As a Reservist, would you fly to drill each month to be promoted to SSG?

2020-07-14T10:58:27-04:00

My packet was recently selected for promotion to SSG but there are no slots available in Ohio for 68X-Behavioral Health. The only slots available are out of state and I would have to contact the unit and see if they will take me. I would have to fly to all the available states so I’m thinking of choosing Savannah, GA since it’s the nicest location option. Would you or have you traveled out of state for drill every month to get promoted? What was your experience like?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 11:25 AM

2020-07-14T11:25:22-04:00

I did for getting my SFC. If people really want that promotion they've worked so hard for, then they will break from their "comfort zone" and travel. For perspective, I live in Pocatello, ID and my unit is in Minneapolis, MN. Also, you will have to ensure that your mileage sheet is updated to state how many miles you will be willing to travel for promotion.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 14 at 2020 11:33 AM

2020-07-14T11:33:57-04:00

This is a decision that calls for a personal cost/benefit analysis. Only you can do this for yourself.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 11:43 AM

2020-07-14T11:43:09-04:00

my unit is in Birmingham AL and we have guys that commute from Panama City FL every month but they took a promotion to MSG for it.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 14 at 2020 11:47 AM

2020-07-14T11:47:34-04:00

I have know O grade officers who have done it to take a command. You will have to make the hard decision is it worth it in the long term. Travel cost and other associated costs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 12:01 PM

2020-07-14T12:01:34-04:00

Only if they are going to compensate me for my flight and room.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 12:10 PM

2020-07-14T12:10:06-04:00

Also, with you travelling from out of state, as long as there are funds available in the IDT pot of money, then you can get reimbursed up to $500.00 for flights. And Lodging In Kind funds will pay for your hotel room.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 14 at 2020 12:24 PM

2020-07-14T12:24:04-04:00

I am also Ohio based and yes many times to get promoted you have to travel to the new command. You can also look at the Ohio Guard side but I doubt there will be any promotional opportunities like you will have in the Reserves. If you are going to travel and stay in, you want to see if you can setup your next position back in or near Ohio, so you are not spending more to travel to your reserve unit than you make in a weekend. I stayed in 31 years and in a few years the retirement pay will make up for all the times I ate the cost of travel and non-paid days and weekends.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 14 at 2020 12:37 PM

2020-07-14T12:37:33-04:00

Of course the USAFR has airplanes, but when BRAC got Pope AFB, the USAFR MAW from WI became a tenant and they flew down Pope AAF for UTAs. Had a 130 go up there and fly around WI picking up and dropping off the M Day guys and gals.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Jul 14 at 2020 1:12 PM

2020-07-14T13:12:17-04:00

I would and have. I once flew from Anchorage, AK to ID to be in a specific Drill Sergeant Unit in the Reserves. Now I live in ID, and Drill in Salt Lake City UT, I did this to take promotion from 1SG to CSM. The fact that at the moment the Reserves reimburses up to $500 for travel, and hotel is taken care of through Loging in Kind (LIK) is huge, I’m not paying to go to drill anymore.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 1:13 PM

2020-07-14T13:13:14-04:00

I fly from Europe back to the US for drill (NG), but I've worked a deal with my command to only show up quarterly and make up all my SUTAs around a drill weekend. It's not bad. You might ask around and see if there is a similar deal to be worked with a USAR unit that has slots.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 2:20 PM

2020-07-14T14:20:45-04:00

I never have, yet. I would say that as long as the position, location, and unit was right for me then I would. In my current unit we have soldiers from all over CA that drives for drill and a few that fly from neighboring states. So far the budget to fly soldiers to drill is still in existence, hopefully it stays.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 14 at 2020 4:20 PM

2020-07-14T16:20:15-04:00

No, suck it up.

Response by SFC Steven Borders made Jul 14 at 2020 4:43 PM

2020-07-14T16:43:41-04:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member Great question. For me I changed MOS's to get promoted and stay in the same unit, because having been AD I did not want to travel anymore. This was my own personal opinion though. Having been over Seas 27 times with WHCA, let alone PCS moves yeah I was don't traveling. Not saying I don't go TDY for missions, I just did not want to travel far for drill. Now, that I got promoted, I am trying to transfer to be in the same unit that I am a CIV for. It's all about how you play the game, what what your priorities are. Best of luck in what ever path you choose.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 7:28 PM

2020-07-14T19:28:50-04:00

It's personal preference, and my preference would be no. Here's why.
Enlisted non-regular (reserve) retirement isn't much, promotion or not.
The retirement from your civilian career is what is going to pay the bills in retirement.
The Reserves aren't going to be the family you retire with, that will be your actual family.
The further away from home you drill, the more damage you do to that civilian career and your family.
And while the travel reimbursement is funded again for the Reserves (and barely for the Guard), the funding could get cut just as quickly.
If it was a promotion for what was going to be the last 2-3 years of a reserve career, or if I as a young, single E5 with a very flexible civilian job, then maybe yes, otherwise no.
YMMV.

Response by SGT David Shanley Jr. made Jul 14 at 2020 8:22 PM

2020-07-14T20:22:47-04:00

If they paid for transporting me yes I would. However I'm active duty so I have no clue what guard or reserve is like.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 9:30 PM

2020-07-14T21:30:49-04:00

Sure would. You have to go after it in the reserves. I mean, really anywhere, but the reserves can be a good place to stagnate and stew for a long time. Go after it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 11:24 PM

2020-07-14T23:24:39-04:00

If you’re okay with paying to fly monthly to attend with the understanding of your monthly obligation, then go for it. Sidebar: if you’re going to be paying out more than you a receding in pay, make sure you’re able to handle all the extra costs you’re going to have that comes along with the commitment such as hotel, flight, rental car, meals, etc....
Good luck to you...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 5:10 PM

2020-07-15T17:10:21-04:00

That's a big No-Go in my book. Getting paid for travel and LIK was never a given. So you better expect to get suck with the bill. I just don't see it being worth it for a newly pinned SSG.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 8:46 AM

2020-07-16T08:46:06-04:00

Nope

Response by SGT Noelle Porter made Sep 8 at 2020 9:11 AM

2020-09-08T09:11:15-04:00

I would travel if, I could afford it and it came with the opportunity for promotion. Lots of psychs do interns and rotations in other locations. It’s also a great way to get to know other cultures and atmospheres in other locations. Good luck !

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2023 6:42 AM

2023-06-20T06:42:04-04:00

I lived in Washington State and traveled to Los Alamitos, CA to get promoted to SSG. It comes down to what you really wanna do.