Pros and cons of being in a TRADOC unit compared to a FORSCOM?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:58:42 -0400

I have been in a TRADOC FA unit my whole Army career, i have heard many leaders tell me that this isn’t the “real” army but we usually do not have time to chit chat about the pros and cons that I am inexperienced with. I have heard that TRADOC is held to a much higher standard and is enforced with discipline much more than the average unit and that we are still treated like basic trainees, is that true or false? Also Am very curious if FORSCOM is that much different, because I have been in my reinlistment window for sometime now, debating reclassification because of the way my job is currently. Please if you can, state pros and cons of your experiences (do not need to know personnel/detailed experiences) and tasks at a FORSCOM unit vs TRADOC, thank you.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Oct 4 at 2018 12:19 PM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 12:19:51 -0400

I have no idea SPC Private RallyPoint Member but you pose a very interesting question. Will be nice to see your responses.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Oct 4 at 2018 1:41 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:41:36 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I was FORSCOM for the vast majority of my career, but my only experience in TRADOC is the courses and training I took along the way. But, here's some insight as to why some leaders are going to say that FORSCOM is the "real" Army and TRADOC isn't: real-world operational experience.

You are a Fire Control Specialist and have been in the Army for a couple of years. Have you deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan? I'm guessing not. Not that that is your fault, but, you're in TRADOC - which isn't exactly known for deployment opportunities. The "real" Army is the Army that trains for deployments and then deploys. The TRADOC Army provides training support and materials to train FORSCOM units to go deploy.

That's why it's good to try and get out into the "real" Army where you go train, and then go deploy. We can train all day. We can read doctrine all day. But, until you hear the air-raid sirens that signal ACTUAL incoming fire and have to find the nearest concrete bunker for yourself, all of that training doesn't matter - it's just a nice idea. Until you hear that *snap* of a round whipping over your head (even if you ARE in an armored Humvee), and you realize that SOMEONE out there is actually trying to SHOOT you, all of the doctrine is just words on a page.

A healthy mix of FORSCOM and TRADOC will be best for your career, your personal development as a Soldier, and for your development as a leader.

All of this is not to say that if a Soldier or leader hasn't deployed that they are somehow less than any other Soldier or leader - they aren't. However, that Soldier and leader that HAS deployed has an entirely different experience and perspective to draw from that others don't.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2018 9:47 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 21:47:45 -0400

TRADOC isn’t the same as FORSCOM but it’s no less “real”. I tend to agree that FORSCOM trains and deploys and that’s the key difference *and* it’s much larger... but it’s not any more real. TRADOC standards are much difference- 350-1 vs 350-6 and there’s certainly a different vibe. Interestingly, TRADOC seems to be more in vogue with centralized promotions. I can only speak to MI, but leadership positions in TRADOC seem to be viewed MUCH more favorably at boards than FORSCOM and especially INSCOM.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 5 at 2018 9:24 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 09:24:00 -0400

TRADOC are trainers, period. Most of the time they are strictly following the Book. FORSCOM are mainly fighters-we know the Book is only a guide, not the Bible- we learned what is good and what actually works to keep us alive- something FORSCOM often losses in the Book. Being Mickey Mouse robot works well in training, but not so well in combat- there is no hand slapping in combat- failures equal somebodies death. Also keep mind that TRADOC is famous for training for the last war and does not react quickly to change. The standards are much different- quoting the manual is not as important as surviving.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Oct 5 at 2018 11:02 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 11:02:20 -0400

SPC Matti,
I personally spent time on both, but a little longer on FORSCOM. You're slightly correct when referring how TRADOC is held to a higher standard...in some aspects that is correct. Because, when you're in a TRADOC environment, most is in black and white. But, that's not necessarily true on FORSCOM units, especially when you deploy and, RPGs and bullets flying by you which at that point blank and white is not so much black and white anymore, it becomes reality. This is when we have to make some adjustments a little bit based on the situation in front of you, still following the fundamentals.
I never agreed when some said that TRADOC was/is not the real Army. The Army is the Army in my opinion, regardless of where you are and what your job is. The overall mission is to win fights, plain and simple. Before I was an instructor, I deployed several times from Bosnia to Kosovo, and then Iraq. I think that made me a little more effective than other instructors that never deployed.
During my years in the Army I found out that been an instructor is not for everyone, same goes for deployments...not everybody handle those the same way. So, try to make a difference from where you are whether in TRADOC or FORSCOM. A Soldier is a Soldier in my book. Know your job inside and out, and strive to be the best.

Response by SSG Timothy Stevenson made Oct 6 at 2018 11:54 AM

SSG Timothy Stevenson — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 11:54:42 -0400

Make yourself a better Soldier and try them both. You make the decision afterwards and continue on with what’s right for you. I spent 18 out in the real Army and 2 in a Tradoc unit as an instructor, you will learn from both. Good luck with your career. RLTW

Response by SFC Josh Weatherbie made Oct 7 at 2018 1:06 PM

SFC Josh Weatherbie — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 13:06:39 -0400

Reenlist for a duty station of choice outside of TRADOC...see for yourself!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2018 8:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 08:48:09 -0400

Having experienced a little of both, I can say that both TRADOC and FORSCOM have very important missions and wherever you find yourself, do your best, leave your area of influence better than you found it, and the other peripheral stuff will work itself out.