REP-63 Feeder MOS

amatlis · 02-04-2009, 15:52

Hello, I hope this is the right place for this.

I'm a civilian, going rep-63, currently negotiating with my recruiter over which entry mos to choose. Is it a new policy that rep-63 candidates must select a feeder MOS that matches the 18 series they pick? I had wanted to go 11B->18E, but my recruiter is saying I have to go to communications school 25U. If I want to go 11B, I have to select 18B. I'm an electrical engineer, so I thought 18E would be a better fit for me. I also thought the 18E school taught you everything you need to know. And don't all 18xrays go 11B regardless of which 18 series they end up in?

I'm asking because I want to know if I should or can negotiate with my recruiter to get 11B->18E. The contract process is still a mystery to me.

Thanks!

Prester John · 02-04-2009, 16:40

You need a new recruiter. In the Guard, in my experience, it's choose your own adventure.

I was 11B-18D, but proved too thick for that job. So, I am currently re-training as an 11B-18C. I am with 2/20. PM me if you have more specific questions.

Doug

Surgicalcric · 02-04-2009, 16:55

While REP-63 is the NG equivalent of the AD 18X program (both allow off the street enlistment into SF) there are differences; this is one of them.

The requirement of a feeder MOS isnt a new policy. Some states require candidates to choose a feeder MOS to give the SF hopefuls a head start on some of the MOS subjects covered in the SFQC and some do not. Feeder MOS attendance also provides the state/NG an MOS other than 11B if the candidate is dropped from the pipeline for whatever reason. It makes sense looking at it from the NG side of things.

The knowledge base you will have going into the 18E course from 25U is greater then what your knowledge of patrolling and small units tactics will be after having attended 11B OSUT. The junior Echo on my ODA did the same thing and has talked about the difference it made for him in the course. That said, if you were already a commo guy in the civilian side of the house and had a greater knowledge of the subjects covered in the 25U MOS due to your civilian job/education things would be a bit different.

As for Doug's comments on finding a new recruiter, as I said earlier it may very well be the states policy on the matter and not the recruiter's. I know a couple guys have talked the recruiter/career counselor into allowing them to choose 11B instead of a direct feeder MOS, a couple of them are members here.

amatlis · 02-04-2009, 17:32

Thank you Surgicalcric. That is what I'm trying to determine - if it's a guard specific thing that ties the hands of my recruiter. However, talking to Doug, it may be a unit specific thing. I'm trying to figure out if the recruiter is giving me the straight-up or not. It sounds like maybe he is telling it like it is for the 19th in West Virginia.

I understand the needs of the Guard, which makes sense. However, if I didn't make it through for some reason, I would apply for an officer slot. I'm just not that interested in being a 25U.

On the other hand, if 25U is considered a good preparation for 18E, I would definitely consider it. I don't do commo for my civilian job. I just didn't want to spend the 18 weeks for commo school, if I don't need to. I like the fact that 11B is short and hopefully helps me maintain some fitness, whereas I'd probably be sitting around in class all day for 25U. Doug just told me that 11B did not provide much physical fitness, but I have to think it's better than 25U. I will listen to wiser minds if it is recommended that I go to commo school instead of infantry.

Thanks!

caveman · 02-04-2009, 17:48

I wouldn't let your expectations of what the PT will be like to be a deciding factor, at the end of the day your motivation level will determine your PT score. I've been to TRADOC schools with really hard PT and schools with really easy or non-existant PT and I would estimate they had very similar pass rates.

Like my old man always used to say "You get out of it what you put into it".

amatlis · 02-04-2009, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by caveman

Like my old man always used to say "You get out of it what you put into it".

Agreed. If they give me time to PT, I will PT. But, 18 weeks is a lot longer than the 11B, so I'm questioning if there is any point in doing it when I just want to get on to SFAS.

caveman · 02-04-2009, 18:00

Take this with a grain of salt but it may be worth going through the 18 weeks of 25U school just so you get a real good look at what will happen to you if you wash out of SFAS. Might give you an advantage in the motivation department.

Surgicalcric · 02-04-2009, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by amatlis

Agreed. If they give me time to PT, I will PT. But, 18 weeks is a lot longer than the 11B, so I'm questioning if there is any point in doing it when I just want to get on to SFAS.

The recruiter isnt giving you a line of crap... He is being honest and upfront with you. Hopefully one of the 18E's from WV will chime in and give you their perspective on things...

While waiting on them I have a few things for you to take in. If your back up plan is to do OCS then attending 11B OSUT will not help you out in the least and going the 25U route wont slow you down. Getting to SFAS a few weeks faster will not help you get selected; being better prepared will. 11B OSUT will not help you in the least in the Echo course or in SUT. What you are taught there doesnt begin to scratch the surface of what you will be taught. And you will have more time to PT on your own than you know what to do with, or so says several recent 25U grads from 2/20th that I talked to less than an hour ago.

It would seem you have your mind set on 11B though...

Crip