What is the process and difficulty of getting into ARSOF units like CA or SF as an AMEDD officer?

James Stroup — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 16:37:57 -0400

I am currently applying for AMEDD direct commission as a veterinarian 64A (my packet was submitted to the VC board this month). I know several veterinarians in CA and it has always sounded like a perfect fit for me. Unlike most vets who work with pets and MWDs in the military, I am very passionate about public health, epidemiology, and infectious/zoonotic diseases. I'm also very interested in the management of bio-terrorism threats (eg. anthrax, FMD, ect.). I have always been interested in SF, but I am unsure of the roles a veterinarian can play in those units.

My understanding is that during my first few years of active duty as 64A, I will 99% likely be working with service members pets, military working dogs, and food safety. After about 3-4 years, I will be able to submit a packet for CA (or SF??) if there are any openings (I've heard there aren't usually many openings...). Then, if selected, I will be required to complete Airborne school. That's about all I have been told by a vet who is in CA reserves.

Does anyone have any insight or advice? I don't see many posts about veterinarians, but I'm assuming the process is similar to other AMEDD AOCs.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Sep 19 at 2019 7:31 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 19:31:00 -0400

Had a veterinary dig a wooden splinter out of the back of my calf (no pun intended) once after sliding down a muddy slope. It hurt like the dickens before he dug it out.
I'm not sure a veterinary has much need in SF but every officer and enlisted are supposed to have alternate branches (officer) or Secondary MOS (enlisted) so good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2019 8:20 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 20:20:27 -0400

I wish I could provide some more help cause I’m medically but I’m not an officer, so I’m not to familiar. I will say check out goarmysof.com they have all the requirements on there. I would also suggest reaching out to a ARSOF recruiter, they are really helpful.

I will say moving from your career field to CA would mean you won’t work as a vet regularly. You’d be a 38A. I’m sure if you wanted to keep your veternary credentials you would be able to work that out though.

Also, a lot depends on if you want to go active of reserve.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Sep 19 at 2019 11:46 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 23:46:38 -0400

You might want to contact your future branch manager at US Army HR for further details.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2019 10:58 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 10:58:38 -0400

Are you talking about reclassing to Civil Affairs or Special Forces? The active duty SOF Civil Affairs is different from the Reserve CA, so your contact serving as a Vet there will have a different experience. We have vets in our organization (Active Duty SOF CA). They have their roles and positions, and from what I understand it's not very different from the positions they serve in group battalions also.

If you're referring to reclassing, after you commission, start engaging with the SOF recruiters.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2019 11:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 11:44:53 -0400

When it comes to assignments in the Army the number one priority is strengths management. That means that no matter how qualified you are in something, or how much you want an assignment, the priority of the Army is to fill its holes.
That also means that who gets what assignment comes down to who is eligible to move at what time. Each assignment is slotted for a specific rank and other requirements such as key development assignments completed. When that one single Vet job is projected to be open, you need to be the right rank, assignments and schools completed, and time on station to move, time in service, and time in grade, just to be eligible to apply for the slot. Officer assessments are even more restrictive than Enlisted assignments and when the call goes out to apply to the USASOC slating board, it will look something like: Major, no more than 3 years time in grade, X number years at x type assignment, etc. This is assuming that a position opens up during the small bandwidth in your career that you're eligible to apply. The veterinarians who are there may not want to leave while you're eligible to apply.

If you are selected, you won't have the choice of which unit you go to. CA, Psyops, and SF all fall under SF Command. SF command falls under USASOC, and USASOC is who you'll be applying to. A condition of working at USASOC is that it's an Airborne unit so you would be expected to go to Airborne school. However there are plenty of non airborne slots so you could feasibly work there without ever attending airborne training.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 20 at 2019 6:56 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 18:56:49 -0400

Ever consider applying for a Dept of the Army civilian job and go Reserve on the SF path.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2019 2:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 14:54:59 -0400

James,
I just left a reserve CA command as an AMEDD officer (72D). There were several vets (not all were airborne qualified) ranging from ranks of CPT to LTC. The CA uses vets in a great way (not so much for environmental science officers) and there are a ton of opportunities. I'm not sure what rank you will acquire with your direct commission and your recruiter will likely have a slot for you to commission into but you should be able to request a transfer to a CA unit after 1 year. The "application" process is generally getting a phone number of the unit's ARA or S1 and asking. The CA CMD I transferred to had an O5 slot that I wanted in order to promote. I called the S1, he had me send the commander and himself a copy of my last 3 OER's, military bio, and latest PT score card. Once they looked it over and accepted my request, the paperwork was all done by the losing and gaining units. I received orders after a couple of weeks.

Sorry for the long response but looking at your interests and wants, you would be a perfect fit for a CA unit. If you want to go to Airborne school, you will get a seat but it'd be after being assigned to the unit and likely not required (depending on the specific unit your assigned). Any other questions I can help out with, me email is [login to see] , feel free to shoot me an email. I may even be able to get you some CA contacts if you need them.