Haldex
Unverified
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2018
- Messages
- 10
Hello all,
I'm looking for some quick advice, and quick as in I have 4 days to make a final decision, because this just dropped in my lap. I'm going to MEPS early next week and my recruiter told me that I need to pick 10 Jobs. My end goal, as I mentioned in my Introduction post, is to eventually become Airborne Qualified and earn the Ranger Tab. Ever since I was told that the Army was my future, that Tab, the honor of wearing it, and the responsibility to others once I have earned it, has become everything to me and I'm busting my rear end to make sure I'm squared away when the time comes. Not just for the Q, but for the people I hope to serve with afterwards. I owe it to them now to put in every ounce of sweat and blood so when the time comes, I can perform. This probably makes me sound like I'm just a needy scrub that wants to be billy badass, and I apologize for that. It's not the Tab in particular I'm wanting. It's the full package that comes once I get it, and if my seniors believe me competent at that point. Moving on...
As you all may learn through future questions and posts, I like to be prepared. Thus, I am not going 18X. Some guys will say I'm a fool for not fully dedicating myself to the SF and going 18X, but I've put my fingers all in one bucket before and I'm cautious to do it again. Not only that, but the Recruiter mentioned that if I wash then I fall into the "general needs of the army" category with no back-up plan. I'm in this to win and I've made the mistake of not preparing myself properly before and ended up with nothing when all was said and done. I won't do it again. If you want my reasons and backstory, inbox me and I'll fill you in.
I would like to know what MOSes you all you recommend to a fresh recruit that will prepare them for Ranger School over the course of maybe a year or two, as well as for what comes after being a Ranger since I prefer to believe that I'll survive long enough to eventually marry, have kids, and buy a house with a white picket fence. While I plan to be a lifer, there's always good ol' Murphy's Law hanging out waiting to mess you up. I have checked out some threads and it seems to me a handful recommend 13F, 11B, and I've seen some MI here and there but it's more the other two.
What I didn't get out of these threads is more of a "why". What makes the 13F a strong option? I looked up what the 13F does; here, here, as well as on the Android APP called 'Career Navigator'. They all say about the same thing, which I'll paraphrase in my words; infantry radio operator who calls in fire support through the use of the radio and laser designation, and uses Maps/Navigation tools to designate target locations (if I'm wrong, please correct me!). Is this MOS stronger because it gets you comfortable with the radio, maps, and a range of targeting/artillery systems? Or is there something I'm missing here?
I have the same question about 11B. I've seen some horror stories about guys getting stuck as an 11B and falling into the "needs of the army" trap where they can't change MOSes. If Ranger fails, I have a backup in place but it would require me to switch MOSes. If selecting 11B means I'm outta luck if I wash out, then any advantage that MOS gives is null. However, I am still interested in the advantages of going 11B. Since it's standard Infantryman/Rifleman, the Army will likely provide training, or you will be able to apply for training, that could help you prepare for SF depending on the training. Or you just end up getting exposed to the stuff overtime because of the "generalness" of the MOS. I'm also wary about this MOS because, to me (and not to bash anyone who chose 11B), it's not enough. I would prefer an MOS that I can use later on and when I retire.
Finding that balance between usefulness and SF prep has my hands tied. I've been thinking hard, comparing jobs, looking up what people have done in the various jobs, and looking up trainings, educations, and career longevity inside and outside of the Army. SF is the goal, but I know full well that the goal is a hundred steps up the staircase and job selection is one of those steps. And I also know that there's more to life than the uniform, and I've seen what not being ready for the "after" can do.
I'll keep browsing and searching for the magic thread where someone else has probably asked this, but should this not have been asked before; I ask for y'alls advice. Anything you can give, I appreciate. Even if it's the link to the magic thread that answers this one already.
Thank you.
P.S; Sorry for the essay. That ended up more long winded than I thought.
I'm looking for some quick advice, and quick as in I have 4 days to make a final decision, because this just dropped in my lap. I'm going to MEPS early next week and my recruiter told me that I need to pick 10 Jobs. My end goal, as I mentioned in my Introduction post, is to eventually become Airborne Qualified and earn the Ranger Tab. Ever since I was told that the Army was my future, that Tab, the honor of wearing it, and the responsibility to others once I have earned it, has become everything to me and I'm busting my rear end to make sure I'm squared away when the time comes. Not just for the Q, but for the people I hope to serve with afterwards. I owe it to them now to put in every ounce of sweat and blood so when the time comes, I can perform. This probably makes me sound like I'm just a needy scrub that wants to be billy badass, and I apologize for that. It's not the Tab in particular I'm wanting. It's the full package that comes once I get it, and if my seniors believe me competent at that point. Moving on...
As you all may learn through future questions and posts, I like to be prepared. Thus, I am not going 18X. Some guys will say I'm a fool for not fully dedicating myself to the SF and going 18X, but I've put my fingers all in one bucket before and I'm cautious to do it again. Not only that, but the Recruiter mentioned that if I wash then I fall into the "general needs of the army" category with no back-up plan. I'm in this to win and I've made the mistake of not preparing myself properly before and ended up with nothing when all was said and done. I won't do it again. If you want my reasons and backstory, inbox me and I'll fill you in.
I would like to know what MOSes you all you recommend to a fresh recruit that will prepare them for Ranger School over the course of maybe a year or two, as well as for what comes after being a Ranger since I prefer to believe that I'll survive long enough to eventually marry, have kids, and buy a house with a white picket fence. While I plan to be a lifer, there's always good ol' Murphy's Law hanging out waiting to mess you up. I have checked out some threads and it seems to me a handful recommend 13F, 11B, and I've seen some MI here and there but it's more the other two.
What I didn't get out of these threads is more of a "why". What makes the 13F a strong option? I looked up what the 13F does; here, here, as well as on the Android APP called 'Career Navigator'. They all say about the same thing, which I'll paraphrase in my words; infantry radio operator who calls in fire support through the use of the radio and laser designation, and uses Maps/Navigation tools to designate target locations (if I'm wrong, please correct me!). Is this MOS stronger because it gets you comfortable with the radio, maps, and a range of targeting/artillery systems? Or is there something I'm missing here?
I have the same question about 11B. I've seen some horror stories about guys getting stuck as an 11B and falling into the "needs of the army" trap where they can't change MOSes. If Ranger fails, I have a backup in place but it would require me to switch MOSes. If selecting 11B means I'm outta luck if I wash out, then any advantage that MOS gives is null. However, I am still interested in the advantages of going 11B. Since it's standard Infantryman/Rifleman, the Army will likely provide training, or you will be able to apply for training, that could help you prepare for SF depending on the training. Or you just end up getting exposed to the stuff overtime because of the "generalness" of the MOS. I'm also wary about this MOS because, to me (and not to bash anyone who chose 11B), it's not enough. I would prefer an MOS that I can use later on and when I retire.
Finding that balance between usefulness and SF prep has my hands tied. I've been thinking hard, comparing jobs, looking up what people have done in the various jobs, and looking up trainings, educations, and career longevity inside and outside of the Army. SF is the goal, but I know full well that the goal is a hundred steps up the staircase and job selection is one of those steps. And I also know that there's more to life than the uniform, and I've seen what not being ready for the "after" can do.
I'll keep browsing and searching for the magic thread where someone else has probably asked this, but should this not have been asked before; I ask for y'alls advice. Anything you can give, I appreciate. Even if it's the link to the magic thread that answers this one already.
Thank you.
P.S; Sorry for the essay. That ended up more long winded than I thought.