Here's the back ground, I was active duty for 4 years 88-92 and made it to the rank of Corporal. I always did well at everything I did. But I never saw the military as something I would do until retirement so I worked/partied hard. I left AD in 92' and went NG for 4 years. What a waste of my time, it was a very bad unit (drunk NCO Chain of command) out of Harlem NY but I stuck it out. NG didn't offered me PLDC. The NG UA traded Promo spots with other units for equipment etc. I ETS NG 96' and joined the MP Reserves for 3yrs. The reserve unit had a long order of merit before I got there. I ETS and broke service in 99' for 2 1/2yrs then went back to the MPs 2005 for another 3yrs and made SGT. Assigned to a Brigade level I had enough with the bad (officer)chain of command. Most of them were releived of duty for one thing or another (The whole Abu gharib issue in Iraq..etc). So when we got back I got out in 05' a fed up soldier. I've always loved the Military. I just hated my reserve chain of command. After being out another 2 1/2 yrs and now 40yrs old it's time to take a dump or get off the pot. I told myself I'm gonna make up for lost time because I should be an E6 by now. I got back in Jan 07 signed up for 6yrs assigned to a Drill SGT Unit, it's an E-6 slot. Since the DS schools have 30% fallout rate I will not get my 6 unless I pass Drill SGT School. That's the way my unit does it. So My question is

If get fed up with this reserve nonsense and go back active will they reduce me back to an E-5 if I've had the 6 under a year. I hear that's the way they do it.

My other question is, how is BAH determined for AD soldiers? By Duty assignment, or where your family ACTUALLY lives? I'm legaly separated and want to be station in SC or GA as a Drill SGT, but I have to pay the mortgage for two years on a NY home.

If you guys have any experience in this let me know.

well I have been told the same thing, so as far as I know, yes you will lose rank, unless you deploy then you have 3 months after you get back to go active duty without losing rank.

The rank issue is something you'll work out before you sign the papers. Good luck, if they offer you E-5, then by all means.... take it. With your history, you are well primed to take advantage over your competition. You already know more than enough as to what it takes to get promoted rapidly. If one wants rank, then go and get it. Don't make the mistake so many troopers make and wait for it to be handed to you just because you are there. Look around and see just how many E-7 and E-8/9's there are that have less than 15 years in. They actively pursued rank.

As for the BHA (basic housing allowance) and how its assigned, is determined according to YOUR assigned duty station, not your dependents or where you own a home.

Thanks Gunny, too bad I woke up late in life in reference to Rank (better late than never). Truth be told, I was skeptical of weather I would pass PLDC. People said there's a high failure rate. But going through the course myself I found it's like everything else. If you don't apply yourself you won't pass. You know, like going for your first driving test to get your license,lol. When I finally went to PLDC (now WLC), I passed with a 90 average. Now I look forward to BNOC. When I was younger I just wanted to party. As I look forward I'm taking more things seriously. The military is the only thing I have lots of time vested in. This drill SGT thing is one of those under takings where I said I will not sell myself short. I have memorized the Soldiers Creed, Drill SGT Creed, and the 3 required Modules. This is big because I feel I have a bad memory. other Drills say they feel the same way about themselves. But when you care this much about something you come through for yourself. Physically, I fear nothing I have in the past and still continue to out perform alot of the younger troops. I'm only a couple of months from

quote:

Tramatizing people in Basic so they can claim PTSD at the VA

If you know what I mean,lol.