired. Have friends that have had multiple deployments.its a reality of being in the army
Wow, thought I would never hear this.
Good plan.
From my understanding it’s based off demand and needs and your demand and needs are not as required as active duty, so it will take you much longer to complete your school and training than active. Or so I e been told by a recruiter. I don’t know from experience, he could have lied to me lol.
This is specifically for SF national guard. I honestly don’t know much about the national guard outside of SF
Don't mess with the Nasty Girls.
Those guys deployed all the time back during Afganistan/Iraq conflicts.
Given the on coming crash in the USA,s society it might be a safe option
I need a job, and tech is fcked up rn for jr devs, so I signed and ship out for active duty soon.
Damn I always thought tech was booming! Wish you the best!
My Active Duty days were eh but finishing off my contract with the Guard it’s terrible very very unorganized
Depending on the state and availability of positions including personal life decisions, it may be difficult to promote in NG due to smaller pool compared to a bigger pool of positions in AC.
I think that a minimum of 3 years active duty team time should be required before you can go NG SF
Fair point
That could never work…nor will it ever work. What you going to do… have E-4/E-5 filling the role of an E-1? MTOE bro… Do you understand how an Infantry, Engineer, MP, etc company is manned and equipped? Do you realize how many former active duty guys are in the guard. Get over it with thinking every active duty guy is a tier 1 operator.
Shouldn't be any national guard SF what joke
NG isn’t bad and a few guys Ik have told me they’ve done more high speed, tacticool things there than when in AD, the only downside is unless your civilian job is well paying NG sucks because you don’t have the stability you get with AD.
Yeah some dudes even told me you get more trigger time and more budget for ammo during live fire exercises than they did during their time on Active Duty.
That interesting cause I remember then national gaurd pointing guns at Americans during covid
The thing with special forces national guard. Not ever state or sector will have that. I know Cali and a couple have team. Midwest lacking.
Like Kansas for example. I’m from Kansas. Might have to move if I’m serious about it.
i plan on commissioning from rotc, im leaning national guard cuz of the personal freedoms. does anybody have any tips or considerations?
Bruh i wish i had this advice when i joined seriously
is there a link to the full podcast?
I was a nasty girl for Louisiana wish I did more time in the guard, met a lot of unique and cool people.
Let's also remember you can be allowed to sign for millions of dollars worth of gear and equipment but aren't allowed to cook in your room but will only be able to grab one meal a day
Ahh the nasty girls huh? I trained with quite a few of them and they definitely had a better life balance
Badass...
This sounds like an ad
First time I’ve ever heard someone saying they’d prefer the nasty guard over active it’s usually the other way around between them and the reserves trying to go active after they realize there drill once a month is shite.
I wouldn’t wanna go regular national guard but the processes in SF are quite a bit different and pretty good in my opinion
Tim Kennedy is national guard special forces
Same with guard aviation. Best kept secret in the military
Sure, now. But in 2001, national guard were slutted out for 2 year deployments all over Afghanistan. In 2008, they made it a 1 year deployment. Yall to young to know that.
Two deployments with the national guard had a buddy that joined active duty around the same time he never got deployed no high speed schools no VA assistants he joined the infantry to become a war fighter an all he got was to sit on the sidelines. He tried to call me a POG ( I was a combat engineer) hurt the guys feelings when i told him that I would clap for him but my right arm was too heavy from my deployment patch lmao poor fuzzy
You will be deployed and training much more than weekend warriors.
I went active for 3 years then 3 years and counting in the guard. 100% recommend
Same
Bro I was really looking at this a career path I have a question.. do they go through the exact same training? And also are you limited to just specialized schools that are offered by the national guard?(i.e can a Ng sf guy go to the same school as an active duty gb) thank you…
Yup! They get put on active duty orders and go through the Q course with everyone else. They also go to all the same specialty schools and even have lots of opportunities to deploy with active duty teams. The only difference is the amount of training at the team level. Active duty guys will train with their team every week whereas NG teams train once per quarter but they can definitely volunteer for lots of different schools, events and deployments
@@InfiniteGrit really appreciate the reply brother thank u for clearing that up for me, have a good one and stay frosty👍
@@Silent_wind of course man and wish you all the best with whichever route you choose!
Looks like a recruiter staging his propaganda to look like he's on a podcast. Don't fall for it lads.
This is the current route im looking at to reenlist
NG get a lot of deployment
How do I sign up
And you get more time to get reps behind a gun
But them minimum years you have to sign up for is 8 years.
DOL ... XIX
Neither the pay is not worth your life…
This is an advertisement for the National Guard. You get your freedom sure, the freedom to have your employer let you go before anyone else when they economy turns down, and you still miss Christmases birthdays and family events at the whim of the government for retirement that’s a fraction of the active duty retirement. Bonus you get all of the health ruining exposures to bad environments and punishing physical treatment. Totally not worth it just go active duty and get the bonus.
Wow just wow….😢
I almost died twice during my 2 deployment in afghanistan both due to national guard negligence and stupidity.
God bless you
All malatary
But do they deploy?
It does not offer as many schools
Thats completely false. Infact, Guard SF has nothing but schools on schools. Sometimes Guard SF dudes get more schools than their Active counterparts ontop of that, more deployments too.
National guard sf is great, but in reality you're spending all your time jumping from school to school just to get bah.
And your employer resents you always missing work for all those schools.
They get the honour of serving their country as well. Supporting a reservist or similar soldier are put of the team as well. Also its against the law to treat a reservist differently to others. Its like that in Australia.
Never had a single issue but I worked full time for State LE so lots of guys including all my bosses were also resereves and National Guard as well.
The SF guys in Chicago and FL were cool. The rest of the National Guard is a joke.
Chicago isn’t a state 🤨
@@jaguarmemez Shut up POG
I would have gone to Ranger Batt straight out of Basic and Airborne school instead of the Sapper Route. I would have pursued RRC in Ranger Batt then tried out for SMU. Would have Skipped the LongTab Route and straight to CAG, then CIA Paramilitary Operations or PoliticalActionBranch.
He says guard is better but then admits to never being in the guard.
Sometimes Guard works along with Active Duty and other branches of the military, plenty of time to learn some shit
@@Grunt-Barra I was in the guard but before that I was in active. Our FOBs SF group down range were NG SF
That doesnt mean he doesnt know about them. I served in Narional Guard SF and he is spot on and really under sells it.
@@joshualittle877 fair enough
@@joshualittle877heard its pretty much like active duty an its hard having a civilian career
National guard special forces ☠️
Why you say that?