How likely am I to get assigned to a Chem Unit as a 74D?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 22:29:40 -0500

I’ve read that if you dont get assigned to a chem unit as 74D your military experience is hell.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2019 10:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 22:32:51 -0500

Not likely honestly, if you can get into a Lima school your chances go up a bit.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 9:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:27:36 -0500

Depends on the component you are in and where your at. For example I know for the Alabama guard they are trying to get 74D in. There has been a big push for it. The need is always changing. You just have to stay aware.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 10 at 2019 10:47 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:47:36 -0500

Actually you are not of much use to anyone outside a chem unit. Most of the 74D's who are not in chem units are NCO/Officers filling slots at BN and higher as Chem advisors.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 10:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:50:52 -0500

At some point in your career you may, but you'll most likely start out in a normal combat unit. You'll manage the gas masks and CBRN training. Other than that, if there's no CBRN training happening, you'll probably be working in the staff section.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jan 10 at 2019 5:07 PM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:07:36 -0500

Variety in assignments will assist you on your way. Regarding not being in a Chemical Unit don't let that deter you.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 11:41 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:41:59 -0500

First off stop basing your military life/experience/outlook on what other people tell you. You will always find someone in the military that is miserable because (insert reason).

As a 74D in a non chem unit you won't do you actual job that much. You will manage CBRN equipment and fight for training. It is a position that you can show how competent you are. You will be tasked with extra duties. You'll potentially be in charge of services and maintaining rosters for the company pertaining to CBRN tasks/gear.

I have no experience in a chem unit as my time has been in a non chem unit. I'm currently the CBRN rep for my company and the armorer. My position has allowed me to learn a lot about postions that I never thought I'd be doing. Also I've been able to start purising my degree.

At the end of the day it's like any other position in a small MOS. You'll do your job occasionally but your situation depends on your attitude. I've enjoyed my time in my unit and wouldn't change anything. If you have any questions about what you'll be doing specifically let me know. More than happy to answer.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 11:22 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 23:22:38 -0500

Straight from AIT my first duty station right now is a chem unit. It really depends on the army’s needs

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 7:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:10:52 -0500

Not really. It's really the opposite imo.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 7:52 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:52:13 -0500

Actually I’ve heard the opposite. You become the sme in your field in your company. And you’ll likely get cross training with whatever company you are in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 4:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:08:03 -0500

You’re better off out of a CBRN unit

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2019 5:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 17:08:52 -0500

Not necessarily. Honestly our MOS is very diverse, I know plenty of 74s that's never been in a Chemical company and made it all the way to E8.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2019 6:57 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 06:57:18 -0500

As a 74D who is now in thee IRR and was assigned to a chem unit, if your looking to get promoted faster it will be more in your favor to be assigned to a non chem unit.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 12:04 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:04:08 -0500

I am a 74D in the Army National Guard. Been in for a year now. I am not in a chemical unit but in a support unit and before this unit I was in a signal unit. Its a give and take. Not in a chem unit you have a higher chance of getting extra training and being sent to more advanced schools, which also means you rank up faster. Being in a chem unit you get to work on your MOS all the time and the information retrained to be ready at any time. I have realized it is definitely what you make of it. I was never assigned to watch over chemical supplies and keep track of them. I was thought some basics about how the internet data works (Signal Unit) and learned that even as a 74D I will want to learn everything I can from whoever wants to teach me. As long as you are willing to learn almost anyone will be willing to teach. Same goes for our MOS. Our role in a unit is vital, don't let others belittle our MOS or any other MOS for that matter. When it comes to chemical warfare "Dragon Soldiers lead the way" regardless of rank. Teach your unit/ platoon/ squad at least the basics or everything you learned. Our MOS puts us in a very particular position where the job is important and the information is vast, but there are so many few of us because it is better to be safe rather than sorry in a nuclear or chemical attack. To sum up, there is not a lot of chem units in the guard and I would make an educated guess and say there is even fewer in the active side and all those horror stories that I heard plenty of too about 74D getting stuck doing supply duty all the time is not true. Those are just lazy soldiers who don't want to do anything and blame there MOS for their laziness. Dragon Soldiers lead the way, HUAA.

Response by SGT Sean Arceo made Mar 6 at 2019 8:02 PM

SGT Sean Arceo — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 20:02:35 -0500

Being in a chemical unit does exactly help you, unless you have a special designation like L5 or Tech Escort. Look to be in other branches. It will diverse your training and knowledge.

Response by SGT Clint Henry made Nov 9 at 2019 9:21 AM

SGT Clint Henry — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 09:21:39 -0500

That is not necessarily true, the 74D MOS is very diverse and is needed in every unit type in the army.

It will all depend on the unit you are assigned to, in any other unit other then a Chem unit you will most likely be in HQ PLT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 1:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:54:36 -0400

Always depends on the Army’s needs. IMHO you’d be better off being outside a chem unit. You’ll be the sme and you’ll cross train which will broaden your knowledge and skill with other jobs/ mos. My 11 years as CBRN I was only briefly assigned to a L4 BIDS CO. Other assigned units were with the MPs, Civil Affairs, and deployed with a SIS CO as an Ops NCO.