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Regular Joe
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/15/2008 1:16 PM
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Gentlemen,
My step-son Mike is in the process of joining the Army ( I steered him in the right direction ) and here is a little information on his status. He's 19 years old and physically fit. Very athletic and strong. He has a G.E.D. and has scored well on his ASVAB test. He wants to be an engineer of some sort possibly a 12B (Upon looking on the Army's web site, it seems that the new MOS code for a Combat Engineer is 21B? When did they change this?) He also is very interested in Heavy Construction Equipment operator (21J or 21E.) He also wants to be in an Airborne unit (He's very interested in the 82nd.) Sorry for the rambling, but I want to make sure that I post enough info for a response.
His Grandfather on his fathers side was in the Special Forces back in the day (Was one of the first men in the Special Forces serving with the 10th and 77th Groups in 1952-1953) and Mike is interested in following in his footsteps possibly some day. I know that a Combat Engineer would probably be the best MOS to go in for now if he decides that he likes the Army way of life and does someday want to go Special Forces. Also being in an Airborne unit would also be beneficial.
His recruiter seems like a good guy and has helped with Mike in studying for the test, etc ... but when I told him that he wanted to be in an airborne unit and that I wanted that option in his contract, he told me that he couldn't do it .. he also said that new recruits wouldn't know were they were going to be stationed at until A.I.T. ?? Now when I joined the Army back in 1984I was in a COHORT unit and knew where I was going to serve when I got to Harmony Church at Ft Benning so I'm not sure how a non COHORT recruit would know where he would end up. Doesn't seem right that you would sign up and NOT know where the hell you were going to end up?
My Questions:
1. Is it possible to get Airborne School guaranteed on your contract?
2. Is it possible to be guaranteed to be assigned to an Airborne unit prior to going to basic training?
3. Does the 82nd use "heavy equipment"? The recruiter told me that they do not .....
4. What would your advice be to me to make sure that he gets what he wants and goes to an Airborne unit.
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Strac Trooper
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Yes it is possible to get Airborne in his contract. It all depends on when he goes down to MEPS on what they have at the time. But keep in mind that just because he gets Airborne, it doesnt mean that he will be in a Airborne unit. He may or may not know what his duty station is when he signs up. Ive seen some people know when they go to MEPS and others dont know till AIT. As far as him getting Airborne, Id say if they dont have it then get up and tell them to call me when you have what I want. That may or may not work. When I was on Recruiting duty I saw alot of people get Airborne. That was a few years ago though. Hopefully this info helps. Good luck.
"The sergeant is the Army." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Hard Charger
 
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Last Login: 1/23/2007 11:50 PM
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The 82nd does have a light equipment company the 618th of the 307th Engineer Battalion (ABN). The light equipment company would probably deal with dump trucks, dozers and bucket loaders. Their use would be airfield, road improvement, fortifications, building and support of the combat engineers projects. You must have be familiar with it, you were a 12B.
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Regular Joe
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/15/2008 1:16 PM
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| Thanks for all your help .. and yes I know that we used light "heavy equipment" in My Engineer Battalion, I just wanted to know if the 82nd had a heavy "heavy equipment" unit. I think that's what I'll do if they tell me that they can't promise Airborne School for Mike ... and more importantly a top notch division like the 82nd .. We'll just wait it out. Hopefully with the Army's recruiting projections down, we'll have a good shot. Thanks Again guys .... Ligtfighter Out ...
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Paratrooper
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I am not a recruiter and should probably stay out of here, but the 82nd is primarily an Infantry Div. Common sense tells me if he wants to go to the 82nd with an Engr MOS, the open slots are probably few with many applicants.
RJ - SCOUTS OUT! 
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Hard Charger
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If he wants to do heavy equipment I think he will have to be in something other than a divisional unit. The 30th Engineer Brigade (ABN) is based at Bragg, however, like most XVIIIth Corps support units, while the brigade is "airborne", that doesn't mean that all the troops are in jump slots.
Martin  "When I'm in command, every mission is a suicide mission" - Zapp Branigan, Futurama
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Regular Joe
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/15/2008 1:16 PM
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| Just to let you all know .... Mike signed up and swore in last week and is on the DEP. He'll be leaving September 29th for Ft Leonard Wood for Basic and AIT (His MOS will be 21E "Heavy Construction Equipment Operator") He also has Jump school in his contract for after AIT. I still hope that he can get a slot with the 82nd, 101st, or another decent unit. I just wanted to thank all those who replied to my original thread .... Lightfighter Out ....
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Air Force Liaison/P.Net Original Cast of Characters
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| Hey remember that little thing called Grenada?? The only two guys (a squad leader and one of his private) from the Division who got a combat jump were two Heavy equipment operators attached to the Rangers to move bulldozers off the airfield. The private, now a MSGT is currently serving in the SF as a longtabber. I met him while taking him down range to the sandbox.
LOAD CLEAR! LOAD CLEAR! Your Job is my Hobby!
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