I would like a little advice.

jatx · 08-25-2007, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason17

The 98G path is something I need to research a bit more to see if it is really something I want to start out with. I would like to ask you some specific questions on this job and your other experiences in the MI field if you wouldn't mind.

Unless they are too personal, you might consider asking your (well-framed) questions in the open. The SOT-A path is an interesting but seldom-discussed option that other recruits will also be interested in.

NotME · 08-25-2007, 13:14

Unless things have changed, MOS 98G is unique among Army MOSs in one critical respect for this plan of yours. That is, it is not possible to attend SFAS as a 98G. (Again, unless things have changed!) Forever and ever there was a moratorium on MOS qualified 98Gs from attending SFAS because they are always in critically short supply (or so I was told). It was very difficult to change your MOS for any reason, even as a re-enlistment option. Lots and lots of SOT-A guys would have loved to go to SFAS, and some did, but branch would not release us to change our MOS to anything at all - not even 18 series. I know first hand, having been through it myself. I tried three different times to "slip through the cracks", but to no avail.

Jason17 · 08-25-2007, 17:32

Quote:

Unless things have changed, MOS 98G is unique among Army MOSs in one critical respect for this plan of yours. That is, it is not possible to attend SFAS as a 98G. (Again, unless things have changed!) Forever and ever there was a moratorium on MOS qualified 98Gs from attending SFAS because they are always in critically short supply (or so I was told). It was very difficult to change your MOS for any reason, even as a re-enlistment option. Lots and lots of SOT-A guys would have loved to go to SFAS, and some did, but branch would not release us to change our MOS to anything at all - not even 18 series. I know first hand, having been through it myself. I tried three different times to "slip through the cracks", but to no avail.

That is definitely cause for concern. Why is 98G always undermanned? I would imagine that given the choice of having someone walk away from the Army at reenlistment time or choose what they want to do, the Army would choose the latter. Then again, I have had no prior experiences with the Army other than recruiting, and I can say I have seen more efficient processes.

Quote:

Unless they are too personal, you might consider asking your (well-framed) questions in the open. The SOT-A path is an interesting but seldom-discussed option that other recruits will also be interested in.

I would have no problem asking the questions out in the open. My concern is in causing any OPSEC problems on an open forum, but I suppose anyone with truthful information regarding this type of thing would know what not to divulge. I am doing some searching to see if I can find information on my own, but I can tell there is not too much available.

jatx · 08-25-2007, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason17

I would have no problem asking the questions out in the open. My concern is in causing any OPSEC problems on an open forum

A question does not constitute an OPSEC hazard, and the individuals providing the answers know how to edit themselves.

jwt5 · 08-25-2007, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason17

That is definitely cause for concern. Why is 98G always undermanned?
I would have no problem asking the questions out in the open. My concern is in causing any OPSEC problems on an open forum, but I suppose anyone with truthful information regarding this type of thing would know what not to divulge. I am doing some searching to see if I can find information on my own, but I can tell there is not too much available.

98G is undermanned for two reasons. One, it's a tough course, especially for the Arabic/Pharsi speakers. Two, experienced 98Gs with high DLAB scores can make a nice chunk of change in the private sector. (An ex-girl friend of mine was a 98G Arabic speaker).

As far as the OPSEC worries, well, don't worry. You don't know anything that can be an OPSEC concern. The rest of us, well, we'll answer what we can, but we'll tell you when we can't

**The Reaper** · 08-25-2007, 22:22

Jason:

Vision is discussed in at least one of the stickies or intros.

A standard is a standard because it is a requirement. If you can't see any better than Mr. Magoo without corrective lenses, we can't use you.

We have explained at length why people with serious disabilities do not belong on ODAs.

Do some searching and reading to see why.

Best of luck.

TR

Jason17 · 08-26-2007, 09:02

TR,

I agree 100% with the reasoning behind the standards. I am also positive I will have eye surgery at some point in the next few years. My goal for right now is to get in and put myself into a position to achieve my goals somewhere down the road. What I do find interesting is that while my vision is bad, I do already meet the requirements for a "2" on the eye portion of the physical,

which is what 18x requires. However, I have not actually taken the physical at MEPS.

"E" Position - Vision–eyes (5th number in the profile series) - Visual acuity, and organic disease of the eyes and lids.

1 - Uncorrected visual acuity 20/200 correctable to 20/ 20, in each eye.

2 - Distant visual acuity correctable to not worse than 20/40 and 20/70, or 20/30 and 20/100, or 20/20 and 20/ 400.

3 - Uncorrected distant visual acuity of any degree that is correctable not less than 20/40 in the better eye.

4 - Visual acuity below the standards of "3."

Jason17 · 08-26-2007, 09:22

I have a couple of preliminary questions on SOTA that will hopefully point me in the right direction for future inquiries. I wanted an idea on the general structure and where these people come from.

1. What MOS' are eligible, and what is the usual makeup of each on a team?

2. How many people are on a team? If it is a set number, what is the significance of that number?

3. I haven't been able to find much on the 11V identifier. According to my understanding, anyone who is in the 75th has an 11V identifier. Does this mean all SOTA members are part of the 75th but attached to different units? What is the difference between a 98G who is part of SOTA, or just a 98G attached to an SF team or a Ranger unit?

4. What are the physical requirements? Not necessarily how far should I be able to ruck, but things like health requirements and such. If you can pass an Airborne physical, are you good to go?

5. I realize being on one of these teams is not an MOS in and of itself, but is it similar to SF in that once you enter this portion of the Army, you can stay there, or do you spend a little while on one of these teams and get sent back to "normal" duty?

6. Who is in charge of recruiting for SOTA? When do people normally put in an application? During the initial training phase, a year after you are with your first unit, or perhaps longer?

7. Are there 9,000 ( arbitrary ) people in the Army trying to get on a team when there are only a couple dozen ( more arbitrarity? arbitraritiness? ) slots?

That is it for now. I am overflowing with questions but some information on these just might clear some things up. I also have some general 98G or other MOS questions as well.

On a side note, we had a guy at church today come back from Iraq and got a nice unplanned standing ovation this morning. Its not much, but it is good to see some people not affiliated with the Military appreciate what is going on in the world, and are not "supportive" of the Military simply because it would be political suicide to say otherwise. We are only about half an hour from FT. Hood so it is a pro military area.

I am also planning to call the local SF recruiter and ask him which MOS' are not allowed their SF chance.

I appreciate it.