Posted on Jan 10, 2014
Going from SOF back to the schoolhouse/TRADOC.
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So recently I re-enlisted for another four years. My new orders are sending me to Fort Huachuca. This is not a problem for me because I love being around soldiers and being a leader. However, for the past four years, I have been assigned to a SOF unit which is anything BUT conventional so the transition will be.....interesting. Just curious if anyone has ever went through this extreme of a transition and how they handled it
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 9
SFC Jackson and I are on the same page, both of us transitioned from long periods of working in SOF, to working at the Pentagon and what he said is true. You will find the transition easier than you think, though you do have to keep your head about you and know the environement. As long as you do that you will be fine.
You will be amazed as to how easy the transition will be. I spent 13 years with Group as a support guy and took an assignment at the Pentagon as a communicator for the Army's top 5 last year. I was EXTREMELY nervous because I had never served in anything other than SOF. In Group they always said "know your operational enviroment" and you will do just that. You will be suprised as to how much your SOF experience will help you during your new position. You're a Senior NCO, you'll adapt just fine
I just went from a BCT to the Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The term I've often heard to describe this place is "corporate Army". It was a major culture shock and I am still adjusting. I guess the key is flexibility. The Army has four major groups of assignemnts: FORSCOM, SOF, TRADOC, and TDA (yes, I know TRADOC uses TDAs too but TRADOC is ALWAYS different). I've met Soldiers that absolutely could NOT make the adjustment from FORSCOM/SOF to TRADOC/TDA and some of them actually got out when their transfer requests were denied; hell, some can't handle SOF to FORSCOM. Every unit will have its advantages and disadvantages and you have to focus on the former and try to ignore the latter if you are going to be happy. Like I've often told my Soldier's, the best two units in the Army are always your last one and your next one. :)
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That's actually some really good advice, sir! I'm taking it day by day but I'm having a great time here. It's isn't at all what I thought it would be like. I mean, there are differences obviously. Back in my old unit I was used to working and talking with CPTs and MAJs all day and everyday. Even LTCs would approach me as if I was a peer. The respect level was definitely at an all time high and camaraderie was pretty good. Here, it's somewhat similar minus the abundance of brass all around, which after a short while, was not intimidating at all.
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It honestly wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I actually like it here and some of the daily activities somewhat mirror how things worked in my old unit. As for your job, how do you like working in the Pentagon?