Is a MI Unit a good place to start your military career in a Support MOS?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:14:53 -0500

When I got my orders back in AIT, everybody told me that being in a MI unit is being "in the spot". Almost 2 years after, everybody here tells me that is not the right place for a First Duty Station. I've enjoy myself here and have learned a lot being the only JE 92Y in the whole BN.

Is a MI Unit a good place to start your military career in a Support MOS?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 10:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:23:04 -0500

I've heard "This is a horrible [insert type] unit for first termers" at about 4/5 duty stations.
Every unit has its own challenges and benefits. I started out in the Army in an Infantry OSUT TRADOC unit. I was the only junior enlisted in the 18 man company. I missed out on some Army life but learned to be self motivated and autonomous, something my peers lacked. It really is what you make it, no matter where you go. That doesn't mean you'll like it though.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 10:25 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:25:31 -0500

I'm currently a 42A serving in an MI BN in Germany. Though I am not a 35-series, I've still had ample opportunities to further my career here, wether it be from no less than six awards ranging from AAMs and COAs to BDE and BN coins, to getting to step outside my MOS and serve as a role player in BN VALEXes to train and certify MI professionals in their duties. It is all dependent on how you approach it. Make it your own.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 9 at 2016 11:52 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:52:16 -0500

Different types of units "insulate" you in different ways. You learn different skillsets. This also happens at different ranks.

Every unit is going to give you something. You just might not realize what it is until 5 units later. You'll pick up supervisory skills in units with lots of folks. You'll pick up self-reliance skills in units without other folks. You'll pick up tact in places with higher average ranks. The trick is figuring out what that unit is going to give you in the long run, and maximizing it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 9 at 2016 5:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:21:35 -0500

Its probably what you make of it that matters most.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 5:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:50:09 -0500

It is as good a place as any. You will be managing a similar supply room no matter what type of unit you are in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 11:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 11:31:10 -0500

The best place will be in a Combat Unit for First Duty Station, After that yes it will be good.

Response by MAJ Glenn Bergeron made Feb 11 at 2016 3:00 PM

MAJ Glenn Bergeron — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:00:20 -0500

While I agree that it's what you make of it, the only tangible benefit I could see is that, unlike the 42A that replied, since you're a supply specialist, you may get a security clearance out of it, depending on the type of equipment the unit has.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 21:33:31 -0500

Conventional wisdom is that you should go to a line unit or as close as possible during your first assignment. There's a few reasons for it. First, you see what your job does for the combat arms and how your branch fits in the bigger picture. Second, you see the best and worst of the army all in the same place, probably at the same time, from the individual soldier up to the big army. Third, you gain an appreciation for other assignments in the army. regret being assigned to a boring unit? Remember that time you spent July on rotation at fort Irwin (death valley), it'll pass.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 8:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 20:44:51 -0500

I firmly believe that all Soldiers should serve in a combat line unit for their first assignment. It sets the tone for a successful career. This is coming from a 35-series NCO.

Response by CW2 Donald Loughrey made Mar 6 at 2016 3:58 PM

CW2 Donald Loughrey — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 15:58:10 -0500

To me it all comes down to what you want to do more than anything else. If you want to be an MI Soldier, then where you are, as long as you are doing what you like, is no big deal. That said, if you spend two years learning your MI skill and then spend your first tour washing vehicles and painting rocks, then you will have to wait it out until you get the an MI unit that is actually putting you to good use. This was the case when I was in MI. When I was a SIGINT soldier I went to Airborne School and then to a SOT-A in 10th SFG(A). It was the Absolute BEST of assignments, although I wouldn't have classed it as a "support" MOS/Assignment at the time! Let me end by saying that good MI Soldiers are Crucial to the Army and the Mission and often under-appreciated by Combat Arms and others. You have to want to be there to be able to make the most of it. Others won't understand your job or think they know more about it than you do. You have to deal with this and accept it.