Officer Candidate, looking to branch in a support roll for the 19th out of Los Al

[AustinT]

Hello gentlemen I hope all is well,

I apologize if the question's been asked before, I attempted to determine if it has but came up empty.
It's been some time since I've been on here and I've since enlisted, graduated BCT a while ago and am moving along with OCS with the California National Guard. Juggling the tasks of being an OC while working 24-48 hour shifts on an ambulance in Los Angeles is certainly challenging but I'm getting by well.
I'm beginning to look at basic branches to commission into, and I'm strongly leaning towards IN or MI. There's a little bit of time before it occurs, but before I commit too much to either I wanted to find out if there is any demand for 2LT's in a support roll for A CO of the 5-19th, either down here in Los Alamitos or up north.
As being an 18A is a strong goal of mine, I think that working in a support roll, training with and around SF soldiers would be of great benefit.
Thank you for your time.

[Buffalobob]

You asked a question that no one has answered and I certainly do not know the answer but I am in the Christmas spirit so I will cast a pearl out and see what you do with it.

I was an 18A stateside and voluntarily left that job to run a leg infantry platoon in combat. I am more proud of my CIB than my beret. I am proud to have been an Infantry Officer.

While my dream ( like yours) was to be an 18A in combat, that was not to be as I was assigned elsewhere in Vietnam by the all knowing pentagon or whoever, nonetheless I am very proud of the draftees I commanded and the job we did. I and my men are not the reason we lost that war.

Merry Christmas to you.

[AustinT]

Thank you Sir for your time and the reply.

The Infantry is actually at the top of my list for what to branch into after I commission. To lead an Infantry unit into combat would be an honor that I don't think I could ever truly understand unless I get the opportunity to do it myself.
With that being said, I've been told that the Army is very impacted with Lt.'s, and that the Infantry is particularly Lt. heavy.
Should the needs of the Army dictate that I begin my career as an officer in a different branch, I shall do so gladly; ensuring that I place the mission, and my soldiers first and always.
In the event that I end up serving in a support roll I would prefer to support the biggest asset our nations military has, with the eventual goal of one day being able to serve as a guest in an ODA as an 18A.

Again, I appreciate your time in replying and thank you for your service Sir.

Austin

[NC6J]

A/5/19th does not have any "support roles" for LT's.

Without going into details that are available from any number of open sources, there are only two or three enlisted support positions in an SF company, support is at BN level and above.

No dig on you, once we decide that we want to go SF, we want to get there as soon as possible.

MI and IN are both good feeder branches for going 18A, but you will need to get your PL time done and you will need to complete the resident MCCC at Benning regardless of your Basic Branch prior to going to the 18A course.

SFAS, MCCC, and SFQC are a long process in the Guard.

If you have time at drill in Jan and want more details about the process, come see me in BLDG 822.

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by AustinT

Hello gentlemen I hope all is well,

I apologize if the question's been asked before, I attempted to determine if it has but came up empty.
It's been some time since I've been on here and I've since enlisted, graduated BCT a while ago and am moving along with OCS with the California National Guard..

BB has the lead,, Branch Inf, and spend some time with grunts. It will build your knowledge base of combat tactics and improve your leadership skills.

Add Ranger school & jump school as available, then submit a packet.

Focus on the 25 yd target.

It may seam like FOREVER, but actually only takes a couple years well spent getting your head out of your ass...

Good luck,, and good hunting...



I spent my limited combat with 100% leg draftees, great bunch of troops, the guys that make the Army what it is..

Life offers opportunities,, The good and the bad has more to do with the way you use them,, rather than the way they are offered...

[AustinT]

Thank you for your reply and the clarification NC6J.
No dig taken, and as much as I'd like to be part of the SF community I understand that the application requirements and selection criteria exist for a reason. I'm not part of the community so I don't know with certainty but given the range of situations, regions, and missions that you deal with it seems critical to have the right types of soldiers on the team. I imagine that it's a fine line between being an asset or being a liability, and I want to do everything I can to make sure that I'm on the right side of it. Should that mean it takes a few years before getting the opportunity to try out I'm okay with that.

I would be very interested in coming by to learn more. The Officer Candidates are no longer training at Los Al, but I do live nearby and anytime that is convenient for you to let me come by works for me (except Friday through Sunday this coming week as I will be at drill). I'm a civilian paramedic, which means that I don't work every day during the week, so if you're AGR and would prefer that I come in during the week I could definitely do that too. I'll send you a PM with my AKO email address and if you would let me know when the best time for me to come in is and who I should ask for once I get there I would be most grateful.

Again thanks for the reply and I hope you got to enjoy this holiday season.

Originally Posted by NC6J

A/5/19th does not have any "support roles" for LT's.

Without going into details that are available from any number of open sources, there are only two or three enlisted support positions in an SF company, support is at BN level and above.

No dig on you, once we decide that we want to go SF, we want to get there as soon as possible.

MI and IN are both good feeder branches for going 18A, but you will need to get your PL time done and you will need to complete the resident MCCC at Benning regardless of your Basic Branch prior to going to the 18A course.

SFAS, MCCC, and SFQC are a long process in the Guard.

If you have time at drill in Jan and want more details about the process, come see me in BLDG 822.

[AustinT]

Advice well received JJ_BPK.
I'm looking forward to being able to lead in the Infantry, and have no complaints on how long it may take for me to be able to be given the chance to try and join SF. The last thing I would want to do is miss any valuable learning opportunity which may help me should I get selected and am allowed to serve as an 18A.
In my experience at OCS, I don't know that I will ever fully get my head out of my ass but Ranger school, Airborne school and leading an Infantry Platoon for a while
and learning what it really means to be a leader I might get it out far enough to breath.
I'm thankful for this board existing to offer support and help those who aspire to one day join the ranks of the SF community. I don't surface and open my mouth here too often but I do read a lot, and the information I've gathered has helped immensely. Thank you again for your advice, and happy new year to you and your family.

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

BB has the lead,, Branch Inf, and spend some time with grunts. It will build your knowledge base of combat tactics and improve your leadership skills.

Add Ranger school & jump school as available, then submit a packet.

Focus on the 25 yd target.

It may seam like FOREVER, but actually only takes a couple years well spent getting your head out of your ass...

Good luck,, and good hunting...



I spent my limited combat with 100% leg draftees, great bunch of troops, the guys that make the Army what it is..

Life offers opportunities,, The good and the bad has more to do with the way you use them,, rather than the way they are offered...