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In Need of Military Advice

Thanks man. I am leaning toward cav scouts as I really don't want to have to do basic all over again. However, I will see if they can waive it.

Also, I have a question regarding signals: Is there a way I can be an RTO and hang out with the infantry?

You'll be a part of HHC.
 
This is actually great advice. Instead of hiking up and down mountains and freezing my n**s off, I could have been riding around in helicopters and boats chasing drug runners.

Coast Guard is fun stuff.

If I had it to do over again, that's what I would do.
 
Most infantry platoons will have one of their guys trained how to operate a radio, but he'll still be an 11B.

If you want to go a signal MOS but at least be in a combat arms unit, I'd recommend 25U, B, or C. They're more likely to be sent to a maneuver unit than other guys like me, a Sierra, or Quebecs and Novembers.

Everyone in an infantry platoon is trained to operate the comms.
 
This is actually great advice. Instead of hiking up and down mountains and freezing my n**s off, I could have been riding around in helicopters and boats chasing drug runners.

Coast Guard is fun stuff.

Best thing is if your ship sinks you can wade ashore... (Kidding)
 
Everyone in an infantry platoon is trained to operate the comms.

Theoretically yes, but I was talking more in terms of radio operation and maintenance.

I've known some infantry units skimp on that kind of stuff. The unit we were supporting at NTC had that issue.
 
Theoretically yes, but I was talking more in terms of radio operation and maintenance.

I've known some infantry units skimp on that kind of stuff. The unit we were supporting at NTC had that issue.

An infantry company's TO&E calls for a communications section that is a part of the headquarters platoon that performs maintanance and training.

I personally never saw a unit skimp on commo guys, but that's just my experience. I'm glad I was never in a unit that did...lol.

When I was a platoon sargeant, my goal was for everyone to know everything. I would regularly teach privates how to do strictly PL and PS tasks, like Class 4 and 5 orders.
 
An infantry company's TO&E calls for a communications section that is a part of the headquarters platoon that performs maintanance and training.

I personally never saw a unit skimp on commo guys, but that's just my experience. I'm glad I was never in a unit that did...lol.

When I was a platoon sargeant, my goal was for everyone to know everything. I would regularly teach privates how to do strictly PL and PS tasks, like Class 4 and 5 orders.

The guys we were supporting in NTC could've used someone like you.
 
The guys we were supporting in NTC could've used someone like you.

I've seen those units; even been in those units and I never did understand the logic. Some of it was motivated by job security, but that never made sense to me, either.
 
You don't sleep in the mud. You learn to perform a real world mission, that you'll actually perform. All that soldier'n bull**** is fine, when you're twenty-something, but you have to think about when you're thirty-something, or forty-something. The Coast Guard is something you can still be doing at forty-something. There aren't many forty-something cav scouts, or grunts out there in the field. Even if you don't plan on making it a career, those few years of punishment will remind you all those good times, years later.

I was an infantryman for 13 years and I can attest that that life only gets harder as you get older and I can also attest to the physical punishment that I'm paying for, now that I'm almost 50.

Here's the best part, unlike the Army, Navy and the Air Force, the Coast Guard academy doesn't require a congressional appointment. If you have the SAT score, you're in.

You oughta research it, anyway. **** being a bullet stopper.

Found out today that since I am not officially active, I won't be able to do combat arms.

/goes to quietly weep

I'm gonna look at Civil Affairs or something in the MI field or whatevs. SIGINT or something cool, depending on what's available.
 
Found out today that since I am not officially active, I won't be able to do combat arms.

/goes to quietly weep

I'm gonna look at Civil Affairs or something in the MI field or whatevs. SIGINT or something cool, depending on what's available.

That sounds like bull****. They might not want to reclassify you in a new MOS (I assume you're not in a combat arms MOS now), but your component status has nothing to do with it. What's your rank?
 
That sounds like bull****. They might not want to reclassify you in a new MOS (I assume you're not in a combat arms MOS now), but your component status has nothing to do with it. What's your rank?

I am an E4.

The Reserve Liason said that I would have to choose an MOS from a list and that I can't do combat arms as there aren't any such MOSs in the Reserves.
 
So, unfortunately I am being dismissed from Army Officer Candidate School for failing the land navigation portion twice. (I knew what I was doing the second time around, but my head lamp broke on the re-test day, which really screwed me over.) However, my Reserve unit is willing to begin the process to let me go active duty.

What I am looking for is two things: 1) Usually how long does it take for one to move from Reserve to Active duty status? and 2) What kind of job should I choose? Personally I want infantry or cav scout, however, I heard that if I chose infantry, I would have to do basic training all over again. Is that true?

Thoughts?
1. Look at Army Warant(sp) Officer tracks that may interest you. Since you will need 2 years as enlisted in the MOS you would like to Warant in anyway, an excellent record (APFT, qualify Expert, letter of recommendation from your CO) and earning a related degree can land you back in OCS or WOCS.

2. Yes, for infantry and MP you have to re-do BCT because the MOS training is integrated into the BCT coarse itself, unlike most MOS learned after BCT at AIT. However, you may not have to start at day-zero. I personally know an E-5 who reclassed from 88M (transportation) to MP and due to his time-in-service was inserted into an MP cycle around week-3, the beginning of weapons training (I'll let him tell you about the special hell Drill Sergeants save for re-classing NCOS lol). If you participated in a 'BCT-first' program before shipping to OCS then you likely will not have to start BCT at day zero.
 
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I am an E4.

The Reserve Liason said that I would have to choose an MOS from a list and that I can't do combat arms as there aren't any such MOSs in the Reserves.
So you are a reservist trying to go active duty but they will only allow you to reclassify to an MOS that is in the reserves. Weird but I really have no experience dealing with making that switch.

If you are truly dedicated to being combat arms you can always just pick any MOS and then as soon as you are active duty drop a
Selection packet and go SF. It's not for everyone but I sure enjoy the hell out of it.
 
I am an E4.

The Reserve Liason said that I would have to choose an MOS from a list and that I can't do combat arms as there aren't any such MOSs in the Reserves.

But, you're going on active duty. Sounds to me like he's trying to frustrate you into remaining in the reserves.

Army Reserve, or National Guard?
 
But, you're going on active duty. Sounds to me like he's trying to frustrate you into remaining in the reserves.

Army Reserve, or National Guard?

Army Reserve.

He says that in my contract it states that I have to become MOS qualified, however I am not sure of that. I am gonna bring my contract with me today and have him point it out.
 
Army Reserve.

He says that in my contract it states that I have to become MOS qualified, however I am not sure of that. I am gonna bring my contract with me today and have him point it out.

Well...this a perfect excuse to join the Coast Guard...lol
 
Thanks man. I am leaning toward cav scouts as I really don't want to have to do basic all over again. However, I will see if they can waive it.

Also, I have a question regarding signals: Is there a way I can be an RTO and hang out with the infantry?

The RTO is just another 11X who carries the radio, they are not any kind of 25 series. Just another grunt who uses the radio.
Most infantry platoons will have one of their guys trained how to operate a radio, but he'll still be an 11B.

If you want to go a signal MOS but at least be in a combat arms unit, I'd recommend 25U, B, or C. They're more likely to be sent to a maneuver unit than other guys like me, a Sierra, or Quebecs and Novembers.

And do not forget that "Combat Arms" includes many other kinds of MOS, including the 14 series (Air Defense).

Found out today that since I am not officially active, I won't be able to do combat arms.

That is more an issue of the needs at the time. And at this time, most Combat Arms are at or over strength.

First, check with a local recruiter. They would have a list of openings for active duty for those with prior service (is another route other than your career planner). I did this a few weeks back, and found out the only opening for me (because of time in service and rank) is in the 14 series. And while I would love to go back to active duty, I am not sure at all I want to go back to Air Defense as a 14T again (did that for 5 years). Not because of the job, but 90% of them are at Fort Bliss, and I do not want to do another 5 years at Bliss.

And you might also just wait a few months. They are already talking of adding another 22,000+ to Active Duty, so those requirements will be changing. Depending on how long is left on your contract, waiting until the end and just enlisting with AD might be your best bet. The recruiters have different openings for prior service than your CP would.

You can also go into AKO and look up any openings for your grade and MOS for active duty time. These can range from 3 to 12+ months, and can be almost anywhere in the world.
 
The RTO is just another 11X who carries the radio, they are not any kind of 25 series. Just another grunt who uses the radio.

And do not forget that "Combat Arms" includes many other kinds of MOS, including the 14 series (Air Defense).



That is more an issue of the needs at the time. And at this time, most Combat Arms are at or over strength.

First, check with a local recruiter. They would have a list of openings for active duty for those with prior service (is another route other than your career planner). I did this a few weeks back, and found out the only opening for me (because of time in service and rank) is in the 14 series. And while I would love to go back to active duty, I am not sure at all I want to go back to Air Defense as a 14T again (did that for 5 years). Not because of the job, but 90% of them are at Fort Bliss, and I do not want to do another 5 years at Bliss.

And you might also just wait a few months. They are already talking of adding another 22,000+ to Active Duty, so those requirements will be changing. Depending on how long is left on your contract, waiting until the end and just enlisting with AD might be your best bet. The recruiters have different openings for prior service than your CP would.

You can also go into AKO and look up any openings for your grade and MOS for active duty time. These can range from 3 to 12+ months, and can be almost anywhere in the world.

Looks like I am gonna be a 42A (Human Resources Specialist).

I am gonna either try to get released from my new Reserve unit or just volunteer for AD.
 
Looks like I am gonna be a 42A (Human Resources Specialist).

I am gonna either try to get released from my new Reserve unit or just volunteer for AD.

I'm trying to reclass to a 42A, since I'm aiming for a career in HR once I get out of the army and the experience (and college credits) should help. If I end up there before you, I'll let you know what it's like.
 
So, unfortunately I am being dismissed from Army Officer Candidate School for failing the land navigation portion twice. (I knew what I was doing the second time around, but my head lamp broke on the re-test day, which really screwed me over.) However, my Reserve unit is willing to begin the process to let me go active duty.

What I am looking for is two things: 1) Usually how long does it take for one to move from Reserve to Active duty status? and 2) What kind of job should I choose? Personally I want infantry or cav scout, however, I heard that if I chose infantry, I would have to do basic training all over again. Is that true?

Thoughts?

What are you asking us for? Ask you C.O. or Recruiter or whatever...
 
You should consider speaking with a USMC recruiter about officer training if you haven't already!

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You've lost your damned mind. If he can't pass the Army version, then he sure as hell won't stand a chance with the Marines. OCS and enlisted boot camp both have very tough land nav components...likely tougher than any other service.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
 
You've lost your damned mind. If he can't pass the Army version, then he sure as hell won't stand a chance with the Marines. OCS and enlisted boot camp both have very tough land nav components...likely tougher than any other service.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

I have the impression that he's a smart guy but just got poor training. I'm guessing according to his description of events that USMC OCS could do a better job of training him.
 
I have the impression that he's a smart guy but just got poor training. I'm guessing according to his description of events that USMC OCS could do a better job of training him.

OK..I'll give you a thumbs up for that one. They don't just throw you to the wolves.
 
I am an E4.

The Reserve Liason said that I would have to choose an MOS from a list and that I can't do combat arms as there aren't any such MOSs in the Reserves.

Yeah, I remember that. The National Guard, however, has combat arms.
 
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