What would you recommend as a career course of action for an 11B with an engineering degree?

2018-12-26T02:55:26-05:00

Well, I did 4 on a line and got some cool schools and everything needed for SFC minus some of the rated SL time requirement( was a SL for only one year). Re-Enlisted for a staff job which was cool, and led me to get out and get literally one of the best degrees in the country. I have a civ career started with 2+ years of experience, but to be honest, i get down to Ft. Benning once in a while and being a civ is just not feeling like a fit. So as a 33 yo guy with no health issues and plenty of options, im wondering if i should get back in(really im wondering what some good options currently are) I could see myself happy enlisted again doing intel support/analyst role since ive got a unique combo of experience and education, but i also think being an officer could be a rewarding way to have a 'second' half of a career. My day to day job as a civilian just isn't fulfilling, and i don't see how it can become so without 10 more years of work. Where as getting back in I could be a CO in a few years and make bigger impact. Also being in the Civilian world comes with much higher cost than at the time i made the decision to get out. Health care, education, etc. are going to be rediculous to start saving for now. (me and/or family).

So help me come up with some good courses of action. I do like the idea of OCS-> Infantry again, but honestly hate the thought of ranger school lol(who doesnt). And apparently i need to enlist anyway to do OCS. So i was thinking of re enlisting, possibly doing intel. My guess is that i would probably have rank determined as e-5. I believe this would currently mean theyd want me back in the Infantry. But could also swing e-6, which would allow me to choose from whatever available at the time for retrain(Grades E-6 - 14E, 14T, 25U, 35F, 35G, 35P (JN and RU), 74D, 88M, and 91A.). If i did the retrain/reenlist, could i still do OCS not long after if i decided against(under current rules). Help?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 4:59 AM

2018-12-26T04:59:26-05:00

Personally I believe it all boils down to retirement. It looks like you have 9 years in already so you only need to do 11 to have your 20 and be able to retire. On the officer side of the house you’re pretty much assured to make Captain unless you really step on your crank and you can retire at that pay grade vs E7 or E8. Plus being prior service, once you commission you will be making O1E pay, which is pretty much what a Captain makes without the enlisted time. I know that money isn’t everything, but ate someone essentially looking to start over, it has a big impact on your family. Also you say they’re making you re-enlist anyways, are they making you redo BCT due to your break in service or no? Also, as far as Ranger school, it really depends on your Battalion Commander, I had peers who didn’t have Ranger and still got platoons, and our S3 was a prior service guy without a tab, so again it’s all dependent on who your Commander is. This day and age it’s less likely that you’ll make it past Captain without it, but you never know. Bottom line is, don’t let the idea of Ranger school make the decision for you. And finally, under the current rules I’m not sure if you did the retrain option if you would be able to do OCS just because they are very picky when it comes to the TIS. Since you’ll probably have over 10 years TIS by the time you finish your retrain and get to your first duty assignment, they might not accept your packet. Each packet is handled case by case, but I’m not sure if they are waiving the TIS requirement and historically they won’t accept packets of the candidate has 10 years or more. I’m not sure how they would handle the break in service and requirements can change yearly, it all depends on manpower needs, but since the Army is extremely short of E6’s right now, the chance of them approving your packet with your TIS is probably pretty slim.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 8:00 AM

2018-12-26T08:00:12-05:00

I would check into the Navy Civil Engineering programs , you will have to earn your PE after LT to advance ,but that is an option. You will also get some FTX time if you go with Seabee units and that 100% possibility as a JO. You will do at least two Seabee tours , the others will be full on civil engineering with NAVFAC and some PWD time, you may also do some USACE time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 8:10 AM

2018-12-26T08:10:45-05:00

What discipline is your degree in? Do you have your EIT Examination under your belt? You have +2 years experience, is that experience that counts for sitting for your Practice and Principles Examination, if so, how many years experience do you need to sit. If you are within the grasp of earning your PE License in the state you live, I believe it would be worth while to see how that fits into the equation. It’s a License that no one could take away and where you practice independently if you wish. The longer you are out of school and not working actively in the profession, the more difficult it is to pass the examination.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 26 at 2018 8:39 AM

2018-12-26T08:39:48-05:00

OK, the Army makes you enlist, but you enlist as an OCS Candidate and you aren't sent to a unit first, you go to OCS. Ask to speak to the Army OCS recruiter and he should be able to get you started. Depending on how long you have been out, you may end up at BCT again. The other thing is that Army OCS will give you a wish list of Branches, but you aren't guaranteed one. Needs of the Army, you know. As a branch with your education, my first Choice would be Engineer. I was Enlisted Infantry and Commissioned Infantry, then Branch Transferred when I went to the KyANG. I don't regret it. Your engineering background certainly gives you a head start during your BLC and being a 11B gives you a big advantage if you end up in a 12B unit.
National Guard side. It's not full time, although AGR slots are available, but you do get a bit more control over your branch IF the state has openings in the Branch you want. In Kentucky, promotion and slots were plentiful in the Engineers up until Major, but in your case, you should have enough for a retirement at that point. NG and Reserve Retirements aren't paid unit age 60, and you have to earn a minimum of 50 retirement points a year to have a good retirement year. Not hard to do Active Reserve, 15 membership points, 1 for every unit training assembly, and one for every day on either Title 32 or Title 10 orders. Weekend Drills usually consist of 4 or more UTA's (MUTA) of 4 hours each. So 15 for membership, 48 for Drills, and 15 for annual training just as a basic time needed, so 78 points a year.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 4:20 PM

2018-12-26T16:20:28-05:00

Engineer Officer. Either as a combat engineer (would be my choice) or a "Corps of Engineers" civil engineer.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 8:02 PM

2018-12-26T20:02:21-05:00

If you go back in, get a commission. Push ahead, push ahead, push ahead. I didn't, and haven't gotten ambitious (even in civilian life) until recently and I regret it now. Push, strive, move ahead, go, go, go.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 3:50 AM

2018-12-29T03:50:00-05:00

I am not going to read the other responses, so if my suggestion is repeated I am sorry. The first question I have is what is going to make you happy? it is not a question those of us in the military are used to hearing. As I get to the end of my career it is the first question I am now asking. If your plan is to come back in that is the first question you should ask yourself. Once you know that send me a message and will be glad to provide any suggestions....Happy New year