Is it possible to get projections changed?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:35:28 -0400

I am a 17C and I'm projected to go to Germany. After getting into contact with the only 17C on that base I feel as if I will not be utilized as a cyber warrior and waste all the training I have received in my 2 years of AIT. He included that I will not be getting any cyber certifications and I fear that I wont be able to progress in cyber. If anyone has any advice on me trying to get my orders changed please let me know. It's not that I'm scared to OCONUS or I don't want to go to Germany, I just want to be able to do my job. Thanks.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2021 9:49 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:49:38 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member will be here soon enough to explain exactly why projections cannot be changed.
While we wait, here's some free career advice:

You have had exactly zero assignments in CMF 17, and you have talked to exactly one person in a CMF 17 job and want to make career decisions based on that.
Would you base your decision to purchase a car on the opinion of one person who owns a car? Hopefully not.
Your Army career is what you make of it. Whether you want it to be 3 years or 30, or anything in between, 1 MOS or 3.
You get to decide all by yourself how well you are going to do your job, which equates to how valuable you are in that job.
And that value plays a factor in how you are utilized in that job or something else.

You don't know this guy in Germany. He might be a sharp go-getter who is just working for an uninformed commander (and CMF 17 is the newest thing in the Army), or he may be the kind of guy that phones his job in, doesn't care about effort, has shown no aptitude to convince his leadership that he should get certifications, and was rightly marginalized where he can do the least damage with his lack of effort.

Either way, you just don't know. What I can tell you is that, regardless of CMF, you see a helluva lot more of the latter than you do of the former when it comes to Soldiers getting shelved.

I can assure you that in the Army, just like in any career field, the better you do at your job, the better the chances are that good things will happen in your job and career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2021 11:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 23:39:15 -0400

Don’t be the soldier with the entitlement mentality.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2021 3:43 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 03:43:12 -0400

PFC Draves, first I want to applaud you for asking questions and worrying about your future. A lot of Soldiers just go through the motions and not even try to get additional certifications or training so I’m proud of you. That being said, the Army has plenty of resources outside of your duty assignment that can progress your career. Utilize TA and the Army COOL program. Also as a PFC it’s the perfect time to learn from others because you have less responsibilities. Continue to ask question, find a mentor, volunteer. As soon as you get up in the ranks your free time will be more focused on other people’s issues than your own. Take advantage of the time you have before becoming a squad/team leader or NCO. Never stop asking questions and do not let anyone stifle your thirst for growth. Lesson learned here though, some people will take what you say out of context or just assume you’re being entitled etc etc. It is VERY important to learn how to approach senior leaders when asking certain questions that may shine a negative light on you. I want to assume that your intentions were good by this post but others may see it as just trying to get out of an inconvenient situation. It never hurts to ask but be okay with receiving a no. Germany is a great opportunity to travel and I’m sure you will learn a lot. Take that drive and initiative to learn Cyber and redirect some, not all, to becoming a great Soldier and an amazing leader one day.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2021 9:00 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 09:00:44 -0400

Here is one of the issues that us in the Cyber Branch have to do - at all levels: show the unit what we can provide. It's so new that the normal units either have no idea what to do with it, or they don't give the chance. It's up to YOU, the Cyber Warrior, to show the Army what you can do.
Now I don't know which unit you are going to in Germany, but there is need for Cyber over there. An MDTF is being stood up there soon.

As for getting cyber certs, that's not really the unit's job, that's your job. Get on Army IgnitED and start working on one. Cyber is so new that you can't "not progress" these days, but there is some stuff we can't get into here about why a 17C may not be able to do their "job" (authorities and approvals etc) but you need to find the work to be done in your field, as it may not be presented to you. Integrate with the EW if you're the only 17C and teach each other stuff. We're a small branch.

I'm not doing my job is one of the most common complaints in the Army. The entire Global War On Terror the Cavalry wasn't really doing their job either, nor a lot of the Artillery, and those are both OLD, established branches.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 2 at 2021 10:08 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 10:08:16 -0400

Every assignment is what you make it. Get a positive attitude and look at the good side of the projected assignment.

You'll be assigned to Germany! That's a great place to take advantage of travel and recreation opportunities. Your off time and leave time should allow you to explore Europe. With some planning and saving you should be able to visit much of Germany and Austria, beautiful part of Europe, along with the "low countries." Space-A transportation should allow you to get to the US on leave at minimum cost. Also, you can fly Space-A within Europe.

Many IT certifications are available on-line. You should look into tuition assistance to help cover the costs. Work on an Associate Degree in IT. I also suspect you'll have a chain of command in the IT business, maybe not specifically "cyber warrior", who will be interested in your professional development.

Also, learn German. Great opportunity of use the language. I found many Germans speak English, but are willing to help people who are attempting to learn and use German. Can lead to some humorous encounters, but worth the effort.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2021 12:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 12:41:52 -0400

If I was a young PFC who was offered a chance to go to Germany I would be happy to do ANYTHING for the opportunity. I would be happy scrubbing toilets and emptying trash cans for three years for the opportunity to live and party in Germany at that age. You can always pursue your education on your own time as well.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2021 1:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 13:17:58 -0400

Dude....it's Germany. GERMANY!!!!! You have one person...ONE....telling you how it is. Each assignment is what you make it. I bet if you take the passion and enthusiasm you have for your MOS, you can sell your worth to the Command.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2021 4:27 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 16:27:37 -0400

Honeslty, SGM Private RallyPoint Member said it best. Coming from my perspective, Germany is far from the worst assignment, and if I got the opportunity to do my job everywhere I've been, I think I would have been happier, but that just isn't always the case in this Army. Even being in your specialized MOS, I'm sure some trash being picked up, bathrooms to clean, and some other menial tasks will need to be done that you'll have to do. It is apart of being a lower enlisted Soldier. Good luck to you, I hope you enjoy Germany!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Apr 2 at 2021 11:21 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 23:21:55 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member, I think that SGM Private RallyPoint Member, MSG Private RallyPoint Member and SFC Private RallyPoint Member have hit the nail on the head! Go to Germany!

Response by 1stSgt Ani Stubbs made Aug 2 at 2021 11:42 AM

1stSgt Ani Stubbs — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:42:19 -0400

Talk to someone else in your unit.