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When I’m out visiting units junior enlisted Soldiers routinely ask me how they can get promoted or serve full time.
Here’s the bottom line: Opportunities and promotions go to service members in good standing in their units who have let the leadership know they want to move up.
So let’s discuss how you do that.
Start with the military basics: report on time to drill and other functions, arrive in the right and clean uniform with a proper haircut, and keep in touch with your leadership in between drills so you know what is going on.
I’ve always said “giving a damn is 75% of the way, you can learn the other 25”.
Next, meet the basic standards for being a Soldier or Airman.
Be qualified in your Military Occupational Specialty or your Air Force Specialty Code skill. Pass or exceed the minimum score for the Army Physical Fitness Test or the Air Force Fitness Test.
Meet height and weight requirements for your age and sex. Qualify with your assigned weapon each year.
You must also ensure that you deal with medical issues in a timely manner. If you are told to get dental work get dental work. Don’t miss medical exams.
You are in the National Guard. There’s no first sergeant or platoon sergeant making sure you do what you need to do each day. We expect you to be a self-starter.
Ensure that you are ready to deploy here in New York for a State Active Duty mission or go out of state or overseas on a federal mission.
Those great opportunities for schools, interesting training and deployments require endorsement from your chain-of-command. Make sure unit leaders know who you are.
An MP Battalion will deploy to Poland next year and there will be events in South Africa and Brazil, out State Partners.
When the First Sergeant comes around looking for volunteers, be one of them. Take on any new experience that you are offered.
Participating in ceremonial and historic events demonstrate you commitment to your unit. Color Guards and ceremonial teams offer the chance to do this.
Best Warrior Competitions for Soldiers and the Airman of the Year competitions are a great way to create your own opportunities, too.
It is hard work, but if you succeed I guarantee excellent training and a lot of travel and awards. Nearly every winner has been offered a full-time job in the National Guard, typically Active Guard and Reserve.
Even if you don’t win, it increases your visibility with unit leaders.
Volunteering for a civil support mission like responding to a snowstorm or flooding lets you help the community while also supporting your unit and gaining valuable experience.
As I write this, there are over 200 Soldiers and Airmen in SAD status supporting communities Operation Lake Ontario Flood 2019.
Leaders find it easier to recommend the Guardsmen who do extra things to support their unit. They will know the name and face of their “go to” Soldiers or Airmen.
If you are hiding in the back of the room, you will always be in the back of the line for opportunities.
These same basics apply for promotion.
Commanders have the opportunity to waive time in grade requirements for their best performers.
Soldiers who exceed the standard, or do something unusual or special for the unit have a shot at this.
It is acceptable to ask your Chain of Command about early advancement if you can demonstrate that you deserve it.
Deployments are sought after by many. Units fill from within first, and why wouldn’t they?
They want to deploy the team that has been training together. It’s common for the mission’s requirement of Service Members to be less than the unit’s full strength.
Still there may be units looking for somebody with your qualifications. Let your Chain of Command know that you are ready and willing to deploy.
If your unit is deploying or heading to a combat training center, there may be a chance to come on temporary duty. This is another opportunity for a “go to” Service Member.
Soldiers who want to be competitive can take advantage of classes offered by the 106th Regional Training Institute at Camp Smith Training Site.
You can attend courses in lieu of annual training with your unit’s approval, or in addition to Annual Training if you have the time
Here are a few of the 13 courses offered: Combatives, Future Leader Course, Tactical Athlete Course, Infantryman Course and Officer Candidate School. You can learn more at this website: http://dmna.ny.gov/arng/106rti.
The Army and Air National Guard headquarters and the National Guard Bureau also have some opportunities for New York Guardsmen to serve, often in the Washington DC area. Information about these opportunities go out through training channels. These opportunities definitely require endorsement from the Chain of Command.
If you are approaching your ETS and are interested in a different specialty, you can reclassify. You’ll be required to go to training and you may transfer into a different unit.
Talk to a senior leader or a Career Counselor about what other options are out there. This link lists our many units and their locations. http://dmna.ny.gov/units/
If you want to spend time serving with the Active Army the Tour of Duty Tour of Duty website is a system for advertising Active Duty opportunities where Reserve Component Soldiers can look for available tours that match their skills and desire to serve.
Soldiers can volunteer for consideration for the tours and the hiring commands can screen interested candidates. Visit the TOD web site at https://mobcop.army.mil and select "Tour of Duty" or Google "MOBCOP".
Recently I counted 114 tours for E4s there in various MOS’, tour lengths, states and countries.
I have directed many to the NY National Guard “Job Zone” webpage for full time jobs. Information on all of the jobs below can be found there (https:dmna.ny.gov/jobs/). The site has thousands of military and civilian full time and part time jobs posted.
There are currently 41 Active Guard and Reserve (AGR), Counter Drug Task Force and Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) jobs posted in both the Army and the Air Guard. The type of job and location change all the time. We are currently seeking recruiters at the E4-E5 level.
There are many Federal Technician jobs in maintenance, but also in auditing, finance, contracting, human resources, and IT.
National Guard membership is usually required and some jobs require that you wear your uniform to work. These jobs have their own benefits which include a matching 401K and a pension separate from and in addition to your National Guard pension.
State Active Duty (SAD) can offer solid pay and benefits.
Joint Task Force Empire Shield (JTF-ES) deters and prevents potential terrorist operations in the New York City Metropolitan Area with some jobs in Latham and Camp Smith too. The Task Force prepares for manmade or natural disasters by training alongside and working with civilian authorities and agency partners.
Another SAD opportunity can be found with the Citizen Preparedness Corps training team. The team trains New York residents for any type of disaster.
Training is led by the New York National Guard and The American Red Cross working with experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Emergency Management, and Office of Fire Prevention and Control. For more information go to www.prepare.ny.gov.
Another unique opportunity for those with computer skills is in Cyber Support to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. There is an SAD pilot program between DMNA and the DHSES Office of Counter Terrorism's Critical Infrastructure Unit.
The team enhances the DHSES Cybersecurity capabilities and
assessments by developing a Cybersecurity Assessment Program offered to State, local, public, and private entities of New York State.
The New York National Guard can also help you with your civilian employment.
Ms. Darlene Stanton the Employment Support Specialist who works in the New York National Guard Family Programs office can help. There are a large number of apprenticeship careers from Union Trades that are looking to hire Service Members for life long careers.
Ms. Stanton can help with your resume and career planning. Call her at (518) 786-4911 or e-mail her at darlene.a.stanton.ctr@mail.mil.
In the military as in civilian life you have to take responsibility and put yourself in a strong position to advance yourself. This will take personal time and responsibility.
Service Members who make the extra effort for the good of the National Guard or service are the ones that we want to and usually do offer opportunities to.
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2019 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 323765 |
| Location: | LATHAM , NY, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, To get ahead, be the Soldier or Airman who embraces new opportunities, by Eric Durr, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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