SELRES to VTU Question (Acronym Heavy)

[wink]

We had several folks formally associated with my unit who were VTU types, they didn't have to deal with the NOSC except for a few things.

Good. Although I think most of the nightmare VTUs are due to VTU COs. I am sorry, a VTU CO who treats his people like hardware current SELRES on the bubble have lost it. I had one that tended that way, but he did approve of my rather permanent TDY to Recruiting.

 

[bubblehead]

Good. Although I think most of the nightmare VTUs are due to VTU COs. I am sorry, a VTU CO who treats his people like hardware current SELRES on the bubble have lost it.

VTU leaders are not "Commanding Officers", they are "Officers in Charge" if such authority is given to them by the NOSC CO in a letter, along with other authorities as the NOSC CO sees fit. For example, giving the VTU OIC authority to sign EVALs and FITREPs, which is one less thing the NOSC CO has to deal with.

I had one that tended that way, but he did approve of my rather permanent TDY to Recruiting.

Those of us willing to do "work" vice sitting around during the drill weekend tend to get what we want.

 

[wink]

VTU leaders are not "Commanding Officers", they are "Officers in Charge" if such authority is given to them by the NOSC CO in a letter, along with other authorities as the NOSC CO sees fit. For example, giving the VTU OIC authority to sign EVALs and FITREPs, which is one less thing the NOSC CO has to deal with.

They may be now, but I had two VTU COs, whatever it is worth. Not like they had a Board for such a thing. Senior dudes at the RESCEN just applied. The RESCEN CO and a couple other SELRES COs or OICs decided who got the dirty duty. Usually it was a guy that wanted to break out so he could get a pay billet out of the VTU. Sometimes it was a guy coasting to retirement that just could not sit still. I never mustered in formation in the VTU. We were a pool that the RESCEN skipper came to for volunteers to do the odd job or two befitting rank, designator and experience. I read a lot of news papers before I mustered out to the NRD.

 

[gparks1989]

Reviving this thread with some VTU questions. Owing to a move to the East Coast and a new civilian job, I'm leaving my current unit in March and am exploring VTU as one path forward. Most of my experience with the VTU is folks running out the clock until retirement. If one were to be a bit more engaged (i.e. doing a 4-6 weeks of ADT per year) is it possible to promote? If so, how else does one stay competitive in the VTU? I'm YG12 and best I can tell, 2-3ish years from my in-zone look at O-5. I have JPME 1 if that helps. Primary goal is to get to O-5 and 20 years. Separately, are VTU-types eligible for other programs like the NDU NSC-RC course, reservist exchange, JPME 2 etc.?

The current billets in JOAPPLY aren't super inspiring, I want to minimize my travel for the next 2-3 years for family/civ work reasons, and I'm wary of involuntary mobilizations. Thus my focus on the VTU.

 

[SynixMan]

Reviving this thread with some VTU questions. Owing to a move to the East Coast and a new civilian job, I'm leaving my current unit in March and am exploring VTU as one path forward. Most of my experience with the VTU is folks running out the clock until retirement. If one were to be a bit more engaged (i.e. doing a 4-6 weeks of ADT per year) is it possible to promote? If so, how else does one stay competitive in the VTU? I'm YG12 and best I can tell, 2-3ish years from my in-zone look at O-5. I have JPME 1 if that helps. Primary goal is to get to O-5 and 20 years. Separately, are VTU-types eligible for other programs like the NDU NSC-RC course, reservist exchange, JPME 2 etc.?

The current billets in JOAPPLY aren't super inspiring, I want to minimize my travel for the next 2-3 years for family/civ work reasons, and I'm wary of involuntary mobilizations. Thus my focus on the VTU.

a) What did your paper look like before moving to the VTU? Mob? Competitive EPs? 2N1? If you were otherwise upwardly mobile before dropping to the VTU, it might carry through.

b) I assume you're trying to avoid a forced MOB? If so, there are non-flying flex drill units for 1315s that are fenced from big Navy MOBs. DM me if you want information. Unfortunately the only units I know of with tons of ADT money these days are aviation or high-optempo like NSW.

c) FWIW I ran the math and O-5 vs O-4 reserve retirement isn't a huge delta. Getting off the train isn't a black mark against you.

 

[snake020]

Reviving this thread with some VTU questions. Owing to a move to the East Coast and a new civilian job, I'm leaving my current unit in March and am exploring VTU as one path forward. Most of my experience with the VTU is folks running out the clock until retirement. If one were to be a bit more engaged (i.e. doing a 4-6 weeks of ADT per year) is it possible to promote? If so, how else does one stay competitive in the VTU? I'm YG12 and best I can tell, 2-3ish years from my in-zone look at O-5. I have JPME 1 if that helps. Primary goal is to get to O-5 and 20 years. Separately, are VTU-types eligible for other programs like the NDU NSC-RC course, reservist exchange, JPME 2 etc.?

The current billets in JOAPPLY aren't super inspiring, I want to minimize my travel for the next 2-3 years for family/civ work reasons, and I'm wary of involuntary mobilizations. Thus my focus on the VTU.

If promoting is a priority for you, find a way to stay SELRES. Yes, ADT/ADOS is generally high impact, but big Reserve seems to care more about AT and what you did for your supported command. You'll be at a significant disadvantage when boarding against your peers that didn't go into the VTU. I can't speak for URL, but in looking at the selection stats sheets that the Reserve IW community manager has published the last several years, no VTU officers have selected for O-5.

Also not tracking the statements about how you want to travel less but are open to several weeks ADT; these seem to conflict.

Edit: Went back and looked at the numbers for Reserve IW. Between FY18 and FY23, 3 out of 357 O-5 selects were non-pay, and none since FY20.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Reviving this thread with some VTU questions. Owing to a move to the East Coast and a new civilian job, I'm leaving my current unit in March and am exploring VTU as one path forward. Most of my experience with the VTU is folks running out the clock until retirement. If one were to be a bit more engaged (i.e. doing a 4-6 weeks of ADT per year) is it possible to promote? If so, how else does one stay competitive in the VTU? I'm YG12 and best I can tell, 2-3ish years from my in-zone look at O-5. I have JPME 1 if that helps. Primary goal is to get to O-5 and 20 years. Separately, are VTU-types eligible for other programs like the NDU NSC-RC course, reservist exchange, JPME 2 etc.?

The current billets in JOAPPLY aren't super inspiring, I want to minimize my travel for the next 2-3 years for family/civ work reasons, and I'm wary of involuntary mobilizations. Thus my focus on the VTU.

You're most likely not going to promote in the VTU. I wouldn't say never, but I wouldn't make any plans for it. Like was said, stick with SELRES if you have that goal. And to that end, being hardware or at least hardware light (like us SAU people) makes that part a lot easier than NOSC hell.....specifically talking O-5 that is (can get a high water Ops/MX DH ticket with hard breakout, doubt that is much of a thing at NRC). SELRES O-5 stat board last year was oddly "competitive". My year, I think all you needed to do was fog a mirror. Now they are expecting CQOB, RILC all done. I didn't even have an updated official photo for my board. Times have changed a bit recently.

 

[sevenhelmet]

You're most likely not going to promote in the VTU. I wouldn't say never, but I wouldn't make any plans for it. Like was said, stick with SELRES if you have that goal. And to that end, being hardware or at least hardware light (like us SAU people) makes that part a lot easier than NOSC hell.....specifically talking O-5 that is (can get a high water Ops/MX DH ticket with hard breakout, doubt that is much of a thing at NRC). SELRES O-5 stat board last year was oddly "competitive". My year, I think all you needed to do was fog a mirror. Now they are expecting CQOB, RILC all done. I didn't even have an updated official photo for my board. Times have changed a bit recently.

100%. A couple of years ago, I did a jacket review with the O-6 visiting from region, mostly as a favor to my CO, as my USNR career was winding down already by then. Table stakes for any promotability was to return to SELRES. I don't believe being in the IRR administratively prevents you from being promoted, but it is regarded in many circles as punitive, and is unlikely to yield a promotion.

Nice to see this thread helping others. My own trip to VTU is nearing completion as I do my last few DWEs and ad-hoc drill days to qualify my 20th year. Retirement approved for 1 July, 2025.

 

[gparks1989]

Also not tracking the statements about how you want to travel less but are open to several weeks ADT; these seem to conflict.

Edit: Went back and looked at the numbers for Reserve IW. Between FY18 and FY23, 3 out of 357 O-5 selects were non-pay, and none since FY20.

Great info, thanks. As for travel, a better way to describe it is I'd like to decrease my frequency of travel. My two years as a SELRES has involved travel just about every month. Granted that's been driven by 3710 requirements, but it's still something I'm pretty focused on. On Zipserve, there are a number of interesting ADOS orders at N98 that would be local to DC. I'd rather do that, than travel to a drill site or have to support some exercise that blows up my calendar or get tagged with involuntary mob.

From the aviation side of the house, VTU is talked of as the halfway house before you retire but you still need 1-3 good years. I'm trying to explore whether or not it would be a good place to go to step away from normal SELRES for a few years, then jump back into a paid billet, mob, recall, etc. Or if I should just accept that it's a place to mark time until 20.

You're most likely not going to promote in the VTU. I wouldn't say never, but I wouldn't make any plans for it. Like was said, stick with SELRES if you have that goal. And to that end, being hardware or at least hardware light (like us SAU people) makes that part a lot easier than NOSC hell.....specifically talking O-5 that is (can get a high water Ops/MX DH ticket with hard breakout, doubt that is much of a thing at NRC). SELRES O-5 stat board last year was oddly "competitive". My year, I think all you needed to do was fog a mirror. Now they are expecting CQOB, RILC all done. I didn't even have an updated official photo for my board. Times have changed a bit recently.

I'm already leaving a hardware unit so that's off the table. Different life circumstances and I would have 100% stayed there. As for the second point, that's been pretty surprising. Feels like 1315/1325 selection is going the way of TAR promotions, which leads to the question of whether it's worth grinding it out for the hope of O-5.

 

[gparks1989]

Nice to see this thread helping others. My own trip to VTU is nearing completion as I do my last few DWEs and ad-hoc drill days to qualify my 20th year. Retirement approved for 1 July, 2025.

Congrats! Mind sharing what VTU life has been like?

 

[sevenhelmet]

Congrats! Mind sharing what VTU life has been like?

Sure. It's been pretty much like SELRES life, minus pay, mob, and AT. Pretty straightforward and dull. I drill every DWE I can, and resched where I need to in order to remain in good standing and make my minimum of 50 points/year. You still get the 15 membership points as an IRR/VTU member, so the drill points minima remain the same. Since I don't have a billet, I'm basically an informal adviser to the wardroom, along with maintaining my own admin/medical/GMT requirements.

I'm also part of the funeral honors team, so I get a few points here and there through that. It requires me to keep my dress uniforms clean, but it does pay, and is the best use of my military time in my current capacity. I find it to be a great way to give something meaningful back to the community.

Counting down from three DWEs remaining, starting this weekend...

 

[taxi1]

Great info, thanks. As for travel, a better way to describe it is I'd like to decrease my frequency of travel. My two years as a SELRES has involved travel just about every month. Granted that's been driven by 3710 requirements, but it's still something I'm pretty focused on. On Zipserve, there are a number of interesting ADOS orders at N98 that would be local to DC. I'd rather do that, than travel to a drill site or have to support some exercise that blows up my calendar or get tagged with involuntary mob.

From the aviation side of the house, VTU is talked of as the halfway house before you retire but you still need 1-3 good years. I'm trying to explore whether or not it would be a good place to go to step away from normal SELRES for a few years, then jump back into a paid billet, mob, recall, etc. Or if I should just accept that it's a place to mark time until 20.


I'm already leaving a hardware unit so that's off the table. Different life circumstances and I would have 100% stayed there. As for the second point, that's been pretty surprising. Feels like 1315/1325 selection is going the way of TAR promotions, which leads to the question of whether it's worth grinding it out for the hope of O-5.

If in the DC area, you could maybe get farmed out to a SELRES unit while in the VTU and drill with them. Then get a Concurrent Report from the SELRES unit, do some ADT or whatever the Navy Reserves calls it these days. The ONR community is a good one if you have techie skills. I knew quite a few folks who did similar back in my day.

My knowledge is 10 years old, so grain of salt and all that.

 

[sevenhelmet]

If in the DC area, you could maybe get farmed out to a SELRES unit while in the VTU and drill with them. Then get a Concurrent Report from the SELRES unit, do some ADT or whatever the Navy Reserves calls it these days. The ONR community is a good one if you have techie skills. I knew quite a few folks who did similar back in my day.

My knowledge is 10 years old, so grain of salt and all that.

Still a valid path. The toughest part is answering the "why" behind VTU instead of SELRES- once you're participating at a certain level, SELRES is really the better option, since all drills are paid. Most of the senior officers I have encountered understand the "I'm just here to make 20" gameplan, but they don't expect you to promote once you're on that path. I made O-5 purely off AD jobs and FITREPs, and I wasn't in the VTU yet when I promoted.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I'm already leaving a hardware unit so that's off the table. Different life circumstances and I would have 100% stayed there. As for the second point, that's been pretty surprising. Feels like 1315/1325 selection is going the way of TAR promotions, which leads to the question of whether it's worth grinding it out for the hope of O-5.

Yeah I figured that is where you were leaving. If VTU better serves your life, it is the correct choice for sure. I'm only saying that you should have realistic expectations in doing so, with respect to future boards. I agree, it was kind of a weird board this last year. I guess this year's will speak to whether that was a fluke, or a fundamental change going forward. I know we are preparing our folks who are in LAR for this spring, to assume the latter, and getting them through CQOB if they have the desire.

 

[SynixMan]

I think this thread is funny in the sense of the ingrained gouge of 1315/1325s is "Hardware unit", "Shitty NRC SELRES drill weekends and Djibouti MOBs", or VTU. The more I've learned about the reserves, it's really a choose your own adventure once you know the rules.