Posted on Dec 10, 2020
How does CA and PSYOP differ in Active Duty vs Reserves?
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A little bit about myself. I am a 42B and a 1LT (promoted 2019MAR) and I am in the Army Reserves I also studied International Relations in college hence why I am looking into the two options. I have spoken to individuals that shared with me their experiance with working in the active side of the army and I have heard nothing but positive things. I am not sure if its a common misconception but many have also told me its easier to switch components once you tap into these communities that fall under SOCOM (I want to do both) here is the last e-mail I received from a career counselor in regards to my question.
"If you want to switch to AC you will have to look into CAD to see which branches they’re currently accepting packets for. From there you will work through the conditional release with your chain of command. If you’re wanting to go PO you will need to find a unit and they will send you to CCC. Upon the completion of CCC they can submit you for a branch transfer. It is ultimately up to you what COA you decide but say you’re eligible for CAD now you’d be applying under your current branch not PO.
My main piece of advice would be to figure out exactly what you want to do as far as what branch you want and if you want to go AC. But whatever you decide I don’t advise changing components around your time for promotion as things tend to get lost in the sauce when officers do that. "
Any piece of advice is much appreciated. Thank You
"If you want to switch to AC you will have to look into CAD to see which branches they’re currently accepting packets for. From there you will work through the conditional release with your chain of command. If you’re wanting to go PO you will need to find a unit and they will send you to CCC. Upon the completion of CCC they can submit you for a branch transfer. It is ultimately up to you what COA you decide but say you’re eligible for CAD now you’d be applying under your current branch not PO.
My main piece of advice would be to figure out exactly what you want to do as far as what branch you want and if you want to go AC. But whatever you decide I don’t advise changing components around your time for promotion as things tend to get lost in the sauce when officers do that. "
Any piece of advice is much appreciated. Thank You
Posted in these groups: 
37A: Psychological Operations
38A: Civil Affairs Officer
Career Counselor
Reserves
Staying Active
37A: Psychological Operations 38A: Civil Affairs Officer Career Counselor Reserves Staying Active
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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You do need to make up your mind for sure, and quick! Also, going from the Reserve Component (RC) to Regular Army (RA) as either CA or PO is not a walk in the park. Yes, the branch proponent is the same. However, in the RA there is an assessment and selection requirement. Not the case for RC. You could be a graduate from a RC course, qualified with a few missions under your belt; RA could technically tell you “No Go at this station!”. Just because the lack of A&S and the RA Qualification Course (CA/PO).
So, if you really want to go RA, my best guess is to go under your current branch, then work your way around as you see fit. If DA lets you!
So, if you really want to go RA, my best guess is to go under your current branch, then work your way around as you see fit. If DA lets you!
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1LT (Join to see)
MAJ Javier Rivera - Last I checked language training is not a requirement too in the RC component because in the RA you support one of the regional commands (AFRICOM, PACOM, EUCOM, etc) giving me the impression that RC CA/PSYOP Officers aren't "prepped" thoroughly.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
RC don't get language training because they want to short change your training. PO for instance, RC they teach you the regiment’s structure, its doctrinal crap, and right into the 7 steps process. Nothing wrong with it. But there's more in the game. How it's all tied into the grand strategy and your part on it. Of course, they tell you. In the RA course they teach you. There are various seminars, lectures, speeches, given by special visitors with vast knowledge and experience on those subjects. A few Ambassadors, former Senior Agency executives, etc.… and yes, language. How will you communicate with the target audience if you don’t even know how to say “hello’ in the local language? Translators can get you so far!
Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing Officers and Enlisted folks in USACAPOC that will surprise the best from USASOC! I've seem then and worked with a few of them, awesome folks!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing Officers and Enlisted folks in USACAPOC that will surprise the best from USASOC! I've seem then and worked with a few of them, awesome folks!!!!!!!
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1LT (Join to see)
MAJ Javier Rivera - Honestly Sir, all the more reason to fight to make that switch to RA. The effectiveness of a reserve PSYOP/CA officer downrange may be subpar due to the shorthanded training. I know they also say "hey, your background in your civilian job can help you" but not many of us have careers in our full time jobs that can give us really good experience for a specific mission set.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
I would never say subpar; they are not. But definitely would close the training gap. Now, if transferring to RA is your goal, I’m sure there are few tasks you need to tackle right away. Those are dependent to your command disposition to release you and HRC to take you.
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There's a lot going in this.
To be a 37 or 38A you must pass Selection, so you can't just transfer in via CAD. You can CAD now as a 42, then go to Selection when your YG opens and hopefully get Selected. I'm not sure for the O side but on the E side - both branches will accept a 37/38 NCO. They push up a 368 Conditional Release whereby the condition is getting Selected. So if Selected, they are Released to AD to complete any required training (language, SOF Skills, and CULEX), and if not Selected they return to their Reserve unit.
Time is not on your side here, so you need to work fast. Both on deciding to pull the trigger as well as which trigger to pull - CA or PO.
To be a 37 or 38A you must pass Selection, so you can't just transfer in via CAD. You can CAD now as a 42, then go to Selection when your YG opens and hopefully get Selected. I'm not sure for the O side but on the E side - both branches will accept a 37/38 NCO. They push up a 368 Conditional Release whereby the condition is getting Selected. So if Selected, they are Released to AD to complete any required training (language, SOF Skills, and CULEX), and if not Selected they return to their Reserve unit.
Time is not on your side here, so you need to work fast. Both on deciding to pull the trigger as well as which trigger to pull - CA or PO.
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