What’s it like being a 19D?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 18:05:31 -0400

I’m in my reenlistment window and have 19D as a reclass option. What is the day to day like as a cav scout like? What’s it like on deployment and garrison? What would be my duties as a cav scout and as an E5 19D?

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 30 at 2020 6:17 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 18:17:56 -0400

I've heard it's a lot like being in the Infantry, but you're not.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 30 at 2020 7:55 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:55:13 -0400

Okay, take my view with a grain of salt as I got out back in 2014.
You can expect to do motorpool once a week just like everyone else. Most of your time in garrison is split between various FTXs and your (usually) annual gunnery qualifications. Time spent in garrison when you are not in the field will be more than likely taken up by the same tedious SGT's time training, however, as one of my former Soldier's has told me (and he's about to pin SSG), right now everything is extra-special stupid due to the whole COVID idiocy. Your points for promotion will usually remain low and so long as you are physically fit and keep your nose clean, you can expect to gain access to a number of cool-guy schools.
While deployed, you can think of 19D the same way you think of tankers or infantry while in theatre. This is, of course, just the nature of the unconventional battlefield. In a conventional war, well, it would be very different.
It's not a bad life, bud. Scouts are some of the greatest, albeit sometimes the dumbest, people you will ever meet. But this might hold true across the entire Army.
If you have any particular questions you can feel free to send me a message, and I will try my best to answer or pass you on to one of my guys who are still in who can definitely answer.

Response by PV2 Thomas Rush made Jul 1 at 2020 6:56 PM

PV2 Thomas Rush — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 18:56:45 -0400

Your trained duties may include that of a medic, a sapper, am armored vehicle operator, an artillery spotter, a traffic controller, an infiltrator, a sniper, and a weapons expert. Basically you will be the company commander's Swiss army knife, that always gets put forward downrange of everyone else and thier vehicles.

Response by SGT Robert Cupp made Jul 17 at 2020 12:29 AM

SGT Robert Cupp — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:29:35 -0400

I'm actually in a similar situation, thinking of reclassing to 19d. Im slightly biased about the cav since I was in the infantry but I'm getting where I want to try something different. I'm just worried it's gonna be lame and then I'm stuck in something I don't like.

Response by CPL Johnny Morgan made Nov 5 at 2020 8:55 PM

CPL Johnny Morgan — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:55:15 -0500

Loved it. Very independent position. You need to be highly mobile and resourceful.