How can a unit conduct its Annual Training as part of an OCONUS exercise?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 01:13:26 -0400

I know there are guard and reserve units that have conducted annual training OCONUS. How would one get the ball rolling to be involved in an exercise like Key Resolve, Foal Eagle, or any other large yearly exercise? For our state the cost would be an issue, but from what I understand if it’s part of a large yearly exercise the regular army picks up much of the cost. If it helps in answering the question, we’re a newly stood up Target Acquisition Battery.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 11:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 23:02:33 -0400

Nothing, huh?

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Mar 11 at 2015 12:56 AM

SGM Billy Herrington — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:56:12 -0400

Things like this usually occur when your state guys attend the TROS conference. There are dudes at tables pitching OCONUS missions/support. It takes the state G3 to get them rolling. It doesn't cost the state anything, everything is paid for. In my old BDE guys went to Germany to support OPFOR some went to Korea, and others went to different locations in the US to support.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 5:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:01:44 -0400

Your unit also has to have a capability that is needed -- and some proven skill in doing it.

Don't know the Guard's policy, but the Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) model has most major collective events like this coming during a unit's 4th or 5th year. So that could be stand-up year + 5 or stand-up year could be year 1.

Recommend getting everything locked tight as a unit before looking for an exercise OCONUS. Units get "un-invited" in subsequent years if they don't do well -- and it can roll over to their entire type of unit if the issue is bad enough.