Tips on first deployment and opportunities for career advancement?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:41:55 -0500

I'm going to Afghanistan in June. Im a 25B (IT) reserve soldier, and also speak farsi (haven't taken the DLAB yet).
How can I maximize my earnings (I'm single, 0 dependent), MOS related skills/certs, and if there are any college classes provided there I can take.
As of now there's not much information about what we will be doing, but it is a rather mellow deployment based on what has been going around.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2021 5:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:01:10 -0500

If you speak Farsi you should take the DLAB. There used to be a large education center in Afghanistan but they may have downsized with the lower troop numbers. 335th Signal Command at Arifjan, Kuwait runs a signal university that manages certification classes for theater. Best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2021 5:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:33:49 -0500

If you take the DLAB before you head out you may get more more money for it then if you were in the states. How much you get depends on location and going over there should give you the maximum the army allows for knowing another language

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2021 6:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:04:45 -0500

It's not the DLAB you take, it's the DLPT for Farsi. Don't schedule the wrong test and miss out on possible extra money. While you're at it you may want to take the OPI as well. If you're in an authorized position and location the OPI is worth an additional $100 a month. You'll want to do those before you go over.

You won't be provided any college courses but deployment is a good time to take online classes. You have your tuition assistance, find a school that is flexible. I recommend Coastline Community College. I was enrolled there while I was deployed and they were very flexible with my patrol schedule.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 8 at 2021 6:05 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:05:19 -0500

What are your career goals?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2021 6:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 18:30:42 -0400

Hello SPC! I'll ask around for you here too