On Federal ADSW orders with PA National Guard. Going to Camp Shelby

Question

I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with this? I recently signed a try-one contract with the PA National Guard after a 2 year lay-off. I already have six years in. My unit is deploying to Iraq, but I am on the rear detachment list (stay behind). I heard today that I will be accompanying the unit to Camp Shelby prior to their deployment. I have been told that I will be helping with SRP (Soldier Readiness Processing). They were unable at this time to give me a timeframe on how long I would be at Shelby. Has anyone here ever done what I am doing? Also, how long were you there, and did you live with the rest of your unit or did you have separate quarters?

Thank you,

SGT. Justin M Bish

Answer 1

Sounds to me like you can expect to be there until they ship out.

Answer 2

As an NCO, you shouldn't be worrying about the small stuff.. You should be ensuring the mission will take place without a hitch.

Chances are you are not going to be assisting with the actual SRP.  Those folks are already in place at the MOB site.  Sounds like you may just be attending as a POC for Rear DET.  You could be there as long as 90 days if you stay as long as the deploying unit is there. It could also be as short as 2 weeks...

Answer 3

I spent 6 months at Camp Shelby and would consider it worse there than Iraq. Good luck, but it is probably better now, our brigade got there right after Huricane Katrina.

Our Rear det guys had to go through the same training as us, I guess so they would be trained up in case if the unit wanted to send them to Iraq later, which happend with one of our guys. I heard that they reduced train up time now, but I would assume you will be there assisting the whole time and probably go to JRTC as well with your Unit.

Anyway thats how it worked for us, then the rear det guys signed for the property book for the equiptment we did not take and that was that.

Camp Shelby has all of there own training staff and there own deal for the SRP. So you would probably just help out with your states SRP, but once you get to Camp Shelby, they pretty much have the set training schedule.

We were locked down on to the post for the first couple of months, the barracks are open bays and yes you will stay with your unit, there is no other place available. In a way it almost felt like basic training again. Our Captains and higher got to stay in 2 man rooms, LT's got there bay, and NCO's stayed with the troops.

Once your unit gets activated are they going to change your orders to title 10? I would assume so.

Plan on being there at least 3 months, up to 6 months.

My unit pretty much didnt know what to expect untill we got there, so best of luck and have fun in Camp Shelby and emersion training.