Posted on Aug 9, 2021
I am a tanker who’s unit doesn't currently have tanks.So my unit is encouraging me to attend a school. What schools should I consider?
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I have looked into Airborne, Ranger, etc. what else could I fill a packet out for?
19K: Armor Crew Member
Airborne School
Ranger School
Sapper School
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 222
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You can't go to Airborne School, you're not in an Airborne unit and your MOS generally isn't Airborne anymore.
Dont go to Ranger School, you'll get dropped because you have no clue what you're doing and your unit probably doesn't have a decent Pre-Ranger program for people like you.
Don't go to Sapper school, again, you have no idea what you're doing and your unit lacks an adequate trainup.
Air Assault school is a good base level, introductory school that has several locations, isn't hard to get, and they will teach you everything you need to know upon arrival.
Bus driver, fork lift operator, UPL, Field sanitation are all valuable skills that will be worth promotion points when you're trying to become a SGT/SSG and will make you an asset to the unit.
Most importantly, if you have time, start your college education
Dont go to Ranger School, you'll get dropped because you have no clue what you're doing and your unit probably doesn't have a decent Pre-Ranger program for people like you.
Don't go to Sapper school, again, you have no idea what you're doing and your unit lacks an adequate trainup.
Air Assault school is a good base level, introductory school that has several locations, isn't hard to get, and they will teach you everything you need to know upon arrival.
Bus driver, fork lift operator, UPL, Field sanitation are all valuable skills that will be worth promotion points when you're trying to become a SGT/SSG and will make you an asset to the unit.
Most importantly, if you have time, start your college education
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SSG (Join to see)
~EDUCATION? ~! Ya Wanna Talk About Where Ta Get One?
I Lied To Enlist In The USAF ~ In Those Years A 10th Grade Education Was Required ~~ But I'm A MID- 9th GRADE DROP OUT ~ See My Bio ~ I Owe ALL Of My Successes To The United States Armed Services Institute (U.S.A.F.I.) Totally FREE Programs, And I Took ALL I Could Get... THANK YOU , USAF ~ Enlisted On My 17th Birthday~ 06/29/1961~ Received My DD-214 On ~ 06/10/65 ~ When I Returned From Osan AFB, South Korea...
~EDUCATION? ~! Ya Wanna Talk About Where Ta Get One?
I Lied To Enlist In The USAF ~ In Those Years A 10th Grade Education Was Required ~~ But I'm A MID- 9th GRADE DROP OUT ~ See My Bio ~ I Owe ALL Of My Successes To The United States Armed Services Institute (U.S.A.F.I.) Totally FREE Programs, And I Took ALL I Could Get... THANK YOU , USAF ~ Enlisted On My 17th Birthday~ 06/29/1961~ Received My DD-214 On ~ 06/10/65 ~ When I Returned From Osan AFB, South Korea...
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MSG Michael McEleney
If you are a tanker in a tankless unit-change MOS. What is your unit’s mission? Sounds like you’re ina Reserve or Guard unit.
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SGT Rudy Gibson
So, there is a unit I assuming at least company level full of 19Ks and somehow there isn't one tank? Sounds pretty thin to me.
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Okay Young Tanker, here is a story for ya… Summer of 93 my CO end up pinning another ARCOM on me for excelling at something and says something to the effect, “Sergeant Mac we have given you a couple ARCOM’s, a couple of AAM’s, the CG award and we got nothin else… do you want to go to college?” I told him I would, but I’m not eligible to reenlist for a few more years (at the time to go to college was an reenlistment incentive)… and he cut me off, sayin “I didn’t say anything about reenlisting, I said do you want to go to college!” When I said yes sir, he then told me I needed to get enrolled ASAP.
Well my TC, PLT SGT and all the way up my chain, figured I would head over to the education center and sign up for an 8-week semester with Central Texas College, right on Ft. Riley. When I showed up a week later showing that I was enrolled for 16 credit hours at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, I’m pretty sure the common phrase was “oh you sneaky little bastard”. Granted, I did have to kiss the backside of the Dean of Admissions just to get in, but 13-weeks later I finished up with a 3.8 GPA and made the Deans list.
The following year I got stationed in Korea for a year and knocked out another 86 hours via Saturday classes at Camp Casey and correspondence courses. All of this didn’t make me a better tanker, but it did set me up for future endeavors and made me really good when it came to playing trivia crack.
Well my TC, PLT SGT and all the way up my chain, figured I would head over to the education center and sign up for an 8-week semester with Central Texas College, right on Ft. Riley. When I showed up a week later showing that I was enrolled for 16 credit hours at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, I’m pretty sure the common phrase was “oh you sneaky little bastard”. Granted, I did have to kiss the backside of the Dean of Admissions just to get in, but 13-weeks later I finished up with a 3.8 GPA and made the Deans list.
The following year I got stationed in Korea for a year and knocked out another 86 hours via Saturday classes at Camp Casey and correspondence courses. All of this didn’t make me a better tanker, but it did set me up for future endeavors and made me really good when it came to playing trivia crack.
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CMDCM Rodney Bell
Well done...It's rewarding and refreshing when your command recognizes your potential as a diamond in the rough. That's an example of superior leadership for investment in the future of the Army and your family. I ask that you pay it forward. From a Navy Seabee our Motto: With an able mind and willing hands, the difficult we do at once the impossible takes a bit longer. Go get some...
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1SG Bernhard Mattulat
Worked with an E-6(P) who finished off his Masters while cooling his heals in an "under utilized" position. Last I heard he was a CSM. If you've got to many apples, make apple sauce!
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SPC Michael Budzinski
Central Texas College was on all bases and where got my degree. The counselor gave CLEP tests, OJT credits and credit for my MOS training getting an engineering degree.
Kind of sounds narcissistic saying I won every award and nothing else and just can’t keep pinning ARCOMS. What usually happens is they offer Warrant Officer School or pushing school for OCS.
Most battalions, especially combat, don’t allow you the time to go to the Education Counselor never mind school. Deployment, down range and training makes very difficult. Best to apply to every school allowed or required for promotions if going to make a career.
When I served getting awards was difficult and didn’t just keep pinning them on. I excelled being “the best I could be” having 2 MOS’s, winning the Division Maintenance Award and meeting the IG. Received 1 ARCOM, an AAM and of course my degree thanks to a counselor who actually cared.
My problem was young, loved partying and women. Which I paid for dearly. Luckily knowledge and work ethic made a lot of friends. One was the Brigade Commander who gave me my AAM.
Kind of sounds narcissistic saying I won every award and nothing else and just can’t keep pinning ARCOMS. What usually happens is they offer Warrant Officer School or pushing school for OCS.
Most battalions, especially combat, don’t allow you the time to go to the Education Counselor never mind school. Deployment, down range and training makes very difficult. Best to apply to every school allowed or required for promotions if going to make a career.
When I served getting awards was difficult and didn’t just keep pinning them on. I excelled being “the best I could be” having 2 MOS’s, winning the Division Maintenance Award and meeting the IG. Received 1 ARCOM, an AAM and of course my degree thanks to a counselor who actually cared.
My problem was young, loved partying and women. Which I paid for dearly. Luckily knowledge and work ethic made a lot of friends. One was the Brigade Commander who gave me my AAM.
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I've been stationed at Bliss in 1st AD, land of tankers. I've seen one 19K with jump wings. We're good friends but I think he managed his slot in his contract. Unless you plan on a reclass, you won't be much use to the airborne community as a 19K, from an objective standpoint. SFC (Join to see) made excellent points so I won't reinvent the wheel. I will say though, in addition to the schools he mentioned, if you can swing a HAZMAT course take it.
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SSG (Join to see)
Man…. This is rough. Very poorly thought out. All those schools are doable for him
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SFC Robert Falco
I would say try to knock out your basic college courses while the army will pay for it without touching your GI bill. If your not college inclined, look at taking some trades courses such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc. Might not do you much good now but will be gold when you get out. Some other ideas for fields with growing demand are Pro Drone pilots (UAS), almost anything AI related, etc.
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SFC Robert Falco
SFC Robert Falco - Just noticed this question is almost 4 years old... but the advice in the answers are relevant to all young soldiers out there. Use your military experience and opportunities for future success.
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