Posted on Dec 7, 2020
Where does 12Y and 35G usually cap out at rank-wise in the Guard?
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I know this discussion has been asked before, and I've looked through them all. I've been out and am considering getting back in. From my understanding 12y would be the more valuable MOS to hold as a civilian, but 35 g would be the best mos to have in service because of the advancement opportunities. So my question would be where does 12 y and 35 g usually cap out at rank wise in the guard? I've never been in an engineer company that isn't a sapper company, and have no idea about a military intel company.
I wouldn't want to lose rank, but you can do anything for three part time years.
I'm also curious as to what the modern consensus is on which is better since the last time it was asked. Would a combat engineer be at home in another engineer company, or are those guys so different it wouldn't really matter?
Thinking about moving out west. There is a college that will have a GIS major in 2022 that 12y would directly benefit, but also if people think it would be better just to go for the 35g, I still might do it and just use the tuition assistance for the major.
I wouldn't want to lose rank, but you can do anything for three part time years.
I'm also curious as to what the modern consensus is on which is better since the last time it was asked. Would a combat engineer be at home in another engineer company, or are those guys so different it wouldn't really matter?
Thinking about moving out west. There is a college that will have a GIS major in 2022 that 12y would directly benefit, but also if people think it would be better just to go for the 35g, I still might do it and just use the tuition assistance for the major.
Posted in these groups: 
12Y: Geospatial Engineer
35G-Enlisted: Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst
Civilian Career
Military Career
12Y: Geospatial Engineer 35G-Enlisted: Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst Civilian Career Military Career
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 2
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I was, once upon a time, a 96H. 96H became 35H when the re-numbered everything, and then 35Hs got folded into 35Gs. At the time, there were exactly three E8 positions in the entire Army for 96H (two 1SGs and a MSG, IIRC). There weren't a whole lot more for 96D (which became 35G). With the consolidation, there still aren't many. So.... you are probably looking at capping out at SFC.
My last assignment before retirement (3 years ago) was in a MI Company nestled inside an Engineer Battalion for a BCT. That Engineer Battalion had exactly 0 12Ys - and 0 35Gs. Those were all up in the BDE S2. I *think* BDE had ONE 12Y and a handful (5?) of 35Gs, but IIRC (and that is a BIG if - I didn't spend a lot of time talking to the BDE S2) the 12Y was the senior person and the 35Gs were assigned under him. I think 12Y was SFC and 35Gs were SSG and below. I think.
However, if you are only looking at three years in the Guard, and you are looking at entering as a SGT (maybe a SPC, if the fates are unkind), I don't think you really have to worry about capping out in either MOS. Advancement is a total crap shoot in just about any MOS, especially in the Guard.
As far as how close a 12Y is to a 12B, I think they are probably more different than similar (but I have never held either MOS, to be fair). And an MI Company is definitely different than a Sapper Company. Sappers are grunts. Smart grunts, but grunts nonetheless. MI folks are POGs, even the hooah ones. And 35Gs are not, generally, the hooah ones. It will be a bit of a culture shock, regardless of 12Y or 35G. I think 12Y may be a little bit LESS of a culture shock, but I could be entirely wrong.
I don't think I completely answered your question, but I hope I have at least given you some good information to get started with. I'd be happy to answer any other specific questions you have that you think I might be able to provide valuable insight on.
My last assignment before retirement (3 years ago) was in a MI Company nestled inside an Engineer Battalion for a BCT. That Engineer Battalion had exactly 0 12Ys - and 0 35Gs. Those were all up in the BDE S2. I *think* BDE had ONE 12Y and a handful (5?) of 35Gs, but IIRC (and that is a BIG if - I didn't spend a lot of time talking to the BDE S2) the 12Y was the senior person and the 35Gs were assigned under him. I think 12Y was SFC and 35Gs were SSG and below. I think.
However, if you are only looking at three years in the Guard, and you are looking at entering as a SGT (maybe a SPC, if the fates are unkind), I don't think you really have to worry about capping out in either MOS. Advancement is a total crap shoot in just about any MOS, especially in the Guard.
As far as how close a 12Y is to a 12B, I think they are probably more different than similar (but I have never held either MOS, to be fair). And an MI Company is definitely different than a Sapper Company. Sappers are grunts. Smart grunts, but grunts nonetheless. MI folks are POGs, even the hooah ones. And 35Gs are not, generally, the hooah ones. It will be a bit of a culture shock, regardless of 12Y or 35G. I think 12Y may be a little bit LESS of a culture shock, but I could be entirely wrong.
I don't think I completely answered your question, but I hope I have at least given you some good information to get started with. I'd be happy to answer any other specific questions you have that you think I might be able to provide valuable insight on.
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SGT (Join to see)
I can get along with anyone on my end. Just didn't know what level of hooah I would need to show up in either unit.
Wasn't really expecting to try and cap out, more of just trying to figure out what the leadership structure would be for the NCOs in said units. I hear in MI that eventually lots of the NCOs eventually become responsible for managing soldiers in different MOS and that it limits the amount of slots available for TLs and SLs. But I don't know anybody in said units so am never sure what is hearsay and what isn't.
Wasn't really expecting to try and cap out, more of just trying to figure out what the leadership structure would be for the NCOs in said units. I hear in MI that eventually lots of the NCOs eventually become responsible for managing soldiers in different MOS and that it limits the amount of slots available for TLs and SLs. But I don't know anybody in said units so am never sure what is hearsay and what isn't.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
I spent most of my career MI (96H, and then 35M when they announced 96H was going away / merging with 96D.) And I was pretty much always in an MI unit (MI Company, MI Detachment, or the Intelligence Center of Excellence) or MI Shop (S2). I did one short stint as a HQ PSG / Ops NCO for HHC BDE, but that was only after I was moved over from an MI role elsewhere in the Company, (namely the BDE S2) to "fix" the totally screwed up and dysfunctional HHC Orderly/Training Room. (and be the "alternate 1SG" (not acting - oh no, because then they would have to rate me) for the HHC 1SG who was too busy retiring to actually run his Company.) I was also Active the entire time - Guard may have a different experience.
MI is still in high demand; it is one of the harder branches to qualify for (requiring both a TS and a High GT), and it is one of the combat supports no combatant commander wants to be without. They also can't replicate it with untrained grunts, like they can with supply, cooks, or truck drivers (not that 11Bs do it as good - there is a reason those are their own MOS. I am not trying to throw shade, I promise. Please don't hate on me 92s or 88s). For that reason, very few Commanders are willing to send their MI folks out to do other, non-MI jobs. At least on the active side.
That being said..... The majority of my PSG and SFC time (I spent PSG time as a SSG, as well) was with mixed MOS and/or working outside my MOS. When I was working outside my MOS it was usually for political reasons outside the normal scope of a career path (I have a tendency to piss off powerful people by telling them their shit does, indeed, stink). BUT... ALL of my TL and SL time was with my own MOS (11B before I reclassed, 96H after).
MI is still in high demand; it is one of the harder branches to qualify for (requiring both a TS and a High GT), and it is one of the combat supports no combatant commander wants to be without. They also can't replicate it with untrained grunts, like they can with supply, cooks, or truck drivers (not that 11Bs do it as good - there is a reason those are their own MOS. I am not trying to throw shade, I promise. Please don't hate on me 92s or 88s). For that reason, very few Commanders are willing to send their MI folks out to do other, non-MI jobs. At least on the active side.
That being said..... The majority of my PSG and SFC time (I spent PSG time as a SSG, as well) was with mixed MOS and/or working outside my MOS. When I was working outside my MOS it was usually for political reasons outside the normal scope of a career path (I have a tendency to piss off powerful people by telling them their shit does, indeed, stink). BUT... ALL of my TL and SL time was with my own MOS (11B before I reclassed, 96H after).
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SGT (Join to see) - Also, re: level of Hooah... Bring it all. All of it. Chances are almost nonexistent that you will be ordered to tone it down. And that extra hooah will probably help motivate the less hooah around you, which, trust me, will be good for them.
I am a relatively laid back guy, I was also a relatively laid back NCO. ...Until it came time to get 'er done, then I was relentless and unforgiving. My Soldiers caught on real quick that when it was "go time," anything less than maximum effort was completely and totally unacceptable. Those few times when I went over the top and had past life regression into my 11B days were eye-opening for both my Soldiers and my peers - and great things followed.
Also... PT. MI ain't known for their aggressive approach to physical fitness. You can help your Soldiers with that.
I am a relatively laid back guy, I was also a relatively laid back NCO. ...Until it came time to get 'er done, then I was relentless and unforgiving. My Soldiers caught on real quick that when it was "go time," anything less than maximum effort was completely and totally unacceptable. Those few times when I went over the top and had past life regression into my 11B days were eye-opening for both my Soldiers and my peers - and great things followed.
Also... PT. MI ain't known for their aggressive approach to physical fitness. You can help your Soldiers with that.
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If you want a job in the private sector, 35G is a good bet. There are a lot of jobs available from working at National Geographic, to designing maps for Uber.
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