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Another ARNG thread (Input from New Englanders would be great)


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haha, thanks. And congratulations on getting through basic.

 

And no, 13 weeks at Parris Island was apparently enough for the army lol. It was definitely enough for me.

 

Mike

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  • 1 month later...

Just an update. I went to MEPS for my physical and got a waiver to enlist in the Guard as a 15T. I'm doing a meet and greet with the unit sometime the next couple weeks, then hopefully getting sworn in and everything. Assuming I am good on the flight physical, which I can't take until I'm in, I should have my first opportunity to go before a board in September. From there it's 12-18 months until I get a school slot, or so I'm told. This is good, as I the bar exam is next summer. I graduate in May.

 

Mike

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Just keeping this thread updated. Did a meet and greet with the Guard unit last week. I'm pretty excited and hoping it all works out. I was told I was a strong candidate which is always something good to hear. There seemed to be a lot of unit pride and enthusiasm from they guys I met which was good.

I was told that I could submit a packet as a non service member, which is different than what my recruiter has been telling me. I was told it would be helpful, at least, to be applying internally, but was by no means a deal breaker.

 

2 things I think might be helpful to other people:

 

1. When I was at MEPS the liaison up there, and subsequently my recruiter told me I would need to attend a prior service Basic Combat Training (PSBCT) if I were 3 years out of an active duty or drilling status, which comes up for me this September. This is false, though I don't believe the recruiter or MEPS liaison knew this. It is true that after a 3 year break in service one has to go to PSBCT, but that clock starts after your IRR time expires. The new order is from this past spring, it is SMOM 17-037 for anyone looking it up. I emailed the two MSGTs listed as points of contact and they confirmed for me that the clock starts post IRR time, which it says on the document anyway.

 

2. I finally found out how to get the flight physical taken care of as a civilian (I think). I actually suggested this to them in the past, my recruiter was adamant it wasn't possible. I ended up going through the WOSM who made some calls and here is what can be done. Most states WILL NOT pay for you to have the testing done for the flight physical if you are not a card carrying member of the Guard. I was given a list of testing to get done by a civilian provider, that the Flight Surgeon will then assemble into a packet to send to Rucker for a stamp, even as a non-member. I'm mildly annoyed as I would have done this 6 months ago, whereas now the board date is only 3 months away. Fortunately, I already had 90% of what I needed done, done. EKG, Vision, and about half the bloodwork. I'll keep you guys posted here.

 

Mike

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There are two units out of Concord, NH, and I believe the 238th GSAB is the unit in which I will be applying for a position/going in initially as a 15T. I may have mixed them up though. I know it's an air ambulance company.

 

Edited: Looks like I'll be trying as a direct applicant for the September board as there isn't currently 15T availability at the unit.

 

Mike

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just an update. Went in and got my flight physical submitted to Rucker today. The unit flight PA doesn't expect I'll need a waiver for my VA rating for back/knee strain. Everything else is good (lab work, EKG, eyes, etc). Crossing my fingers this thing comes back stamped sooner rather than later, and that I don't need any waivers.

Not much left to do on my part except run an APFT. I think I'd probably run a 260-270 if I ran one right now. I'm in decent shape, but I need to cut my run time and make sure I can actually max out the pushups and sit-ups. I lift regularly, but am more on the high weight lower reps side of the fence. I figure my run time is in the 14:30-15 minute range right now for 2 miles. I'm going to give myself until mid August to train a little more towards the APFT. I'm at an internship that is sucking the life out of me currently so it's been rough. The packet is due September 6th.

Mike

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  • 2 weeks later...

Glad to report flight physical is stamped! Was worried about the disabiltiy rating stuff, I guess it wasn't an issue.

 

Running an APFT later this month, and then my packet is all set for the board in September. Right now I'm at about a 255, need to put foot to ass ont he sit-ups thing. I workout regularly, but mainly glamour muscles.

 

Mike

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ran my PFT today and dropped my packet with the recruiter and I'm a little disappointed in myself. Easily maxed the pushups, 62 situps and a 16:30 run-time put me at a 243. Nobody to blame but myself. I obviously passed, and didn't do terribly, but I am nonetheless disappointed. The sit-ups are my own fault, but I have been running a good bit faster than that so I'm somewhat surprised with the time. I could feel myself sucking on the run.

 

I'm in the process of slowly transitioning my workouts to be more endurance based and get away from lifting to reduce the risk of hurting myself and make WOCS, etc easier. I still ruck about 5 miles a day with a 60lb pack.

 

ETA: May try running this PFT again in 2 weeks

 

Mike

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My packet is all set at this point. It's due Sept 6th, so I'm going to have my recruiter hold it for a couple weeks so I can run another PFT. I don't think my score is awful -- However I usually run about 2 minutes faster and was feeling kind of shitty, AND I think I can squeeze out a few more sit-ups, so why not try? Did my 77 push-ups in about 90 seconds though, that's what I get for only working glamour muscles haha.

 

Thanks. I'm going to make a consolidated "how to" for the Guard side when I'm done with this process lol.

 

Mike

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  • 3 weeks later...

Didn't improve a ton on my run, but managed another 11 points overall today as I got my sit-ups up to 71. 254, still lower than I was hoping for, but 11 points is better than none. The packet is being hand delivered by my recruiter today, and hopefully I'll hear back on an interview time for the 20th pretty soon.

 

Mike

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Didn't improve a ton on my run, but managed another 11 points overall today as I got my sit-ups up to 71. 254, still lower than I was hoping for, but 11 points is better than none. The packet is being hand delivered by my recruiter today, and hopefully I'll hear back on an interview time for the 20th pretty soon.

 

Mike

Get a personal trainer keep working and goodluck rooting for you bro

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My wife's a trainer - she says its my own stubbornness in my workout to blame for my slow run time( I'd rather do long slow distance than sprints and fartleks). I'm in objectively very good shape and work-out daily. I definitely focus more on strength than "APFT" stuff, and I guess I'll own that and have to change if this wasn't good enough.

Thanks for the well wishes, going to be a stressful few weeks.

 

Mike

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My wife's a trainer - she says its my own stubbornness in my workout to blame for my slow run time( I'd rather do long slow distance than sprints and fartleks). I'm in objectively very good shape and work-out daily. I definitely focus more on strength than "APFT" stuff, and I guess I'll own that and have to change if this wasn't good enough.

Thanks for the well wishes, going to be a stressful few weeks.

 

Mike

 

 

Get out of your own way and do whatever it takes I'm a pretty big athletic dude myself former college football player at Colorado graduated in 2013 neither here nor there but I weigh between 215-220 depends on water intake etc. And I run low 14s and max everything else because push ups and sit ups are childs play. I recommend the stair master at a gym to strengthen your abducters and adducters muscles. hike and just continue to build your leg lower back and core strength you should be good. I'm almost sure you weigh much less than me so no excuses you want this bad enough do whatever it takes (morally of course). B)

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I ruck 5 miles a day (2*2.5 with the dogs) with a 60lb pack, run 4+ miles a couple times a week, can do 25 pullups in a set, etc. I have no excuse on the situps, I went from 62-71 in a little over 2 weeks for this latest APFT, but plan to be doing the 82 whenever the next APFT I have to run is. 77 pushups was easy in 90 seconds. I'm 5'10 about 200 right now. Down from close to 240 from when I got a bit fat after getting out (still doing 20+ pullups at that weight though). I just find that whenever I go out for a run with the intention of going to the track and doing sprints, I just say screw it I'd rather just jog the next 30 minutes or so and not make myself puke... and so that's what I do. Obviously, it's not doing a ton to cut my time down, and its a "me" issue. I was doing a lot more cardio over the winter, so when I started running after rowing and cycling every day, I was actually going a bit faster than I am now which is why I just assumed since I've kept running, I'd be faster. Also, I may be overdoing the rucking for someone training to run, but I am planning on doing the 26.2 mile tough ruck in the spring, so I'm trying to stay in shape for that. In the end, there is no excuse -- I didn't train the right way for an APFT and was stuck in my ways with my gym regimen.

 

I'll be kicking myself hard if the APFT is what does me in, and of course I'll change everything to get my run time down if that's the case. If the 254 does it, then I'm cool doing 100/100 and running kind of slow, but enjoying my nice long slow runs and daily hikes. I guess I'll know in a few weeks. I'd be comfortable with my packet for an active duty board, not sure who I'm up against and for how many slots with the guard. For all I know we're all getting picked or almost nobody is getting picked. I am pretty confident in my academic resume, military resume (and letters), and SIFT score.

 

Mike

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Then you're on the right path just keep going for it is all I can say. As far as boards I have no clue I'm in the guard I don't like being hooah 24/7 personal choice lol. Plus I like where I live I couldn't imagine being in Alaska, or Ft Polk for years on end hard pass. Turn it in let us know I heard the results to this board comes out in two weeks. Goodluck

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Packet is in. Interviews are the 20th, and I'll find out sometime after that. I was told the guard board is pretty informal. I'm planning on only speaking at attention (I'll be in a suit as I'm not currently in) unless corrected. If anyone has any pointers that would be great

 

Mike

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  • 3 months later...

Unfortunately was a non-select for this board. Not entirely surprised as slots were limited and the one kid who was picked had been a crew chief with that unit for a while. Better luck next quarter I guess!

Mike

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  • 4 weeks later...

Unfortunately was a non-select for this board. Not entirely surprised as slots were limited and the one kid who was picked had been a crew chief with that unit for a while. Better luck next quarter I guess!

 

Mike

Great attitude. Keep at it.

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I'll get there. I take the bar in July, not sure when they would have had me go but I was told to reapply so I'm hoping that despite my flexibility they considered it a timing issue. Just anxious to get the process started.

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Another update to this saga. I received some feedback today -- essentially the only critique I was able to get was the board was concerned about the distance I live from the unit, that being one hour and twenty minutes. It was recommended that if I go before that state's board again I either A. move closer first or B. do a better job articulating a plan as to how I will make them commute. I did try to emphasize my intent to move within the next few years during the interview, but I perhaps I didn't do a good enough job. Most of my time in the Marine Corps reserves I lived the same distance from my reserve unit I would have been from this Guard unit, granted we weren't typically expected to come in more than once a month. I also have commuted a similar time in and out of Boston daily for work. Two things I think I'll try emphasizing further if I attend the next board (I have been told my packet is good for 2 years).

Given where I currently live, the 4 closest guard aviation units including this one are within 10 minutes of travel time of each other.

Mike

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Hmm that's interesting. I was planning on likely eventually applying to a different state and having a multi hour commute. Like you said, its common in the Navy reserves to be hours away from the drill site. I've made 7-10 hour drives down to Norfolk for drill month after month just to be in a unit that I wanted to.

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Yeah. I was a bit a skeptical this was the reason, but perhaps it was the tie-breaker. I would hope if there was somewhere else I could or should improve it would be communicated to me. I can deal with criticism well, god knows I've had my share of ass-chewings in the USMC. I was told another member of the unit has a similar commute and it hasn't been ideal for him or them in terms of having them participate as much as they would like.

I wouldn't assume this would be a deal breaker for you. Pilots I know all say they have guys who make this commute or longer. That said, I wouldn't want to live 7-10 hours away. From what I understand, you more or less are going in once a week or more. I was told the first year they would expect me in a couple times a week. 1:20 is not a bad commute IMO, especially if its short term until I move closer, but I guess it gave them pause. I have been encouraged to come back when they hold their next board, but I am thinking at this point I am going to broaden where I will be applying.

 

Mike

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In the latest it looks like my home state will be making an exception to their normal membership requirement and boarding me next month. Hoping 2nd time is the charm! On the plus side I'm a bit more relaxed since I have now had some practice haha.

 

Mike

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