What is it like working as a human resource specialist in an Engineer Battalion S1?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 18:30:37 -0500

Hello all. I am currently on orders to go to an engineer battalion. I am a human resource specialist. Does anyone have any insight on what it’s like working as an S1 in this battalion? TIA!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 7:15 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:15:46 -0500

Pretty much the same as every other battalion. S1 shops typically split the duties up among the lower enlisted, one person will handle awards, another will handle something else. I've been in every type of unit except Cav and they all work this way. Reach out to your sponsor though, they can give you more details.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 7:30 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:30:56 -0500

I actually did this, once upon a time.
The biggest difference was that there was a ton of manpower in the organization compared to others. My HHC in the engineers was bigger than my whole Civil Affairs Battalion is now.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 15 at 2020 8:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:37:09 -0500

When I was in an Armor Bn, many of the soldiers who worked in the S-1 shop were soldiers who were being chaptered out.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 10:43 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 22:43:39 -0500

You pretty much do the same things as anywhere else, but keep in mind that since you fall under an Engineer Unit, you'll have to meet the ACFT standard for Engineers even though you're a 42A...Engineers among a few other MOSs have the highest and hardest ACFT level.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 16 at 2020 7:10 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 07:10:02 -0500

I've been in Infantry, MI, Cav, and EN units. S1 is S1. The ONLY exception I saw was my brief deployment working with the SOF community (I always caveat, I am mot and have never been SF, I was just supporting them). Even then, S1 was S1, they were just BETTER at it.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 17 at 2020 8:24 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 08:24:21 -0500

About the same as any other Battalion S1 Shop. Combat Engineer Battalions are just a bit bigger that an Infantry Battalion. If they are fully staffed, the work load for the junior enlisted is usually divided up between awards, pay and promotion, and general Admin stuff. If they are doing their jobs, it's pretty busy.
It's not the most exciting job in the world, but if the S1 section is screwed up, there are lots of unhappy soldiers. I was Active or Active Reserve for a bit over 13 years, less than 2 as S1, but at least 70 percent of the questions and problems that are brought up here go through the S1/G1 section.

Response by CPL Max Miranda made Jan 19 at 2020 11:06 AM

CPL Max Miranda — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:06:16 -0500

Same like working on other S1s except you might have better accomodations since you will be stationed in an engineer battalion