Posted on Aug 9, 2021
I am a tanker who’s unit doesn't currently have tanks.So my unit is encouraging me to attend a school. What schools should I consider?
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I have looked into Airborne, Ranger, etc. what else could I fill a packet out for?
19K: Armor Crew Member
Airborne School
Ranger School
Sapper School
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 202
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You can't go to Airborne School, you're not in an Airborne unit and your MOS generally isn't Airborne anymore.
Dont go to Ranger School, you'll get dropped because you have no clue what you're doing and your unit probably doesn't have a decent Pre-Ranger program for people like you.
Don't go to Sapper school, again, you have no idea what you're doing and your unit lacks an adequate trainup.
Air Assault school is a good base level, introductory school that has several locations, isn't hard to get, and they will teach you everything you need to know upon arrival.
Bus driver, fork lift operator, UPL, Field sanitation are all valuable skills that will be worth promotion points when you're trying to become a SGT/SSG and will make you an asset to the unit.
Most importantly, if you have time, start your college education
Dont go to Ranger School, you'll get dropped because you have no clue what you're doing and your unit probably doesn't have a decent Pre-Ranger program for people like you.
Don't go to Sapper school, again, you have no idea what you're doing and your unit lacks an adequate trainup.
Air Assault school is a good base level, introductory school that has several locations, isn't hard to get, and they will teach you everything you need to know upon arrival.
Bus driver, fork lift operator, UPL, Field sanitation are all valuable skills that will be worth promotion points when you're trying to become a SGT/SSG and will make you an asset to the unit.
Most importantly, if you have time, start your college education
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SFC (Join to see)
Go to schools that builds your resume. Backwards plan, what do you want to do after your military career? And yes you can attend all those other schools. Ranger School is a leadership school, it doesn't matter what MOS you are.
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SGT Keith Boettcher
Well I won’t be so negative. I really don’t know what your rank or how long you have been in but, my question to you is what is it you want to do down the road in civilian life? Yes, you may not have a clue to things like SAPPEr, Tanger, Airborne, etc. but that is what going to the schools ate for. To be trained in the basics and then go to a unit that will continue your training. Also, you need to consider your age and physical condition whether you are willing and able to take the mental and physical condition required for the new MOS. MI, Commo, MP, Logistics Support, there are a lot of Combat MOS available. Heck go to WOC school. Just remember the decision you make is your and yours alone to be happy down the road. My buddy went to MP school with 18 yrs in and then retired 2?yrs later with 20 yrs.
Don’t let others discourage you from your goals and dreams. SF is always recruiting. Go talk to the local SF unit where you are at. The average SF guys are in their late 20’s early 30’s.
Good luck.
Don’t let others discourage you from your goals and dreams. SF is always recruiting. Go talk to the local SF unit where you are at. The average SF guys are in their late 20’s early 30’s.
Good luck.
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SPC Michael Budzinski
Can go to Airborne especially if get secondary MOS. Everything is possible if superiors consider you an asset.
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Okay Young Tanker, here is a story for ya… Summer of 93 my CO end up pinning another ARCOM on me for excelling at something and says something to the effect, “Sergeant Mac we have given you a couple ARCOM’s, a couple of AAM’s, the CG award and we got nothin else… do you want to go to college?” I told him I would, but I’m not eligible to reenlist for a few more years (at the time to go to college was an reenlistment incentive)… and he cut me off, sayin “I didn’t say anything about reenlisting, I said do you want to go to college!” When I said yes sir, he then told me I needed to get enrolled ASAP.
Well my TC, PLT SGT and all the way up my chain, figured I would head over to the education center and sign up for an 8-week semester with Central Texas College, right on Ft. Riley. When I showed up a week later showing that I was enrolled for 16 credit hours at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, I’m pretty sure the common phrase was “oh you sneaky little bastard”. Granted, I did have to kiss the backside of the Dean of Admissions just to get in, but 13-weeks later I finished up with a 3.8 GPA and made the Deans list.
The following year I got stationed in Korea for a year and knocked out another 86 hours via Saturday classes at Camp Casey and correspondence courses. All of this didn’t make me a better tanker, but it did set me up for future endeavors and made me really good when it came to playing trivia crack.
Well my TC, PLT SGT and all the way up my chain, figured I would head over to the education center and sign up for an 8-week semester with Central Texas College, right on Ft. Riley. When I showed up a week later showing that I was enrolled for 16 credit hours at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, I’m pretty sure the common phrase was “oh you sneaky little bastard”. Granted, I did have to kiss the backside of the Dean of Admissions just to get in, but 13-weeks later I finished up with a 3.8 GPA and made the Deans list.
The following year I got stationed in Korea for a year and knocked out another 86 hours via Saturday classes at Camp Casey and correspondence courses. All of this didn’t make me a better tanker, but it did set me up for future endeavors and made me really good when it came to playing trivia crack.
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CMDCM Rodney Bell
Well done...It's rewarding and refreshing when your command recognizes your potential as a diamond in the rough. That's an example of superior leadership for investment in the future of the Army and your family. I ask that you pay it forward. From a Navy Seabee our Motto: With an able mind and willing hands, the difficult we do at once the impossible takes a bit longer. Go get some...
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1SG Bernhard Mattulat
Worked with an E-6(P) who finished off his Masters while cooling his heals in an "under utilized" position. Last I heard he was a CSM. If you've got to many apples, make apple sauce!
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SPC Michael Budzinski
Central Texas College was on all bases and where got my degree. The counselor gave CLEP tests, OJT credits and credit for my MOS training getting an engineering degree.
Kind of sounds narcissistic saying I won every award and nothing else and just can’t keep pinning ARCOMS. What usually happens is they offer Warrant Officer School or pushing school for OCS.
Most battalions, especially combat, don’t allow you the time to go to the Education Counselor never mind school. Deployment, down range and training makes very difficult. Best to apply to every school allowed or required for promotions if going to make a career.
When I served getting awards was difficult and didn’t just keep pinning them on. I excelled being “the best I could be” having 2 MOS’s, winning the Division Maintenance Award and meeting the IG. Received 1 ARCOM, an AAM and of course my degree thanks to a counselor who actually cared.
My problem was young, loved partying and women. Which I paid for dearly. Luckily knowledge and work ethic made a lot of friends. One was the Brigade Commander who gave me my AAM.
Kind of sounds narcissistic saying I won every award and nothing else and just can’t keep pinning ARCOMS. What usually happens is they offer Warrant Officer School or pushing school for OCS.
Most battalions, especially combat, don’t allow you the time to go to the Education Counselor never mind school. Deployment, down range and training makes very difficult. Best to apply to every school allowed or required for promotions if going to make a career.
When I served getting awards was difficult and didn’t just keep pinning them on. I excelled being “the best I could be” having 2 MOS’s, winning the Division Maintenance Award and meeting the IG. Received 1 ARCOM, an AAM and of course my degree thanks to a counselor who actually cared.
My problem was young, loved partying and women. Which I paid for dearly. Luckily knowledge and work ethic made a lot of friends. One was the Brigade Commander who gave me my AAM.
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I've been stationed at Bliss in 1st AD, land of tankers. I've seen one 19K with jump wings. We're good friends but I think he managed his slot in his contract. Unless you plan on a reclass, you won't be much use to the airborne community as a 19K, from an objective standpoint. SFC (Join to see) made excellent points so I won't reinvent the wheel. I will say though, in addition to the schools he mentioned, if you can swing a HAZMAT course take it.
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TSgt Carl Johnson
I took a hazmat course when I was at Fort Hood as a TACP. It paid off big-time when we had to fly our equipment. or ship it by rail, for deployments or exercises. It definitely helped me be a bigger asset to my Air Force detachment, as well as the 1st CAV brigade that I was attached to.
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Basic Cadet (Join to see)
Regarding the author's question, the above really said everything that is possible about this. The main thing for him is not to slow down, because the issue of education and training is very important. To begin with, he needs to prepare theoretically, you can check yourself here https://quizzes.studymoose.com/flashcards/education/, there are very good tests. Then decide on the school and go to the courses. 8 weeks or longer, doesn't matter. The main thing is not to stand still.
Education Flashcards, Exams and Test Answers - Quizzes Studymoose
Education Quiz Get access to Thousands of Tests Answers and Flashcards in the Education Category Gain Knowledge Quickly
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SSG (Join to see)
Man…. This is rough. Very poorly thought out. All those schools are doable for him
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