Special Forces National Guard: What’s the difference between NG and Active: Green Beret

Differences between SF NG and active duty
#greenberet #specialforces

[@JGtheDOG]

Was at 1st group too. Switched to the guard. We're still very busy, only difference is that when you need to take a knee you can. You're as involved as you want to be unless a deployment is coming up, then it's all hands on deck whether you want to or not. The majority of guard sf dudes were former active duty. And once on team, it's pretty much your spot until you don't want it. So you'll see guys that have been on an oda for over 10 years. A huge wealth of experience exists in the guard

[@JGtheDOG]

Another caveat, guard guys can also bring interesting skillets from their civilian employment and this can augment them compared to their active counterparts. Some guys work on local swat or federal HRT units and do more real world breaching than active duty guys, especially now in peace time. You also have guys that work as civilian skydive instructors in between drills and get way more jumps then any freefall team.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Good info man. Like I said in the video I never did the guard route so it’s all here say from guys like you.

[@JGtheDOG]

@@ValhallaVFT like the channel keep up the great work

[@TRPyaggia]

That’s awesome, I’m a law enforcement officer and I’ want to join the guard and try out for special forces, I would like to keep my law enforcement job thou . I’m 27 rn might be able to do it when I’m 30 ish thou. That is the plan.

[@ZzBiohazzardzZ]

Can you do guard sf as a physician?

[@Theprimaryfocus]

I tried to join NG SF in 2019. I was the best shape of my life, even better than when I was in the Marine Corps and they denied me because of a Domestic AB I caught that didn't even fall under the Lautenburg Amendment. If I'm able to put myself back together before I turn 40 in 3 years, I will try again. Thank you for the info. You earned my subscription.

[@Theprimaryfocus]

@@Mattbriggs85 There's waivers for everything. Prior service has its perks.

[@seanfallo592]

Was that 20th sfg?

[@timiteohughes335]

Prior active duty time is subtracted from age and 40 is /was cutoff age.

[@MrZachgonz]

FYI, my office mate is in 19th group as an 18B and he graduated with multiple guys in their late 30s early 40s. It’s possible for you to make it. Good luck to you.

[@seanfallo592]

Fkn go for it. I am. Gonna be a longer road. I know a recruiter you can talk too

[@ce6654]

Pretty sure the only difference is that in 19th and 20th, you have the ability to slow down for a minute instead of being constantly on the go and suffering burnout or family damage. You also get unique experience from guys who do other cool stuff as civilians.

[@MrZachgonz]

My office mate was an NG SF contract guy. He made it through his SFAS, at age 22. He was NOT selected at the end due to “not enough experience” he eventually got back to SFAS two more times and made it through. So one downside to the non experienced guys are they will be competing against dudes who have a leg up on them and that may be a deciding factor.

[@SodaPrezsing]

Would love videos on Foxtrot, Zulu and the Warrant Officer MOS in the ODA. Thanks

[@ValhallaVFT]

I could probably do that.

[@SodaPrezsing]

@@ValhallaVFT 🙏

[@MT-8404]

Im 34. Did buds at 18 and it didnt work out. I tried for 6 years to get back and never could cause my year group was closed. That was a major kick in the nuts cause I never lost the dream and mindset. Im 34 now and still disgruntled about it. I came to the realization that I now want to enlist in the army and try for SF before its too late. Give it one more shot at special operations life or else I may never get over it mentally. The national guard route is ideal for me.

[@JpRiascos]

Army national guard has 3 year contracts. You can enlist as a 11b to get infantry experience and can even go to ranger school( which is 62 days) to get more experience. You can get OSUT (22 weeks) RTLI-> RTAC -> Ranger school right out of basic on a 3 year contract ( which becomes 2 and a half years because OSUT is deducted.) then go back to your hometown with a commitment of only 12 weekends a year and 2 weeks in the summer, leaving you with about 87% of your year free to hit the gym 40+ hours a week to get in shape. Then before you turn 37(contract ends) you can submit a packet to try out for sfas when you’re ready. Worst case scenario they don’t let you try out til your contract expires at 37, the national guard has a try one contract. This is a contract only for prior service (which you’ll be) that is one year long and guarantees a shot a SF selection. If you pass you have to extend your contract. If you fail you only have 1 year left on your contract of 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer til your contract expires before giving up or trying the “try one” contract again( and again).

[@MT-8404]

@JpRiascos they got rid of the try one program last I checked. If I decide to try for SF, I would just go right for it. I already have combat experience and swat experience, so infantry wouldn't do much for me other than just getting me used to military life again.

[@brodymiller20]

Thank you for this! I just transferred to Texas Guard, planning on going to selection this year.

[@brodymiller20]

@@patwxdaddy Texas

[@brandonlabrie5965]

I’ve heard that at the end of the Q course (as NG SF), you can choose to go active duty and then fulfill your NG SF time after your active duty time. Do you know if that’s true?

[@sirloin9348]

Yes. You can switch to active fairly easily and not just at the end of Q course. I was initially in 20th group and wound up in 7th. I would highly discourage doing that if you have a family tho. You will likely be sacrificing your family and it may ruin you as a person. NG gets a whole lot more time at home and, for lack of a better explanation, you get to choose how involved you are. In NG, you get a ton of interaction with guys who've been active SF for many years. You can learn a ton.

[@johnnywgamer268]

I heard they PT the shit out of you until you get your tab . When you get there Friday night you take a PT test then do a ruck . Saturday and Sunday is all PT and rucks . Then Sunday before you leave is a PT test . And you have to do that until you get a slot for selection .

[@Themastercobbler512]

Sounds like the best route for anyone trying to go tbh. I feel like on active duty with an 18x contract you just get pushed through and its sink or swim

[@GryphonIndustrial]

If you pass the Q course in the NG can you jump over to active duty from there or are you committed to NG SF?

[@pm5726]

Probably after your initial commitment

[@ValhallaVFT]

You can go active pretty easily.

[@ThePimpedOutPlatypus]

19th Group dude here. Yes, you can go AD at the end of the Q, but it is the equivalent of kicking your unit and sponsor in the nuts because the BN S3/RMO just tied up a year plus of a slot and funds for you to bounce. You can do it, but stay AD for a while because you are Persona Non Grata with the Group that sponsored you for ~5-10 years afterwards

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@ThePimpedOutPlatypus alright nice, here’s an answer from a dude who actually knows. Thanks bro.

[@GryphonIndustrial]

@@ThePimpedOutPlatypus Yeah, I can see how’d that make you less popular than a biting saddle.

[@alamsucksemirisbetter2329]

Dream of becoming a Green Beret keep up the good work Pal! ❤

[@rmarli17]

So help me understand how selecting your unit works. If i choose 19th group will I be able to go to one of its companies, say the 5th group?

Really appreciate your content. Any interest in going on the Shawn Ryan podcast?

[@ValhallaVFT]

If I was asked to do it then sure. Haven’t been asked though lol.

[@Newbobdole]

Comment for the algorithm

[@andrescruz4564]

Great video, Thank you for the info!

[@the_flow19]

Helping the algorithm my G

[@jordanmichaelharvey]

In guard can you sign up for as much training courses that you want ? Range times cqb , diving etc?

[@sirloin9348]

In short, yes. You'll have to go through the mandatory courses, but once you have the beret, you can start trying for additional schools. It'll depend a bit on open slots, and active guys usually get first dibs, but you'll be encouraged to get more quals. As always, needs of the army win.

[@j887276]

Prior service Marine Corps combat engineer 38yo any chance i could get into national guard SF

[@pronounshismajesty3542]

Yes

[@libertylivesin1776]

Anybody need further info on this topic should reach out to Tony Cowden hes done both.

[@richtopik]

Does the q course count as title 10 active duty orders ? Would be a shame too put all that work in and not qualified for the Va loan after the required 90 days minimum activate duty order

[@ValhallaVFT]

Yes. You’re on active duty orders while you’re in the course. Not sure how that works for VA though, you’d have to look into that.

[@richtopik]

@@ValhallaVFT will do

[@TheMuaythaieesti]

NG has more time to access to schools compared to active duty. When I showed up to my NG ODA after being on CIF SO team, the most junior guy on the team had more schools than me. On the top of that many NG team guys work at CIA, DIA, police SWATs, FBI ..... and bringing soo much additional experiences and networking, that active-duty teams never dreamt of.

[@JayCorn_]

algorithm

[@curiousgeorge4048]

That pic looks like CH0P's SF back in the day before they were tactfully persuaded by bikers to disband

[@ValhallaVFT]

Sergeant Major Bubbles

[@johnswank4994]

I was a corpsman with 3/7 and 3rd CEB way back in the 90s. Got out and joined the naval reserve and lasted 3 drill weekends. I'm convinced that the phrase "10 pounds of shit stuffed in a 5 pound bag" was coined at a naval reserve center.

[@Neutronism7]

Algorithm

[@TheGlobalNobles]

If you are in a guard sf unit and wash out what does the original guard unit do with you ? Send you to another unit? Or are you just the new coffee boy for the next 4 years? Ps.. great video

[@OnTheRiver14]

You’ll be moved an infantry unit

[@sirloin9348]

If I understand your question correctly, you'll be sent to an infantry unit. The army sure ain't gonna tear up your contract. That's the main reason you'll go to infantry school before you get into the meat and potatoes

[@Jaeger04]

@@sirloin9348 Just thought I would add something. Depending on which guard sf unit you choose to join, some will send you to their sf support if you washout of sfas or the q course. If you have been given a return date from SWCS cadre you can then return. Just don’t be a dick with the guard unit and don’t sulk about washing out of sfas or the q course.

[@harry554]

I’m I was thinking about 20th group but I want to be active

[@omarshreim6983]

Can you go active duty as a Green Beret after your guard contract is up? Assuming you're in 19th or 20th group.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Yep, I know a few guys who have done that route.

[@sirloin9348]

Absolutely. I did exactly that. It's probably gonna rattle your personal life, but Uncle Sam will love you for doing it. If you have a family, tho, I wouldn't recommend

[@charlesm.2756]

Totally random question: you mentioned having shoulder surgery. How long did recovery take and did you get back to 90-100% after...or did/do you have to live with 50-70%? Asking for a friend😎

[@ValhallaVFT]

I had both shoulders reconstructed. I’d say about a year to be back to about 80%

[@charlesm.2756]

@@ValhallaVFT Thanks

[@MauricioTorre-x7s]

I love this dudes heart and inspirational videos. Just today, I spoke with a 5th recruit. As a 33 year old.. they didn’t even want to hear the rest of my info. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. It’s almost as if these recruits got offended when I said 18x and instead of trying to help… they just wanted to hang up. Sorry fellas. Just saying it how it is. I

[@rmarli17]

Odd. Talking to active army recruiter now and they're happy to get me in on 18x, I'm also 33 but I'm also prior air force so Idk.

[@Adam135777]

Comment

[@fitbody360]

My dad was 11th SF…I asked him about Q course, Robin Sage, Selections process and its cryptic at best from him at age ‘83. Wishing I’d have joined up after 9-11 and now at 50 am really regretting it. Hope to learn something about it.

[@michaelbardo511]

awesome thanks so much for this:)

[@gilbertoruiz470]

If I have a clean record and worked at a desk job for years, Is it possible for a 34-35 yo to enlist in sf guard without prior service or college degree? I was able to check the pt requirements and I’m in good shape I hope as I exceeded the pull up and having a 6:30 min mile. Any tips will help. Thanks

[@ValhallaVFT]

Don’t need anything above a high school diploma to go SF. You’re definitely pushing the age though, I’ve got an entire video on going SF at 30+ I’d suggest you watch.

[@gilbertoruiz470]

@@ValhallaVFT Found that video. Thanks

[@526Spartan]

Not the most ideal situation from the obvious reasons you’ve stated, sir. However, I’ll take it even if it’s like a back door way into Army SF 🎉😊! Thank you so much for making this podcast 🙏

[@sirloin9348]

The process isn't too bad: 1. NG 18X, finish pipeline 2. Say out loud you wanna go active 3. ???? 4. Find yourself in 1st-10th group

[@G19xray]

We’re you in Zamboanga

[@andrewryan6286]

Good shit

[@armyman412]

Hey brother, great video and super relevant. Your information is highly appreciated. If you could do a litttle video on the cultural differences between SF and traditional military as far as beards, hands in the pockets and other details that SF guys are known for that traditional army can't. I'm just trying to get the cultural perspective. God bless ❤

[@em34ev3r]

active duty guys on the SOF are just built different. As others mentioned, the NG guys are mostly active duty transfers.

[@juantinoco4633]

great video!

[@ValhallaVFT]

Thanks 🙏

[@Charlie-jj8bk]

How much running do you do once you are on a team (after the Q and you receive your GB)?

[@ValhallaVFT]

Depends on the team you’re on. Some teams do a lot of group pt, others not much. But you still have to be able to pass PT tests and physical fitness events.

[@Charlie-jj8bk]

@@ValhallaVFT Thank you

[@silkplayer9]

Can you do a video about PT test and training AFTER you became a GB ? ?

[@Patriotx-gx4ce]

You do understand Narional Guard units have full time jobs in the GUARD! As I did full time for 9 years as 11B, primary MOS, but would work for my unit ON active duty orders and kept extending each year and put on orders. So this "weekend warrior" thing is with guys that have great civilian jobs and make more money in civilian sector they choose that. I liked working on the military base every day as we are put on Active Duty Orders while doing so. Also my unit is specialized in Mountain warfare and we have a school where Tier 1 guys come and train(foreign nation's as well), as it's the only one in the country originally till recent, as they opened another one on West Coast somewhere. We Also have a tab above our patch indicating our specialty, and have to go through that school 4 weeks total summer and winter phase. We f up more Taliban in our AO than most active units combined, as per 101st Airborne top Brass. Not gonna say other details, despite time laps from deployment, but Tier 1 dudes get their short missions and rack out till next one, while we are boots on the ground all day long when deployed for a 12 months or more. Those who have never served in the National Guard think we are a joke but have no idea.(Does it sat "National Guard on our left chest tab or Army!?!!!) Amongst us are so many Marines, Special Forces guys, Rangers etc who after their short active duty contract 3 years or so, decide to serve in their home state where home is. The ammount of training we to during MUTA 6, 5, 4 OR 3 yet alone AT each year or twice a year for 4 weeks total on top on regular monthly drills acitve units dont do in 3 months or more. We get bit less time training but that compressed time we do get is used to the point it's like AT every dayx10. From insider. Great channel.) Keep up the work.

[@tuckerveal7621]

You sound like you’re from 1-157th Mountain in Colorado lol

[@sam117mas]

Since we’re in peacetime anyways I’m really considering this

[@sam117mas]

@@ExtraRice365Whatever is required for me to do. I figure it makes more sense to go active duty if we’re already in a conflict. NG SF sounds great because I can focus on my civilian career alongside the Army and go to action if necessary.

[@sirloin9348]

​@@sam117masit's gonna take a lot of time away from your career, just know that. From meps to beret is a lengthy process, and youll need a lot of training time in before that. If you haven't started a family yet, wait. Not fair to leave them as much you'll have to

[@HunterHayes-rs2yi]

💪💪👍👍

[@williamcooper9379]

National guard up tempo years 2002-2021 was way more than 1 weekend a month 2 weeks a year it was thurs-sunday potentially more if you're orders either state active or federal 2 weeks became 3 or 4 weeks again missio dependent also did it twice if deployment was being cycled has a traditional national guard nothing was tradition state active local federal and overseas deployment you can potentially go Active duty guard which is active duty by state but also get called into federal roles too FYI and skill and task wise guard we did more than regular duty guys why cause what you guys get done in a week we did or do on a weekend

[@HunterHayes-rs2yi]

I'm 58 and can do 200 two pump burpees in 75 minutes. I can also do eleven pull ups. I can run five miles in one hour and ten minutes Any chance of me getting selected for Special Forces? Just joking, helping with the algorithm. Love your channel. Great content 👍👍💪💪.

[@Alcoholic_Infantryman]

You didn’t have the balls to join during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, but now you think you’re cute by telling everyone how you’re in such great shape and joking about joining SF?😳 You wouldn’t have made it through basic training.

[@darkhorse6829]

I served with both while down range. specifically 5th & 20th gp. did a lot of missions in northern iraq with 20 group guys