What skill courses can you attend as Civil Affairs (38B)? Jump Master? HALO?

2016-03-14T15:41:52-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 4:02 PM

2016-03-14T16:02:19-04:00

Jump master, SERE-C, Special Operations Language, opportunities for language immersion, battle staff, air assault, ranger, sapper

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-03-14T18:10:45-04:00

SAPPER probably isn't going to happen and depending on op tempo school will be dictated to the mission.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 8:22 AM

2016-03-15T08:22:44-04:00

I can send a high-performer from any CA unit to Airborne and, of course, everyone from one of the six jump-status CA Bns. Jumpmaster is encouraged once you have 12 jumps from high-performance aircraft. Money has been short lately to send people to DLI, but we are working the issue. Immersion training if you are already a 1/1 is doable now. Battle Staff highly encouraged and required to get your re-up bonus. Yes, to Air Assault, but there are only a few slots a year. Sapper ain't happening unless you are 12 series. Ranger would normally never happen, but I did have the only female USAR candidate last year. And no to HALO. If you need help getting in to a CA unit, send me an email and I will be glad to help.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:19 PM

2016-03-15T16:19:32-04:00

First, I wouldn't pick a career field based solely on a few schools....but, SERE-C and jump master are heavily pushed. RANGER is doable, HALO is a nope, SAPPER, air assault and pathfinder are difficult due to slots. Many other great schools and training are available that don't give you a uniform trinket. SOF medical and SOF engineer courses are easy to get.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:26 PM

2016-03-15T16:26:57-04:00

ABN will come with the MOS, as will initial 6 months language. Expect SERE-C to be your first school after switching over. As the BG stated, Sapper is currently closed to non-Engineers. Advanced driving courses are very common and tons of fun. A portion of the 18C course is also available (construction). JM is highly encouraged. Advanced SERE courses, planning courses, SOCM and CAMS if you qualify can happen before the Q course, Instructor course, Ranger,

Schools that are rare - Pathfinder, extra language immersion (due to OPTEMPO mainly),

Schools you won't get - SFARTAEC, SCUBA, Sniper, MFF,

Basically there are schools that enhance the CA mission, and schools that have pretty badges or are really cool but don't really offer anything to the CA mission. If it can be properly justified, your command will probably send you, but if there's no mission enhancing justification, its prob not happening. That being said, there are some really fun and "cool" training/schools out there. New ones are being found all the time and integrated into CA. There are some courses that are not in ATRRS or run by the Army and its all civilian taught. Good luck at CAAS.

Response by PVT Ryan P. Quirk made Mar 16 at 2016 12:16 AM

2016-03-16T00:16:03-04:00

you have put in for jump school at Benning.. Once you have been qualified as a paratrooper. Then you can put in for HALO/HAHO school at JFKSWCS at Ft.Bragg. When I was working at HALO Committee. The slots were usually full. However slots are given to soldiers that were mission critical such as Special Forces 18 Series then Seals and Marine Recon. They then left one to two slots open for the Special Forces Riggers. After that.. any additional slots went to Rangers, and then finally anyone else who was on the list. They also had a hold over list. Guys who waited outside in the hallway hoping a selected individual failed his/her halo physical or were deployed or didn't make the time call. If your not there on time you can loose your slot. Attempt to get a slot/seat first. If your stationed at Bragg. Then also attempt being first in line during the hold over wait. Make sure you have a halo physical completed well in advance... Now I am sure things at HALO Committee hasn't changed to much... But give them a call and see where things go. Good luck...

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-03-18T13:00:47-04:00

In my limited experience in CA (only 5 years so far, active duty), it is possible to get into AASLT, Pathfinder, Ranger, Sapper, Jump Master (pretty much required on the NCO side to get promoted), and SERE-C. That being said, it changes based on many factors.

There is really not use or need for HALO for a 38 Series, even in a SOF Unit. Therefore, it probably isn't happening. Sure there might be an exception someday, but not today.

While all the others might be possible, the chances of you getting more than a few are going to depend on your OPTEMPO (will be high) and what your future missions will require. Our training cycle in theory has room for individual training, but often times that training is tailored to what your next mission will be. Often times the training will also be stuff that is contracted as well. I don't think anyone has done Pathfinder, Sapper, or Ranger for a few years.

Skill badges are great, but generally not necessary in the Civil Affairs Regiment. We are way more interested in your ability to do the assigned mission than admiring the badges on your chest (especially since you probably won't wear your uniform nearly as often as you do now). This is a great job. Stay healthy preparing. Do your best at selection. If you make the cut, this will be one of the greatest opportunities you will have to build up a diverse personal and team skill set and apply it in ways and places that you never would have imagined when you enlisted in the Army.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 5:39 AM

2016-03-20T05:39:08-04:00

You might also look at courses which directly support your MOS, especially in the Joint/NATO /UN arena. We are moving more and more towards CIMIC operations, and it will really make a difference in the results when you have a working understanding of the partnerships, integrations, and roles.

Check out http://www.cimic-coe.org/products/training-education/course-schedule/ for starters. Also, l highly recommend a course I just completed in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler with the German CIMIC Academy.

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