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Regular Joe
 
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 3/27/2007 11:22 AM
Posts: 76,
Visits: 9
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OK, this isn't the usual question from a kid looking for advice on what MOS to enlist for. I am a 7 1/2 years in, successful company commander. Problem is this. I have been dying to get back to the airborne community, and I am currently on orders for Bragg for 21 May 2003. I will attend Civil Affairs Orientation, Middle East Regional Orientation, followed by 6 months of wonderful Arabic. Now obviously this assignment is choice for me after command. Keeps me out of Recruiting and AC/RC. I also avoid the school house (AKA the puzzle palace). I also get back on status, and due to the nature of the assignemtn, can find myslef deploying and jumping with any myriad of units in SOCOM. I just found out that my current battalion is "most likely" going to deploy ISO OIF right about the time my command comes to a close. My battalion commander wants me to nix the CA route, stay in the MP Corps, extend with him and take the Asst S-3 job in the Bn for the rotation. Options are:
1: Go back to Bragg, get great training, jump again, guaranteed deployment, increased marketability upon retirement
2: Stay MP, deploy, control 6 companies worth of MPs in a combat zone. If I do this, I lose my ability to go the CA route and pick up a probable Ranger School Slot.
Thoughts from the experts?
Thanks
C
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Detachment Sergeant
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/7/2008 5:06 PM
Posts: 3,684,
Visits: 680
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Sir, please accept this advice from a humble enlisted man: Take CA and Fort Bragg. I am almost certain that if you go CA with Arabic, you will be going to the sandbox eventually, anyway. As for marketability; I'm not entirely sure, but I think CA w/Arabic could be a big boost (depending on what you want to do). And if you want a great working environment with super people, you can't go wrong by going to Fort Bragg. I worked with a lot of great people at USASOC HQ (USASOC, CAPOC, and Special Forces Command inhabit the same building) and really liked the CAPOC folks. I'm thinkin' that you may be "itchin'" to "get into the action". If you go with Arabic, you will almost certainly get where you want to be.
 ALWAYS OUT FRONT
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Regular Joe
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 3/27/2007 11:22 AM
Posts: 76,
Visits: 9
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JM, thanks for the feedback. That is what my gut is telling me to do as well. Plus, if I go with my MP Bn I get stuck as a staff bitch and if I go to Bragg, granted it is 9 months of school, but I end up taking a team, stay in command and stay with the troops.
99% going to Bragg. Thanks
C
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Masters of Hard Knocks from the University of Gravity
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: Today @ 10:59 PM
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Take the CA slot. As far as career progression goes you should have done your Asst S-3 time prior to Company Command. If he's not going to put you into a primary Staff position at battalion i.e. the S-4 then move on. Brigade staff would be an option but I have to agree with the above statements. If you are looking to make the military a career and you want to spend a lot of time away from home then CA is definately the place to be. I would venture to say that if you stayed in for a 30 year career we will still have forces and CA involved in Arabic speaking countries.
"Si Vis Pacum Para Bellum"
If you want peace prepare for war!
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Regular Joe
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 3/27/2007 11:22 AM
Posts: 76,
Visits: 9
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Arctic, already did my AS-3 time, and have been primary S4 as well. I am a bit late in the command time line, hence the issue of going to Iraq or hitting CA at Bragg. My functional area window closes in June next year and if I am not in it by then, I miss out. See the dilemma - not much of one, but one none the less. Still 99% going stateside. I will have been overseas for 3 1/2 years straight (korea and Germany) and need to get back to the homeland!
Thanks
C
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Hard Charger
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 10/27/2008 12:30 PM
Posts: 2,220,
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Sounds like you've made your decision ParaMP. Good luck!
"EBO isn't a strategy. It's a sales pitch." - Ralph Peters
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