Posted on Feb 5, 2016
I am nearing the end of my first guard contract. I am thinking about going to active. Should I wait until ets or try and go early?
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My end goal of going active is to make it over to 160th. I have a lot of aviation related schools under my belt and ~500 flight hours being a crewcheif. I'm trying to consider all of my options before I commit to any one goal.
Posted in these groups: 
Professional Development
Career Advice
Professional Development Career Advice
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 10
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I see you've contacted the 160th already but it was a year ago. I'd get with a recruiter and get IN AD first and then see if you can get it written in where you have a chance to slide into the training PLT for 160th. If you cannot get into the AD side of the house, not much else matters. So you have your end goal of the 160th. What is your plan B or C?
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SGT (Join to see)
Duly noted, and edited. Professional advice is part of why I come here.
Plan B: Reup with guard. Technician Jobs are coming open at my home unit and It's extremely likely that I'll land a job. They pay is excellent and I'd get to stay in my home state. I'm currently up for my 5 on the m day side and I honestly love my unit. Great and rare group of individuals.
Plan C: Reup and go back to school for a degree. Honestly not what I would care to do at all. However, I'd hate to just let all of that college money go to the wayside.
Thank you for your response.
Plan B: Reup with guard. Technician Jobs are coming open at my home unit and It's extremely likely that I'll land a job. They pay is excellent and I'd get to stay in my home state. I'm currently up for my 5 on the m day side and I honestly love my unit. Great and rare group of individuals.
Plan C: Reup and go back to school for a degree. Honestly not what I would care to do at all. However, I'd hate to just let all of that college money go to the wayside.
Thank you for your response.
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SSG Warren Swan
SGT (Join to see) - I've amended mine also. You seem to have a goal, and no one on here should want to see you not make it. Recommendation:
Plan A: BELIEVE it will happen. If you can, go to Campbell and make facetime with one of the PSG's or 1SG's and express your desire. Explain to them what your plan is, and show them a short resume of your accomplishments. Take some of your counseling's(Good ones), and even a recommendation from your CoC. Explain to them you've done your research on the unit to the legal extent and you'd be a true asset to their mission and team. They might listen to you, they might not, but the fact you TRIED and drove there will open a few eyes and ears. They might even push you in a direction of their recruiting team and have a good word for you when you apply. I can guarantee you'll be the topic of discussion at some meeting with the leaders.
Plan B: Looks Solid to me. It helps a LOT that you're in a place you like, with a unit, you like, and you're satisfied all the way around. I know that your plan C involves school. I would get some of Plan C into your plan B. Also if you bring your plan C into Plan B, it only helps you should you want to apply again later on to 160th. You're bettering yourself and that is something a senior leader WANTS to see. No one will tell you NO is final unless you're a complete f*ck up.
Plan C: Look into a school that caters to what interests you. Forget the degree mills or the tech joints like "ITT". Get a degree, certification, or license from a reputable school that supports your end goal whatever that may be, and is something you like vs. something you "just did for money". Maybe look up some aviation schools. When I retired, I looked up this school and I was really interested, but didn't go. Look into everything and turn down nothing unless it really will NOT help you.
Plan D: Take all the BS I wrote put it in a binder after you get it, go BACK to Campbell and tell them you ARE what they want, and give you one hour to prove it. Don't quit, and don't let your feelings or rejections get in the way of the engoal.
This is the school I was going to attend to learn how to fly:
http://guidance.aero/flight-training/veterans/
Plan A: BELIEVE it will happen. If you can, go to Campbell and make facetime with one of the PSG's or 1SG's and express your desire. Explain to them what your plan is, and show them a short resume of your accomplishments. Take some of your counseling's(Good ones), and even a recommendation from your CoC. Explain to them you've done your research on the unit to the legal extent and you'd be a true asset to their mission and team. They might listen to you, they might not, but the fact you TRIED and drove there will open a few eyes and ears. They might even push you in a direction of their recruiting team and have a good word for you when you apply. I can guarantee you'll be the topic of discussion at some meeting with the leaders.
Plan B: Looks Solid to me. It helps a LOT that you're in a place you like, with a unit, you like, and you're satisfied all the way around. I know that your plan C involves school. I would get some of Plan C into your plan B. Also if you bring your plan C into Plan B, it only helps you should you want to apply again later on to 160th. You're bettering yourself and that is something a senior leader WANTS to see. No one will tell you NO is final unless you're a complete f*ck up.
Plan C: Look into a school that caters to what interests you. Forget the degree mills or the tech joints like "ITT". Get a degree, certification, or license from a reputable school that supports your end goal whatever that may be, and is something you like vs. something you "just did for money". Maybe look up some aviation schools. When I retired, I looked up this school and I was really interested, but didn't go. Look into everything and turn down nothing unless it really will NOT help you.
Plan D: Take all the BS I wrote put it in a binder after you get it, go BACK to Campbell and tell them you ARE what they want, and give you one hour to prove it. Don't quit, and don't let your feelings or rejections get in the way of the engoal.
This is the school I was going to attend to learn how to fly:
http://guidance.aero/flight-training/veterans/
Veterans helping Veterans - Guidance Aviation
Veterans Helping Veterans. Our highly experienced Veteran staff are here to help you from the initial paperwork to the resume that lands you yourfirst job.
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SSG Warren Swan
SGT (Join to see) - Don't thank me. Just DO IT. Whatever you do, just DO IT and keep RP informed. I think it'd be one hell of a good story no matter how it ends.
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The first thing you should do, if you haven't done so, is go talk to an Active Duty Recruiter. Make sure that they are taking prior service at this time and see if it is possible to get the 160th, if that is your dream. At the very least start the conversation and get things in motion while you wind down to your ETS date.
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If you can find a good recruiter, and your unit commander and Readiness NCO are supporting your decision, it's pretty easy. I had a SPC from my unit join the regular Army in the middle of a contract. From start to finish, it only took about 2 months. That being said, if any of those three people aren't working for you, you'll probably get nowhere until the end of your contract.
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