11X or 13F?

2018-11-14T05:19:14-05:00

I go to MEPS to re-enlist (prior service Air Force) next week. When I joined in 2014 I wanted to be a TACP/, my recruiter never got me a slot and I ended up going EOD because I stayed in DEP for 11 months before shipping. I would have been kicked out after 12 months, so I took the only Spec Ops. job available at the time.
I’ve researched both jobs. I’m leaning more towards 13F. My ultimate goal is to serve in the 75th and eventually earn a Ranger tab at school. I’ve been told 11B guys are more likely to get slots for RASP, and airborne school. With that in mind if I do decide to go 13F would it be highly likely I would be able to go RASP, or would I just be assigned to a regular unit? I would rather go straight from OUST or AIT to airborne to RASP, then to wait for slots to open while in a regular unit. The big question is if I want to be a Ranger and server in the 75th should I go 11X, or should I take the job I’d enjoy more even though I may or may not get the opportunities to go to certain schools?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 14 at 2018 6:13 AM

2018-11-14T06:13:43-05:00

11X isn't an MOS (Military Occupation Speciality). The Army does not offer a "guaranteed job" for any specific Infantry MOS. Instead, one must enlist as an "11X." The "X" means that the specific job is not known at the time of enlistment.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Nov 14 at 2018 6:35 AM

2018-11-14T06:35:40-05:00

If you think you would enjoy 13F more, than you should do that. Bust your ass at every stage of the game ensuring your Drill Sergeants and follow on Chain of Command know what you goal is. Push your recruiter to give you an airborne slot.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Nov 14 at 2018 6:36 AM

2018-11-14T06:36:44-05:00

This is when you can negotiate. If you want a 40 option, don't sign the papers until you have it. There will be slots in both MOSes. If you sign for 13F 40 option, you will go from BCT to AIT to Airborne to RASP. If you graduate, you will go to the 75th and they will eventually send you to Ranger School.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 14 at 2018 7:11 AM

2018-11-14T07:11:41-05:00

Go with 13F, if you can't get RASP (Option 40) in your contract then attempt to at least get Airborne School ask for an Airborne unit assignment and try for RASP later from an Airborne unit assignment. 13F's are usually in heavy demand in wartime because they are so mission critical to the Infantry MOS (11 Series MOS). Also, you should always go with what your favorite Primary MOS is first it is not worth lowering your expectation for an Army school that your going to get with experience anyways by SSG or SFC. What do I mean by that? Most of what they train you in Ranger school your going to get anyway via your regular Combat Arms training by the rank of SSG or SFC. The intent of Ranger School for Combat Arms Soldiers is to speed up the acquisition of experience and/or make sure the learning is consistent. You can take any Infantry or 11 Series MOS and by the rank of SSG or SFC, they have almost all the Ranger crap in their heads already regardless of if they attended RASP or not. So choosing 11 Series over 13F you would be just be downgrading your MOS choice per your preferences, chasing a cloth tab.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 9:30 AM

2018-11-14T09:30:37-05:00

You won't have any problem getting a slot at airborne school as either MOS.
Go with 13F and ask for Airborne. If you don't get it you can volunteer for Airborne in AIT. In Airborne they'll recruit for RASP.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 10:02 AM

2018-11-14T10:02:09-05:00

Option 40 isn’t given out to prior at this time. I would recommend going Army EOD and trying out for the 28th EOD team. It’s a airborne EOD unit that deploys with the 75th regularly. Seen a couple guys with ranger tabs too.

Https://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7emTOiOJOEM

28th EOD Company Recruiting Video

28th EOD Company assess every individual into the company. It is one of two companies in the 20th CBRNE Command that someone must assess into.

Response by CSM Danny S. made Nov 14 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-11-14T10:19:42-05:00

Also as a 13F you can go to an artillery unit. I spent my entire time as a 13F in artillery battalions and then at a division. Raining steel is outstanding. We are the Eyes of Death!.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-11-14T16:56:00-05:00

11B do you can stream line your time to the 75th

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 14 at 2018 5:04 PM

2018-11-14T17:04:07-05:00

Amn Private RallyPoint Member how long have you been in? why not cross train to Security Forces?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 7:21 PM

2018-11-14T19:21:17-05:00

You will NOT get an OPT 40 contract at MEPS. The odds of getting airborne are about .5% as well. PS are needs the Army.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 9:49 PM

2018-11-14T21:49:58-05:00

You only option may be 18X. Ask your recruiter. They know the latest and greatest. Last I heard prior service could only go 18X

Response by SFC Joseph McCausland made Nov 15 at 2018 12:48 PM

2018-11-15T12:48:08-05:00

Hello, I am a veteran advocate and I get vets what they want. Please reach out to me so I can be your advocate. My background is.. I served for 22 years Regular Army/Reserves. I was a recruiter for 10 years and have extensive knowledge of how the MEPS (I worked at MEPS, Portland, ME for 3 years) process works (from the inside) and what they can do when they put their effort into it.
The fact that you have EOD experience is a big "plus" for any Ranger Bat.
Contact me at [login to see] .... Let's get you what YOU want.
Feel free to check out my credentials on LinkedIn.....

Veterans First....ALWAYS!

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 15 at 2018 8:49 PM

2018-11-15T20:49:44-05:00

I didn't know they had 13F slots in the Regiment except for FOs which are NCO & Officer positions. FOs in SOF units are Officers. I'd almost bet it is the same in the Rangers.

Response by SGT Patrick Thibeault made Nov 16 at 2018 1:12 PM

2018-11-16T13:12:22-05:00

Go infantry....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-11-16T17:38:29-05:00

11x hands down.
Go to Regiment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 7:27 AM

2018-11-17T07:27:33-05:00

11X - 11B with a Airborne slot and Ranger School. You can fast trac to the 75th. Good luck
#82ndforlife.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 8:06 AM

2018-11-17T08:06:03-05:00

Go with whatever job you think you’ll like better and try to get those things in your contract, because there is no guarantee that you will achieve anything. You can give it a try, and I wish you the best but nothing is set in stone until it happens.

Response by CW4 Jimmy Gomez made Nov 19 at 2018 6:41 AM

2018-11-19T06:41:16-05:00

I had a similar experience in 1986. But I stayed as a 13F and I had RASP (it was called RIP then) added on my orders before I signed up. Try to see if that’s an option. If not, volunteer during airborne school (make youhave ABN school on your contract). There will be people washing out for whatever reason while at Fort Benning.

Response by SGT Josh Moyes made Nov 23 at 2018 3:30 AM

2018-11-23T03:30:34-05:00

13F. Great job and usually in high demand. Get as much as you can included in your contract. I didn’t and stayed a leg because my 4187s apparently made decent toilet paper.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Dec 28 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-12-28T19:46:30-05:00

As a former 13N, I am more biased toward you going 13F. Also, most of my drill sergeants were 13Fs.

However, the more direct route to what you want likely goes to 11X. Get your Ranger training and assignment. Then sign up for 13F at your next enlistment date. Even if you cannot go back to 75th, Artillery is still the good life and you always get a ride and your back, hips and knees will thank you later for such as smart move.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2019 9:05 AM

2019-02-28T09:05:00-05:00

I would recommend asking your recruiter or the MEPS counselor about USAREC message 19-036. Maybe you qualify for it.

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2023-01-11T01:59:53-05:00

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