Are you required to spend a certain amount of time at a gaining active duty unit before you are allowed to drop a SOF packet?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 20:34:07 -0400

I am currently AGR 68C/68W looking to go to CAAS. On speaking to the Arsoc recruiter it sounds like i will need to come off AGR, into a TPU status then onto active duty proper prior to submitting a packet. My Senior NCO told me that I would be expected to spend at least a year at the gaining unit before being allowed to submit a CA packet. Is this common practice? Do AD commanders make exceptions based on personal goals? A year spent at an AD unit in order to go to CAAS seems unnecessary when i could potentially just pcs straight from my reserve unit to CAAS. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2019 8:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 20:40:07 -0400

Yeah, it's pretty standard (I think army policy) that you spend a year with that unit. You'd be hard pressed to find any commander that will sign a waiver for you on the basis that they just got you, releasing you within a year would be an unnecessary process for them when the slot could've just gone to someone who'd stick around in their unit.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2019 9:40 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 21:40:11 -0400

You cannot PCS straight to CAAS. It is not a duty assignment, it is a 9 day selection course.
There is no XRAY program for CA.

However, you do not need to wait a year to apply for CAAS. You can do so as soon as you are eligible on Active duty. That said, getting the physical done and getting a CAAS class date reserved will probably be a class 3-6 months after you get to your first unit.
Then, assuming you get selected, you will get a course date that is at least 3 months out, and maybe 6 months out.
You can get an exception to PCS to the course after 9 months on your first duty station, but odds are you wouldn't need it anyway.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 2 at 2019 11:15 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 23:15:09 -0400

Lots of required proceses! Once you figure out your transfer into the regular army and get into your first duty station, you could drop your CA packet shortly after. Remember, the packet itself is an admin cumbersome; time consuming. Add to it your A&S TDY which will not be immediately after dropping your packet. Positively speaking... you get selected. It will take a few months after completion of your A&S before the CA branch cut you order to Q Course. CA branch will not PCS until your time on station is met; or shortly after. Keep in mind you might not PCS if your unit is scheduled for deployment.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2019 12:11 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 00:11:29 -0400

Any ideas or thoughts Gentlemen?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2019 3:06 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 15:06:45 -0400

SOF CA Recruiter here. Let's clear it all up man.
Recent changes have come down to allow Reservists (and any service - active, reserve, or guard, USCG, USMC, you name it) to attend CAAS.
You do not even need your DD 368 Conditional Release until AFTER you finish CAAS and are Selected. - CAAS is a school, just like going to ABN or BLC, 10 days TDY and it counts for drill time, and USAJFKSWCS pays for the whole thing.
Packet - volunteer statement, SERE physical, ERB, DTS screenshot, APFT conducted by and ARSOF member/recruiter, and any necessary waivers. - that's it.
Minimum qualifications for CA 107+ GT, E5 3-6 yr TIS NMT 3 yr TIG, 240+ APFT, SERE physical, US citizen.....that's it.
You may drop your packet as soon as you have it ready, from wherever you are. There are 9 CAAS courses per year, so we can find one to fit your schedule.

What state are you located in?