Anybody have experience working as a Special Security Representative/Officer, otherwise known as SSR/SSO?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 23:05:07 -0500

So just got some great news, I think. I was shooting for an S2 NCOIC position at the 2-13th Aviation Regiment here on Fort Huachuca, but instead got an SSR position with the 304th MI BN which trains our Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) Lieutenants. Any insight is appreciated, as I am excited about this new adventure. Have just finished my BDE S3 Operations time, so I'm very appreciative of coming back into the Security/Intelligence side of the Army as that is my field. I was already a BN S2 NCOIC years back, so I assume it's somewhat similar.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Feb 23 at 2021 11:16 PM

LTC Stephan Porter — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 23:16:27 -0500

I believe this to be a great job that can set you apart from other NCOs when you come to the board.

As a former NCO, I was always getting to know mine well...

Those that I taught OBC/BOLC with were a cut above, but do nit stay their too long

Response by SSG Dale London made Feb 24 at 2021 1:21 AM

SSG Dale London — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 01:21:25 -0500

I was assigned as SSR when I worked at I Corps G2 in 1992. It was a great additional duty assignment and came with my appointment as the CTOCSE Current Intel NCOIC. My main duties in this regard had me opening, securing and closing the SCIF, supervising the COMSEC Custodians, and maintaining an open channel for the Corps Commander to deployed Corps assets. I also was issued orders as the Corps Classified Documents Courier. It was a hoot and a huge feather in my cap as an E6. It got me onto the ANCOC list early. Had I not been injured and left the army, I believe this one assignment alone could have gotten me to the Sergeants Major Academy as well.
Congratulations. I hope it brings you as much success as it did me.

Response by CW3 Dick McManus made Feb 24 at 2021 1:53 AM

CW3 Dick McManus — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 01:53:59 -0500

I have been there and done that. When I arrived at my MI unit the former Warrant Officer/SSO, that lazy asshole left me a friggen mess (aka lots of work). I busted my ass and got things fixed, but did not get credit for working my ass off. I wish I could meet up with that asshole because I would have kicked his lazy ass and fuck the court martial. As you probably hear me, I am still pissed off. On top of that, the REAL officers in that MI unit were also a group of fucken ASSHOLES. I hope they all ended up in friggen Iraq or Afghanistan. The only mistake I made in that piece of shit unit, was not going directly to the FBI vs using the fucken chain of command.

But I did learned one thing. I bet PTSD can result in soldiers from things other than combat.

Richard McManus
Chief Warrant Officer-3/counterintelligence special agent (more like an FBI agent than CIA officer) and combat paramedic/LPN, Vietnam US Army retired, BS psychology and nursing, ,former 911 telephone guy Seattle police department and King County Police officer, Everett, WA

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 24 at 2021 6:37 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 18:37:14 -0500

I had that as an additional duty for about a month while deployed, because they failed to properly overlap deployments. I don't remember much of it. What I do remember was that I was the first point of contact for investigating spillage. That REALLY sucked and was a PITA. Additionally, I maintained a SCAR and did badging for our compound (but those were very deployed unit specific).

The other thing I really remember is that there are a LOT of regs you need to be familiar with and quite a few you need to KNOW.

Start working NOW to ensure a proper battle handoff with the outgoing SSO. Hopefully their program will be squared away and you will just have to maintain. Hopefully.