What can anybody tell me about PSYOP in the reserve component?

2020-03-05T08:45:27-05:00

What can anybody tell me about PSYOP in the reserve component? Training, deployments, typical drill weekend, AT, etc? Is this MOS over or understaffed? Can I go airborne? Also, is there any sign on bonuses and could I potentially be released early from my existing MOS contract to reclass? I’ve been researching and can’t seem to find much about PSYOP in the Reserve.

Response by LTC Joe Anderson made Mar 5 at 2020 12:48 PM

2020-03-05T12:48:08-05:00

I was with the 10th BN PSYOP now, MISO (South St Louis MO and 1 Company in Kansas City) from 1996 to 2005 and a PSYOPer till 2008 when I finished transitioning to MI. Reserve MISO/PSYOP deploys often approximately every 2-4 years. You have the normal drill weekend each month and annual training sometime during the year (Usually 21-23 days not the traditional 14 days). You rarely do annual training (AT) as a company. Most commonly you deploy to AT as a team to support needs like; Embassy short MISO tours, Exercises like CIRACOM 2000 (Support to SF and the Caribbean Command), various BN, BDE, and Corp Command Post Exercises, NTC, JRTC, MISO Support to active duty units in various locations, support at 4th Group or USACAPOC... As a MISO/PSYOP Soldier you have the opportunity to do several AT's a year. On average I did 2-3 a year with a max of 4 AT's in 2000. I deployed from late 2002 to mid 2004, was off active duty for 6 months and drilling prior to going back o active duty from 2005-2017.

As an enlisted MISO/PSYOP Soldier you make rank faster than your peers but you're also given more responsibility. Training is done at Ft Bragg at the JFK Special Warfare School, once trained you are not SF but you are a Special Operations Forces Soldier (You might be able to add airborne training on completion of the 37F course. Depending on your units desire to allow you to go. But this must be coordinated in advance), as such your PT test is graded on SF standards (70% not 60%). Deployments are more often than regular reserve units and anywhere from 6-18 months long. On a typical drill weekend you're listening to the required annual briefs, prepping for Deployments or AT, testing on Land Nav, Swim Test, 10K Ruck Marches, staying proficient with your equipment and 37F skills... Is this MOS over or understaffed? Some MISO MISO/PSYOP are over others understaffed due to OPTEMPO... Most MISO units are allowed to double slot and still promote these soldiers even though they are double slotted.

There's an Airborne Unit in TX the 345th Psychological Operations Company (Airborne) (TPC)
(I've been away from MISO/PSYOP for 12 years now and there might be another airborne unit now but I could be mistaken)). That unit has/had very low turnover because they were on "Jump" status, required all their Soldiers to go to Airborne School, and jumped during several drills and AT throughout the year. It's one of the hardest to get into due to being on "Jump" status and guaranteed "Airborne School." In regards to sign on bonuses and potentially early released from your existing MOS contract to reclass these are questions you need to ask a recruiter.

I'm not advocating any unit but you can also reach out to the 10th BN and ask them about information on units near you. Below I have posted the 10th BN old address and a possible new one and what I think may still be their phone #. I've also Posted the units under 7th Group and 10th BNs Facebook page.

[login to see]
10th BN PSYOP/MISO,
24 Kearney St, St. Louis, MO 63125 or,
24 Davis Street Saint Louis, Missouri 63125
318th PSYOP [login to see] Ext 2709

7th Psychological Operations Group (USAR)

SGT James Witkowski Armed Forces Reserve Center | Mountain View, California, United States
Headquarters and Headquarters Company

10th Psychological Operations Battalion

Jefferson Barracks Armed Forces Reserve Center | Jefferson Bks ANGS , St. Louis, Missouri Headquarters and Headquarters Company
307th Psychological Operations Company
318th Psychological Operations Company
308th Psychological Operations Company, CPL Clifford M. Davis United States Army Reserve Center | Belton, MO

12th Psychological Operations Battalion
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
320th Psychological Operations Company
41st Infantry Division Armed Forces Reserve Center | Camp Withycombe , Clackamas, Oregon
324th Psychological Operations Company
William T. Fitzsimmons United States Army Reserve Center | Aurora, Colorado
349th Psychological Operations Company
William T. Fitzsimmons United States Army Reserve Center | Aurora, Colorado
361st Psychological Operations Company
SSG Joe R. Hooper United States Army Reserve Center | Bothell, Washington

rank 14th Psychological Operations Battalion
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
301st Psychological Operations Company
Van Deman Hall United States Army Reserve Center | San Diego
304th Psychological Operations Company
B.T. Collins United States Army Reserve Center | Sacramento
315th Psychological Operations Company
MAJ Norm E. Thrall Hall United States Army Reserve Center | Upland
353rd Psychological Operations Company
North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

17th Psychological Operations Battalion
Camp Mabry | Austin, Texas
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
341st Psychological Operations Company
Camp Bullis | San Antonio
344th Psychological Operations Company
Camp Bullis | San Antonio
345th Psychological Operations Company (Airborne) (TPC)
Lewisville Armed Forces Reserve Center | Lewisville
399th Psychological Operations Company
Baton Rouge Armed Forces Reserve Center | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
306th Psychological Operations Company
Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base | Los Alamitos

https://www.facebook.com/hsc10thpob/

Headquarters Support Company, 10th Psychological Operations Battalion

Headquarters Support Company, 10th Psychological Operations Battalion, St. Louis. 153 likes. 24 Davis StreetSaint Louis, Missouri 63125(314) 416-3000

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2020 3:58 PM

2020-03-06T15:58:43-05:00

Add me/message me on here if you’d like. I was a 68D for six years while active duty and reclassed to 37F when I went reserves. There are awesome and not so awesome units out there. I’m from Kansas (living her for a few more months while my spouse is at basic), but my unit (airborne) is in Ohio. If you want a high-op tempo, the unit you choose is very important.