How do I prepare for life as a new 13F FST NCO?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 21:22:11 -0500

For all the 13Fs. I’ve been a medic in the army for 9 years, been a SGT for my last 3, went in the guard full time for a bit, wasn’t a fan, and now I’m in 13F AIT and I just found out I got slotted for ALC a month after I graduate. How do I best prepare not just for ALC, but as a new fister NCO?

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2021 9:53 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 21:53:25 -0500

Your main task at ALC will be to pass your surface to surface CFF, which should be pretty easy since you’ll be fresh out of AIT.
As far as your fist life will go, study planning. You and your FSO will come up with all of the fires plans at the company level so make sure you know how to properly use your echloment of fires. Once you get to your unit, become good friends with your company mortors Cheif. He can teach you a lot about the uses and effectiveness of each system.
Other then that, you’ll just have 5 or soldiers soldiers causing you headaches but you know how to deal with that.

Response by PVT Louis Anderson made Dec 16 at 2021 7:38 PM

PVT Louis Anderson — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 19:38:29 -0500

I was an FO 40 years ago, we started with a map and a radio.By the time I got out we were using lasers to paint targets and dmds to send a burst message. I guess what I'm saying is I I have no idea what's going on now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2021 7:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 19:03:22 -0500

TBH it sounds like you are being set up for failure and should not be going to ALC. Every 13F reclass I've known including myself does not come out of AIT knowing how to be an FO, there is a lot of shit you need to learn on actual training cycles with your maneuver that simply isn't taught schoolhouse. If you're going ALC then that means SSG and FSNCO which you frankly are not ready for. There is a reason they have KD time requirements for promotion you really shouldn't even be going to ALC yet.

Response by SGT Lynn Williams made Mar 1 at 2022 11:37 AM

SGT Lynn Williams — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 11:37:37 -0500

As a Vietnam 13F NCOIC in the 4th Infantry Division, you should first keep in mind that you are the King of Battle and many lives will depend on your actions. Your first commitment will always be to the infantry. I would get to know your leaders of 11B & also your 13B's they will clue you in to there tactics for calling down fire missions or there ammuntion counts. Doubling down your FO's wether they are inserted or not with the infantry, need to give you updates on there positions on a timely manner, especially if they are moving with the armor as part of your battalion. Another helpful idea that is very effective are to have your FO's can give you there azimuth of the direction they are looking from there OP. Keep in mind that technology can fail in an instance, see if you can find a manual protractor for range and time of flight to keep with your maps encase of an emergency failure of real time data. Last but not least have your OIC figuring ought your ballistic MET updates. If you ever have any other questions I will try and answer them anytime. Best of luck with your chosen career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2022 4:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:08:29 -0400

That’s an extremely steep learning curve to jump in as an E6 13F but you’re asking the right questions. Learn from your peers and be humble. Catch up on schools immediately JFO at the bare minimum