What is family life like for someone whose MOS is 14H? Specifically while living on duty station?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:13:46 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2021 4:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:16:01 -0400

Too many variables out there. This is going to be based on what base you get sent to, the unit you are assigned to, their mission statement and their field exercise schedules.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2021 5:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 17:11:55 -0400

Surprised to see anyone ask about 14H stuff on here, it's refreshing. Welcome to Air Defense, make the best of it.

14H life will vary drastically depending on where you get sent. There are 3 main first duty assignments: Sensor Management, Patriot, JTAGS

With the opening of Sensor Management to lower enlisted soldiers in 2019ish, which used to be an all NCO assignment, your life is shift work. You'll be on a panama schedule 12 hour work day/night. You'll manage radar settings for your assigned radar in whatever location you're in. There is no deployments here. You'll be living what's called the "good life" in 14H land. Use this time to do college, you'll have a ton of free time at work.

Patriot is the one everyone has a love/hate with. Your work days are usually 0630-1700~ Monday-Friday. You will go to the field usually quarterly, depending on your location. You WILL deploy usually once every two years, maybe a little less. The operational experience you can gain from this assignment is astronomical, assuming you put your best foot forward and learn the ins and outs. If you plan on doing 4 years and getting out, network with any of the Raytheon tech's that inevitably will come out and fix the broken radar.

JTAGS is similar to sensor management, however, it's a little more hectic. You don't have as much free time on shift, but your job definitely feels more rewarding. You work 12 hour panama shifts again and have no deployments from your assigned location.

Overall, sensor management is the best in my opinion. There are other niche duty positions that you could get, but they're not likely as a first term enlisted soldier. The 14H career path is good, as there are tons of things you can do with your career; IE Warrant Officer/Commissioned Officer/outside missile defense contractors. If you want any specific questions answered, connect with me on RP and send me a message. I'll do my best to help.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2021 10:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 22:06:52 -0400

Ive only been in for roughly 2 years, tossed on a “deployment” to Kuwait and if you like a job where at the end of the day you feel like you’ve accomplished something this is not for you at all. If you enjoy the computer equivalent of gate guard with a bunch of cool programs(Jtags and sensor manager) otherwise it’s pretty trash and feels like a fake Army.