Posted on Apr 25, 2020
What is SFAB like for 35F? What are the day to day and training opportunities like?
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What is SFAB like for 35F? What is the day to day, training opportunities? Specifically , I’d like to know about intelligence cross training , language, and foreign weapons training opportunities.
35F-Enlisted: Intelligence Analyst
35M: Human Intelligence Collector
35L: Counterintelligence (CI) Agent
Foreign Language
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 3
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I'm in the National Guard SFAB, so obviously there are going to be some differences in slots and funding. My honest assessment is that they dangle the schools as a recruiting tool, but they rarely come to fruition. Like 1 out of 800 gets a Pathfinder slot, and they advertise how Pathfinder is available if you transfer to the SFAB. We have one warrant officer going to the foreign weapons course at Bragg, otherwise we have only had money/quotas for MOSQ, PME, MFT, and combat advisor training course (CATC). CATC was designed so that it puts all the components necessary to qualify an advisor to do the job without any additional courses. Basically, the whole pipeline is in one course - culture, fires, TCCC, SERE, etc. As a 35F, I doubt you will see many schools outside of CATC, unless you get tapped for a deployment that requires something additional.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Thank you SFC Blount. Yeah, I’ve heard some bad stuff and some good, but none of the good stuff was specific to my MOS. I’ve contemplated reclassing, but short of that I’m looking for a challenge that will also allow me to learn and grow as not just an analyst , but in the intelligence field overall as well. I’m heading to my first strategic unit so I have some time, but I am trying to get a plan for what my next 5 years or so look like. Thank you for your time and the information. I appreciate any and all input.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you sergeant. the possible of the schools mentioned had me convinced it was a good idea.
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SFC (Join to see)
I think a lot of that also depends on which Brigade. I have friends in 1st and 2nd SFAB and they're getting a lot of really cool training opportunities. With that said, the grass isn't always greener on the other side for every person, as every team/battalion/brigade will have a different culture and leadership cadre.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I don't want it to seem all doom and gloom. I'm sure there are some that have seen a benefit from their time at an SFAB. I think there is a couple reasons 1st and 2nd might have better luck. 1. They were the first two stood up, so they had the benefit of funding early on and needed to heavily incentivize the job. 2. They were tapped for deployment early and needed additional training to teach the advising mission since CATC wasn't around yet. 3. They are at Ft Benning and Ft Bragg, so much of the training would be on the same post.
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The foreign weapons course is 5 days playing with the Kalashnikov based stuff and DSHK, not getting crazy with Type 88s or Arisakas or anything. The weapons course is for the 11Bs and 19Ds who will be advising the foreign security forces who use those weapons - not just anyone with a brown beret. The language training also isn't the 6 month SOLT course and for sure isn't the 12-24 month DLI course. It's a crash course in the target language taught by the SWEG language teachers.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Thank you SFC Kelley , I have read that, I guess specifically I was hoping for a 35F who has joined SFAB or an MOS in SFAB that’s worked with the intel guys and maybe taken one of those courses. There was a foreign weapons course they offered in the marine corp when I was in and I always wanted to take that course. Thank you for your time and information provided.
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