Do you think serving in combat arms before going to combat support makes you a better rounded service member?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:37:37 -0400

My career started in the Field Artillery in MLRS. It turned out to be a good fit and I loved the fact that I served in Field Artillery before I did anything else. I reenlisted into combat support and feel that being prior combat arms, it has developed me into a well rounded soldier. No bashing non combat arms soldiers, but what are your thoughts on serving a stint in the combat arms career field?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 11:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:46:14 -0400

I did the same thing. I definitely don't think everyone is built for it. It isn't bad for those that do go from one to the other though.

Response by SPC Jon O. made Jul 26 at 2017 12:52 PM

SPC Jon O. — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:52:50 -0400

I think it offers some perspective from both sides of the house.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jul 26 at 2017 2:29 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:29:17 -0400

I was a Tanker transitioned to Finance. One of the things that pissed me off is working with clerks (army wide) who acted like helping me was a chore. I changed the culture in the Finance unit; everyone was a hero, and those who were deploying received extra care from us.

Response by Sarah Zayas made Jul 26 at 2017 4:37 PM

Sarah Zayas — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:37:04 -0400

What are your thoughts?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 5:20 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 17:20:21 -0400

I think it depends on the person. I served in two combat MOS's before becoming a Counterintelligence Agent: 11B-Infantry and 19K-Tanker, and even deployed to combat twice as an 11B (left the infantry as an E6 Platoon Sergeant). I value my time in combat arms very much and think it helped shape me into the person I am today. I also think that I would not be as successful as I am today if it weren't for that experience. However, my experience is my own. I do not think its *necessary* for people to serve in combat arms before going to another job in order to be successful or "well rounded" as you put it. While that statement was true for me (and obviously you), I know that there are other ways to gain experience and become a "well rounded" Soldier.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 26 at 2017 5:28 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 17:28:29 -0400

I have to agree, because I've been FA my whole career but when you've been to combat you know the ins and outs. I was a platoon sergeant in OIF was removed from my platoon sergeants position because I was loose cannon. They made me the retention NCO in combat with no training, I had the combat part down, trying get soldiers to reenlist in combat zone was crazy deal. Out on patrols, raids and convoys everyday with Joe, trying to get bodies, selling the Army to soldier and families was hardest job I ever had. I did 3 times out of 4 quarters in 2003/2004

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 5:44 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 17:44:49 -0400

Every Marine is a Rifleman.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 5:57 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 17:57:33 -0400

Honestly, yea AND no. While I agree that it really is on the individual to be the best soldier they can be on their own. Being "Prior Service" and coming from a combat arms MOS to a combat support MOS doesn't hurt. And frankly, I say it puts that soldier ahead of others already. But, aside from showing up, everything else is a complete change for them that they themselves have to learn and adapt to the different MOS

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 26 at 2017 7:44 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 19:44:07 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Absolutely!!! I enlisted as a MP, was selected for OCS but branched Armor against my will.... Armor was the very best training I could have asked for. My 3 years in Armor served me very well learning how to train, sustain, and maintain... , which are skills critical to all branches, especially MPs. The second benefit was that it helped understand the big Army, maneuver, and while everyone else exists... "To Support Maneuver!" When I went to the MP Captain's Course we had another former combat arms officer (Infantry) in my class, and it seemed like we were both better trained and prepared for warfighter, orders, and similar tasks. I felt like we had a decided advantage. Understanding who and what you support, makes you a better supporter. And, if you are not Armor or Infantry (or special ops), you are a supporter...

Response by 1LT Doug Lyle made Jul 26 at 2017 9:08 PM

1LT Doug Lyle — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 21:08:49 -0400

It's what the military is all about says an Infantry Lt.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jul 26 at 2017 11:39 PM

MSG David Johnson — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 23:39:56 -0400

I was in both without changing MOS's.
I went through BNCOC in 1990, then 12B Combat Engineers were CA, then I blinked and they became Combat Support. I personally think we should have remained Combat Arms. As seen in the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Engineers were out clearing the way.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 28 at 2017 1:01 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 13:01:50 -0400

In terms of "perspective" the more one gets exposed to, the more well rounded they are generally, I think. But honestly there is no guarantee experience in combat arms will make one better in their new support or soft-skill roles or any better than those who had always been in those roles. It might also depend on the new support role itself. If its more direct support, perhaps; if the new MOS is further removed from those shooter jobs, combat arms experience may not be particularly helpful to either the soldier or those in the soldier's new environment.

It was a culture shock for me going from AD Infantry to Reserve transportation. Did my combat arms time make me better at being an 88M? I don't know, but I did adapt to my new work culture and became proficient in my new set of tasks and responsibilities; not all do, even if they had been combat arms. And many around me were very proficient in their jobs, yet never for a minute was combat arms.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2017 9:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 21:16:11 -0400

Moving around the Army and changing MOS a few times is enlightening. You see how different parts of the Army work together. You get a sort of feel for the forest, not just the trees.

I started as a medic in the regular Army, then left active duty for two years during which I picked up MP as an MOS via reserve component MOS Q, then went back on active duty and became a combat engineer, before leaving the regular Army again to do my origin medic MOS some more in the National Guard. I was in light units, I was in mechanized units. Later, I learned quite bit more as a courseware developer at a defense contractor, where I had exposure to discussions of doctrinal concepts and technical subject matter that it would have been difficult to get otherwise (being just one person).

The Israelis have a program in which they put some of their servicemembers through various occupational specialties and units, exposing them to a wide swath of the IDF, send them to college for a technical degree, then leverage their experience when they transition to the defense industry, so that the IDF can get new military technologies developed by technicians who have relevant hands-on experience as IDF members.