Cavalry Scout

[DrummaBoy]

How does one go about becoming a cavalry scout officer after West Point? I would imagine branching armor but where do you go from there?

Thanks!

 

[scoutpilot]

How does one go about becoming a cavalry scout officer after West Point? I would imagine branching armor but where do you go from there?

Thanks!

There is no official "cavalry" branch. You would become either an armor or infantry officer and be assigned to a RSTA (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) Squadron in a brigade combat team (BCT). Each BCT now has a RSTA, which has replaced the older concept of the Division Cavalry (DIVCAV). The mission is, in reality, not essentially different from a regular infantry battalion mission in the contemporary environment. The biggest difference is the organizational structure and terminology.

Some units, like 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, or 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment make everyone a "cav officer" regardless of branch. 1st Cav is set up like any other heavy BCT (armored), and 2nd SCR is set up generally like any other Stryker brigade in terms of internal capability. It's just a matter of structure again. 3rd ACR is the last holdout, but their structure is changing slowly, too, as part of the modular Army concept.

It's basically a matter of location and assignment orders, only some of which is up to you.

 

[DrummaBoy]

Oh okay, thank you very much for the response. Is it easy to get assigned to an RSTA? do you apply or get selected?

Thanks!

 

[scoutpilot]

Oh okay, thank you very much for the response. Is it easy to get assigned to an RSTA? do you apply or get selected?

Thanks!

If you are an armor officer and you post to a location which has no armor, it means you will likely go to a RSTA, but it isn't always a guarantee. Don't worry...it's not a "selection" thing. The only requirement is the proper branch, a pulse, and a set of orders.