Full Metal Bulldog
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2012
- Messages
- 472
What opportunities would a Support officer have in an aviation unit? Specifically, Chem, Ordnance (EOD maybe as well?), or an MP officer?
What opportunities would a Support officer have in an aviation unit? Specifically, Chem, Ordnance (EOD maybe as well?), or an MP officer?
I don't think you get the MP thing. MPs exist, by and large, in two places: MP platoons (in STBs) and as part of the FLE organizations on installations.
Chemical officers do USR. And training. And maybe, if they're good, get to run a gas chamber twice a year.
Ordnance officers will run the distro platoon and company. Support element away from the flight line. Nothing to do with aviation.
EOD does EOD and they only do it for EOD.
You seem to have this desire to be in all manner of combat arms units, but you want to take a support route to get there. Why not branch into one of the combat arms branches?
My ROTC unit had very few people branch combat arms this year. Absolute rockstars got Ordnance or Signal Corps. I'm just preparing a plan B that I'd still enjoy, that I'd still want to have an Army career doing. I'm just exploring my options, asking for advice and the occasional humorous anecdote.
Looking at the branching models and even at the MS4's at my son's battalion this year, what is your definition of "Rock Stars". There were several cadets that fell more into "American Idol" category that still received MFE Branches.
I'm just exploring the opportunities of the support branches, there isn't too much information available on them, even on the internet. . . .
Scoutpilot,
I am indeed considering branching combat arms. I'm strongly considering aviation as a first choice (if it's even possible to be a second or third and still obtain it), I'm just exploring the opportunities of the support branches, there isn't too much information available on them, even on the internet. An example I've found of this is how cool Chemical Corps sounds, especially on GoArmy's website, until you actually talk to anyone who was ever in the army. I didn't know the first thing about how to become an EOD officer until an MS4 mentor of mine commissioned as Ordnance (EOD).
I'm still not entirely sure I understand you're explanation of MP's, I only have a very Lamen's understanding of their job: police/security on Army installations.
My ROTC unit had very few people branch combat arms this year. Absolute rockstars got Ordnance or Signal Corps. I'm just preparing a plan B that I'd still enjoy, that I'd still want to have an Army career doing. I'm just exploring my options, asking for advice and the occasional humorous anecdote.
I'm still not entirely sure I understand you're explanation of MP's, I only have a very Lamen's understanding of their job: police/security on Army installations.
.
I hear the saying ALOT that "the military is the military, and even moreso the army is the army". I believe this more and more all the time.
. I'm concerned that at what is purportedly a "Senior Military College" no one is teaching you any of this stuff. Are your instructors failing to tell you, or are you failing to ask? This is basic organizational stuff.
Yep, Organization beyond the Battalion level is rarely touched on, and even then only in the context of an Infantry unit. Everything my peers and I have learned about support branches has been via Google. This is not rare either, as I have friends in AROTC at both my school, two big state universities back in my home state, and at a small private college near my hometown, we all have had similar experiences.
MS-1 year is learning how to conduct PRT and an intro to land navigation. That's about it.
Yeah, this is my first assignment as support for a CAB. I honestly have to say I like the BCT world better. I believe its easier to make the transition to CAB support if you have the baseline knowledge and experience coming from a BCT. However in some cases, you MIGHT have the opportunity to earn crew wings as a non aviator. The CAB is a different flavor and if you get a chance, I would request a CAB for your 2nd or 3rd assignment. Its an interesting world.
You're not going to earn crewmember wings unless you're a medical provider, and even then they aren't real wings.
1. I am
2. I specifically said "crew wings"
3. They look and feel like a real badge to me
-Dr. G.
There are crew member wings and "crew member wings." The latter being 15Ps, medical providers, etc.
Ok...
The point I was reinforcing, is there are assignment opportunities for support branches in a CAB. Some support personnel can earn crew wings. I don't understand where you're going with your statement, as it pertains to the subject of this thread. Would you care to elaborate or add additional insight on support opportunities in a CAB or the major differences between BCT support and CAB support?
It pertains to this thread because this young man is considering many support branch options, but none of them are in the medical support realm.
Hauling ass-and-trash is the same whether you're hauling CL IX-Air or HMMWV transfer cases. The big issue for him is that there is no STB in a CAB, which is where the MP opportunity he seeks would be.
But what do I know...