Ask the ARSOF recruiter: What are your 38B Civil Affairs questions?

2018-01-15T17:58:47-05:00

For Active Duty Soldiers (officer and enlisted) interested in Civil Affairs as a career option, what is CA, how do I apply, what is the unit like, what are missions like, what schools, etc...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2018 6:12 PM

2018-01-15T18:12:43-05:00

do you still offer a bonus for captains to stay in additional 3 years? Is there a sign-up bonus for enlisted and non-commissioned officer?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 12:01 AM

2018-01-16T00:01:26-05:00

Are YG 13 still open? Or is there a waiver?

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 16 at 2018 2:04 PM

2018-01-16T14:04:26-05:00

Can I go to CA as an E-8?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2018 12:00 AM

2018-01-18T00:00:30-05:00

Can one go civil affairs in the active component then leave SOF to go back to big army and at ones discretion branch back into civil affairs ( pending release and acceptance of branches)?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-01-26T19:20:16-05:00

SSG Carroll, considering the recent call to reclass for E6's not in a CAT4 CLANG or W4 identifier, why does ARSOF continue to take people into the regiment and what are they doing to slow the flood? Nothing against you or anyone who aspires to be a 38 series, but mismanagement by the regiment in standing up, and then abruptly shutting down the 85th CA BDE has put our SSG numbers at close to 150 % strength by the time the Spring class graduates from SWCS. We can't pull and push at the same time. Sorry if I went off on a semi-rant here. I got a briefing from HRC not too long ago, and they painted a very grim picture for SSG's for at least the next 2 years. Thanks

- Danny

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 7:02 PM

2018-02-14T19:02:43-05:00

SSG, I'm planning on dropping my packet this coming Friday. Any advice for selection other than running and rucking? Can you share a general attrition rate, and some prevalent things that candidates get dropped/ not selected for? I'm eager, excited, and very nervous! Thank you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 4:04 PM

2018-03-05T16:04:27-05:00

SSG C or any other 38B that has insight,

I'm looking for some help. I've asked my recruiter, and I have had the ability to talk to a few members of the CA community, but it seems like I can never get a very detailed answer about this. I simply want to know what life is like during your team time at Bragg.
1-When you're not overseas what is work like? Is there a pattern and schedule to work life similar to the rest of the Army? Basically, what do you do back home on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?
2-Is there a set cycle as to how often you rotate overseas, and are there other TDY or special duty assignments available to you?
3- How often can you expect to be away for training throughout a year? Ex/ Field exercises, schools, TDYs, anything..
4- After complete dedication to your training responsibilities do you have a reasonable amount of time to give to your family?
I have a million questions about CA. Thank you in advance!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2018 8:47 AM

2018-03-11T08:47:57-04:00

What separates the active component CA from its reserve counter part (what makes it SOF other than just falling under ARSOF for organizational purposes)? All I've been able to find as far as mission sets go is in relation to the reserves (ie building schools, telling conventional US forces not to run over signs, pay off the locals for damage caused, etc). What is the likelihood of seeing combat in CA? Are there different types of CA teams? I apologize for the 20 questions but I'm FY16 and torn between applying for SF and CA. Unfortunately there is a lot more information there regarding SF than there is the active CA. Thanks for any light you can shed!

Response by LCDR Mark Hash made Mar 30 at 2018 3:31 AM

2018-03-30T03:31:03-04:00

I'm a prior service physician. I was with Civil Affairs '94-'00 as a physician, basic and advanced course Civil Affairs completed in '98. I was a 61H, 38AP. I have deployment experience with CMOC 10th MTN. OPN Uphold Democracy. I left the service when I became a single dad and couldn't deploy. Now I'm no longer airborne, I'm chairborne. But I'm interested in submitting a packet for re-commissioning now my sons are adults. Rather look at CA first then submit the paperwork for AMEDD. Moderate speed, some drag, but still Airborne All The Way.

Response by SSG Monica De Leon made May 15 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-05-15T16:56:34-04:00

Re-classed to CA back in 2011, and its a great MOS to travel as well as get to know the population you are working with. Endless opportunities as an Enlisted or Officer.
I was in Belize last year, but we also support ARSOUTH: Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, etc.

My Civil Affairs Team is currently supporting "Beyond The Horizons - El Salvador" until mid August 2018.
"New Horizons" has kicked off and it is currently in operation mode in Panama.
Both Missions have a Facebook page and Twitter page

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 5:40 PM

2018-05-18T17:40:24-04:00

Are 18 x-rays who were SFAS non-selects (2 year return dates) eligible for CA?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 10:24 AM

2018-06-05T10:24:53-04:00

So I just had ACL and meniscus repair on my knee about 2 months ago. I also had ACL surgery on my right knee but that was over ten years ago. I've always had 280-290 PT scores throughout the army. Another odd thing I got going is I left active duty as a 13B and went to the reserves and re-classes as a 25B and have almost completed 4 years in the reserves. Now I am looking at going back to active duty (I cannot stand the repetitive civilian corporate lifestyle), and was looking into becoming a 38B. My only issues is that I don't know if I would pass medical to go airborne due to my knees. Any thoughts on that question? Also, I have a 3 year old son and am married. I'm really big on spending time with my family and being around for my son and I understand that this MOS could be gone frequently, so what is this MOS like for having a family?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 9:41 PM

2018-06-15T21:41:44-04:00

Is there anything against tattoos to make CA strict? Ie tattoos on arms

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 10:03 PM

2018-08-09T22:03:21-04:00

SSG I am already airborne qualified and stationed in bragg. I've done dlab and dlpt(spanish) with good scores on both. I am just waiting on my e4 to put in my packet. I like what I see about the CA mission and when I talked to a recruiter a couple of months ago he mentioned SOCM and immediately caught my attention. What would be your advice for someone wishing to get the opportunity to attend SOCM? Is it something we have to compete for while in school? Also how do promotion to e5 and e6 work? Is there TIS/TIG requirement for both or just to graduate CA?

Response by Shawn Moore made Nov 23 at 2018 10:51 PM

2018-11-23T22:51:11-05:00

SSG- would love to connect with you offline, as I have loads of questions about CA

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2018 5:53 AM

2018-12-03T05:53:10-05:00

Civil Affairs accepting SSG, being that so many received the pink slip many months earlier?

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 3:01 PM

2018-12-12T15:01:49-05:00

I know I’m only a PVT2, but I speak Arabic fluently in 6 dialects, took the DLPT and scored a +2 and above on all of them. I took 2 OPI tests and also scored a +2. I’m also a native speaker and grew up in the Middle East. I know a lot about the the cultures and regions. Would this help me at all if I decide to actually go into CA?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2018 6:22 PM

2018-12-28T18:22:54-05:00

I’ve heard that DLAB can be waived if I score 3/3 on DLPT (korean). Is that true (for officer route)?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2019 2:51 PM

2019-02-20T14:51:27-05:00

Update to current qualifications: BLC not required, E5(P) eligible to apply, your APFT must be conducted by and ARSOF recruiter or representative.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 1:00 PM

2019-05-29T13:00:43-04:00

How long is CA training for Army Reserve NCO's?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2019 5:52 PM

2019-06-12T17:52:43-04:00

So I just graduated from CAQC in April, now about to start SOCM. I got my E5 back in November 2018, now waiting for my E6. It was my understanding that TIS requirement was 42 months. However, I saw you comment earlier that it is 48 months. Is CA still under a special promotion category?

FYI, I am at 38 months TIS currently.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 12:51 AM

2019-10-28T00:51:14-04:00

So on the reserve side I do not need to attend CAAS? I'm downrange and it's a reenlistment option but I'm not sure how the training pipeline is in the Reserves. Do you have any knowledge or experience with that? I'm trying to see if I should anticipate being gone for the 44 week training cycle as the Active component or any info on how the reserves conduct theirs. Do they also get language training? Sorry for all the questions.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2019 3:38 PM

2019-12-01T15:38:22-05:00

If my current unit is deploying March 2020 for 12 months. Is it possible to still put a packet in while deployed because I’ll only hit E-4 in April.