Do you think that going from one TRADOC assignment to another would hinder or help your career ?

2015-11-17T17:18:46-05:00

I am coming to the end of my time as an AIT platoon sergeant and was offered by the school house CSM a position as a instructor. He said he knows that there are not many females in my MOS (91S) and would like to have a good example and motivator in the school house for the few females that do come through for training. However, I don't know if this is the right choice for my career path. I have heard from many that going from TRADOC to TRADOC is not a good career choice.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 5:21 PM

2015-11-17T17:21:30-05:00

Get some time in the operating forces. This can not only hurt you for the next board, but also future boards. Not a sprint, it is a marathon.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-11-17T17:30:21-05:00

Go back to an operational unit for a spell or two, then go be an instructor. That's my opinion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 5:38 PM

2015-11-17T17:38:07-05:00

Any change in assignment will definitely help you carrier

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 5:40 PM

2015-11-17T17:40:06-05:00

Depends on how much supervisory time you have in the operational. It can hinder you if most of your time has been in Tradoc as an NCO. That said it can be a boost especially if it sets you apart from peers you are not given the instructor opportunity. I suggest talking to the SGM about your current progression.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 5:41 PM

2015-11-17T17:41:13-05:00

If your CSM is recommending this, it is probably in your best interest. Definetly something to open up all your records to him and let him provide some mentorship. Being the senior enlisted advisor one of CSMs lanes is shaping you for promotion.
If you have rated time in sqd leader slots then it wont hurt you to stay there. I recently sat down with CSM Franklin who sat on this years SFC board, MOS doesnt matter. But one of the areas he addresses was this situation. A big thing would be a complete the record NCOER, only if you have a duty position change and are performing well. With the new NCOER, and restricting of senior ratings, this may not be posible.

Response by SSG Erick Diaz made Nov 17 at 2015 6:10 PM

2015-11-17T18:10:45-05:00

I can tell you from experience. Too many staff assignments hurt you when the board looks at you for promotion. Why? Because they know you have been away from your primary too much. Go back to work as I say.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 6:13 PM

2015-11-17T18:13:52-05:00

Personally, I would take the instructor position to enhance your career resume. Going back into the operational force could help refresh your MOS skills.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 17 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-11-17T18:23:02-05:00

I have heard that going from one training assignment to another, or remaining away from operational units can hurt you because same thing happens in the USAF. I have seen people who remained instructors for way too long and it not only hurt their chances for promotion and when they did have to return to the operational Air Force they were completely lost. Of course there are people who spent a lot of time in training environments and when they returned to operational units they did outstanding. Nonetheless, I am sure the success or failure once they leave the training environment is up to the individual members attitude. Now while I am not terribly familiar with how the Army works, I think it could be beneficial for the right reasons.

If you love your MOS and want to make an positive influence, and given the situation if there really are very few females in the MOS go for it! At the very least and at the end of the day look at it this way: Your CSM may be seeing qualities that you may not see in yourself.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 17 at 2015 6:29 PM

2015-11-17T18:29:29-05:00

My understanding was that for many MOS's, too much time in TRADOC would hurt your career trajectory. I'm sure there are exceptions but this is how NCOs always explained it to me. I would go back to an operational unit. My 2 cents.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 6:34 PM

2015-11-17T18:34:12-05:00

One of the AAR comments that come out of almost every board is that too much continuous time away from operational assignments is viewed negatively by the board. Usually an instructor gig is about 3 1/2 years for most assignments. I would think that, plus your AIT PSG time would be too much time away.
Also, it's not that it's TRADOC, it's that it's doing something outside your MOS for so long that your skill set deteriorates. You could work as a 91S in a TRADOC environment like basic training and that would be good.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 17 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-11-17T18:54:18-05:00

I think going back to normal operations would set you up for promotion.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 17 at 2015 7:09 PM

2015-11-17T19:09:24-05:00

Ideally you should move to an operational assignment. However, you do not indicate how long you have been on station, and when you are due for your next PCS. Or if you are in the zone for an overseas assignment, or when you are due to reenlist, all facitors to consider.
If you can serve as an Instructor and not spend more than three or four years on station, then you should give serious consideration to accepting the position.
The Army is now placing greater emphasis on instructors and finally and offering recognition for instructor service (to include the new instructor badge).
Before you make your choice consider your personal and career goals and talk with your career advisor at HRC.
I wish you great success, no matter your choice.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-11-17T19:35:23-05:00

First off, thank you all for your input. It seems that the majority have the same views to get back to operational force. Don't get me wrong I would love to go back to the operational side but I wanted to make sure I wasn't passing up on something I might regret down the road. I believe with 10 yrs left in the army I can leave and come back as a instructor without possibly hindering my career.

Major Alvin B. As it stands right now I am due to PCS in May '16 and AIT platoon Sergeant is a 24 month obligation. I believe being a Instructor is a 2 - 3 yr obligation in itself. However, with 2yrs AIT PSG completed I would not have to serve as a squad leader as most instructors do.

Response by LTC David B. made Nov 17 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-11-17T20:04:04-05:00

4-5 years total, continuous non-operational assignment(s). As long as you do them well, you can move around to a few different jobs during these 4-5 years (and they should be stepping UP with each move.......not lateral unless it's a leadership/green tab position). More than 5......get to an operational assignment. Deploy. Back to TRADOC/non-op assignment after deployment is actually desireable; takes lessons learned downrange back to the training force. If you need to ask yourself if you've been somewhere too long, you probably have been.......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 8:11 PM

2015-11-17T20:11:13-05:00

Most definitely, it can be so hurtful that your branch should be screening for that. Waivers are usually required to go TDA to TDA. I've seen those waivers denied even when the SM in question was branch qualified.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 1:13 AM

2015-11-18T01:13:27-05:00

SSG Wengler,

First I would tell you congratulations on completing your TRADOC assignment. I know first hand recently leaving TRADOC is an interesting decision to be had. I would advise on the side of caution. Understanding that this CSM needs a competent NCO to help develope these trainees. Which is a great testament to your abilities. The general rule of thumb is not to exceed 4yrs out of the function of your PMOS. Therefore I would recommend for you to return to FORCOM and start developing your Soldiers on this side. If you can have an open discussion with CSM, ask him to sit down with you and go over your career tracker/pipe-line. Then ask how continuing your current duties could hinder or assist you. It's a matter of choice it's your to make. Either way thank you for what you do and good luck in your future endeavors.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 5:12 AM

2015-11-18T05:12:50-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I did 2 years as AIT PSG, took my current assignment for 1 year and I am supposed to go back to TRADOC, this time to the schoolhouse and I am kind of hesitant about that. Me personally, I would go somewhere else at least for a year if you really want to do that assignment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 9:50 AM

2015-11-18T09:50:47-05:00

The best thing is to call and talk to your Branch Manager. They know what you need for your career path and can definatly help advise you.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-11-18T10:50:42-05:00

Instructors have more credibility IMO when they have operational experience. If Stryker systems are as static as most HMMWVs are then perhaps this is moot. But if the systems have changed over the years, you should go back to the trenches to come up to date.
Also, I personally wouldn't fulfill a job just because of demographics. That doesn't seem prudent given that there are probably some that are deployment weary that would love an assignment that can still contribute to the fight but would grant them some stability. I can see where the CSM is coming from but one example in the school house is not indicative of what students will see in the field.

Response by SSG Calvin Grant made Nov 18 at 2015 11:35 AM

2015-11-18T11:35:59-05:00

Consider your time in service (how long you've been in), where you want to go in your career both military and civilian. If it fits your plan then you move to it. Promotions in the Army have become a sprint, just finish strong. you're either gonna get promoted or you're not.

Response by SFC Matthew Parker made Nov 18 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-11-18T14:08:19-05:00

SSG Wengler,
Question is what are your career plans. Are you going for 20+ and want to a 1SG or CSM in the future or are you looking for a civilian career.
Staying in TRADOC will hurt your chances for promotion now but will the assignment be personally rewarding to you? Just how concerned are you with promotion?
Will your skills be affected by this assignment? or will you be an instructor in your MOS thus refreshing your skills with every class?

My career path for example took me to TRADOC as an instructor, but not to Ft Knox with the Armor School, instead I went to Ft. Leonard Wood to the Chemical School and as a 19D Cavalry Scout seeing the Army from this different perspective was valuable to me. I was promoted to SFC after the board looked at my entire body of work over the last 5 NCOERs and it was back to the field.

Here my career went off the tracks and I can say I have no regrets. During the next six years I had 9 different assignments as the CSMs troubleshooter of sorts. I was given platoons with internal issues to fix, was an acting 1SG, detachment 1SG, S-3 NCOIC in a BSTB, Maneuver Platoon Sergeant in Iraq with a ad hoc platoon made up of artillery soldiers, was loaned out to the 42nd ID for their Iraq deployment, ran a PSD, was assigned to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center as the Division liaison responsible for assisting our wounded soldiers with care and finally went to ROTC as an instructor.
Each assignment took me away from a scout platoon and killed me with the board but I found these assignments personally rewarding and would do all but the ROTC assignment again.

So ask yourself, where do you want to be in three years, are you right now in contention for promotion to SFC? Are you a junior SSG and want to be a platoon sergeant of a maintenance platoon and get looked at for SFC? Or is the work more important than the chance of promotion?

I choose assignments that were a challenge, I could have said no to the CSM, could have called branch and asked to be moved to another unit but fixing a platoon with "issues" was personally rewarding. And how many SFCs get the opportunity for a crash course in being a 1SG and be given a detachment.

So will this follow on assignment the CSM wants you to accept hurt your career, call your branch manager and ask for their advice, but also ask yourself will the work be personally rewarding to you and worth the delay in consideration for promotion.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2015 8:31 AM

2015-11-19T08:31:43-05:00

Just do what the Army tells you and do it well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-11-19T11:26:27-05:00

From TRADOC to TRADOC on the long run, it will Hinder your Career. because you need your experience on the Tactical level. I started Tactical then when to TRADOC, it seems too easy and boring at the same time. If you want to advance go Tactical first and Volunteer to Deploy, it is a unique experience that will help you to advance in your career. My two cents...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-11-19T16:09:45-05:00

I've been an instructor for 5 years. This is just my opinion, but PSG time seems a lot more favorable. Since you have that already knocked out, I think being an instructor wouldn't hinder you so much if you only stayed the minimum of time. I think it would actually help. Again, this is just my opinion from my 5 years as an instructor and seeing who gets promoted and what they did. But I want to stress that minimal time thing. As soon as you can, move on to something else new

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Nov 21 at 2015 5:58 AM

2015-11-21T05:58:21-05:00

Get back to the operating force. While that CSM means well, Soldiers also need to see female NCOs doing the job. Boards will look askance at the back-to-back TRADOC assignments, but there is a bigger consideration. You need to get back to leading Soldiers. It is a skill like any other and you need to keep it up. You are still in development as a leader, you don't want to be that long without Soldiers to lead.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 6:24 PM

2015-11-21T18:24:01-05:00

It will NUKE your career. Run from it, KICKING AND SCREAMING. You'd only be doing your peers a favor, and yourself a disservice. Take it from a career E-6 who's seen his AIT trainees catch and pass him. Not just me. I've seen it happen to others as well.

Don't do it. Save yourself.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-11-24T14:59:01-05:00

Usually an AITPSG assignment is 24 months, so if it's at your current assignment it shouldn't hurt to have 36-48 months time on station... With that in mind, ensure thatbyounficis on your own self development as you finish up a 36+ tour there and rotate to the Operational force afterwards to set yourself up for success. in other words, don't just stay out and punch the TRADOC ticket, knock out some school and ensure your up to date on your NCOES/SSD

Response by SSG John Caples made Nov 26 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-11-26T09:16:01-05:00

SSG you have to look at it like this , every job has a purpose whether it be TRADOC or Inf., Aviation, it all co exist together and we are all in the same sprocket just different links in the chain. I never got that chance to do tradoc, I was either in a combat support Co. or a combat support Plt. I was always told once you get into Tradoc you never leave

Response by SSG David Dickson made Nov 29 at 2015 12:11 AM

2015-11-29T00:11:34-05:00

One thing I would consider is combat deployments. If you have that on your resume', it will help offset the time away from your MOS. I would defintely get back to TO&E land after your instructor time at the latest. From what I've read, the Army wants a Soldier who can operate in both the field and garrison environments. I hope you are using your TDA time to work on college, and the myriad of self-improvemnt opportunities garrison gives you. Bloom where you're planted and your career will blossom.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 12:42 AM

2015-11-29T00:42:48-05:00

I would avoid it. I am in the Guard so I don't have to worry about these types of assignments. But I have plenty of friends that did go to TRADOC. It seems to me it is something you have to be like. Some like being trainers. For those I would say do what you want. But being away from a regular unit may hurt you. If you come back to a unit after being in Tradoc for a few years you may be the most inexperienced leader there.

Then you never want to be thought of that soldier that avoids line units. There is nothing wrong having a career in TRADOC but I will tell you that when you see a SFC in TRADOC without a combat patch they instantly lose credibility. It is just he way the Army views them.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-11-29T15:51:42-05:00

The conventional wisdom is to avoid back-to-back TRADOC assignments as stated above. However, Have to show diversity. It will also depend on what you want to do, how your family is, where you are in your career. Everyone is an expert in managing your career. I would take advice from seniors, peers and consider all options and make the choice that is going to make you happy. Just my 2 cents

Response by SFC(P) Charles Goodwater made Dec 4 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-12-04T14:29:23-05:00

You should follow your MOS career map close as possible.

Response by SSG Timothy Miller made Dec 8 at 2015 12:45 AM

2015-12-08T00:45:04-05:00

`I had a TRADOC assignment when I was in the service (at Ft Eustis). I have been out of the service a while now but, can offer you this: back when I was in, it woul NOT help your career, but depends on the assignment as well. As a civilian now, looking into your fishbowl, I would guess that, yes, it would hinder. From what I can tell, the service is promoting those that get out in front in all things.